Ariel Rising

by A. J. Sparber

  “We kind of are,” I say, smiling. “And I’m beginning to think it’ll have a happy ending.”

  “I hope so,” she says with a sigh.

  I’m sure Mom’s idea of a happy ending is contingent on finding Dad. And Davin and I will find him—even if we have to search every square inch of this world.

  I squeeze her hand. “Everything will work out. I know it will.”

  “I have a feeling it will,” Mom says. “Thalia is confident that we’ll locate Dad. I just can’t get him out of my mind.”

  This is my opening. Mom and Ella need to know about Lana. I’ve put off telling them long enough. “Davin and I were talking about my sister.”

  “Solana?” Mom asks.

  “Yes. It seems her friends call her Lana.” I pause, allowing Mom and Ella an opportunity to make the connection.

  Mom looks puzzled for a moment and then her nose wrinkles. Her mind is in overdrive. “Lana? You don’t think she could be…?”

  “Davin showed me a picture. It’s her, Mom.”

  “Our Lana?” Ella gasps. “From Edgewood? Your nanny?”

  “One and the same.”

  “Oh. My. God,” Mom mutters. “It makes perfect sense. Who better to watch over you?”

  “Yeah. So, the orphaned angel-angle is out of play. She knows who her real daddy is. And that means she will…”

  “She will know where he is,” Ella finishes.

  “Precisely,” Mom adds, with a cautious smile. “This is very good news.”

  “It is,” I agree. “Davin says that Lana is very trustworthy. Just promise me you won’t get too anxious. I didn’t want to keep this from you, but I also don’t want you to be consumed with worry. Okay?”

  “I’ll be fine, sweetheart. I’ve waited a long time for answers. I can handle it.”

  I smile at her. If anyone can handle it, Mom can.

  She smiles back and gives me a thumbs up. “Have you been training hard, honey?”

  “Oh yeah. But it’s paying off. I’ve gained a lot of control with my energy projection.”

  “Thalia thinks that Ella and I can project energy. Once we complete Sage basics, she wants to merge our training with yours.”

  “That’s wonderful, Mom!”

  “It is. So do you have plans for this week, now that finals are over?”

  “In fact, we do. But I wanted to run it by you first.”

  “I’m all ears,” she says.

  “Davin wants to take Ella, Tal, and me to his island for the week. He’ll have us back in plenty of time for graduation. What do you think?”

  She stares at me for a moment with pursed lips. “His island?”

  “Yeah, it’s a small island.”

  She shakes her head slowly and smiles. “Do you want to go?”

  Ella and I nod.

  “And if I told you that you should not go, would you not go?”

  “I don’t think you would do that, Mom. I think you would lay out reasons for us to reflect on, and then we would consider the whole picture.”

  “Well, that sounds like an excellent idea. Can you think of any reasons why you should not go?”

  “No. I really want to go.”

  “And you want my approval?”

  Oh, she is good.

  “It’s not that I’m seeking your approval, though that would be nice. Basically, I don’t want you to think we’re being impulsive.”

  She looks at Ella and me with a knowing smile. “The men you care about have invited you on an island vacation, and you think the fact that you want to go might be impulsive?”

  Unconsciously, I begin to rub my temples, really hard, just like Davin does when I confuse or confound him. It makes me smile. “No, I don’t think it’s impulsive. Well, maybe a little.”

  “Ari, you and Ella are not human teenagers. Even when you were, you were so much smarter and more mature than your classmates. But now you are angels.” She chuckles. “And, of course, I’m not a normal mom anymore.”

  “I’m not sure if any of us were ever really normal. But now we have an excuse,” I say, smiling.

  Mom laughs heartily. “I trust my girls to make good choices.” She pauses for a moment. “Ella, would you happen to know why Ari is blushing. She looks as if she might burst into flames any second.”

  I make a quick mental note to ask Thalia if it’s possible to control blood flow to my cheeks.

  “She always blushes. You know that,” Ella says, with a dismissive wave of her hand. Then her expression turns serious. She sits up straight and continues, “It hasn’t always been easy, Doc, but we’ve been making good choices. I know you trust us, and we would never do anything to violate that trust. You have my word.”

  “I know, Ella. Now, I understand the cannoli here are quite good.”

  “Indeed they are,” I say.

  As I walk along the path back to Davin’s, I turn and watch as Ella and Mom walk toward Thalia’s. We are together and somehow I know everything is going to work out.

  Chapter 22

  When I get home, Davin is sitting in the study, watching a movie. “What are you watching?” I ask.

  “The Questor Tapes.” He removes his VR glasses and looks up at me.

  “Never heard of it.”

  “It was made long before you were born and has become somewhat of a cult classic here.”

  “It was made on Earth?”

  “Yes. In the 1970s.”

  “What’s it about?”

  “In a nutshell, Questor is the last in a line of super-powerful androids, designed by an advanced extraterrestrial race to serve and protect mankind. Each android lives several hundred years, builds a replacement, and then dies. But Questor has a problem. His programming is damaged. He knows he is special, but he doesn’t know why. The plot focuses on his adventures as he travels the world in search of his purpose.”

  “Sounds corny. So, do I remind you of Questor?”

  “No. Well, perhaps a little. But you are much prettier, far stronger, considerably faster, and significantly funnier. More importantly, you are the appropriate gender, and you have a more natural body—no wires, gears, or little motors that make whirring sounds. And when you sleep, you—”

  “Stop!” I’m laughing so hard I think I might hurl.

  He grabs my hand and pulls me onto his lap. “I love it when you laugh.” He draws little circles around my mouth with his finger. “Do you know how perfectly beautiful you are?”

  “Davin, you are extremely prejudiced, and I am far from perfect. I have pouty lips and small hips. My eyes are too large, and my hair is too thick—“

  “Those are all things I happen to love about you—especially the two parts that rhyme.”

  “Um, lips and hips?”

  “Yes, those. I’m glad they rhyme because as far as body parts go, they are remarkably poetic.” His eyes are sparkling, and his lips are curved into a very sensuous smile. “But you also must consider what’s in here.” He pats my chest. “When you combine your outer shell with what’s inside, you are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever known—on two worlds.”

  I gaze into his eyes. I want to ravish him.

  “Ari, are you alright?” He looks concerned.

  I guess it’s my un-blinking stare. I must look catatonic.

  I shake my head rapidly. “I’m fine. Tell me about Carina. There’s a house there, right?”

  “There are three structures, actually. A residence for the caretakers, a sanctuary, and a beach house that we will use.”

  “A sanctuary?” I ask.

  “It’s a kind of shelter. A bunker. A refuge. My parents wanted to make sure the family always had a safe haven in the event of an attack.”

  “Ah. Kind of like an alien version of Doomsday Preppers,” I say.

  “Yes, In a manner of speaking. So, your mom is okay with our trip?”

  “She trusts us.”

  He wrinkles his brow. “Sages have remarkable powers of perception and intuition. Es
pecially where it concerns those whom they love.” He sighs. “I’m glad she trusts us because I really like having you close to me.”

  His smile is seductive. His eyes are scintillating, smoldering, sparkling, and they seem to be calling to me. Oh boy.

  “Davin, you’re looking at me as if you’re starving and I’m a big, juicy steak.”

  “I…”

  “Shh, it’s okay, sweetheart, because right now you look like a big chocolate truffle,” I say.

  “Chocolate is your favorite.”

  “I can’t get enough of it, if you really want to know.”

  “Do you want to drive me crazy?”

  “I want to make you happy, Davin.”

  “Ari…”

  “I’m not finished,” I say, cutting him off. “I’m a fully-evolved angel and I’m in love with you. That’s never going to change.”

  “Ari…”

  I hold up my hand, cutting him off again. “There is no reason to wait any longer.”

  I look into his eyes, hoping he understands how much I love him and how ready I am to show him. Please understand, Davin. Please.

  “May I speak now?” he asks, with a playful smirk.

  I nod.

  “Thank you. I need to get up,” he says.

  I slide off his lap and stand. “Where are you going?”

  “I’ll be right back.”

  He walks to his desk, retrieves something from a drawer, and places it in his pocket.

  “What did you get?” I ask, as he stands in front of me.

  “I can’t show you yet.”

  “When can you show me?”

  “In a moment. I have an important question that you must answer first.”

  “You do?”

  “Yes,” he says, as his lips curl into a delicious, dimpled smile.

  “How important is it?” I return his smile, not knowing what he’s talking about.

  “Extremely important.” His smile gets wider and he grasps both my hands. What could possibly be so important? Unless…

  “Will you commit to be my Promise?”

  The words are so uncomplicated; the implications so profound, so life-altering. I gaze into his eyes, as the only possible answer forms on my lips.

  “Yes,” I say, as my eyes fill with tears. Happy tears.

  “These are tears of joy?” he asks, as he brushes his thumb along my cheek.

  I smile and nod.

  “Davin, I love you so much… so very much.”

  He speaks slowly, clearly, and so very tenderly. “Ariel of Edgewood, Serafeím, Daughter of Damian and Andrea, I commit to be your Promise. Will you be mine?”

  There’s nothing to think about, nothing to consider, and no misgivings. I know the protocols, and I know exactly how to respond.

  “Davin of Genobli, Warrior Master, Son of Lecco and Annia, I commit myself to you. I am yours, you are mine, and so it shall be for all time.”

  “And now it is done,” he says.

  “And now we are one,” I finish.

  His lips curl into a joyful smile. “You knew exactly what to say.”

  “Thalia has taught me many things about angel culture,” I whisper.

  “So, you know what comes next?”

  “I do.”

  To complete our commitment, we will brand ourselves with an infinity symbol placed just above each of our hearts. It’s a beautiful tradition. A magical tradition.

  Davin removes the brand from his pocket and hands it to me. It’s smooth, black, and roughly the size and shape of a domino. One side is blank and the other glows with a pulsing white light, which makes me smile, because it means that Paradise approves of our commitment.

  “You place it, glowing side up, over my heart. When it is straight, the light will stop pulsing. Hold it still until the light turns blue.”

  Davin removes his shirt. My hand is shaking a little as I place the brand over his heart, turning it slightly. The light stops pulsing, and then it turns blue. A small puff of vapor rises from his chest, along with a slight odor of burning flesh. He doesn’t flinch.

  I lift my hand away. The mark is small, less than an inch tall, and perfectly formed—a crisp, black infinity symbol.

  Davin takes the brand from me and holds it between his fingers. The light begins to pulse white. He gently pulls down the left side of my top to expose the area above my heart. The brand feels warm as he presses it against my skin. I brace for the pain, but there is none. None at all.

  I look down at my chest.

  “It’s beautiful,” I say, as the magnitude of our commitment sinks in.

  We are bound. Married. We will finalize our commitment within a year at a public binding ceremony. But that’s merely a formality. He is my Promise and I am his. Forever.

  “Are you happy?” he asks.

  “I am the happiest women, the happiest angel, in the entire universe.” I wrap my arms around his neck. “I love you, Davin. With all my heart and soul,” I whisper, as I brush my lips gently across his.

  “Forever and never ending,” he says.

  And we kiss. It’s the kind of kiss that’s possible only when you love someone completely. The kind of kiss you feel in your soul.

  “I should call Mom,” I say, as I pull away from him, reluctantly. “She needs to know before anyone else.”

  Davin smiles. “I agree.”

  “What if she doesn’t approve?”

  “She will approve.” Davin’s smile gets wider.

  I narrow my eyes. “Davin?”

  He chuckles. “Your mom and I have talked. She will respect your decision.”

  “She knows you were going to commit to me?”

  “Yes. But she thinks it will happen the evening before your celebration.”

  “Okay. I’m really happy you spoke to her. That was really very considerate of you.”

  “Thank you.”

  I step back and we lock eyes.

  “Davin, would you do me a favor?”

  “Anything.”

  “I’m going to run into the guest bathroom and brush my teeth. And then I’m going to call Mom and Ella. Would you mind programming the shower upstairs for a really hot and steamy monsoon?”

  “A monsoon?” His eyes widen.

  “Uh-huh,” I say, as I brush a finger along his bare chest.

  “How hot?”

  “Scorching.” I bite my bottom lip and gaze into his eyes. “Oh, and if I’m not there when it’s ready, just get in and wait for me. Okay?”

  “Ari, you have no idea what you do to me.”

  “Perhaps. But I know exactly what I’m going to do to you tonight.” I flash him a sexy smile as I head for the guest suite. “Think about that while you’re waiting.”

  His eyes are wide as saucers, and a smile lights up his face. I hope he can make it up the stairs without melting. I hope I can, too.

  Chapter 23

  “Mmm, that feels so good,” I moan. Am I still sleeping?

  It’s as if the softest feather is being brushed across my shoulders. It feels exhilarating, stimulating, intoxicating. I open my eyes and look down. The feather is Davin’s lips, and he’s using them to shower every inch of my bare skin with soft kisses. Electric kisses. It awakens a hunger inside me—a deep, primal hunger. A hunger I thought was sated just a few hours ago.

  “Good morning,” Davin says.” His voice is thick with sleep and something else. Joy? Pleasure? Contentment? All of the above? I’ve never seen this side of him. I like it.

  “I won’t be able to go on vacation with you if I die of a heart attack in your bed,” I whisper.

  “After last night, I would say your heart is very strong. And this is our bed.”

  Our bed. A purring sound escapes my throat. I’m so happy.

  “It was amazing, Davin. We were amazing.”

  “There are no words to describe how I feel. It’s as if a part of me was missing and now I’m whole.”

  “That’s exactly how I feel. It must be ge
netic, huh?”

  “It’s love, Ari.”

  “I was just thinking.”

  “You were? Really?” he asks, with a playful smile.

  “Smart-ass. I was thinking that Mom and Dad were married three months after they met. Do you know how long we’ve known each other?”

  “Is this a trick question?”

  “Davin…”

  “Three months.”

  “To the day.”

  “I’m glad we didn’t wait as long as my parents,” he says.

  “And how long was that?”

  “A thousand years. More or less.”

  “I’m glad, too,” I say, unable to stifle a giggle.

  Davin sighs. “You know, Ella and Tal will be here any moment. I think we need to get dressed.”

  “You sure know how to ruin a mood,” I complain. “But I guess they would wonder what was going on if we kept them waiting outside for several hours. Or a day. Or maybe even a week.”

  “I’ll see you in a little while,” he says, as he gets out of bed and grabs a pair of shorts off the floor. “I’ll shower downstairs.”

  I nod. Good decision. If he showered up here, I’d probably follow him inside—and we’d go missing for a very long time.

  Ella and Tal arrive, as expected, promptly at eight. Mom and Thalia arrive two minutes later. Somehow, we’re not surprised.

  We have an impromptu commitment celebration over breakfast, complete with hugs and tears. Thalia even insists on toasting us with Kristovi—an Olympian beverage similar to champagne. It’s nice to see us all so happy.

  After breakfast, we hug and cry a little more, pack the transport, and prepare to hightail it out of Portal City.

  Ella looks a little tentative.

  “Sweetie, are you sure Davin and you are okay with us tagging along? I feel like we’re intruding on your honeymoon.”

  “We’re fine, Ella. An Olympian honeymoon is traditionally taken right after the binding ceremony. You are not intruding at all…” I pause and smile. “And besides, Davin told me the bedrooms on the island are soundproof.”

  “Ooh. Okay. That’s really good,” Ella says, beaming like a high-voltage light.