Fallen to Grace

by A. J. Flowers

  Azrael frowned. Since learning of Sarah’s disappearance, she had questioned every Windborn if they knew of other similar cases. And to her detriment, each one knew of at least one Windborn who had gone missing. Their owners claimed they had run away. But was that just a story? Had they truly been kidnapped? Were angels taking them? If so...why?

  Azrael flicked her hand in dismissal. “Thank you, Alexis. Go in peace, and know that I believe you. Your owner will be told you have helped Manor Saffron and we will make a donation towards your freedom.”

  Alexis beamed and curtsied low to the ground. “Oh yes, thank you, Princess! Thank you!”

  Azrael wasn’t even sure if she was allowed to contribute to another Windborn’s freedom. But the relief and joy on Alexis’s face as she curtsied out of the room made Azrael happier than she’d been all day.

  Azrael considered the possibilities. The cold metal of the throne had grown warm under her persistent weight, and now she felt dazed, unable to move. She rested her chin on her hand. So sleepy...

  “I should have you beaten,” the Queen snapped.

  Azrael nearly fell from the throne at the Queen’s unexpected presence. Azrael blinked when she saw Gabriel standing next to her, his muscular arms crossed over his chest.

  Azrael couldn’t shake the fog of fatigue that hung over her like a dark cloud. She blinked as her eyelids grew heavy. “...Majesty?”

  The Queen’s eyes were golden and filled with rage. The Light pulsing from them drew Azrael in and enticed her to forget... Forget...

  Azrael tossed herself from the throne, peeling away from the sucking embrace of the cool silver and collapsing on the floor. Without the silver’s magnification of the Queen’s magic, Azrael’s own senses returned.

  “Majesty... Have I displeased you?” Azrael gasped on the ground.

  “Well, let’s see. You’ve riled up all the owners. I’ve already been told of one Windborn who’s been punished for spouting tales of her missing friend. And then another was beaten the second she arrived back to her estate. She was nearly killed. And now you’ve promised to make a donation to one’s freedom? Do you want to be responsible for Windborn deaths over this absurdity? You were supposed to learn of their experience, and accept it. If it had just been the donation...perhaps I could work around it. But you also had to run an interrogation into the runaways. Are you trying to humiliate our buyers? If they can’t keep hold of a slave girl, then what kind of respect can they hold of their court? None, that’s what kind. And you’ve just reminded all of Leocivat who’s inept and who’s not. Unbelievable!”

  Azrael’s head panged as the Queen cried out in outrage. Azrael threw her hands up and grabbed onto her aching skull.

  “Your Majesty. That’s enough,” Gabriel’s deep voice boomed.

  His anger laced through the emotions of fear and rage that the Queen had intertwined in Azrael’s heart. Azrael couldn’t differentiate what emotion was her’s, what was the Queen’s, and what was Gabriel’s.

  “She’s right,” he persisted. “And you know she’s right. You should be proud of her. She’s doing what you should have done centuries ago.”

  Azrael lowered her hands and peered up at him. He towered over the Queen with his wings fanned out. Azrael realized he was threatening her, like a peacock intimidating its adversary.

  In spite of the spectacle, Queen Ceres held her ground. She raised her chin and pinched her lips in defiance. But through their connection, Azrael could feel the Queen’s heart falter.

  The Queen turned away from him with a scoff. “You deal with her, then. I’ve some ruffled feathers of my own to smooth! I’ll be lucky if I can sell another Windborn this season.” Her words pierced the cool nighttime air as she stomped out of the room.

  When she was gone, Azrael rolled onto her back and stared up at the darkened half-orb that glittered in the ceiling. The moon was high overhead and not even a single cloud barred its path, allowing its chill silver light to bounce across the glass etchings.

  “Are you all right?” Gabriel asked.

  Azrael kept her eyes on the moon. It was a tangible, stable thing. She locked onto it and centered herself, pushing out the foreign magic the Queen had drilled into her.

  “I will be,” Azrael echoed Meretta’s long ago words. She realized how much she missed Meretta then. I’m stronger with Meretta at my side.

  Azrael set her jaw and promised she’d find Meretta and tell her everything she’d found out. She’ll know what to do. She always does.

  Gabriel crouched next to Azrael and peered at the ceiling. “My brothers are probably wondering how you’re doing.”

  Azrael rolled her head on the hard floor to look at him. She was accustomed to attractiveness, but Gabriel was something entirely different. The way the muscle in his neck made a perfect arch to the bottom of his chin fascinated her. And when he turned and met her gaze, she was frozen in that moment. Azrael realized for the first time what it was that was so powerfully attractive about him. Besides his perfect features and his snow-white hair, he was kind. His smile crinkled his eyes with joy no male had ever directed toward her. Every genuine smile, every encouraging nod, it was the first time she had ever experienced kindness from one of them. Were all winged men like this?

  “What is it?” he asked.

  She sat up and stared at her hands. Her neck went hot as she blushed. “I’m not used to kindness.”

  He crossed his legs and his wings relaxed, drifting around them. Azrael shivered.

  “I’m sorry it’s this way for your kind. However, if anyone can change the way things are, you can.”

  “What makes you say that?”

  He shrugged. “You have courage, even as young as you are. You’re not afraid to get to the bottom of the real problems. I’ve turned a blind eye to the disappearances for years. But in one day you’ve shown me how far I’ve let the rope slacken.”

  Azrael blinked at him. “What? You knew about it?”

  He hummed in response. “I did.”

  Azrael caught her breath and leaned closer to him. “Then, why have you done nothing about it?”

  “It’s not my place.”

  “Is it mine?”

  He smiled and her heart jumped. “I suppose it is.”

  Azrael pulled her knees to her chest, not able to advert her eyes from his gaze. “What am I to do?”

  “You’ll know what to do when the time is right.” He looked up at the dark glass, pointing a finger as he spoke. “But for now, you must appeal to them. There are angels coming right this very moment, and they’ll be here by midday tomorrow. You’ll need allies, and there can be no greater ally than an angel, no matter his faults.”

  Azrael fell silent and stared into the brilliance of the moon. Other angels...

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  A Legion Comes

  AZRAEL hadn’t heard again from the Queen, and it was only by Gabriel’s insistence did she agree to head to bed. Azrael was afraid to leave the chambers. What if the Queen expected her to stay and apologize to the enraged owners?

  But Gabriel laughed when she said as much. She was a Princess and allowed to go to bed when she wanted to. It was a strange feeling... Choice.

  When she entered her glowing chambers, she expected her only company to be the cold statues that watched every step she took. Instead, Meretta was sitting on her bed doing embroidery. Thread stringed from her lap.

  At Azrael’s footsteps Meretta smiled. “There you are. How did it go? I heard about the interviews,” Meretta said.

  Azrael shuffled to the bedside and pulled herself up into the empty space beside her friend. “Does her Majesty know you’re here?”

  Meretta scoffed. “I suppose. I’ve been taking care of you, remember? And it was the Queen who agreed to that in the first place. Why?”

  Azrael shrugged. “I’ve just caused enough trouble for one day, didn’t want to get you in trouble too.”

  Azrael took the embroidery from Meretta’s hands and smi
rked. Long white plumes arched out in cottony puffs from a tall man. “It’s Gabriel.”

  Meretta blushed and snatched it out of her hands. “I didn’t say you could comment.”

  Azrael folded her hands and swayed back and forth. “He’s not like the other Windborn boys. He’s different... Nice.”

  She laughed. “Of course he’s different. He didn’t grow up here. He grew up... Well... Up there.” She pointed a needle to the ceiling. “And he’s no boy.”

  Azrael looked up at the ceiling, her neck still stiff from staring at the moon. Silvered arches wound through the pillars of the roof and met together in a curved dome. A window would have been prettier.

  “Gabriel says he’s going to bring more angels to the Manor,” Azrael said.

  Meretta latched onto Azrael’s elbow. “Others?”

  Her green eyes glittered at Azrael with wonder and awe. Azrael giggled. “Don’t be so obvious! I don’t think angels can be suitors, you know.”

  Meretta blushed. “That’s not—”

  “Hey, Meretta,” Azrael said frowning, turning her tone serious. “Girls have been going missing, once they leave the Manor, I mean. And the stories I heard today... It’s truly unbearable.”

  Meretta’s face softened. “What’d they say?”

  “Terrible things. And I don’t think there’s much I can do about it. It’s hard to explain... But there isn’t much choice.” Her eyes misted. “Oh Meretta, it’s so terrible. What am I supposed to do?”

  Meretta embraced Azrael and the scent of lavender pushed her sadness away like the Queen’s magic. “You do what you feel is right. And I’ll be here to support you every step of the way.”

  Azrael sniffed and wrapped her arms around her loyal friend. “I knew you would be. Thank you.”

  They held each other for a long time until Azrael finally pushed her away. Her brow knitted in concern.

  “I think the other angels aren’t coming here because of the missing women,” Azrael said.

  “What makes you think that?”

  Azrael thought back to sitting alone in the audience chamber with Gabriel. A blush rose to her cheeks. “Gabriel said I have the power to bring about changes he couldn’t. But then he said I would have to meet the others that have come to protect me. Protect me from what?”

  Meretta slammed her balled fist into her hand. “Probably the Queen!”

  Azrael huffed a short laugh. “This isn’t the time to joke.”

  Meretta slumped. “I know, but what else is there to do at a time like this.” She thought to herself for a moment, and then nodded in decision. “We’ll meet with these angels of his, and together we’ll decide what to do.”

  THE next day, Meretta generously applied her skills in hiding the dark circles under Azrael’s eyes whilst Leanne stood in the doorway, bouncing both of her wrists with sharp yanks.

  “No, Leanne. I’m taking care of this. Go away!” Meretta waved both hands as if she were dismissing an unwanted cat.

  Leanne frowned and threw her hands up in the air. She jerked her chin in a nod before taking her leave.

  “I swear, I don’t know how you’ll survive being Queen with servants like that,” Meretta mused as she dabbed a flesh-colored liquid on Azrael’s face. Meretta giggled and pushed her finger up under Azrael’s chin. “Keep looking up. I don’t want to get this stuff in your eyes.”

  Azrael suffered through Meretta’s primping, which was a million times faster than Leanne’s would have been. She didn’t have silver chains woven through her hair, or gems clasped to braids. Regarding herself in the mirror, she looked refreshed, and more importantly, herself. Even as she was garbed in an emerald dress that shimmered as she turned, Azrael appreciated the simplicity of her straight black hair and charcoal-free eyes, even mismatched as they were.

  Queen Ceres swept into the room and held up a parchment. “Azrael have you—Meretta! What’re you doing here?”

  Meretta shrunk into herself and Azrael stepped between her and the Queen. “I asked her to be here. She knows the other angels are coming. I’ve decided she’ll be my advisor. If you have any qualms about it, well, you’ll have to go through me.”

  Meretta gasped while the Queen placed a hand on her hip. Instead of yelling with outrage, she waved her hand and a cluster of bangles swayed at her wrist. “If you wish Meretta as an advisor, even though she’s not old enough to even advise herself, that’s your decision. So be it.”

  Meretta tugged at Azrael’s looped sleeve.

  “What is it?” Azrael whispered.

  “I think I hear something.”

  Azrael cocked her head, tilting her ear to the doorway. Meretta was right. A tumbled beat vibrated in the air, as if a storm roiled on the horizon. Azrael widened her eyes, turning her gaze onto the Queen.

  A wry smile twitched at the Queen’s mouth. “They’re here.”

  Azrael went giddy with childish excitement. A flock of angels are coming to see me...or a gaggle? A herd? No, they aren’t animals. A legion... That’s the word.

  Azrael took Meretta’s hand and flew through the halls, bursting through the garden’s doors and jerked to a halt. Both girls gawked at the sky with awe. The angels were coming. Tiny dots sprinkled through the clouds, sending a boom of wing beats like rolling waves of thunder.

  “Won’t the other Windborn in the Manor hear them coming?” Meretta asked.

  The Queen trailed behind them and groaned. Azrael tore her gaze from the sky to the Queen’s eyes emblazoned with Light. “No, they won’t,” the Queen murmured.

  Azrael swallowed and turned back to the spectacle above them. Gabriel hadn’t specified how many were coming. She marveled as she counted the flying men... Ten... Twenty... Thirty... She lost count and held her breath.

  When the first angel landed, Meretta stumbled and collapsed to the ground, touching her forehead in prayer.

  While Azrael was too stunned to move, she stood her ground. The angel stared straight at her, immediately locking in on her presence. Azrael knew Gabriel had told them of the “hybrid,” but it still unnerved her that this mystical creature knew who she was, even if it was only by reputation.

  One by one, the angels landed behind him and the ground shook with the weight of their arrival. The first thing Azrael noticed was the color of their eyes. Each angel had white eyelashes that encased bright, purple eyes. It made it look like a sea of amethysts encased in lace.

  The first angel stepped forward until he was within arm’s reach. He was much taller than Gabriel and Azrael strained to match his gaze.

  “Azrael, I presume?” His voice was unlike anything Azrael had ever heard. She’d thought that Gabriel was heavenly, but Uriel was a hundred times more otherworldly.

  Azrael twitched her head in a nod, keeping her jaw clenched lest her mouth hang open.

  He took Azrael’s hand in his and she went stiff. “Azrael, I am Uriel. I’m honored to meet you.”

  “Y-yes. Honored,” she stammered.

  To her relief, the Queen swept to their side. “Uriel, it’s so wonderful to see you again after all these years.”

  Uriel narrowed his violet eyes at her. “I vowed I’d never return to this place. I vowed I’d never speak to you again. Luckily for you, vows don’t mean much to me anymore.”

  The Queen fluttered her eyes and the Light dimmed from her gaze. “Come inside, everyone,” she said with a nervous chuckle.

  The Queen led the way as the entourage of angels walked with them through the golden halls. Angel wings tickled Azrael’s arms in the narrow confines and she wondered, If I had dreamed this very scene long ago, would I have ever imagined it could be real?

  She had expected that the Queen would lead them to the audience chamber. But Azrael realized that was a silly thought. These were angels, not suitors or politicians. As they wound through the halls the walls transformed with growing extravagance. The walls began to curl and wound about themselves, sending the ceiling into a wide cavern.

  Azrael grip
ped Meretta’s hand to ground herself in reality. Chandeliers glittered, sending Light sprawling from the ceiling through clumps of diamonds and glass. Light splashed through the room as if Azrael had walked into an ocean of the gods. The marbled floor was a sea of fire, repelling Light from its surface like a cresting wave.

  Azrael realized this was the true audience chamber. There was no single throne, but instead a wide circle of heavy chairs, most with curved, thin spines to accompany an angel with broad wings. Small tables sprinkled throughout boasted fruit, pastries, and wine.

  “Please, sit. Eat. Drink. You must be exhausted from your travels,” the Queen offered.

  Uriel’s nostrils flared, but he stepped to a chair and sat, reaching for a citrus.

  As he peeled it, he watched Azrael with a stare that matched even the Queen’s intensity. Azrael looked to his side. Two small chairs with a wide back fit for one without wings sat next to each other, and it was unlikely Uriel would appreciate if the Queen sat next to him.

  Azrael swallowed and stepped towards the adjacent chair, pulling Meretta behind her. Meretta struggled, but Azrael was not going to let her leave her side. She settled on the chair, the crimson cushion embracing her legs. Meretta folded her legs under her and sat at Azrael’s feet. Azrael hated for her to do that and cast the Queen a worried glance. Surely she could have a stool?

  But the Queen shook her head in warning. Meretta wasn’t even supposed to be here. She would sit on the floor.

  As the other angels found their seats Azrael admired each face. It was like a hall of gods, all sitting and staring with eyes of plum-colored glass.

  “What a life it must be, to never know the Council,” Uriel’s voice kissed her ears. It was caressing in a way that Gabriel’s had never been. She matched his violet gaze and was entranced, not snatched in the web like she had been with Gabriel, but seduced in a fog where she could hardly remember her name. Meretta’s hand was still in hers and Azrael squeezed it against her thigh for reassurance.