Hope in Love

by J. Hali Steele

  When she lifted her arms and shimmied low to the floor, Ram inhaled deep to calm his body. But then she came up and turned in his arms, her butt pressing against him as she continued to rock her body. He was gone.

  He put his arms around her and moved with her in time to the music. Ram had lived a long time and prided himself on being a great dancer. Right now it was all he could do to stand. She made him crazy with need.

  The music slowed and came to an end. He held her tight with her ass still against him. The band took a break and people left the floor. A new sound entered the air. Tango to Evora. He couldn’t believe his luck, and if she let him into her mind, he would show her the joys of a true dance.

  He twirled her around hard to face him. He laced his fingers through her left hand and yanked her tight into his embrace as he placed her left arm over his shoulder. With one hand firm on her back, he pushed her across the floor, which was now empty. He stopped.

  “I…” Yael whispered. Ram felt her tremble with fear in his arms.

  “Open your mind to me and I’ll show you everything.”

  He dipped her low, away from him and snapped her back up.

  “Let me in, Ya.”

  And she did.

  She’d had one wine too many. The dance he drew her into was not familiar to her. Not that Yael had familiarity with any of them.

  Ram sent a flash of color and movement into her mind that enticed and thrilled her body. Her feet were quick to pick up the intricate turns and steps, and when he pulled her, she resisted. The beat of her heart filled her own ears so that she could barely hear the music. But she didn’t need to.

  The emotion that boiled to the surface carried all of her feelings with it and she put it all into the dance. When he snapped her to him, she pushed from him. Golden eyes locked onto cobalt blue and fire jumped between them.

  Each time he bent her back, his desire for her pushed into her pelvis. Her body sang with its own need as she rubbed against him then pulled away. Her feet kept up with his in a fast pattern of kicks and stops.

  Their eyes never broke contact.

  And suddenly Yael felt it. She belonged to this angel who couldn’t love her. When Michael punished him, the pain would be too great for her to stand. The thought of him being hurt made her angry.

  Their bodies close in the dance, the look of unbridled passion and desire in his eyes is what finally set her free. She pulled from him and moved around his body. He stood still as her hands stroked down his back. The need to feel him one last time drove her hard. She felt his muscles quiver beneath her touch.

  He spun around and brought her back into his embrace and moved with her. As the music ended, his hand behind her neck held her face pressed to his chest. For a moment their hearts beat as one.

  Applause rose from the crowd. Yael blushed at the thought of what they must have looked like. She heard Ram whisper above her.

  “You’re very desirable. Yael, I don’t know if I can ever let you go.”

  She didn’t know what words were going to come out of her mouth when it opened to respond to him. It was left up to her to save them both from the wrath of God.

  “The angels have played with my life enough. I’m giving them what they wanted—our child. I have nothing else to offer.”

  She disappeared.

  * * * * *

  He stopped time.

  He couldn’t allow the humans to see what Yael had done. He turned to their table to see Osce nod his understanding.

  Ram vanished. He would not allow her to return to Deborah’s.

  His wings unwrapped from his body as he followed her trail of energy into the heavens. Catching her essence, he folded his wings over her and rose higher with her body held tight to that of his angel.

  “You will not leave me again,” he grated through tight jaws.

  “And you cannot hold me to you.”

  “I hold you to your word. You will stay with me until our child is born. Then you can go where you want.” The fury he felt at being left by her again filled every word with anger.

  “If that’s your wish,” Yael said. “I will stay only ’til the child is born. She is mine, Ramiel. No one will ever take her from me. Do you understand that?”

  “What kind of monster do you think I am? I would never let anyone take her from you. But know this, she is mine also and I will be in her life. Do you understand that?”

  “I wish to go home.”

  “As. You. Command.” He ground out each word.

  Ram came to a halt and hovered in the dark sky. He’d felt her desire on the dance floor. She wanted him. Why was she so angry now? He wondered if he would ever understand what was in Yael’s heart?

  He began a slow descent back to his Earthly domain with her embraced in his wings. Enflamed by her angry passion, his cock began to harden. He tried to look into her eyes but she kept her face hidden against him. The way she felt toward him now, what difference would it make if he entered her mind. He could do it without her knowledge if he was careful.

  His body blanched at the turmoil and pain he felt there. Yael did want him. She even felt as if she belonged to him. But her anger simmered like molten lava. What had happened to make her leave him if that was not what she truly wanted?

  He didn’t bother to pull his wings in as he deposited her in front of the house. Without a word, he lifted back into the sky. His wings shook the trees and sent birds twittering in every direction.

  * * * * *

  “Ramiel,” she whispered into the wind.

  She did not fully understand what had happened. Yael hoped perhaps it was the wine. Fear was what caused her to react the way she did. Fear of not only losing him, but of what could happen to him when Michael discovered they had meshed.

  Her body doubled over in pain at the thought of being without him. But she would not risk his safety because she’d been stupid and fallen in love. Ram didn’t love her and he’d send her away soon after their child’s birth. She had to keep him from taking all that was left—her soul.

  “You already belong to me.”

  Yael spun on her heels at the sound of his voice behind her. Naked, his wings drawn in, he clasped her to his chest. “How…?”

  “I feel what’s in your mind and it pains me. Tell me what’s in your heart?”

  “You already know what’s there. Why did you come back?”

  “Because you called my name.”

  His lips smothered hers in a brutal kiss. His hands moved over her body in featherlight touches. She couldn’t let this happen.

  “You must go. They will harm you.”

  “No one can take you from me. I will keep you, and I’ll keep you safe.”

  “I’m not worried for myself.”

  “Yael, let me love you, here—now.”

  “Oh, Ram.” Wanting him more than anything, she couldn’t resist him any longer. She wrapped her arms around him and laid her head on his chest. His heart beat loudly in her ear. He walked her backward until she was pressed against the nearest tree and her dress vanished. She gazed up into his dark blue eyes. They were full of passion as they traveled her naked body. Her nipples stood in swollen peaks, wanting to be covered by his mouth. “Give me what you can tonight,” she said.

  “I would give you the world.”

  His head dipped low and a tender bud disappeared into his mouth. She grabbed a handful of damp hair, pulling him tighter to her breast. His lips, his tongue found nerve endings she didn’t know existed. Her body trembled uncontrollably. She felt a hand sweep down her hip and across to the moist crevice between her legs. Fingers explored the wet folds of her core. He moved them inside, touched her very soul.

  Yael bowed into him, gave him better access to her deepest place. More, she wanted more of him. Always would.

  “I want you inside me.” She reached for his hardness, stroked it and tugged it to where his fingers played. “Now.” The tip of his erection bumped her opening, made her gasp in delight. “Yes.�
� His hands clutched her butt and brought her onto his manhood.

  Knees bent, he pushed into her with one sure stroke. Ram lifted Yael, and her legs came around his waist. He plunged into her again and again. With wild abandon, she welcomed his invasion. Her channel quaked and convulsed around his penis, took every inch of it.

  Ram had left her breasts and nibbled at her neck, his lips blazing a hot trail of kisses that stole her breath. Raising his head, he peered in her eyes and told her, “I’ll always take care of you.”

  Deeper, harder he pounded her core, drawing an orgasm that shattered her senses. It exploded from her in a wash of hot liquid spilling around his thickness. He held her with her legs spread around his hips and continued to thrust until his own release spurted a hot stream of cum. His lustful grunts filled the night air and echoed through the trees.

  A warm, rain began to spray through the canopy of leaves and ran in rivulets down their naked bodies.

  It was as though the heavens cried.

  * * * * *

  Yael had spent another night cradled in his arms and had not felt him leave their bed this morning. She sat outside with tears threatening to spill from her eyes.

  “Is everything okay?” Patricia asked as she came onto the patio.

  “No. I can’t let this happen. Even if it hurts me, I won’t let them touch him.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “The meshing. Michael will blame him.”

  “Ya, you didn’t send him away because of that, did you? I don’t believe Michael would ever hurt Ramiel.”

  “No, he stayed with me again last night. It’s almost as if…” She couldn’t let herself think he loved her. But making love in the rain had felt special. “Oh, I know he desires me, but that’s not love, not the kind of love I feel for him. Later, it will only hurt more. And I will not risk his being harmed in any way, Patty, I mean it.”

  “Good evening, ladies. Where’s Osce?”

  Yael’s head came up at the sound of an archangel she did know. One uncontrollable even by Michael. She’d often heard Uriel’s name mentioned above and not in a good way.

  She saw Patty’s eyes darken at the way he said Osce’s name, but she answered him. “I don’t know. He left.”

  “Do you have any idea where he left to?” Sarcasm oozed from Uriel’s tongue.

  “No.” Patty began to shake.

  “I’ll wait a bit then. The dog is bound to show up back here.” Uriel’s eyes glittered with danger as he took a seat.

  Yael wondered what he wanted with Osce. Patty’s eyes were wide with fear.

  “That won’t be necessary. We’ll let him know you’re looking for him when he returns.” Yael didn’t want this angel here any longer. How had he breached Ram’s shields? She thought to call him but decided against it. She could handle this.

  “Please do not tell me you, a mere exulted, are dismissing me?” Uri sneered at her.

  “I am politely asking you to leave my home,” Yael stated.

  “I see. Sure, I can do that. No need to tell Osce I called, he’ll know.” Uriel vanished—so did Patricia.

  Yael’s heart skipped a beat. Good God, what happened? Without another thought, she reached for her friend’s mind and latched on to a frightful thought.

  She vanished, following the trail of essence Patty left, and found herself in a dark hallway with many rooms off to the sides. “Don’t be so afraid.” Yael barely heard Uriel’s voice. She waited until her eyes adjusted to the dim lights. She walked past each closed door and tried to feel Patricia’s energy. When she came upon the correct one, her friend’s fear lanced through to her. Yael dematerialized into the room.

  “What the fuck are you doing here?” Uriel shouted. She thought she saw his hands shake.

  “How dare you remove a guest from my home in such a manner! Ramiel will hear of your rudeness.”

  “Trust me, by now he knows. God damn it. Women!” he declared in exasperation. “I’m going to kill Osce for this.”

  Yael knew why his hands shook.

  Ramiel was coming.

  Chapter Sixteen

  “You’re a mess, Ramiel. You need to get your shit together before Michael comes down on you. And stay the hell away from me. I don’t want to be near it.”

  “Shut up.” Ramiel didn’t want to hear Luke’s crap.

  “Hey, want to give me a hand with your friendly neighborhood vamp? You remember Drake, Patricia’s friend?” Luke asked.

  His eyes cut at Luke with venom. “What do you think? You know I do. Did John the Baptist lose him again?”

  “How’d you guess?”

  “I know that vamp pretty well. He’s a slippery son of a bitch. Where is he?”

  “On my way there now, care to join me? He’s with Phoenix.”

  “Shit, this could be a problem, but I got nothing better to do.” These were the beings Gabe and EZ had meddled with. His and Yael’s daughter would one day be their way to salvation.

  They reached their destination in a hurry. Ram entered the room and Luke followed in a blinding flash of light that caused the beings to shield their eyes until it dissipated and flowed heavenward. In another blaze of light, Gabriel appeared.

  Ram raided Phoenix’s mind. He wondered who Ram was, so he answered him. “Ramiel.” He didn’t bother to modulate his voice.

  Drake the vampyre covered his ears at the sound. Phoenix did not. Most couldn’t stand to hear the angel’s true voices. There was so much love and despair in the sound that it could cause madness.

  But Phoenix was special. A creation of Luke’s. Ram didn’t bother to draw in his wings and smiled to himself at the man’s thought—shit, is he seriously standing in my great room with fucking wings.

  Finally Phoenix spoke. “Did I miss the invitation to the party being held at my own home? What the hell is going on?” His eyes darted back and forth. “Somebody needs to start talking because I’ve about had it up to here today.” Phoenix raised his hand to neck level. “And I’m not ready for any more bullshit. Got it?”

  Ramiel listened to the man with humor.

  “Lucifer, if you cannot control Drake, perhaps Michael should assign someone else?” Gabriel’s voice was agitated.

  “Drake.” Ramiel modified his voice to a whisper this time. “Don’t leave John’s service again or you will never see your family. Is that understood?” Lucifer left with the vamp in tow.

  The archangel turned and focused all of his attention on Phoenix.

  “I’ve been in your mind and you are as blasphemous as they say. Have a care. I’m neither Gabriel, nor Lucifer. And I will not tolerate what Michael does.” Ram stabbed him with a look. “My kindness only goes so far. Should you decide to assist Drake, you will answer to me and the Fates. Is that understood?”

  “You know what, right now I don’t give a damn who or what you are and you can shove the Fates so far up your ass, they never see daylight again.” He stepped closer to Ram. “You come into my home dragging your crap from up there and I don’t like it.”

  Ram couldn’t believe the bastard had the nerve to talk back to him, and the sacrilegious motherfucker was on a roll. The idea of shoving the Fates anywhere brought a shadow of a smile to his lips.

  “Let me tell you what I do understand. I’m connected to that vamp you just had unceremoniously taken from my house. Vampyres created me and your people let it happen. You been trying to clean this shit up for thousands of years and it took him only twenty-two to find what you couldn’t.” Phoenix’s mouth was set in a sneer. “You took his mate. Do you even understand what it’s like to have something you love, something you’ve waited for your whole life, taken from you?” He leaned in and his nose practically pressed against Ram’s. “Do you? Until you do, don’t come back into my home with your shit. I’ve had enough of all you fucking angels.” He disappeared damn near as quietly as the angels did.

  Ram had felt the anger and pain emanate from the powerful creature. He was Lucifer’s firebird and o
ne day he’d wreak havoc with his creator. He felt Gabriel’s eyes on him. He wondered why he didn’t annihilate the man. He’d told Ram long ago that Phoenix was difficult to control. But Ram’s thoughts were on what the being had said.

  Do you even understand what it’s like to have something you love, something you’ve waited for your whole life, taken from you?

  Those were Nona’s words, her question to him. The question that, when Ram could answer it, would give him his answer from her. Son of a bitch.

  “Well, Gabe, you were right. He’s a blasphemous bastard.” Ramiel smiled. “He is very powerful and would make a great addition to the family. You have a blood tie with him. Make sure he stays away from Drake. The time is not right for any information to be divulged. I must go and mollify the Fates. I’m sure they have their knickers in a bunch.” He vanished and left Gabriel to handle things.

  Ram intended to go straight to Nona but pulled up suddenly. He hovered in the air, his mind searching for the disturbance he’d briefly felt there.

  Yael. Her despair rode in a chill up his spine. “NO!”

  The anguish in that one word began to tear at the fabric of the world.

  Ramiel lived up to his name’s meaning—thunder of God—as the sound itself rippled across the universe. The Earth shuddered and moved on its axis. Monsoons and typhoons swept the India and China shores. The sky opened up with torrential rains. Lightning struck the mountains and valleys, leaving a scorched path. Avalanches pummeled anything in their way.

  * * * * *

  Michael’s head lifted into the air, his heart beating rapidly in his chest.

  Then he felt it. All of Ramiel’s misery.

  He pulled Decima to him in haste.

  “What in God’s name was that?” she asked.

  “Has the exulted returned to Deborah?”

  “No, she is in Ram’s domain.”

  “Evidently not. Bring Morta to me now. There is no time to waste.”

  He reached for Gabriel and Raphael. Both were sent to Earth.

  Then he sent for Lucifer.

  * * * * *

  The white light intensified around his body as he broke through the gates of Hell.