by Ciara Lake
Avery stared at him. She had to remember to close her mouth.
“If you don’t like the color, the salesman told me I have until Saturday to exchange the colors as long as we don’t put more than one hundred miles on it.” Aiden stepped down onto the garage floor, then walked around to the passenger side of the silver car.
“That’s an unusual thing for a car salesman to allow.”
“I’m an unusual customer.” He winked. “I hope you like the BMW. Your boss informed me it was a vehicle for a lady.”
“It’s fantastic. Aiden, I’m…”
“Speechless.”
“Yes.” She nodded. “You keep causing me to be speechless.” She opened the door. Chimes and whistles sang out.
“I guess I do, both in and out of our bedroom.” He grinned.
She inhaled deeply. “I love the new car smell. It’s heavenly. You’re spoiling me.” She laughed as she got in the car. When she sat, something pinched her bottom. Moving off the offending object, she reached around to see what it was. It was a royal blue velvet box. “What’s this?”
“What is in the blue box is yours as well.” Aiden got in the passenger side and closed the door. “He reached over and took the box from her. “Avery, I love you.” He took her hand in his. “I love everything about you. I can think of nothing else but you. I know I tell you this often.”
“I can never hear it too much. I love you too. You spoil me. You don’t have to buy me treasures for me to love you.”
“I know, it’s one of the many reasons I love you. I am not a mortal man, but I will find a way to stay with you, if you agree.” His eyes were bright gold in the dim light. He kissed her hand. “I would like you to accept this from me as a symbol of our relationship. You are mine.”
“I’m yours?” She giggled.
“Yes.”
Avery sobered at the serious expression on his face.
“You are mine.”
“Of course I’m yours.” She nodded. “I love being yours. I want to be yours. Are you mine?” She poked him in the arm.
“Yes, I am.” He smiled. “Avery, please accept this gift from me. Agree to stay with me as long as you shall live. But if you do not wish to, all I have given you is still yours to keep. I shall maintain it from afar for your benefit. You shall never worry about money. The choice is yours.” He opened the velvet box and handed it to her.
Avery’s heart raced when she saw a huge diamond ring sparkling. She took the ring out. Her hands shook and she dropped the ring. With lightning fast reflexes, Aiden caught it, handing it back to her.
“Aiden, it’s huge.”
“Is it beautiful enough for your liking?”
“Oh, Aiden, it’s fit for a queen. Not for me.”
“You are my queen.” He caressed her cheek. His touch made shivers rush to her womb. “It’s only two carats. I thought any bigger would be too much on your small hand. But I wanted it to be noticeable.” He took it from her. “Hold out your hand so I can place it on your finger.”
Avery did as instructed and he slipped it on her finger.
“It’s so big I’ll need an armed guard when I wear it.” She giggled.
“Are you laughing at me?” He cocked his head to the side.
Avery sobered, hearing hurt in his voice. “No, not at all, Zaidenious.” She shook her head. “I would never laugh at you.”
“You do not need to call me by my long name. It is my name for war, not love.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Do not be, my sweet woman. If you agree to be with me, you may call me anything you wish.” He kissed her hand.
“I do accept you with all of my heart.” She put her hand on his thigh and rubbed it. “I’m so happy.” She held her hand up, admiring the solitaire diamond. “I love it. It’s gorgeous. I want to show everyone, but I can’t wear it to bake.” Avery looked at him out of the corner of her eye. “Does this mean we’re engaged?”
“Yes…marry me, my lovely Avery.” He reached for her arm. “I’m sorry. I believed you understood my meaning.”
“I do now.” Avery leaned over to kiss his cheek. “I was only checking.”
“I’ll find a way we can always be together.”
“I want us to be together forever too.” She put her hands behind his neck. Pulling him closer, she kissed his lips. “I love you, my handsome angel.”
“Let’s get you to work so you can make the wedding cakes.” Aiden hit the button to open the garage door. It was pitch black outside except for the lamplights along the drive and on the house.
“My goodness, I know I’m already late.” She went to put the key into the ignition.
“Just push this button,” he instructed.
She did and the car started. Looking at him, she giggled again.
“It’s the magic of technology.” He raised his hands in a gesture of surrender. “Keyless ignition and all.”
“I’m nervous about driving this expensive machine.” Avery carefully backed out of the garage.
“You’ll do fine. Don’t think of its value. The only thing valuable, is driving it. You’re my treasure.”
Too quickly, they arrived at the inn. Aiden insisted on walking her inside.
“Here, take my ring. I don’t want to bake it inside a cake. Bring it back when you come later for breakfast. I want to show everyone. I’m so excited.”
“Okay.” He bent down to kiss her goodbye. She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him fiercely. He pulled away from her. “I’ll be back when you’re finishing up the breakfast crowd.” He put the ring in his pocket.
“Don’t lose it.”
“I will guard it with my life. I will guard you, my love.” He took her hand, kissing it, then he left.
* * * *
“Zaidenious,” a deep voice called as Aiden entered his office.
A shadow moved across the floor. In the far corner near the bookcase, a tall figure rested, a silhouette of wings cast on the floor. Then the wings vanished. The light from the outside lamps shone into the room, casting more shadows.
“Greetings, Qasim. I wondered when you would come to see me.” Aiden walked closer to him.
“I wondered the same thing. But I decided to give you time.” Qasim put the book he held on the desk. “This is a nice home. You have made a nice nest with your woman.” He walked to the window. “What am I to do about all of this, General Zaidenious? This is highly unauthorized.” He waved his hand all around, motioning to the room. “What you have done is highly discouraged and frowned upon. And it is a good thing she is not your ward, which would be forbidden.” He leaned against the desk.
“Well, she is not my ward.”
“True, but nevertheless it leaves me with a difficult decision.”
Aiden sat in the wing chair by the window. He made no reply.
“We are pleased you have ended Osage’s miserable existence. It seems your love for this extraordinary human gave you the power to defeat him. At least that is what is being said among our brothers. They say this Avery is amazing, extraordinary to have captured you so completely. Some humans never cease to surprise me.” Qasim crossed his arms. His eyes glowed in the dim room. “I am glad to see you freed. I missed you, my brother. We have all missed you, as well as your power over our enemies.”
“Thank you. It was hell for me, to be frozen in such a way and for so long.”
“I can only imagine. Osage was very clever in his torture. Evidently it changed you.” Qasim walked toward Aiden.
“Perhaps.” Aiden shrugged. “I do feel changed.”
“I have watched the girl.”
“My Avery?”
“Yes, your Avery.” Qasim grinned and nodded. “She loves you. She truly does. I believe with or without the gifts you rain upon her, she would love you. She prays to keep you with her. She fears she may lose you. Her body, her very soul aches with love for you.”
“Really?”
“Yes. You would know these thin
gs if you were not so involved in this situation. It seems you are blind to some things in regard to Avery. So let me tell you, the woman longs for you when you are not together.” He stopped directly in front of Aiden. “It is told she is a good human—a nice, honest woman. In fact, you took her virginity, her innocence. A rarity for a woman of her age in this world today.”
“Yes, I did.” Aiden looked up at him. “I wanted her. I did not, I could not deny myself. Now I love her.”
“No, it seems you could not deny yourself.” Qasim shook his head. “It was selfish of you to take her innocence.”
“It is hard for me to be sorry for what I have done. I think of being with her all of the time. I enjoy everything about her. She is delightful in every way.”
“Hmm, love is amusing. This basic emotion is so very human. It has captured you in its sticky web.” Qasim crossed his arms, staring down at Aiden. “Well, fortunately for you, she is no Delilah.” Then Qasim began to pace the room while tapping his fingers on the side of his arms.
“What is my punishment to be?” Aiden cut the silence with his question. “Tell me now.”
“What do you think you deserve?” Qasim stopped to look at him, his hands on his hips.
“I believe I have been punished already for over a century. I do not deny my actions, nor do I ask for clemency—but mercy.”
“Again, fortunately for you, mercy is in our creator’s vocabulary. He is merciful as am I. Not necessarily true among all of his warriors.”
“I suppose it is why you are in a position of power.”
“Perhaps it is one of the reasons. You know, Aiden, I would like to be in your situation. There have been human females I have lusted for.” He looked down at the floor. “Perhaps it is because of the earnest love you both feel that our creator is being even more merciful in this case. But I will make the final decision regarding the fate of this situation.”
“I am grateful for his mercy and yours.” Aiden leaned back, his heart pounding. “There have been many times I have shown mercy to others. I ask for my turn.”
“At the direction of the creator, we have shown mercy. We had no choice. But this time I do. You are under my direct control.” Qasim’s features distorted into a fierce beast. “Do you forget our actual nature? Has living among the humans made you forget? Do not forget who we are, brother.”
“Never. I do not forget.” Aiden leaned forward. The lights flickered and danced with the raw power flowing through the room.
For several minutes, Qasim stood silently watching him.
“Because I do not forget who you are, I have decided your fate, and thus the fate of your woman.”
“Tell me.” Instantly on guard, Aiden shifted, his gaze sliding to Qasim’s sword. “I am certain no harm will come to Avery—she is not for you to judge, but for our master.”
Qasim ignored his statement and turned to walk to the other side of the desk.
“I will not allow you to hurt her.”
“Be still, Zaidenious.” Qasim held up his hand. “Because you destroyed Osage, you are a hero to your brothers.” When he looked at Aiden, his eyes glowed brighter. “And since you were imprisoned for so long, you are pitied.”
Aiden began to speak, but Qasim put up his hand, stopping him.
“Be silent, and listen to me. Allow me to finish.”
Anxiousness washed over Aiden, making him perspire. He hardly ever perspired and he hated to be pitied. “Very well.” Aiden nodded, remaining silent. He clenched his teeth.
“Also, you have served as a general with an impeccable record since the beginning of time. Lastly, and most importantly, Avery is a good, decent human. She has loyalty along with a good heart. She knows of our world yet keeps it to herself, not revealing our secrets to other humans. She can handle all this information well. She rescued you too. We appreciate her for this accomplishment. For these things, it has been decided to offer something special, unprecedented.” He paced the floor and several minutes passed. Then he stopped and looked at Aiden.
“Tell me.” Aiden clenched his legs.
“I want to come to the wedding as do many of your brothers.” Qasim laughed, offering Aiden his hand. “Brother, this story will be told for centuries.”
“I can stay with her.” Aiden’s insides felt all tangled up with nerves. He took Qasim’s offered hand and shook it.
“Yes.” Qasim nodded. “In fact, you are being allowed to keep your angel powers in full as well. On occasion, you will be called to handle small errands. Is this acceptable?”
“Yes, of course.” Aiden jumped up from his chair.
“You may use your angel powers if you do no harm to innocents.”
“I will not disobey this request.”
“You may preserve Avery with your powers to enjoy a prolonged time upon this earth. Use your powers in ways which assist you both, as well as protect you both.”
“I understand.”
“You, my general—no, my friend—have been unusually rewarded.” Qasim patted Aiden on the back.
“I am most grateful.” Aiden smiled. His heart jumped in his chest with the news.
“Avery has been rewarded in this as well.”
“I am glad to hear this, she deserves to have peace.”
“Her pure heart has contributed to this decision. Enjoy her well. Be good to her.”
“I plan to.”
“Enjoy your time living among these mortals. Use this closeness to learn them, understand them, to help us in your future errands. Make this beneficial for us all.”
“I will.” Aiden patted Qasim on his arm. “Thank you, my brother.”
“We look to see you marry the female very soon. It is the proper thing for humans to do. She is the type of woman one would marry.”
“I will. I want to as soon as possible.” Aiden smiled so wide his face felt like it was stretching.
“When you have children, they will be sons.”
“I know.”
“They will be special. You understand?” Qasim walked around the desk.
“I do.” Aiden nodded.
“They will need to be properly instructed in their gifts and responsibilities as hybrids to ensure their safety as well as others. If not properly instructed, they could become like Osage or other wizards.”
“I do understand.” Aiden walked to the edge of the desk.
“Very well. I look forward to meeting Avery personally. She must be a remarkable woman.”
“She is very much so. She is intelligent, gifted, and sweet.”
“I guess you like her.” Qasim grinned then he vanished.
* * * *
Aiden’s cellphone rang as he was heading out of the door to go to the inn for breakfast. “Hello,” he answered.
“Aiden, it’s Grace.”
“Hello, Grace. It’s a beautiful day.” Aiden grinned. There was silence for a moment. “Are you okay?”
“Aiden...” There was a long silence.
“What’s wrong?”
“There’s been an accident,” she cried, whimpering into the phone.
“Be at peace.”
Grace quieted.
“It’s Avery.”
“Tell me what has happened.” He clenched his jaw. A surge of energy swarmed around Aiden. Each canned light in the ceiling popped, shattering to the floor. All the electricity in the house went off, making a loud bang. The house shook, making pictures fall off the walls. He heard a lamp crash to the floor around the corner from where he stood. “Where is Avery?” His teeth clenched as he tried to control his rush of dangerous emotions.
“She’s on her way to the hospital. The gas oven exploded, hurting Avery, Lucy, and Norm. Timothy was killed.” She sobbed hysterically. “The ambulance is taking Avery to Foster Memorial. After I talk with the fire department and take care of my guests, I’ll be there.”
Aiden hung up the phone. He closed his eyes, inhaling slowly. Once more, the earth trembled, making the chandelier swing ab
ove his head. Concentrating, Aiden located Avery. He flashed into the back of the ambulance. Lucy was there too. Both were covered in soot. He could smell singed hair and skin. Avery’s face was bleeding at her mouth and cheek. Bruises darkened around her eyes. Lucy looked similar. Her arm was in a sling.
Two EMT workers looked at Aiden, stunned to see his sudden appearance.
“Who the hell are you?” The older man’s face reddened as he confronted Aiden. “Where did you come from?”
“Be at peace.” Aiden motioned to them. They quieted immediately, as if under a spell. “I am an angel, sent here to heal these humans. Sit back, obey me, and no harm shall come to you. When I leave here, remember nothing of this. Do you understand?”
Both of the EMT workers nodded, fully mesmerized by Aiden’s words.
Aiden put his hand on Avery. She opened her eyes to look at him, then smiled.
“Hi, Aiden. I knew you would come.” Her eyes closed again. “I hurt all over. My lungs hurt when I breathe.”
“I shall ease your pain.” A pulse of energy shot from him into her body. Avery shook as his energy passed into her. “I will heal you. I will take your pain from you.”
He removed his hand before she was fully healed.
“Avery.” He smoothed her hair back.
She looked up at him. “Yes.” Her voice was stronger.
“I have healed you. But I have left you with some superficial injuries to prevent the hospital being too curious or perplexed. You will be fine. I will heal you fully soon. I have strengthened your body as well.” He kissed her forehead.
“Aiden.” She grabbed his hand.
“Hush, my love. All is well.”
“Heal Lucy too. She’s my friend. She pushed me aside. She has children who need her.”
“Of course I will heal her as I have you. Hush now, you need to rest.”
Aiden turned to Lucy, allowing his energy to flow into her as well. The EMT workers silently watched Aiden’s actions, their eyes were glazed.
He turned back to Avery. “I have healed her to the point where she will easily heal on her own without much discomfort.”
