Eden p-3

by Jamie McGuire

A long pause followed Jared’s words. No one moved; an awe-inspired silence swept the chapel as everyone took in his breathtaking promise. He took my hand, and slipped the ring onto my finger. It glided over my skin, and rested next to my diamond engagement ring, as if it was returning home.

  “D-do you,” Father Julian stuttered, “Nina, have a token to perform your vows?”

  I turned to Beth, whose mascara streaked her cheeks. She opened her hand to reveal Jared’s simple wedding band. I took it from her, and turned to face him.

  He grinned, waiting on my promise. I had thought about my vows many times after we decided to write our own. Our relationship had never been traditional, so we chose to make our promise to each other unique to us. I took a deep breath. Nothing I would say would be nearly as articulate and beautiful as what he had said, but I knew well enough by now that he would love every syllable.

  “Jared,” I whispered. I held his hand, and then placed the ring around the tip of his finger. “I choose you as my best friend, and my love for life. I promise you my deepest love, my fullest devotion, my most tender care…through the pressures of the present and the uncertainties of the future, I promise to be faithful to you. It wasn’t until just now that I recognize that this wasn’t coincidence, or a battle. We were always meant for each other. Our love is heaven sent, and I promise to honor that forever and always. From this day forward, you won’t walk alone. My heart will be your shelter and my arms will be your home.”

  The mixed emotions scrolling across Jared’s face disappeared; the only one left was happiness. I pushed his ring over his knuckle, and he squeezed my hand.

  Father Julian put his hand over ours. "What God has joined together, let no man put asunder. Jared and Nina have consented together in holy matrimony, and witnessed the same before God and this company, have pledged their love and loyalty to each other, and have declared the same by the joining and the giving of rings. By the authority of the state, I pronounce that they are husband and wife."

  A small sigh emanated throughout the chapel, and Jared let out a breath of relief, followed by a small smile.

  “Kiss your wife,” Father Julian said with a smile.

  Jared cupped my cheeks, looked into my eyes, and then pulled me to him, touching his soft lips to mine. He kissed me gently at first, and then wrapped his arms around me, his lips forgetting everyone and everything around us. We were married. He was my husband, and I was his wife.

  He pulled away. His eyes brimmed with tears, and he looked as overwhelmed with happiness as I felt. I pulled him to me by his shirt to kiss him one last time.

  “I now present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Jared Ryel,” the minister said loudly.

  Jared's smile faded, and he gritted his teeth.

  “Not today,” he said, closing his eyes.

  Chapter Three

  Trial

  The inside of the chapel darkened. The sunlight coming through the windows dimmed, but it was early afternoon. The air around grew cold and stale. The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. Fearing the worst, I was desperate for a mundane explanation. “A storm?”

  Jared's eyes darkened. “I'm sorry.”

  The sound of the tropical winds that regularly blew against the building was noticeably absent, and soon the only light was the dim flickering of a few sconces along the walls of the church. I shot a nervous glance over my shoulder at our friends and family below. They were frozen in time.

  I quickly walked down the stairs, with Jared just behind. My movement didn’t faze the small crowd, and I gasped, falling to my knees. “Lillian?” I said, reaching out.

  Her hands were folded daintily in her lap, a small smile suspended on her face. I stood and took a step to the next pew, realizing in horror that the living statues' eyes were all still fastened to the space where Jared and I once occupied.

  “Beth?” I whispered, reaching out to touch her cheek. Her skin was still warm. “She’s not breathing,” I said, looking back to my new husband. Bex stood at Jared's side. He frowned before looking to his brother. Only the humans were affected.

  “He must have claimed a grievance,” Bex said.

  “Shax?” I asked.

  Jared shook his head. “Michael…for murdering his son.” He closed his eyes and took my hand, holding it against his chest. “No matter what happens, Nina, stay with Bex,” he said.

  “What do you mean? Where are you going?” I said. He took a step toward the double doors of the chapel. With my free hand, I grabbed at the fabric of his jacket. “Jared,” I whispered. His demeanor terrified me.

  The double doors opened, and Eli stood in the entrance, his expression blank. “I'm sorry, Jared. This can't wait.”

  Jared nodded, and then tilted his head to the side, speaking under his breath. “Don't speak, Nina. Let me handle this.”

  I agreed without words. Jared led me through the doors, to the top of the chapel steps. The sky was black, the darkness filtering down to surround our chapel. Several dark forms stood in formation at the bottom of the stairs. Jared continued. With each step closer to the unknown, my heart seemed to be punching through my chest. Finally, I was face to face with Jared’s accusers, but they remained a mystery. Their faces were obscured by the hoods of black cloaks. If they were angels, they were much more frightening than any I’d encountered.

  Eli stood on the other side of Jared, waiting patiently for something, but I knew better than to ask. After a few moments the black forms parted, and two figures, differing dramatically in size, walked forward. Eli made a subtle motion with his hand, and the air around the small assemblage created its own light, leaving a muted glow. I glanced at him from the corner of my eye, and he winked at me. I was the only one unable to see clearly through the darkness. Eli lit the surroundings solely for my human eyes.

  His consideration set me somewhat at ease. He won’t let anything happen to us, I thought.

  Any feeling of comfort offered by Eli’s small gesture didn’t last long. The two forms were now recognizable, and a lump formed in my throat at Claire's nervous expression as she walked alongside Samuel.

  “What are you doing here? Where’s Ryan?” I asked.

  Jared squeezed my hand, and I remembered too late his rule of silence. A man at the front of the opposing group ripped away his hood, revealing his enraged eyes. “You are not allowed to speak here!” he said. His body shook as he spoke.

  Samuel and Claire took a defensive stance in front of Jared and me. Jared squeezed my hand again, this time in comfort. He brought my fingers to his lips and kissed them. An overwhelming urge to cry overcame me, and although I begged myself not to, my eyes filled with salty tears and dribbled down my cheeks.

  Eli casually pushed Samuel and Claire to the side to approach me. “Look what you've done,” Eli said, lifting my chin. He used his thumbs to wipe the twin lines of tears. “Upsetting the bride on her wedding day.” He turned to the man. “Apologize, Michael, and then mind your manners for the remainder of our time here.”

  Michael stood tall. “Forgive me,” he said, his body rigid with subdued rage.

  I nodded once, cowering against Jared.

  Samuel took a spot next to Jared, and Claire stood next to me. Eli returned to his position, but this time he stood more central between the two groups. He lowered his head and closed his eyes. The Ryel siblings, along with Samuel and the cloaked men, did the same. I followed suit, wondering if I looked ridiculous, or if it was expected. Jared didn’t offer a suggestion either way, so the safe option was to imitate the others.

  After a short time, Eli began to speak in his usual soft, matter-of-fact tone. “All praise to the Most High, as this is His court and His kingdom. I will use the common tongue for our Nina, so that she may understand. I, Eliath, angel of the Divine Plan, will act on the Lord Almighty’s behalf. My decision is final.” He glanced at both Jared and Michael. “Aggression will not be tolerated.”

  Jared and Michael nodded.

  Eli looked to me, and his eyes
softened. “Michael has made a claim against Jared for the death of his earthen son, Isaac.”

  My first inclination was to open my mouth, but after my public reprimand from Michael, I was hesitant.

  Eli sensed my fear, and smiled. “Don’t be afraid, Nina. You may speak.”

  “Um….” I looked to Jared, who’d told me just the opposite just a few minutes before. Any caution was absent from his face. “Jared didn’t kill Isaac,” I said. My voice was soft, but firm. Even if I incriminated myself, I couldn’t let Jared take the blame for my actions.

  Eli nodded, knowingly and patiently. “The actions leading to Isaac’s death are why we’re here, Nina. You may enter your argument in a moment. I assure you this will be a fair proceeding.”

  “Then why do Jared and Claire seem so nervous?” I said, deliberately leaving Bex’s name out. “This doesn’t feel like a casual inquiry.”

  “You’re right. It’s not. The charges against Jared are very serious. A life was lost. Archs are not allowed to kill humans to protect their Taleh. Half-Breeds are exempt from our rules, as they are half human and allowed free will. However, because Half-Breeds are privy to those rules, it is important that they not take advantage. Do you understand?”

  “Y-yes,” I said, afraid to say my next words. Eli seemed to have unending patience, but I didn’t want to test it. “But…Jared didn’t kill Isaac.”

  Michael’s body twitched, and he began to speak in a language so beautiful, I knew it was of Heaven. Eli interrupted.

  “English, Michael. It’s polite.”

  Michael sighed with frustration. “Why do you waste your time?” he said to Eli. “We don’t explain ourselves to them.”

  “Patience,” Eli said simply. He looked to me, then. “All actions leading to Isaac’s death are in review. In this case, Jared revealing himself to you plays a part. Typically, we would trace to the beginning, and hold the individual responsible. In this case, the individual would be Jared’s father, Gabriel, for revealing himself to Lillian Van Buren. That action ultimately resulted in Isaac’s death. But, because Gabriel has already been judged for that action, the responsibility falls on Jared.”

  I frowned, still confused.

  Eli smiled in understanding. “Think of the Garden of Eden. Our Lord judges wrongs based on chain reactions. It is the way of things.”

  “You mean he holds grudges,” I said.

  “No,” Eli said with a small chuckle. “No, that is not what I mean. He considers the root of the problem when He makes a decision.”

  “’The sins of the father’ type of thing?”

  “It’s difficult to explain in human terms, Nina. The short answer is yes.”

  Jared had made his choices, but being blamed for being the product of his parents’ love, and for me for the death of Donovan was unacceptable to me. He was my husband, after all. It was now my duty to protect him, as well. I stood tall. “What about me?”

  Jared tensed. “Nina,” he chided.

  I glanced at Jared, but didn’t heed his warning. “On grounds that my father made choices that could have been the cause of everything that’s happened, and the fact that I am the one who killed Isaac’s Taleh…shouldn’t I be the one on trial?”

  “Yes,” Michael growled, low and frightening, through his teeth.

  Eli touched my shoulder. “You are, Nina. Every choice you make. His decision for you will be later. Jared is held to a different standard, set apart from Heaven and Earth; rules for his kind that he is aware of. Now,” he smiled with kindness and maybe a bit of amusement, “if you are satisfied, we will continue.”

  Knowing that even if I did come to understand, I would never agree, I nodded. The expression on Eli’s face told me that he was aware of my feelings, and he appreciated that I was willing to let him move forward.

  A new level of intensity weighed on everyone — everyone but Eli, who seemed impervious. Michael’s chest heaved as he readied himself to make his case and avenge Isaac’s death. As Michael took a step forward, his small army lifted the cloaks from their faces. I shouldn’t have been, but I was surprised. I expected them all to look like Michael: Dark eyes and hair. Instead they more closely resembled Claire. A few of them looked upon me with curiosity, others with disdain, but mostly they seemed to be there out of duty and not personal reasons. That logic went against why Claire and Samuel appeared so uneasy.

  Eli spoke. “Michael….”

  “Isaac had no choice!” he said. “He was important. He was given gifts unlike any Half-Breed. The choices of his Taleh do not justify his death!”

  Eli nodded. “Jared….”

  Jared showed no emotion. “The choices of our Talehs never justify our deaths, but it is the duty and curse that we must accept to be obedient.”

  Michael shifted his weight. “What do you know about duty, Half-Breed?”

  Blood rushed to my cheeks. “How dare you,” I seethed.

  “Nina,” Jared warned.

  “Your son — the one with such gifts — was also half human. I suppose since Jared doesn’t support his Taleh living a life of crime and serving a demon, he doesn’t take his duty seriously?” I said, my temper temporarily removing any thoughts of my own safety.

  A deep line formed between Michael’s brow, and his eyes glistened with anger. “My son was not as fortunate as Gabe’s. He accepted his fate and made the best of it. We cannot interfere with the free will of humans. It is against His will.”

  “So is serving the other side,” I grumbled.

  “Nina!” Jared growled.

  Michael jerked forward, and arms burst from the long, black sleeves of cloaks behind him as hands held him at bay. Simultaneously, Samuel angled his body toward Jared in a protective stance. He didn’t crouch, as I had seen Claire do so many times before when she protected me. Samuel would not fight his brothers, but he wouldn’t allow them to harm us.

  Claire leaned against my arm, and whispered in my ear. “Shut up, stupid. You’re not helping.”

  “She should not speak here!” Michael said, jerking away from his allies.

  “Enough,” Eli said, his voice calm and even. “Nina’s fate is affected. She is allowed an argument,” he said, looking to me. “Your thoughts have been considered. That will be all.”

  For the first time, I didn’t feel Eli’s bias. I nodded quickly, showing my obedience with a small step back.

  “Claire….” Eli said, moving the trial forward.

  “The truth is, Isaac and Donovan were working with Shax, and they were there to kill Nina, in effect to kill Jared,” she said in her no-nonsense way. “Eli, it was going to be Donovan or Nina. Isaac or Jared. If you ask me, the best man won.”

  Her words stung Michael, but he didn’t argue.

  Eli’s eyes scanned the looming angels behind Michael. “Do any of your supporters wish to enter opinion?”

  Michael shook his head. “It is my claim.”

  “And what exactly is your claim?” Bex asked.

  Michael’s eyes narrowed, staring directly at Jared’s younger brother. “That he murdered my son.”

  Claire took a step forward. “Your son murdered Nina’s father.”

  When recognition hit that Claire was speaking of my father, my knees buckled, and Jared tightened his grip to keep me on my feet.

  “W-What?” I said, my voice barely a whisper.

  Jared leaned into my cheek, his nose grazing my ear. “Donovan shot your father. Isaac was with him.”

  My eyes widened, focusing on Michael. “You want to blame Gabe and Jared? You come here, interrupt our wedding day, yell at me, accuse us of murder, and your son was an accessory to the cause of all of this?”

  Michael’s dark eyes darted from me to Eli.

  Eli shrugged. “She has a point.”

  Michael’s jaw dropped. “Isaac did not to deserve to die. He was a good son. He accepted the curse and honored his duties.”

  “Michael,” Samuel said in his deep, firm voice.

&nb
sp; Michael stepped toward Eli. “Gabriel’s son should be punished! He allowed his Taleh to kill my son! Rebecca’s son!”

  Eli looked to the ground in thought. “Rebecca was unhappy with Isaac’s choices, was she not?”

  Michael’s eyes flickered to each of us. “I demand Jared be punished for taking Isaac’s life.”

  Samuel spoke again. “Michael….”

  “Jared should be killed, and leave his Taleh to the savages,” Michael said, pointing to Jared.

  “Michael…” Samuel repeated, this time with a low growl.

  “An eye for an eye, Eli! I demand it!” Michael said, his fists balled at his sides.

  “MICHAEL!” Samuel boomed. The earth trembled when he spoke, and my hands flew to my ears.

  Eli watched the interaction between Samuel and Michael for a moment, and then spoke. “Okay. All right. I’ve heard enough from each side. Only one argument remains.”

  We all looked to one another, wondering who was left.

  “My apologies,” a warm voice spoke. It was a voice I hadn’t heard in a long time. A voice from my childhood.

  Jared’s hand was still in mine, and the moment the voice could be heard, his hand went limp. “Dad?” he said.

  I turned, seeing Gabe Ryel at the top of the chapel’s rock steps. He looked exactly as I remembered him: tall, his blond hair and piercing, ice-blue eyes glowing even from several feet away. A flash broke from the crowd and up the steps, and in the next moment, Claire was in her father’s arms, sobbing uncontrollably. She pressed her cheek against his chest, whispering something I couldn’t understand. Gabe bowed his head, spoke something back, and then he kissed his daughter’s forehead. They descended the stairs together, and approached Bex.

  Gabe offered a small smile to his youngest son, who fell against him with a clap.

  My mouth fell open, and I immediately searched Jared’s face for a reaction. There was none.

  Gabe’s expression turned remorseful. “I’m sorry for your son, Michael. You and I are in unique positions…to know love for a child. You and I agree that if we could change the outcome, we would make it so.”