Unchained Desire

by R. C. Alvarez

  When Ramiel’s bleeding stopped, he pulled away from Darius. The other man’s wounds healed more slowly, but it got the job done. “How’s that?”

  “Thank you.” Darius whispered. “I’m sorry I left you behind…all those years ago. Even after you spared me during the war.”

  Ramiel grunted. “I hated you for a long time. Fantasized about tearing your head off or burning you alive. But you have nothing to apologize for. You were saving Kyria back then. How the hell am I supposed to hold that against you?”

  The beaten angel closed his eye, coughing for a moment. “You know, whether either of you want it or not, you have my blessing. I just…want her to be happy. Make my girl happy, Ramiel.”

  He didn’t say anything. No point in telling the angel about the trade, or about his plans to take Nema down with him. “You good enough to travel?”

  He coughed again. “Something…isn’t right.” He grimaced and clutched his stomach.

  “She probably did something to you even my blood can’t fix. Hold on.” He scooped him up and stood.

  Darius’s body tightened in his arms, then went limp. Ramiel cursed under his breath and flashed back to the ranch house.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Kyria scanned the room to make sure everything was in place. She had it ready for her father. Where would Ram flash to? Tuning to go down stairs, she jumped when he appeared at the top of the landing with her father cradled in his arms.

  With a horrified gasp, she rushed to her dad. His skin was paler than before; he looked thin and sickly. His jeans had been torn up to the knees and were covered in blood. Sharp edges of his skeleton pushed against abused flesh. He’d lost so much weight, just skin and bones. But at least there weren’t any external wounds.

  “Daddy, it’s going to be okay. I’m here now.” She tried to help Ram move her father, but he groaned, and his head rolled forward.

  “I’ve got him.” Ramiel carried her once strong, vibrant dad as if he weighed nothing. She tried not to think about what Val and Bishop had said about marked Nephilim stealing energy off their parents and making them sick. This isn’t my fault. This can’t be my fault…can it?

  Going around her, Ramiel approached her father’s bed. “He’s been tortured and lost all his blood and then some.”

  Fussing with the pillows, she made sure to breathe nice and easy. The she turned to her father and smoothed the dirty hair away from his face. Laying her trembling hands on the center of his chest, she fought the horror that clawed through her like icy talons. “He looks terrible. Is he going to die?”

  Warm hands covered hers as Ramiel’s calm voice reassured her. “There are multiple internal injuries, but you’ve got it.”

  The sight of Ramiel’s stern face filled with concern sent chills through her. The scars on Ramiel, the wounds on her father… It was all that demon. Nema. A boiling rage rose up.

  Kyria scooted in as close as she could and laid over her father. She closed her eyes and whispered a prayer, pouring everything she had into the man that raised her. Energy went out, and she guided it through his body.

  “Careful, Ky. Don’t do too much too soon.”

  She nodded, but never stopped. The tears wouldn’t cease, her vision swimming. “Parts of him are impossible to fix.”

  “Not for you.”

  “The woman that had you… She did this to him, didn’t she?”

  “I had my suspicions. I should have told you.” His voice dropped, saturated with guilt, “I’m so sorry, Kyria. I should have known.”

  Her poor rugged archangel. “It’s okay. He’s here now.” She had them both.

  Ram leaned over and pressed his forehead against her back. As she fed her father her energy, Ram fed her. It was easy to believe, at that moment, that there was such a thing as fated mates and Ram was hers. She had her father back. Ram had his wings. Things were finally going right.

  Time slipped away with no meaning. Darius coughed, startling her, and his eyes fluttered. She nearly collapsed with relief as she lifted her head to look at him. Her father shifted under her slightly.

  “Kyria?” His voice sounded as if someone had ripped his vocal cords out.

  “I’m here, Dad.” Words and logic left her. Her throat tightened. Tears pricked at her eyes. All the things she thought she would say the next time she confronted him, all the anger, disappeared.

  The temperature in the room dropped, and she realized Ram had moved away from her. He now stood at the end of the bed in all his doom-and-gloom glory.

  “Kyria, I think that’s enough for now. Don’t overdo it.”

  “I’m fine.” She was a little light-headed and queasy, but there was no reason to tell him. Her father was home, and she had the power to heal him. Giving her attention back to him, she cupped his face. “Dad, look at you. This is all my fault. I shouldn’t have left you.”

  He struggled to sit up but failed. He let her help him, looking at Ramiel. “So, I wasn’t dreaming. You really did save me.” he went into another coughing fit.

  “Shh, Dad, just relax,” Kyria soothed. “You were about to die.”

  Confusion marred Darius’ face. “Kyria?”

  “Look. I have my wings.” With a deep breath, she unfurled them. The left one brushed against the bed.

  Her father’s eyes welled up as he reached out to touch the feathers. “They’re beautiful. But…we had ten years before this was supposed to happen.”

  Tucking them away, she sat on the edge of the bed. “Why didn’t you tell me? Is this the real reason my mother died?”

  The men exchanged a look.

  “Please stop hiding things from me. If I’m truly going to be prepared for this, I need to know everything.”

  Ram moved to stand behind her. He didn’t touch her, but he was so close he could have. She wanted to lean back and just absorb his warmth. Her father winced and closed his eyes.

  “Dad?” Laying a hand on him, she checked his life force.

  “Her powers came along with her wings. She’s the one that restored me and broke some enchanted chains Nema put on me. And she just brought you back from the dead.”

  “What?” Horror filled his face. “Oh, sweetheart. I didn’t want this for you.”

  “It’s okay. I can save lives.” Taking his hand, she leaned in close. I have so many questions, but he’s still weak. “I want you to tell me everything when you’re stronger, okay? Right now, you need to rest.” She touched her forehead against his, just the way he used to do when she was little.

  When they parted, her father drifted his attention to Ram. “Is she safe here?”

  “As long as she stays here, she’ll be fine.”

  His lids went down, and then popped back open. “Stay on the ranch, Ky. Promise me.” He drifted off, even while he commanded her, his eyes only halfway open. “Promise me.”

  “I promise. And you’ll tell me everything when you wake up. You promise?”

  “Promise.” The word slurred as his head fell to the side. Kyria took one of the quilts from the closet and covered him gently.

  Ram was already standing outside the door, waiting for her. Shamelessly, she threw herself at him. “Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.”

  “Don’t mention it.”

  Arms around him, she buried her face in his neck. At first, he was stiff, but slowly his arms came around, and he returned her hug.

  Pulling back just enough to look at him, she said, “It’s so much more than nothing. You brought my father back to me alive.” She took his hand to draw him along. “Come on.”

  With his feet planted, she couldn’t budge him.

  “What’s wrong?” she asked, confused.

  “The stairs are there.” His face seemed set in marble. “Where are you going?”

  She took his other hand and smiled at him. “To my room.”

  “No. I’m not going there. We can go downstairs.” He frowned at her.

  All I want to do is kiss the hurt away. “What? You�
��re afraid it isn’t proper? Come on, it’s the best place to talk without interruption. I promise not to jump you. I might lick you, though.”

  He tilted his head back and mumbled something to the ceiling.

  She pulled at his arm again. “Come on, I’m too tired to threaten your virtue.”

  Allowing her to move him along, he frowned more deeply. “Are you okay? Did you drain yourself? Maybe you need to sleep, too.”

  She only laughed, warmed by his concern yet again as she guided him into her room, a decent-sized space without much decoration besides shelves of fairytale books. Ram sat in the only chair in the room, alone in the corner

  With a chuckle, she flopped on the bed. “Do I smell or something?”

  “You always smell good. Ginger, cinnamon, and sweet vanilla. I don’t trust myself to sit next to you.”

  “I trust you.”

  “You shouldn’t.”

  She got off the bed and slid to her knees in front of him the same way she had before. Gently, she placed her hands on his knees. “I don’t understand. I thought we were okay with touching.”

  “You tempt me in ways that no one ever has.”

  “Good,” she whispered. Leaning in, she moved between his legs.

  He closed his eyes as if he was in pain, so she stopped. “Ram, what is going on? We should be celebrating. You’re free of your chains, and my father is home. What’s wrong?”

  “I can’t stay.”

  Why won’t he look at me?

  “Bullshit.” That got his attention and a lopsided grin, but he didn’t say anything. She pressed on. “The chains are gone. You’re free. The only thing keeping you from staying is you. Ram, give us a chance. I know you have things to work through, but we can do this together.”

  He turned his head away from her. His jaw popped. “Out of arrogance, pride, or anger, I made some really bad choices. I’ve done things that…you shouldn’t have overshadowing your life.”

  “Let me decide what I deserve in my life.”

  “Kyria, God had to abandon me because of what I did.”

  “I don’t believe that.” She cupped his face and brought him back to her. She waited until he made eye contact. “The way I see it, your Mother didn’t abandon you, Ram. You weren’t betrayed. You were there so I could find you.”

  Taking his hand in hers, she brought the back of his knuckles to her lips. Closing her eyes, she held him there for a while before pressing his hand against her chest. “It might sound stupid, but maybe you weren’t forgotten. It all has a purpose. You’ve made me better. We’re a good team, aren’t we? We can take on anything if we’re together.” She laughed nervously, having no idea where any of it was coming from. Desperation, maybe. “I couldn’t have done all I have without you.”

  She turned his hand over to kiss his palm but froze. Her mark was printed there, like a tattoo. “What is this? Why didn’t you show me?”

  The silence grew heavy between them. She wanted to say more, to fill the quietness, but she let go of his hands and waited. For what, she wasn’t sure.

  He lowered his head before looking back up to cup her face with strong, calloused hands. “Kyria. I need you to know something. I need to say the words, even though I’m not anywhere close to being worthy.”

  “You’re scaring me. Just say it.”

  He hesitated, ran a hand through his dark hair. Then he leveled soulful black eyes on her. Deep, beautiful eyes that confessed what he wanted to say before he even uttered the words. “I love you.”

  She grew flustered. “What?”

  Without another word, he claimed her lips. Overwhelmed by the intensity of his declaration and sudden kiss, he left her breathless. Speechless even.

  “Stay with Val. Take care of your father. For the love of God, stay on the ranch and don’t do anything stupid.”

  She didn’t like the sound of that. “Don’t give me orders like you’re leaving, Ramiel.”

  “We agreed I would locate your father, then I would leave.”

  His words lanced her heart. She licked her lips. “But that was when you were in chains. Now you’re free.”

  He stood, towering over her but looking toward the window. “We had a deal, Kyria.”

  She rose as well, right in front of him so that he couldn’t ignore her. Her heart pounded; fear stole her breath. “I want a new deal.”

  “It doesn’t work that way. Sometimes we don’t get what we want.” He was so stiff, the cords in his neck strained. He nodded as if he’d made some crucial decision. “There’s a greater good—”

  She gripped his face and kissed him to cut him off. For a second, he gave in, and they melted together. But then he grew rigid again and pulled away. “I’m sorry.”

  “Get back here.” She blinked back the tears, and he disappeared.

  He’d told her he loved her, and then left. Kyria balled her fists. “You idiot.” She turned in a full circle, lost for what to do. No sign of him anywhere. This wasn’t a joke. And it wasn’t like last time, when he was overwhelmed and flashed as if he couldn’t help it. He was gone, and of his own free will.

  She dug her nails into her palms as her head swam, quickly filling with a murky fog of confusion. He said something about their deal, but it was drowned out by her need to figure out the real reason he was leaving. “What the hell are you up to?”

  Kyria spun around and wandered back to her father’s room to stand in the doorway and check on him. Just to make sure that he was really there, not a dream.

  Her limbs itched for action. It has to be about that demon. So, Ramiel took off to be a hero when they could’ve done it together. But once again, she was left alone to go save a man who thought he was protecting her.

  “I think this is your moment. Your black moment, that is.”

  Kyria jumped at the voice behind her. Whipping around with her wings flared, ready to fight, she found Bishop perched on the windowsill in the hallway.

  “As I was saying before you ditched me at the barn, there might be something in the study to help you, but I can’t know for sure.”

  She blinked. “Ditched you? You left me…”

  Her wings folded back in but didn’t disappear just yet. Kyria eased her muscles but didn’t fully relax. She didn’t have the energy or the brain power right now for Bishop’s mind twisters.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about, and frankly, I don’t care at the moment.” Turning away from him, she walked back to her room.

  He hopped off the window and followed, approaching the bed. “But the beginning is near.”

  She stopped in the middle of the room, planting her hands on her hips. “Where have you been?”

  Bishop dropped to the floor and snooped under the bed. “Wrong question, baby girl.”

  “Really, Bishop?”

  “Really, Kyria.” He rose and sat on the end of the mattress with crossed legs. He dug into his pocket and shuffled a deck of mismatched playing cards.

  “Okay.” She searched her brain. “How close is the beginning?”

  “Good. Jokers are wild. It’s closer than it appears.”

  Kyria sighed. “Whose beginning are we talking about?”

  “Yours and your fated.”

  “Ram has my mark on his palm, Bishop.” Picking up the charm on the necklace her mother left for her, she turned it over and studied the engravings. For the thousandth time, she wondered what they meant.

  He nodded. “Yes, but the sacrifice has to be freely given.”

  “What sacrifice?”

  He reached across and touched the charm. “I remember the day a gingersnap jelly bean entered the world. You were so tiny. Just a tot.”

  Gingersnap. Oh, how she wished it was Ramiel uttering that nickname. She frowned, inspecting the markings more closely.

  “Baby tot. When your mother made her plans.”

  “You’re not making any—wait.” Did he just say what I think he said? “You just mentioned my mother. Bishop, did you know
her?”

  He smiled. “Since the day she was created. I know where she gave birth to you. A place of ice, but you were warmth. You didn’t belong there. Darius risked all to get you out.” He leaned in and winked at her. “I just gave him the way in.”

  “The beginning. You told us that’s where we would find my dad. Ramiel brought him back from Hell. From Nema. She’s the demon that had chains on Ram? You’re talking about it like I’m still supposed to go there.”

  “Totally, girlfriend. You gave him back his wings, but he needs a little faith, hope, and fairy dust if he’s gonna keep them. The greatest of these is love.”

  She sighed. “That’s not very helpful, Bishop.”

  “Neither is the IRS.” Standing, he ducked into the tiny bathroom. He came out just as quickly and leaned on the doorframe, flipping up the collar of his black trench coat.

  Don’t let his weirdness distract you, Ky. “My dad was already saved, Bishop. Look at him. He’s a mess, but he’s here. And Ram has his wings. What does the IRS have to do with it?”

  “Taxes. He has to pay his taxes.” He pulled old dusty receipts out of several pockets. “Your father isn’t the one you need to save. He never was. You’re so close, but we could still fail.”

  One step forward and a hundred steps back. She had to be careful or she’d lose him. “Who do I have to save? The kids?”

  “The Kiwis are coming.” He shook his head as he pulled some marbles out of his pocket.

  And she lost him. He flashed away.

  With a surge of newfound determination, Kyria paced, mentally going over everything Bishop had rambled about.

  After checking on her dad one more time, she jogged down the stairs to find Val.

  “Get out.” In the kitchen, Val yelled at someone. “Get away from those cookies.”

  Kyria rushed down the rest of the steps, ready to battle.

  Ramiel’s family stood in the kitchen. The short and pale Tamiel in her John Lennon sunglasses sat at the dining room table munching on a cookie.

  The artistic-looking one, Tru, was in the adjacent living room staring at one of the paintings. She stood tall, with enviable curves. Her dark hair was down now. Long and wavy, it reached the middle of her back.