by Summer Lee
She raised a skeptical eyebrow. “I don’t even want to think about that.”
“So, it sounds like you were a pretty good little girl, in spite of yourself.”
“Well-guarded makes for a good child.”
“What about your brother?”
“He was not protected like I was. Instead, he helped protect me.”
“Was that hard?” He ran his fingers up her arm.
“How would I know? I love my brother.” Rachael paused and looked into a treetop. “But, I also know him well enough to know that he did not want to be saddled with a younger sister following him around the palace.”
“Was he home a lot?”
“No! He was a free spirit who would not stay home.” She dropped her eyes. “He had a mission.”
“That was probably true. It sounds like he has a dangerous life,” Sammael said.
“He does,” she said. “Tyro is a good brother, though.”
“I am sure he is.” Sammael kneaded her shoulders.
She relaxed and sighed. “Ah…that feels so good.”
Gradually, he moved closer. She was very much aware of his movement and wondered if she could remain strong without alienating him. Deep inside her gut, it felt like she was thirsty for love, and he was bringing loving water to her. She inhaled deeply. Exhaling, she waited to see what he would do next. He could not keep his hands off her. In his arms, she felt his breath on her face, and then his kiss surrounding her mouth.
Perhaps a kiss would not cause her to fall wildly out of control, but could she trust herself to control her own urges? She was beginning to doubt it. His hand reached for one bosom and squeezed it. He cupped the other, leaving his hand in place.
“Sammael,” she said breathlessly, fighting her desire for him. “I must resist this arousal. I cannot submit to you now. Not yet. It is improper until we are married. You understand, don’t you?”
He looked her over, thought about it, and remarked, “Rachael, I am so happy that you have a passion to love me without magic.”
“You know that you are awakening a passion in me that I have never felt before.” She clasped his drifting hand as it moved down to her navel. “We will wait.”
“I agree. Do you want to take another walk?”
“Even better, carry me above that waterfall over there on that hillside.”
“As you wish. We have a whole day to get even better acquainted.” He picked her up and carried her to the grassy knoll above the waterfall. It was there that he caressed her again. Relaxed on the grass, she enjoyed his lovemaking moves that were non-aggressive.
A long time passed. “It is getting dark,” he said.
“Then we must sleep here again tonight? I love it out here so much.”
“Then you trust me to wait.”
“If I did not trust you, I would not marry you.”
It was his warm kisses that put her to sleep. Sleeping in his arms brought her security.
It was while she slept that he transported her. Lifting her in his arms, he floated out of the garden and across the plain.
Chapter Seven
The princess never knew when she was transferred from the garden to the palace. Hypnotized, she believed all was well. If Rachael had any sense, she would have been alarmed. But she did not and she was not. That is, she had no sense, nor was she alarmed. She was like a young girl with her first crush.
Love was in the air, but when Rachael opened her eyes, she felt her mind had been invaded. She found herself back in the parlor of the palace, lying on low cushions with her clothing askew and her hair tangled. Sammael sat on a stool nearby. She had awakened at dawn feeling strange. “How did I get here?”
Sammael grinned. “Guess.”
“My guess is that you are responsible for bringing me here. The last thing I remembered was closing my eyes in your arms in the garden.”
“Good memory.”
Rachael continued, “You carried me while I slept. Is that what happened?”
“Yes, and we lost no time. Do you now know me well enough to marry me today?”
Rachael felt a thump in her heart and a rush through her stomach. She blushed and nodded. “Yes, I believe I do,” she answered softly, with a grin. “I can marry you today.”
“That is good, because the servants are already working on the ceremony.”
Rachael was surprised, but she knew why he was in a hurry to marry her. “Please keep it a small celebration.”
“I’ll try, but first, I have a surprise for you.” He guided her into her room. As Rachael entered through the door, she sensed a supernatural presence in the dim room.
The room suddenly radiated with light. Her gorgeous feminine angel was standing there encircled by a glowing light. “It is my childhood angel.”
“Yes, it is.”
“Aurora?” asked Rachael, stunned.
“Yes.” The angel smiled at Rachael and touched her forefinger to her lips to caution her against squealing. “You need a guardian angel now as much as when you were a child.”
Rachael laughed. “Aurora, is it really you?”
“None other.”
A wide smile now spread across Rachael’s face. She knew this was the best of all gifts. Her childhood guardian angel had always been her best friend. The angel nodded to her as if reading her mind, and she returned the smile. “I can’t believe it. You have come to protect me.”
The angel whispered, “As your guardian angel, I will help keep you safe.”
Rachael looked at Sammael. “Is this true?”
“Yes.”
“Thank you.”
Aurora said, “I will represent you before the throne of God.”
“Of course you will.” Rachael was so happy that she almost jumped up and down. “You will be here for me every step of the way, won’t you?”
“Of course.” Aurora hugged Rachael. “God has asked me to continue to watch over you after you are married. Sammael has agreed. From time to time, I will stop by and encourage you.”
“I’d like that.” Rachael turned and thanked Sammael. “I love my guardian angel,” she said.
“I know you do, and I want to please you.” Sammael had a concerned look on his face. “You need a feminine touch.”
“You understand my needs. I like that.” Rachael nodded her approval. “You will be a good husband.”
He leaned over her and kissed her gently, slowly and deeply. She returned the kiss. Yes, this is the real thing, she thought, I will have a wonderful marriage.
Aurora said, “Before I go, I have a gift for you.” She watched Aurora spread stardust on her bed. “You are now blessed.”
“Will you be back for the wedding?”
“I plan to be there, hiding in the shadows.”
“Even if I don’t see you, I will feel your presence.”
“I now extend grace to you from the Lord God,” she said and placed her hand on Rachael’s head.
“I receive it.”
“God bless you,” she said and then faded from view.
“Come see me again soon, Aurora,” Rachael called out to her.
“Get some rest today,” said Sammael.
“Why?”
He bit his lower lip and grinned. “You will be busy later on.”
“Oh, yes, I will!” She touched her lips to his in a kiss. “What do I need to do to prepare for the wedding?”
“Nothing! Just be rested by tonight.” He tucked her in under the emerald-green sheets and kissed her again.
She then turned and smiled at her soon-to-be husband. “I will try to rest, but I am so excited now.”
“It is good that you are excited!” Sammael said, “I must go now, though. I have another realm that I care for elsewhere. I need to go check on it.”
“Are you going to your star?”
“Yes.”
“Isn’t it far away?”
“It is not as far as you think.”
Rachael felt confused. “You w
ill be back in time for the wedding?”
“I travel faster than beams of sunlight.”
“Does that answer my question?”
“Yes. I will only be gone for a short while, my love, and I certainly wouldn’t miss my own wedding,” he said, smiling.
“Please, don’t tarry.”
“Go to sleep; when you awaken, get something to eat and get more acquainted with the palace staff.”
She agreed. “When should I dress?”
“Don’t worry about that. Hannah will help you dress for the wedding ceremony.”
“What will I wear?”
“I have chosen a beautiful wedding tunic for you.”
He then stepped through the open window and vanished from view.
Rachael closed her eyes to try to sleep. Her thoughts were quite pleasant. She could picture herself married to Sammael. His love would satisfy all that she had ever wanted from a man. She believed he would always be good to her. Her thoughts faded into a dream, a dream of being gratified completely.
When she opened her eyes again, the sun was straight up in the sky. Sitting on a stand next to her bed was a beautiful bouquet of white roses with a clay tablet. Carved onto it was, “I love you, darling.” It was signed, “Sammael.”
She stood and moved the flowers to the window, so those that were passing by could see that she was chosen by Sammael to be his wife.
As usual, her thoughts turned toward Sammael. Had he returned? Would he return in time for the wedding? It would be so embarrassing if he ran out on her now, leaving her here at the Babylonian palace. It was not going to be easy to trust him. Not because of anything he had done. It was something deeper than that. It was because of who he was that she worried. She needed some good solid advice.
Interlude – The Watcher
Sammael was the author of ambivalence. He felt comfort and despair. He displayed both humility and pride. One moment, he showed signs of light, and then the next, darkness. One time he would radiate faith, and the next, fill his surroundings with fear. Now, Sammael left the earth’s atmosphere to attend to his other realm in the deep sky. He then returned to the palatial yard. True to his word, it did not take long.
Now, Sammael sat in the top of a tree, above a children’s swing. The wicked poison stirred in his heart, causing evil thoughts, and he did not like it. He did not want Rachael to see him like that, so he waited.
He could not feel the good side of himself at all, only iniquity. He dared not act out the malevolence on the day of his wedding. Yet, he must find his good side soon if he was going to marry the lovely princess today. He took in a deep breath and rested.
He was of the highest dynasty of Angelos, an elevated form of angels. Representing both evil and good was tearing him apart. He felt that it would end soon. He wondered where he would end up when the frustrations stopped. Would he end up as good or as evil?
As the chief ruler of the Fifth Heaven, he had to sometimes escape earthly pleasures to perform celestial duties. He did not like that and it made him angry. That often brought out his ungodliness.
He needed to repent to El. But that would have to wait for now. He would wed the beautiful Rachael first, and keep his secret life of darkness from her forever. She could never know that he was the angel of death. She would be horrified if she knew the truth about him.
He had a serious downfall. Filled with pride, Sammael once thought he could make a better Earth than El had done. His longing for a wife was to be satisfied in Rachael. She was the woman for him. He would then learn about himself and his powers. Could he do better than El, the God of creation? He now knew that he could not. He wanted to humble himself for God and did not know how to explain the path he had taken and how low he had sunk from God’s law.
His domain in the stars would have to care for itself. The journey through the skies would be put on hold for now. He had found his bride. His search for the right maiden was over. He would marry Rachael soon and try to live as a free will human as much as possible. Did that make him fallen? He wondered about it all.
Now as he sat in the treetop, he thought of Rachael. This made him feel powerful and good again. Closing his eyes, he concentrated on the princess. He would draw her to him with his thoughts, and be alone with her one more time before the ceremony.
He watched as his bride came out of the palace to the garden. The sight of her loveliness calmed his evil heart. He smiled as she sat on the creaky old swing and looked around. When she pushed her feet, he blew air on her, causing her to raise high in the air.
It was as if the swing was flying. She squealed in delight.
Sammael would reveal himself to her again as a member of the Angelos from above. Magic was in the air. As he blew on the leaves at her feet, he prepared to appear to her in a swirl of leaves and flower petals. Nectar and fragrance from the petals was strewn on and about the garden.
Now that he had created the perfect atmosphere, she would come to him willingly.
Chapter Eight
Rachael walked outside again, just to get some fresh air. At least, that was what she thought she was doing. Feeling drawn away from the palace, she followed the path along the edge of the flower garden. She discovered a fork, with a narrow path going left, and a cart path going right. The cart path was strewn with twisted weeds. The footpath was lined with low-hanging trees. Small groundcover flowers grew along the edges.
She chose the path that was protected by trees on both sides, growing over the path, creating a canopy of weeping willows. It was breathtaking and she wished that she had a paintbrush to capture its beauty. Walking down the path of hard-packed earth, she discovered herself at the edge of a lush green pastureland where healthy fat cattle grazed.
Certainly, if any girl in the world deserved to experience gladness, it was Rachael. She did not know if other girls had dreams of marrying an angel-prince, but she had. Now her dream was coming true. Joy bubbled in her heart as she walked along the path, inhaling the scent of pine.
In front of her was an ancient twisted oak tree whose branches spread high and wide. She spied a swing hanging from one of its branches. Rachael seated herself in it and began to push herself. A breeze kicked up, sending leaves fluttering and she swung a little higher. She laughed in delight. She slowed the swing to a stop and simply sat there drinking in the bliss around her.
Smelling a wonderful fragrance, she felt something—an otherworldly presence. Sammael. She looked up and sitting on one of the branches was her angel-prince. “How long have you been here?” she asked.
He jumped down and grasped her hands. “Not long. I just wanted a moment alone with you, so I drew you here. Come, we will walk together.”
The path opened and the sprawling estate lay before them, glittering majestically in the sun. Rachael magically found herself in his arms. He drew her close and soon they were dancing to the music that the breeze created in the trees and grasses. It was as if they were gliding on air, as if their feet were not touching the grass. Yet, they danced smoothly to the magical music. With her feet on top of his, they gracefully danced all over the pastureland and toward the flower garden, sometimes on the ground, and sometimes in the air.
She studied his face. His dark eyes were fathomless and unreadable. His hair was streaked with gold and silver. His profile was strong, with a straight nose. Standing firmly on the ground, she breathed a sigh of relief. His skin was so soft to the touch. Rachael was truly falling more and more in love with Sammael. He clasped her long hair and rolled it around his hand. “Rachael, my love.”
“Yes?” She was slightly startled.
“You will be the one who knows me best, and sees me change the most,” said Sammael, allowing her hair to fall. He bowed slightly, tilting his head, but never taking his eyes off her. “I will be the one who watches over you and protects you from your enemies, from this time forward.”
“Thank you.” She truly appreciated his care.
He laced his fingers through the en
ds of her hair nervously. “Can you trust me to always be there for you, even if seems that I am gone?”
“I think so.” She waited, puzzled. “You will sometimes be gone?”
“Yes.” There was a touch of melancholy in his soft voice that caused an unknowable pain to whisper to her soul on a level far below her consciousness. “We’ve already discussed this, that sometimes I must go elsewhere.”
“I understand.” She had often daydreamed of a moment like this. Now, she was not sure what to do.
He drew her close, and she relaxed, laying her head on his chest. “Knowing this, are you still comfortable becoming my wife?”
“Of course.” She beamed, feeling the love for him deep inside her. Smiling her most captivating smile, she licked her open lips, revealing a perfect row of teeth. She trailed her fingers up his arm, resting them on his lips.
“Everything changes today.”
“I know. Can we stay here a short while longer? I want to relish this moment.”
He bit back a smile. “Of course, darling. Your maid can wait. She is to help you with your makeup.”
Rachael’s gaze traveled again across the yard. She noticed that the filtered sun sprinkled the garden wall in a latticework of light. Wind magically rustled in the overhanging eaves, leaving an intoxicating scent. Everything around her looked beautiful. It must all be the effects of love in the air. “You are a royal prince. It is amazing that you found me, not knowing that I had always dreamed of marrying a prince like you. One who is also an angel.”
“It is amazing.”
“A miracle.”
“Let us go now. We have a wedding to attend.” He then lifted her and pushed off into the air, causing a whirlwind under his feet. As she clung to her angel’s neck, she felt herself rising slowly up over the palace, circling and landing by the main door. He set her down.
Rachael stood very still, looking into the chest of this tall angel. The part of him that was in front of her eyes looked strong. She felt him kissing her hair, and a wealth of emotion passed through her. She kissed his chest and felt tingling all over. She had a hard time catching her breath.
