Hope in Love

by J. Hali Steele

  “Good.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Osce hadn’t stopped laughing since Ram relayed the story of Yael’s return. “Poor Patty, caught up in your tangled web.”

  “She’s safer with me than that degenerate Peter.” Ram could smile again. Yael was back in his home. Exactly where she belonged.

  “Michael is going to geld your ass.”

  “Shut up. This is partly his fault. Him and the Fates. They foisted this assignment on the two of us.”

  “Yeah, but you did say he offered to let you off the hook and give it to Raphael.”

  “It was too late then. Yael’s a gentle soul and she had already gotten used to me.”

  “Bullshit, Ram. You’d say anything to have her. Really, what will you do when the babe is born? Michael won’t let you keep her. It just goes against all of the principles of the Father. Angels and exulted—it won’t happen, man.”

  Ram watched Osce’s eyes darken with anger and knew exactly what and who he thought about. He wasn’t sure this was a line of conversation that should be continued, but he felt the need to explain himself to his friend.

  “Nephilim. And Uri. Shit, it’s still not my fault. The Fates will have to deal with it. My daughter isn’t going to be left alone as the others were. She’ll be raised by me and her mother. She won’t be running amok on Earth.”

  “Unlike those in the past, she will be a force to be reckoned with. She will have your strength and magic,” Osce reminded him.

  “Her mate will be strong. The Fates have seen to that.”

  “Shit, let’s hope, and I use that word facetiously, she has a little of her mother in her. Then she will be a great power.”

  “Screw you. I’m not that bad.” But Ram agreed. In fact he hoped she not only had her mother’s temperament, but that she was just as lovely. Shit, maybe not. He’d be the one gelding the men.

  “Anyway, what did you need with me? More guard duty would be my guess.”

  “Yeah, but I don’t want her to know. Could you pretend you’re interested in Patricia? And since I told her I’d stay out of her way, if you take Patty out now and then, we’ll tag along. Would tonight be too soon?” Ram smiled at himself. He was pleading.

  “Hell, that’d be a pleasure.” Osce laughed at him again. “You got yourself in a real mess, don’t you?”

  “What would be a pleasure and who’s in a mess?”

  Both men’s heads spun around at the new voice.

  “Fuck.” Dislike dripped from Osce’s tone.

  “Aren’t you supposed to be visiting above?” Ram asked.

  “Did already, and what a nice visit it turned out to be. Morta is more magnificent than I remembered,” Uriel said.

  Ram watched his eyes cut to Osce. He had to give it to Osce, he never batted an eye nor did he lower them as most did in Uri or any angel’s presence. It was what Ram liked about him. He didn’t bow and scrape to anyone. If he liked you, he liked you, and if he didn’t, well, it was pretty much “fuck you”.

  What had happened between Osce and Morta?

  “Why are you looking at me? I’m not going back to lockup so get that thought out of your peanut-sized mind, Uri. And remember, I know how beautiful Morta is.” A sly smiled curled Osce’s lips.

  “I need him to handle some things for me,” Ram spoke up to diffuse the energy that arced through the air.

  “Yeah, right. What would that be?” Uri glared at Osce.

  “None of your goddamned business is what it would be.” Osce’s eyes swirled with fire.

  “Easy, O. Wasn’t trying to put you on lockdown. Relax already. But know this. If I wanted your ass back in lockup, it’s where you’d be. Don’t push it,” Uri said.

  “Go to hell,” Osce growled.

  “I live there. My home away from home,” Uri replied.

  “Excuse me,” Ram intervened before things got out of hand. “We have to go,” he said to Osce. The last thing he needed was to break up a dogfight between these two. At this point he wasn’t sure who’d win. Osce could tangle with the best of them. Uriel would have to pull out the big guns. Then all hell would break loose. Earthquakes and shit. Ram didn’t have time for that. He wanted to get home and see Yael. He couldn’t wait to get her in his arms or his bed.

  “Come on. You owe me again, Uri,” Ram said as he vanished with Osce.

  * * * * *

  Clothes were strewn over every inch of the room. Some hung from the doors and the chairs. Shoes of every color and heel height dotted the floor.

  Yael’s laughter was punctuated by a fit of coughing.

  “Sit still,” Patricia said. “Stop moving. You’ll be striped.”

  “I can’t help it, it tickles,” Yael giggled. Her toenails were blazing red. And so were a few of her toes.

  “There, done. I like that color on you.” Patty stared at her friend’s toes and laughed some more.

  “I am not going to say I like that green on yours no matter what, Patricia.”

  “I wish you’d call me Patty. Patricia is so damn formal.”

  “Patty, I hate your green toes.” They broke out in laughter again. A knock on the door sobered Yael up.

  “Yes,” she called out.

  “Osce would like Patty to join him for a drink.” Ram’s voice sounded stilted.

  “Hold on.” Whispers flew back and forth. Patty told Yael they should dress up first. “We’ll come right down after we change,” Yael finally replied.

  “Thank you.” Ram’s footsteps echoed down the hallway.

  “Okay, let me pick out what you’re going to wear.” Patty’s voice lilted with excitement. “You need to make him notice you.”

  “Since we’re staying out of each other’s way, how do you suppose we’ll ever have a moment alone again?”

  “I’m sure you’ll figure something out,” Patty answered. “That’s if he hasn’t already. I don’t think Osce just dropped in. Do you?”

  “I don’t know. He seems pretty taken with you.”

  Yael watched the pink creep up her friend’s face. She’d been right. Patty liked Osce. The two of them made a striking couple. She wondered briefly why she had never seen Osce above. He was exulted and had the ability to move between both worlds. She made a mental note to ask Deborah about him.

  “He’s okay, I guess.”

  “I think he’s a little more than okay. The man is sinfully gorgeous.” She watched Patty smile. Then sadness crossed her perfect features and darkened her blue eyes.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “I wonder what he thinks about me being in Ram’s house? Especially with the stories that circulated about the two of us.”

  “Osce’s not the type to put stock in gossip,” Yael said. “Has he said anything to you?”

  “Of course not, he’s too much of a gentleman for that. I just wondered.”

  “Well, I can work it into a conversation and see what he thinks, if you want me to.” Yael could see her friend was distressed.

  “Would you?”

  “Patty, are you kidding? If it wasn’t for you I’d be above with red eyes and no hope of happiness.” Hope. Yael’s heart was full of it now. Ram hadn’t tried to get rid of her. Indeed, he’d found a reason for her to stay. She’d make the most of it.

  “I love you, Ya.”

  “Ya. Hmm, I think I like that. Come on, let’s get ready.”

  Yael and Patty traded smiles as they stood on the patio and waited for Ram to change. Their plan had worked like a charm. Men, even angels, were so gullible.

  She thought about how handsome he was in his usual black shirt and slacks. When his hair hung loose about his shoulders, she fought not to run her fingers through it. The steel gray color had shimmered in the waning light of day.

  She allowed her mind to run wild as she imagined it brushing against her face while he plunged deep inside her. Again, she thought about being enclosed in his wings. The softness of his feathers as they slid against her bare breasts. Her nipples
grew hard and she was glad the stays in the top of the dress kept them from pointing outward. The last thing she’d want was for him to see how he affected her.

  Control of her body slipped away like a puff of smoke. Yael’s thighs were warm with moisture that seeped from her. How would she make it through a night with him? The minute he put his arms around her in a dance, she’d be lost. Right now she didn’t care. She needed to be with him no matter what it might cost later.

  She remembered her old life. Each day she’d woken to the rising sun and begun her chores. She shopped at the outdoor market. There was cleaning and cooking. Then bed at the set of the sun.

  Sometimes she’d traveled to neighboring towns for goods not available near her. Those visits, because of the mode of transport, often involved nights spent away from home. They were filled with excitement and joy. How simple life had been. Nothing in the old life had prepared her for what had happened now.

  Her husband had been a good man and she’d loved him. She was a good wife too. When he had needs, she fulfilled them. A blush covered her cheeks as she thought about the needs she’d fulfilled for Ram. The things she’d done with him still shocked her.

  She had started a new life. She’d come alive and now wanted so much more. Ramiel was the sun. He burned her smooth skin with just a look. When touched by him, she opened like a blossom.

  Yael had never been more ready to live.

  * * * * *

  Ram had barely been able to contain himself at how easy it had been. It didn’t take him long to change. What he really needed to handle involved his erection being put under control. It hadn’t been easy. That battle would rage all night. He thought about Yael.

  The skimpy red concoction showed so much leg, he’d fought hard to pull his eyes away. His cock weighed like a rock. He wondered what kind of underwear she wore because there was little room to fit anything between her and the strapless dress.

  The night was warm and this time there were no stockings, just beautiful tan skin and lots of it. His fists clenched to stop the itch of his fingers. They wanted to run up her thighs. Caress her moist… Shit, get it together.

  He couldn’t just attack her. This would take time. And he had to keep the green-eyed monster from an unwelcomed appearance. That would be the hardest part. Every man’s eyes would be glued to her ass in that dress. God damn it.

  A thought flitted through his mind—do not lose her to yourself. He wouldn’t lose her to anyone. Least of all himself. The way he saw it, she belonged to him. No way would he let her escape again. Ram remembered the conversation he’d had with Osce before the women arrived.

  “I know, I know, bathe, hair and paint. But damn, it’s been an hour,” Ram lamented.

  “Shit, you got it bad.”

  “Shut up.”

  But he did have it bad. Really bad. Ram could think of nothing else. Yael, Yael. It rang through his head constantly. He didn’t even know how he’d managed to not slip in any of his duties. That was something he couldn’t allow to get out of hand. Michael would be all over him. And he needed to keep him as far away as possible.

  By now everyone would be aware she was back in his domain. Yet not a word from Michael. Nothing. From the conversation earlier with Uri, the Fates had paid a visit to the angel-general. Shit, he’d have to go see him sooner or later. Later seemed to be the better choice.

  How long could he keep up the game of Osce wanting to take Patty out? The excuse would wear thin soon. Not if he could help it. He got the feeling Osce liked Patty more than he let on so maybe the game could last forever. Yeah, don’t you wish? The voice in his head, the part of him that felt hopeless as hell, had begun to get on his nerves. Everything was fine. He hoped he didn’t mess it up this time.

  Everything had gone according to plan. Patty agreed to go out with Osce as long as her friend, Ya, wasn’t left alone. Ram had offered to join them and take Yael so she wouldn’t feel like a third wheel. He assured her they could have a good time together for one evening.

  His eyes had roamed her body as he told her it would be a shame to waste the lovely outfit she wore. Damn, but she looked good enough to eat. Patty called her Ya. He liked the way it sounded. It suited her in the red dress.

  Ram now returned to the patio, ready for the evening ahead. He’d taken all the time he could. His thoughts only served to make him nervous as hell.

  “Shall we go, ladies?”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Michael sat in his office and looked out the window at the beautiful expanse of green lawn. It did not calm him as usual.

  “Am I disturbing you?”

  He jumped at the sound of Decima’s voice. He couldn’t remember the last time someone had appeared to him before he knew they were coming.

  “No.”

  “You’ve been to see the Father,” Decima stated.

  “Is it that evident?”

  Lord, now the Fates were reading him. This was worse than he thought. How had things gotten so out of control? They needed this baby, but at what cost to everyone else?

  “I assume he is not happy about the meshing?”

  “No, he is not, but he has left it in your and my capable hands.”

  “Damn. Fathering the child of man’s salvation should have been enough to fill him or any angel with everlasting hope.”

  “Decima, I believe that’s a first.” Michael couldn’t help the smile that touched the corner of his mouth. She was always so straight and proper, he couldn’t believe she had let the word escape her lips.

  “This is going to be bad, isn’t it? Goodness, of all things to happen, this is what I least expected. I thought he would tire of her and return to his old happy…whoring ways.” Her brow furrowed, “Are you sure he will not?”

  Michael heard her but something else pressed on his mind. “Why do you suppose I love Ramiel so?”

  “I’ve known you a long time. Long enough to know if you’re asking me why you love Ramiel more than the others, you’ve already asked the Father. And he didn’t answer you, did he?”

  “Decima, you do know me well. I just don’t understand why I’ve always championed him.” He let the thought go for now. “I do not know if the meshing has taken its full effect. Can we allow that? Can any of us live in a world where there is no hope? There will be none, I fear, if he were to lose her after they’ve fully meshed.”

  “Perhaps he doesn’t love her. It may just be a phase. Then there is always Morta.”

  “He hasn’t even realized himself how happy, how hopeful he’s become. She left Deborah’s and returned to him and he is like a child. It’s been a joy for me to watch him smile, hear him laugh again. He delivers hope with compassion once more. Earlier he even offered to help Uri return Luke’s demons to Hell.”

  Michael thought about Morta, the cutter of life, and how she could assist with their problem. In dealing with death, and if the Father allowed it, the Fates had the power to end an angel’s life. Those three were more involved in this than he’d originally thought. Not even Michael was privy to all of God’s reasoning. His heart weighed heavy in his chest, and he couldn’t stand up if he had to.

  “I fear if he loses Yael, he will tear the world apart. We will all wish for a swift death by the time he is done.”

  “What do you propose we do?”

  “Wait, we wait.”

  * * * * *

  They’d all enjoyed dinner, and Ram sat at the table with Yael. He was uncomfortable with the silence. She was on her second glass of wine.

  They both watched as Osce and Patricia danced around the floor. Ram’s head followed the sound of Patty’s laughter. The two were having a good time.

  “Did you enjoy your meal?” he asked. He could no longer stand the quiet.

  “Yes, thank you.”

  Ram didn’t know what else to say. She wasn’t making this easy for him. The rise and fall of her breasts made it hard for him to concentrate. Her long, slender hands around the wineglass took his mind in a direct
ion it should not be allowed to go. He’d never get through the rest of the evening if he let his body entertain his brain’s ideas.

  “Would you like more wine?” Exulted, unlike angels, could become intoxicated. Because the baby had his blood, Yael could safely consume alcohol. Maybe it would loosen her up a little.

  “Yes, thank you.” He filled her glass. When the ruby red of the liquid touched her lips, he swallowed. How could something so mundane pull at him? But he continued to watch as her throat worked around the fluid. The slender column of her neck enticed him.

  Ram couldn’t move.

  Her pink tongue peeked out to catch a wayward drop and take it into her mouth. A mouth that was warm and sweet. One that could surround him with pleasure. He wanted it again. Chrissakes. What had happened to him? A damn drop of wine and his cock writhed like a snake in his pants. It took all of his control to refrain from whisking them from the restaurant straight to their bed. His body shuddered.

  Shit. This giving space to each other already bore on his nerves and it was only the first night of her return.

  “I would like to dance,” she said.

  Ram’s mind was elsewhere and hadn’t noticed that the beat of the music changed. A low, pulsing bass reached his ears. He looked at the dancers on the floor and they gyrated in slow motion to the sensuous sound. Yael’s hips moved in her chair to the spellbinding beat. It seemed the wine had influenced her after all.

  “Are you sure?” He wasn’t certain if she could handle a dance of this type in her tipsy condition.

  “Definitely.”

  Was this his Yael? So assured of herself, and she looked bewitching with her alcohol-induced glow. He wanted to hold her in his arms. Ram thought this could be the start of a very close evening.

  “Come.” He stood and reached for her hand.

  He took her to the center of the dance floor where there remained a little space. She began to move her body in a slow, beguiling motion. His lidded eyes watched her thrust her pelvis to each beat. He placed his hands on her hips and followed her rhythm.