by Summer Lee
Chapter Thirteen
The sound of the wind howling over the sea awakened Rachael at dawn. She was alone and scared. Running up the steps, she looked for her groom. He was not there. What a horrible time to leave. Rachael was not happy with her new husband for again abandoning her and would let him know about it.
The water was wild. Waves crashed against the hull below. The spray of water nearly reached up to her face before cascading down in a fine mist, catching a beam of the morning sun, and exploding in a dozen dazzling colors.
Clinging to the railing, she waited for Sammael’s return. She was very angry with him. The longer she waited, the angrier she became. There were strange noises in the air over the darkened water. It sounded like demonic spirits were laughing at her. Their presence was connected with Sammael leaving the atmosphere. She knew it in her heart, and that angered her even more.
She felt a thump beside her, signaling that her angel-prince had returned from his sky journey. When Sammael approached to hug her, she stiffened. “How could you do something like this to me?” she demanded.
“I told you about it in advance.” His face was stern. “I said it would be like this. There are times when I need to leave. You must bear it.”
“Not like this.” Pounding his chest, she said, “I hate you!”
Rachael watched as Sammael seemed to disregard what she considered important to be her overreaction. He pointed toward the sea. “Have you been watching the fish?”
“No!” she snapped.
“Fish and birds all have amazing habits,” he said. “You should watch them.”
“There is a storm raging, stupid,” she said.
“Not a reason to ignore the sea creatures.” Sammael pulled the hair away from the side of Rachael’s face. “The fish are beautiful,” he cooed as he looked at her admiringly, “just like you.”
She clenched her hands, screeching, “Stop this flattery!”
He seemed drunk, but wasn’t. She began to realize that this was one of the ways the dark side of his soul came out. Perhaps he was drunk on power. She said firmly, “I want to talk to you! The good you.”
“Talk on.” Sammael looked cold and indifferent.
“In private.”
“How are you going to find a private place around here?”
“You’re right. I’m not,” she said. “So, just give me your undivided attention, please. We’ll ignore the passersby.”
“Speak, wife.”
“You are not sensitive to my feelings.”
“This is true. I’m sorry, but I do have responsibilities besides you.”
“Do you realize that you are embarrassing me?”
“No. How?”
“This is just wrong.” Her mind went back to the time they were together before marriage. Rachael remembered how carefree she had been with him in his secret garden.
“But I told you ahead of time that I was bound to be a caretaker for others.”
“Do you understand that I can’t do this honeymoon by myself?”
“I apologize.”
“Listen to me.” She narrowed her eyes and said, “I have a far greater need for a husband than I do an angel. And as far as those demonic spirits you are so anxious to care for on that star of yours, tell them to stay on their own planet.”
“Why do you say that?”
“They were here watching me.”
“How do you know they were demons?”
“I saw them.”
“I know you are angry. I will try to change things.”
“Something has to change, that is for certain.” Rachael broke down and cried. Soon, she was sobbing hysterically. People gathered around and stared. Sammael picked her up. That was the last thing she remembered.
When she awakened, she felt groggy, like she had been drugged. “What did you do to me?”
“Spread a little stardust on your heart.”
“Stop doing that! Can we just have a normal life?”
“I don’t know what normal is.” Sammael’s eyes filled with tears. “I just want you to have some serenity and happiness. I care for you. When you hurt, I hurt. I try to make your worries cease.”
“I know you watch over me.” She choked back the tears. “But I am positive some of your demonic subjects escaped from your planet. Do you agree?”
“Maybe they followed me back here.”
“Trust me. They were here.”
“I believe you.” He frowned. “They are not supposed to be visible to the human eye.”
“Then do something about it!”
“There are some things which are too big for me to change, but I shall try.” Sammael clasped her hands. “I want to be trustworthy. I don’t want to lose you.”
“You won’t lose me.” She was still angry with him but she placed her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek. “I’m not going anywhere. I am at sea. I cannot fly away like you can.”
“Come sit beside me.” He clasped her hand and led her to the stern of the ship.
When the sun lowered to the top of the sea, the sky radiated with colors of orange and yellow.
Their simple evening meal was served by a sailor. It was only dried fruit and hard bread, as there could be no cooking when the ship was rolling and pitching all day long. No one felt like eating much anyway.
Darkness settled.
The couple found a quiet place to be alone on the back of the deck where they could talk and relax. They then strolled around the edge of the barge. Leaning on the rail, Rachael allowed her gaze to travel up into the finally clear night sky, which was littered with countless stars, each one a little brighter than the other. She imagined which one was Sammael’s star.
“Can you see your special star from here?”
He looked up. “Yes, I can.”
“I think I know which one it is.” She pointed. “That one; I think devilish fiends live there.”
“That is not fair.”
“Do you want to talk about fair?”
He shrugged his shoulders.
She rolled her eyes.
“Perhaps the salty air has made you delirious,” Sammael said.
“You know that I know about the demons,” she said. “Why is everything such a big secret with you?”
“It’s not,” he said. “I’ve already told you everything.”
“I know that star right up there is yours. But that is not everything. You know that you hold back the darkest thing from me.”
He whispered, “Yes, but I don’t want anyone else to know.”
“All right. I will try to understand.”
“Maybe it’s time for you to get some sleep, young princess.”
“Don’t change the subject.”
“I have nothing else to say about demons.” He winked and whispered softly, “Let us retire now, my beautiful bride.”
Rachael agreed and the two went down to their sleeping area and climbed into their small bunk. Rachael asked, “Why did you not want to talk about your star out there?”
“I just don’t want people on the Yarona to know who I really am.”
“I understand as much as I can.”
He wrapped his arms about her and they made love.
“I am tired. Let us sleep,” she said. He was soon breathing heavily beside her, sound asleep.
Rachael tried to block out all fearful thoughts, as she wrapped her coverlet about her, tucking it under her chin. Finally, she settled down—into sleep, a disturbing, fitful sleep. Snuggled under her cover, she slept restlessly. Halfway through the night, she awoke with a start. Sammael was not there. An unusual fear filled her bosom, though. There was an evil presence nearby, and it caused her to have chills. She had to get away.
Chapter Fourteen
She ran up the steps to the top deck. But there was no escaping. It was still windy, and the seas were choppy. There was something eerie about the movement of the waves on the dark sea. She saw only the occasional sailor on the deck. Most we
re asleep. The vessel rose and fell on the tempestuous sea, groaning with dignity.
Something strange was going on around her that she had never felt before. She would momentarily see a demonic face and then it would fade. She had heard it had something to do with people who had drowned in the sea. Demons possessed men who had drowned, leaving the demons to search for a new body to possess. Not my body, she decided.
A demon floated up close to her. Getting in her face, he laughed hauntingly. She ran into the captain’s cabin. “I think I need some help.”
“What is it, my doll?”
“There are demons out there on the sea.” She tightened her arms around her chest. “Make them go.”
“I can’t,” he said. “I have no power over demons.”
“Then bring them in here,” she said. “Better they torment you than me.”
“Not possible.” The captain laughed. “You are young and honest. I like that.”
“Maybe I am honest,” she said. “But it is scary out there.”
“They could be the souls of sailors who died at sea.”
“No. I see life as good or evil. They are demons.”
“I sense your man sees life with a different eye.”
“He does. He gets around.”
“The two of you have not been together long, have you?”
“That is true.”
“So, how long?”
“It has not been a week yet.” Rachael paused. “How do you know that?”
“I watch you when you are together, and…” His voice trailed off.
“And what?”
“I’m not sure just what it is, but I feel something is different about Sammael.”
“Like what?”
“That he is not human.”
“You are quite observant.” She moved inside his cabin and closed the door behind her. “What do you know about angels?”
“Nothing.”
“He is only half angel.”
He opened his hands. “I am not opposed to it.”
“Nor am I.”
“Ask him about your demons.” His forehead wrinkled. “He knows more than either of us do.”
“Really? That is weird.”
He clasped her hands. “If it ever seems too strange for you, just come and find me.”
“I will. Thank you.”
He patted her hand. “It is not as bad as it used to be.”
“How so?” Rachael questioned.
He passed a weary hand over his square, tanned face. “Pirates and Nephilim used to attack our ship all the time.”
She frowned, as if a realization was sinking in. “What about the Nephilim?”
“They don’t bother us anymore.”
“I know why.” Her irresistible expression caused the captain to smile.
“What do you know?” Buck asked, turning to face her.
“My brother is a powerful warrior,” she said. “His army defeated them. You’d be lucky to find a handful of them right now.”
“Who’s your brother?” He scratched his beard.
“Tyro the Great.” She turned her head sideways, raising her eyebrows.
“Is that so?” There was no quieting his desire to know more. “Explain.”
“His father was a fallen angel. He would have been an evil Nephilim, if not for my father.”
“Who is your father?”
“King Asher,” she said. “He is a holy Goel. He taught Tyro to be a righteous man.”
Captain Cruz appeared speechless. He stood staring at her. “So, you are the overprotected princess that I’ve heard about, the one who ran away from her home to marry a stranger. Now you are more locked up than ever.”
“Not any more. I am now free.”
He shook his head and laughed. “You aren’t free. You’re married!”
“Oh! If you can’t fight off the demons, I have no business talking to you.” Rachael went back out into the cold wind. Shivering, she found a woolen blanket in her special corner and wrapped it tightly about her shoulders. She wanted Sammael, but felt paralyzed by the dense darkness, which was filled with evil. Since she could not see the devils, she sat in her corner—too confused to move.
Rachael prayed and asked God to protect her; that made her feel somewhat better. She inhaled deeply and tried to relax. The air current was strong now; the wind was howling. Afraid to go back down the steps, she tucked her hands under the wrap to keep them warm. This represented the only security to her for now.
Her thoughts were with Sammael, though. Her life had become more complete with Sammael in it. And yet, her life had become even more complex. Now, she needed him more than when she had first met him. She once thought that traveling the world with an angel would fulfill her dreams, meet all her physical needs, and provide her the intimacy she longed for. She guessed that this would be the time that she would know whether that was true or not. An absentee husband was not what she had in mind when she married him.
After a while above deck, Rachael started to feel sick to her stomach, so she went back to the compartment below, to her cot and drew a wooden bucket close to her head. The moment she had descended the steps into the darkness, she felt the fear once again. Then she saw something—or someone. He was huge and looked wicked. His eyes were as big as her head. He came close to her face and glared at her. He was pure evil, but he was not an imp. She ran outside onto the empty deck. The big eyes pursued her relentlessly.
Rachael screamed as she hurried toward her compartment and lifted the flap. Sammael was there. She climbed onto the cot beside Sammael. “I was just attacked by demonic spirits! Where were you? Why didn’t you come rescue me?”
Sammael was grouchy, still groggy from sleep. “I don’t know everything. I care for star dwellers as well as humans on Earth. You know that. That is all I have time to do. You had no business being out of bed in the dark.”
“I couldn’t sleep and the last time I looked, you were not even here,” she said. “I try to be strong, and not think about fear, but I can’t do it alone. Please don’t ignore me again.”
“I’m sorry that you are scared,” he said slowly. “You need to calm down. You are with me now.”
“I want to sleep, but can’t because I feel seasick.” He just began snoring, drifting back to sleep. She decided that Sammael was not the protector he had claimed to be. Demons were all around them while he snored away.
Yet, she could not blame him. Only Rachael really knew what she needed. Sammael did not know the true Rachael, the one deep inside. No matter what her life looked like to others, she was the only one who could make herself feel safe. She did not like that.
Willing herself not to retch, she lay as still as she could as the day passed.
Finally, Sammael awakened and pulled her close. “I apologize for not waking up for you in the night. Yet, I give my best time to you. I truly do.”
“I know, but I saw a horrible demonic spirit.”
“You were frightened and I am sorry.” He turned her to face him, and held her close, stroking her hair. “I want to give you the love you deserve.”
“I know. If I searched the world over, I would never find a lover as kind and gentle as you are to me,” Rachael said. She vividly recalled the time that he had first approached her, and had spread the juice of a flower petal across her face. Such fragrance had never before been administered to her in her life. She had loved him ever since.
*
Morning came, but the sky was still dark. When they went up to break the fast, Rachael noticed that a blast of cold air was blowing across the deck, knocking over chairs and stools. A woman was sitting on one when it tipped. She jumped up and squealed, and then ran below, uninjured. Rachael held her hand over her mouth so as not to laugh.
They went into the galley to find something to eat. Nothing had been cooked, so they ate dried beef. Back on the deck, a stronger wind came up, pinning Rachael to the mast and a rope smacked her arm, leaving a red welt. She yelle
d for Sammael and he grasped her. “Are you hurt?”
“Just my left arm.”
Picking her up, he carried her to their cabin below. “Your arm is red but not blistering.” He reached into a pocket and took out some salve. Rubbing it on her arm, he said, “It will be well by morning.”
Life did not feel right.
The wind continued to howl throughout the day. As the vessel bounced on the rock-studded waters, they were getting close to the next port. Captain Cruz called out, “Prepare to exit the ship. The time to get off and move around is drawing nigh.”
Rachael went up to the wheel platform and asked the captain, “How long will we be there?”
“We will stay there until dark, which is soon, so don’t wander too far away. I will not wait for anyone who wanders off.”
She wrinkled her forehead and said firmly “I’ll stay close by. I don’t want you leaving me behind.”
“I won’t leave you behind, little doll. Of course I’d wait for you.”
“I appreciate that,” said Rachael. “But I won’t be wandering off anyplace.”
“You just need to know that I am here for you.”
“I am beginning to see that.” She smiled. “But I have my husband who is here for me.”
“Oh really! If my eyes are not deceiving me, I see him leave you quite a bit.” He clasped her shoulders. “What do you have to say about that?”
“Nothing.”
She returned to Sammael and said, “We’ll only have an brief time ashore.”
“That’s enough time.”
“Maybe I should stay on the ship. I’m a little nervous about going into a strange village.”
“Don’t be.” Sammael told her of exciting things they could do when they went ashore. “The roasted corn on the cob and watermelon is delicious at the food stand.”
