“I will tell you, they will be safe. I must go now, but, Graeme, be warned, you will not speak of Angels again in such a manner. You have been warned.”
Graeme sent a black look to the Archangel. “And if I don’t do as you say, what will you do about it? Get a mortal to kill me?”
“Why would I wish a mortal to kill you, Graeme? Do you have information you would care to share with us? What are you hiding from us, Graeme? Are you keeping secrets from us? Remember, this is your daughter’s life we are trying to keep safe!”
Omniel grasped Graeme’s arm and spun him around to look upon him. “Do not hide the truth from us! Do you play us false, Graeme? Do you wish to endanger the lives of your brothers and their daughters? If not, share with us what it is you know.”
“Nothing, nothing—I know nothing. I don’t know what you’re talking about! I want my daughter back here, not in mistdream. I want her to have a life here,” Graeme stammered as he jerked his arm from Omniel’s hold.
Alexander unexpectedly fell to the ground, holding his head in his hands. He shook his head from side to side as if desperately trying to rid himself of inner turmoil. Twisting and turning on the ground, he banged his head until his forehead began to bleed. Graeme pulled away from Omniel’s grip and went to his brother, who relaxed upon feeling his brother’s touch. Kneeling down beside him, Graeme held Alex in his arms. “What happened, Alex? Did you see something?”
“They’ll be safe, Graeme,” Alexander managed to whisper.
Graeme shook his brother’s shoulders. “Are you sure? Are you telling the truth—do you see it?” he barked.
“I can see it. They will find Callum, and they’ll bring him home to us.” But his eyes were haunted. He had seen too much to share, and if he did, all hope would be lost.
“They are our only hope,” he said before his emotions overcame him and he wept like a baby in his brother’s arms.
Chapter Four
Xaphan waited impatiently for the arrival of the Mistdreamers and their protectors. He paced back and forth, his kilt, the MacDonald tartan, swinging to every step he took. He carefully avoided looking at Sammael, and Ambriel. He had learned his patience could be tested on so many levels since becoming involved with Mistdreamers. He had also learned the true meaning of fear. And he was mortally afraid for the Mistdreamers.
Ambriel and Sammael waited, with Xaphan, for the arrival of Omniel and the Mistdreamers. They stared at their friend as he strode frustratedly. They were helpless to assist, as yet, and grew worried for him as he continued to march agitatedly over the vast lands of Glencoe. The heather was in full bloom, and the ground resembled a purple carpet, but with every step Xaphan took, the heather remained in place. A gentle breeze alerted them to Omniel’s entrance, and they could not hide their shock at the sight of him. Deep worry lines etched his forehead, and his countenance was that of a haunted Angel.
“Ramiel has gone to the Heavens?” Ambriel asked, acknowledging Omniel’s curt not with a sympathetic smile. “Things got worse when I left the castle?” he continued.
“Not worse, no, just difficult. I can understand why Alexander and Graeme have their concerns. We have not done such a great job in keeping the Mistdreamers free from harm.”
“Speak for yourself.” Xaphan had stopped his frenetic marching upon Omniel’s arrival, insisting, “Until you two became involved, we were doing quite well.”
“You were doing quite well?” Ambriel said in disbelief. “Do my ears deceive me? You think leading the Mistdreamers onto the battlefield was keeping them safe? Introducing them to Lucias and Rachauden was protecting them? You have a queer sense of the word ‘safe’!” he huffed.
“Could we please stop this?” bellowed Omniel. “We will get nowhere if we argue amongst ourselves. Where are the Mistdreamers? They’re late!” he said furiously.
“I know they’re late,” Xaphan growled. “Were you not with them, seconds ago, Ambriel? Did you not see them leave?”
“Yes,” Ambriel interrupted Xaphan’s tirade. “We were with them, when they displaced with the Mistdreamers in their arms. I thought they would be here by now.”
“Well, I’m here,” Seere said, as he landed on the ground, withdrawing his leathery wings and folding them into his back.
Valerie lay fast asleep in his arms.
“Where is Appoloin?” Ambriel asked.
“He’ll be here presently. I had to smooth things over, when the fathers realised something was amiss. They will no doubt begin their own search shortly.”
Seere was ushered quickly to take his leave of the Angels, and he promised to keep Valerie safe, muttering something about her being a nightmare, but his warm glance at the sleeping form in his arms belied his words. The onlooking Angels shared a knowing look with each other—careful to hide their astonishment from Seere—and with raised eyebrows and coy smiles, they asked if there was any possibility he had more than just a fondness for Valerie, and that he was becoming something other than a protector.
“I believe she has bewitched me,” he retorted. “Either that, or I am beginning to grow up and take responsibility for my actions.”
The grumblings of doubt thrown in his direction were enough for Seere to let out an uproarious laugh and remind them he was not an Angel but a Demon.
Omniel weaved his arms mesmerisingly. Twisting and shaping his movements, to become like a hypnotic snakelike dance. With each gesture, The Veil began to part. Sammael gently touched Valerie’s lovely red hair, then took a step back when Xaphan held his sword above his head. A bright light shot out from the sword and struck Seere’s chest, throwing him into the gap Omniel had created.
Without the chance to say a final farewell, Seere found himself propelled into a vast space. Immediately after Seere and Valerie had been launched into oblivion, the breach in The Veil was restored.
Another light disturbance alerted the Angels to the presence of Appoloin, who carried an unconscious Mairi in his arms.
“Do you know where you take the Mistdreamer?” asked Sammael.
“No!” Omniel urged. “We have no need of that information. If it is essential for you to contact us, we will attempt to find you by looking into the Mirror of Dreams.”
“Apologies, Omniel,” Sammael said reverently. “I am still in a state of amazement by Seere’s reaction to Valerie.”
Omniel laughed in agreement. “Let us deal with Appoloin, and then we can return to the Heavens.”
“What say you?” asked Appoloin. “Is Valerie in danger from the demon prince?”
“Quite the reverse,” said Ambriel. “I think it’s Seere we must worry about. He hasn’t a hope of survival with that one. Her red hair is the colour we bestowed upon Thor, after all!”
“Hmm, yes, and we know how well that ended. Don’t we!”
“Yes , erm, well, you have a point, Omniel, and as with Thor, if ever there was living proof that a colour matched a fiery temperament, it is she.”
“It is time, Appoloin,” said Omniel. “Take care of your charge, keep her safe.”
Appoloin’s handsome face bent towards the sleeping Mairi. “She is a very strong woman,” he said, when at last he dragged his eyes from her, to return them to Omniel. “I cannot say this will be an easy mission.”
“Ha!” exclaimed Sammael. “I think all of these Mistdreamers are difficult, but they are ours to protect. I fear we have lost Forcas completely. He is a dolt around his wife, and it looks as though Seere will be following suit. Tell me you have not gone in the same direction as those puppies?”
“I am no puppy,” Appoloin insisted, “but to feel nothing for this woman would mean I have no heart!”
“Can I remind you,” Omniel interrupted, “that you actually have no heart, and that you are Angel!”
“Try telling me that when I am not in Mairi’s company and I might believe you, because when I am with her,”—he glared at Sammael—“and I am not a puppy, I add again, but she has a way about her.” He shook his
head. “Her strength, her will and determination, they are incredible. She empowers me.”
“Then let us hope this strength and determination are enough, together with your protection, to get her through the future events,” Omniel insisted. “We wish you luck, Appoloin. You must keep her out of danger. We reminded Seere of the importance of keeping his charge safe, and you too should be aware of their importance in the Binding. Should anything happen to them before the Coming, all our worlds are in danger. If you require our assistance, contact us in the normal fashion, but,” he added hesitantly, “we have faith you will accomplish this by yourself.”
With a flick of his wrist, Omniel opened The Veil again, and Xaphan aimed his sword at Appoloin’s chest, careful to avoid Mairi. Red lightning shot from the tip, which propelled Appoloin through the tear.
Closing the gap, Omniel continued to stare for a moment, then he turned his focus on Sammael. “Do you think he will succeed?”
“There is always the possibility of success,” Ambriel stated ominously.
“You think he will fail?” asked Xaphan, not wanting to hear the answer he dreaded.
“We must ready ourselves to that possibility, yes.”
“And, at the chance of sounding like the portent of doom, what do we do if all fails?” asked Sammael.
“Preparations will be put in order for every eventuality,” Ambriel insisted. “However, I am positive his feelings are very powerful for the Mistdreamer, maybe that alone will ensure he succeeds. We have seen for ourselves, thanks to Forcas and Lauren, the effects such emotion can have on Angels. He guards her like no other protector I have seen before, and we can only pray both Appoloin and Seere either control their emotions to make sure their charges are safe, or are able to separate their responsibilities from their desires.”
“Do you believe Forcas to have control of his emotions?” Omniel asked incredulously.
Sammael rolled his eyes. “Quite! I think if that is the case, then it is my sincere opinion, we have lost two more of our brethren!”
Omniel opened his wings waiting until Sammael and Ambriel did the same. “We can hear the calls from above, and should not tarry. Ramiel awaits with news. Let us go and reassure ourselves that all have arrived safely to their intended destinations.”
Ambriel watched as Xaphan let free his wings. “Are you coming with us, Brother?” he asked.
“No, not at this moment. I have somewhere else I must be. I will join you later.”
“Take care, my friend,” Omniel said. “It is a dangerous journey you find yourself on, and when this struggle erupts—as we know it will—we need you with us.”
Omniel stood front and centre of Ambriel and Sammael, and, as one, they spoke with love in their hearts. “Be safe, Brother,” they sang. When their words floated into the air, their wings began to quiver, and the tinkling of bells rang true. The resounding echo of an enchanted song spread across The Veil and cast a warm light over the purple heather.
His family – because that’s what they were to Xaphan – and his heart sang at the very possibility, were soaring through the skies, he prayed they would all be safe, once more together, when this mission was finished once and for all.
Chapter Five
Mairi opened her eyes and scrutinised the room. She stopped searching when her eyes fell upon Appoloin, who was sitting in a high-backed chair beside a very large open fireplace. He was lost in thought as he stared into the fire, which was burning brightly. It was doing a grand job of warming the room. A soft light was cast across the floor as the flames sparked and danced. She noticed the deep blue silk dressing gown he was wearing, lay open to his waist. Curly blond hairs on his chest shone in the fire’s glow.
Mairi snuggled closer to the pillows and took her time enjoying the view. It was a few weeks since they had been together, and she wanted to drink in the delicious sight of him. One of his bare legs was lazily crossed over the other, displaying his powerful, muscular thighs. She sighed in contentment, trying to recall when it was they had made love again.
She reluctantly dragged her eyes from his long, hard body, and continued her search of the room. A candelabra hung above the bed, complete with at least a dozen very realistic unlit candles, the wicks blackened. Pairs of wall sconces, holding lit candles, were evenly spaced on three walls. A pair above the fireplace, one to her right beside a humungous door, then, swivelling her head a little, she could see others on either side of the four-poster bed she was sprawled across. Now, they’re real candles, she thought, and then reasoned that it was a health and safety inspector’s dream.
Mairi stretched luxuriantly, relaxing in the crisp cotton sheets tucked in against her naked body, and admired the floor-to-ceiling, heavy brocade curtains that were half-drawn across a massive bay window, allowing some daylight to spill across the bed.
Wait a minute. She tensed. NAKED? Her head buzzed with questions, and she tried to grab hold of them, but they kept disappearing before she could formulate one. Her mind just did not want to focus on anything important.
When were my clothes removed? There’s a start, she thought, and before another question could raise its ugly head, she caught sight of Appoloin and grinned, allowing her eyes to feast on him. How could she have forgotten the wonderful sex they must have shared?
“Why don’t you ask, instead of tossing and turning, Mairi?”
“I was waiting for you to be a gentleman and tell me what was going on. It’s better when it’s two consenting adults, you know. It’s the law as well, on Earth anyway.”
Appoloin stood, his magnificent chest bared, the sides of the dressing gown falling open, displaying his sculpted abdomen. He stared angrily at her. “You think I would take your body without your knowledge? Without your consent? You believe me to be that disgraceful?”
Mairi stammered, “Well, no, of course not. I don’t believe that of you at all. I guess I was making light of my nakedness, and my confusion as well.”
Appoloin breathed a little easier, his chest returning to its normal proportions.
“Where are we, Appoloin? I know we’re not in Kansas any more.”
“What is it with Kansas and you Mistdreamers? I do not believe any of you have been to Kansas, yet you all claim to not be there any more!”
“It’s a line from a movie. It seemed appropriate, but the joke’s lost on you, as usual. Tell me, Appoloin, where are we?” she asked in a matter-of-fact voice.
“We are in London. I thought it best to remove you from Scotland and bring you to safety.”
“I doubt I’ll be safe here. There’s been a nutcase following me around… ”
“Well, he will definitely not be here,” Appoloin assured her as he moved nearer the bed.
“You know that for sure, do you, Mr Smartypants?” She stretched out to grab his arm and pulled him nearer, and the gentle tug allowed him to fall on the bed beside her. She wrapped her fingers in the curls of his chest, sighing happily. Appoloin held her shoulders and was gently pushing her away when she stretched up and grabbed his face, and closed it down upon hers. Without thought, she hungrily mashed her delicious lips against his and, falling back onto the pillows, yanked him on top of her.
It can wait, he thought.
She was magnificent. Her blonde hair splayed atop the pillows, her eyes closed in anticipation. He kissed her roughly, his lips responding to her vehement enthusiasm, crushing and circling, their tongues finding each other, tasting as they mimicked the movements their bodies would share. He slowly moved to her neck and breathed in the lemon scent from her hair as he sucked and tasted her tender skin, softly biting his way down her chest until his lips found a nipple.
He nipped it gently, and it immediately sprang to life. How he loved her body’s reaction to his lovemaking. She moaned in pleasure and wiggled beneath him, throwing her body into an arc, urging him on, desperate for more.
A stab of conscience fleetingly crossed his mind, but he was too far gone in his need of her to stop. Mo
ving lower, he rested his head on her thigh, waiting. Her impatience causing her to open her eyes momentarily, she was about to speak when he tasted her. He laughed to himself when he heard her squeal of pleasure. She soared, and as she reached her peak, he raised himself above her, resting on his elbows to watch her revelling in the moment. When her eyes opened, lazily, briefly, unseeingly, he entered her.
“Look at me, Mairi,” he insisted.
Mairi found herself in a storm of intense sensuality, riding the waves of pleasure, when she heard his voice.
“What?” she managed to whisper.
“Look at me, Mairi,” he insisted again. “See me. Come with me to completion.”
Mairi found herself in a haze of pleasure, her body screaming for more. “Yes,” she panted. “Take me.”
“It will only be me, and me forever, Mairi.” He spoke deeply and intensely. His words forming, became tangible, rose in the air and then lingered. Golden grains of light, highlighted and kept them in place.
“There can be no one else. Is this what you want? Am I enough for you? Can you take me and be with me, and me alone?”
Her response would be pivotal. Depending upon her answer, whichever way she chose to go, their ritual would be concluded.
Mairi heard the words and quivered, unsure of their significance and oblivious to Appoloin’s apprehension. Her body was trembling, desperate for its release. “Just you, Appoloin,” she managed to say. “Always. Only you, Appoloin,” she affirmed with a sincere, loving whisper. “My Appoloin.”
Her words were held in suspense above her, joining with those already there. The air between them began to glimmer, the tiny golden lights flickering rapidly. Mairi was mesmerised, in complete awe, as she watched the lights pop like miniature golden balloons. She had no further time to think, her mind given over to the fog of lust as Appoloin surged forward. He took them beyond the planes, he carried them into the Heavens, and their endless passion exploded into a myriad stars that encompassed and cocooned them, sealing the promises shared.
The Park Family: Mairi: Retribution Page 6
