Found

by Kimberly Odum Wells

The sun had just passed the horizon when Lucius and I reached the arms of the great tree. It was the spot we were to be married. Sariel and Lucius had explained that the tree was an axis that linked the realms. Like my necklace, it too seemed dormant.

  “Is there no way to activate it?” I asked laughing at the word I finally came up with after struggling for the right one.

  “I don’t know…maybe. We’ll ask the priest when they arrive.” Lucius said. He watched me as I walked around the tree running my hand around its truck. We matched; the bound angel and his all powerful, yet dormant bride.

  Being in the branches of the tree was magical. It was a great climbing tree and I wondered how many of the village children and done just that. A breeze shook the leaves and for a moment I could hear the laughter of the untold numbers that had found the wonders of the tree.

  “It’s beautiful,” I said taking Lucius’s hand and walking to one of the many branches that were low enough to the ground to sit on.

  “You’re beautiful.”

  My hands were glowing and we stared at them. The mystery of why they glowed was still unsolved. I had noticed that they glowed at times when I was at my happiest; hearing the love that my angel had for me in those two words made me very happy.

  I closed my eyes and breathed deeply as his warm and soft lips met mine. The feeling of love that we had for each other embraced us even though we didn’t hold one another, our lips were the only thing that touched. Just like before he was the first to end it.

  “I will never stop wanting to do that,” he said breathlessly.

  “Then don’t.”

  Sadly he moved away. Lucius was nothing if not honorable and old world traditional. Anything other than that chaste kiss was off limits. He was probably breaking some self-rule in even allowing it.

  As I stood, he dropped to one knee. I smiled down at his bowed head thinking he was going to propose to me—again. He had not gotten on one knee before. I tilted my head in confusion when he put a fisted right hand over his chest.

  “Great tree of life I ask that you bear witness I am a true and good warrior, worthy of the honor to become the Queen Mother’s knight.”

  I was surprised by his actions and more so by his words but I am truly shocked by what happens next. The limbs and branches of the tree began to move. Leaves from the great tree started to fall around us and roots sprouted from the ground. Before my eyes they folded and braided until a throne was made.

  I looked at Lucius but he had not moved from his kneeled position, nor had he raised his head. So I sat. A spray of beautiful wild flowers bloomed on its headrest as I did. Once I was seated Lucius continued.

  “On this day, for all times, I render homage and fealty to the Queen. By right of arms, from this day forward, no blow meant her harm shall go unanswered. I will serve faithfully by her side. This is my solemn oath. This I do swear, Hadraniel, gate keeper of the second gate to heaven.”

  His words stopped my heart and as I looked down upon his bowed head, the words that he had spoken so fiercely rang in my ears. They echo on the very branches of the tree we are under. Movement and a small flicker of light above Lucius’s head drew my attention up. The limbs were moving. There was something being lowered or falling through the branches. I looked at Lucius again but he still had not moved. Looking back up, I saw a small crown being handed from branch to branch.

  It had no color and was all colors, sometimes it sparkled with jewels and then it was a simple band of gold. It changed a dozen times before it finally made its way to me, until finally, hanging in front of me was a silver crown. The design was of tiny flowers, no doubt the same that my angel had made a thousand years before. In watching the descent of the crown I had not seen Lucius move. He took the crown from the branch.

  “Having sworn my solemn oath do you accept my vow?” Lucius’ expression was unreadable. There was something electric building in the air that had nothing to do with the bond that Lucius and I shared. I knew the moment was bigger than just him making an oath to protect me.

  “I do.” Lucius didn’t put the crown on my head and it was a second before I realized that he waited for permission. I bowed my head.

  When the crown touched my head, I lit the night sky. Not with the soft glow that I’d first noticed after our engagement, but with an almost blinding light. Every hair on my body stood up and every inch of my skin tingled. A slow build of heat covered me and the pull that I’d always associated with the connection between me and my angel built inside me. My limbs became heavy but there was no pain. The glow had become so bright that Lucius turned and covered his eyes with his forearm.

  I was born the Queen Mother. It had lain dormant inside me my whole life. The love of my angel set it free. Everything about me and my life was magical and I’d believed most of it without question. The one thing that never made sense was the whole, she will be so beautiful that no human can look directly at her, bit. I was attractive but last time I’d checked people had no problem looking at me. Lucius hardly took his eyes off me. But as I looked at my angel, it fell into place; the last piece of the puzzle for me was the first of my abilities to manifest. I had no idea how I was to walk between realms, or be this great and all powerful guardian but my skin glowed and now it shined like a thousand suns.

  The light that engulfed me dimmed and then disappeared. Lucius knelt once more and said in a voice full of reverence, devotion and love absolute and never ending, “My Queen.

  “Couldn’t wait,” Sariel said, coming from behind the tree.

  I turned at the sound of his voice. He bowed, going to his knee before standing and walking to Lucius. It was weird to have anyone bow to me and I was a little uncomfortable but I acknowledged his show of respect with a nod of my head.

  “What damage have I done,” Lucius asked Sariel.

  “Well, you can be certain that Azriel knows that the Queen Mother has been recognized by the realms.”

  “What happened?” I asked, moving closer to Lucius, who took me in his arms.

  “You know, the usual—heavenly choirs, thunder, lightning—the works.”

  I hadn’t seen or heard any thunder or lightning but I had my own light show going on. Ignoring Sariel’s playfulness Lucius spoke in his usual businesslike tone. “Does he know Wila’s location?”

  “No, but it’s just a matter of time,” he said, all playfulness set aside.

  We went back to our house with Sariel to explain to everyone what happened. We were greeted at the door by Sarah, who’d been making calls in the quest for the seven people who could perform the rituals of protection.

  Sarah had thrown open the door and whatever sentence on her lips fell flat. She looked at Sariel first, who she was not expecting. When she a saw the crown she fell to her knees. “My Queen.”

  “Sarah, is that Lucius and Wila? Have you told them the good news?”

  Amara came from the back followed by my mom. Amara seeing Sarah knelt before the three of us standing in the doorway looked confused and then saw the crown and stopped so suddenly that mom bumped into her.

  “What the…”

  Amara instantly dropped to her knees cutting my mom’s words off. My mom walked around Amara’s bowed body. Her look was not one of confusion but one of disbelief. She stopped just behind Sarah. “You looked so like Maia for just a moment,” she said before joining the other women.

  “Okay, please stand up.” My voice was shaking not only because of the bowing and kneeling but from the words that my mom.

  After explaining Lucius’s impromptu oath taking and resulting events that took place in its wake, we all sat in the kitchen trying to figure out what to do next. The room was filled with excitement and worry. Lucius could be still. That’s the best way to describe when he became so motionless he seemed like a living statue. Now he sat next to me with the consequences lying heavy on his heart. He was worried that he had put me in greater danger. Sariel tried reasoning with him until Lucius, in
a tone that reeked of finality, ordered him to stop.

  “Azriel has started rallying the troops and I need to get back before he misses me,” Sariel said. “I’ll send word when I can.”

  “Thank you Sariel,” I said, when it became obvious that Lucius was not going say anything, or maybe that was my job now.

  “You’re most welcome.” Sariel left the four of us sitting in the kitchen.

  “You’ll continue making the arrangements for the wedding. I’d like to get married as soon as possible.” I expected to get some type of reaction from Lucius from the announcement but he didn’t say anything. The silence in the room weighed me down as I waited for Lucius to say something, but he was determined to beat himself up.

  “I’ve put you in danger.” The hurt and fright in his voice would have made me sad or afraid but I was stronger now.

  “I was in danger all alone. No -- you’ve made me a queen.”

  Lucius head snapped up and he stared at me. I kissed him lightly on the lips. Who was he to deny the queen?

  Sariel sent word that Azriel was chomping at the bit to find me and his behavior had finally left little doubt of his intent. As a result Sariel felt there would be an influx of angels to join our side. It sounded like good news but it was plagued with problems. First, Azriel was the only Seraphim left after the destruction of Armaros and Azazel, so it wasn’t a stretch to think that Azriel did indeed have absolute rule over the heavenly angels, which meant that some angels would follow him with no questions asked. Second, choosing sides was seen as being dangerously close to rebelling and it was rebellion that had gotten the angels in trouble in the first place, so the fear factor cut into the numbers of who may come to our side. Third, the longer Sariel stayed in heaven the chances of him getting caught and sharing Lucius punishment or worse increased. Even with Azriel erratic behavior working in our favor it wasn’t like Sariel could just go around taking a poll or asking for defectors. He was working in secrecy with less than handful of trusted angels who had, for all intent and purpose, had already began to change the hardwiring of the reason for their existence—their purpose.

  Heavenly and angelic politics were confusing to say the least. Man had been given grey areas, we called it free will. Angels were not afforded the same and because their world should have been black and white the situation seemed like a computer program that had been given conflicting data and was short-circuiting as it tried to figure out which command to follow. I so wasn’t looking forward to the crash if the system failed.

  I was worried; about Sariel and Maalik and Samiel. The thought of anything happening to the three angels that had been with us from the start was so scary I tried not to think of it too hard. Maalik and Samiel were with us almost full time but they still went back to heaven sometimes as to not raise suspicion. Sariel, having a higher station than the other two, only came to visit for snatches of time. I think I was more anxious during his short visits than even him.

  In the middle of all of this, I discovered my crown was permanently attached to my head. It wasn’t tight or even snug, I was aware of it if I remembered it was there but for the most part it was a forgettable comfortable fit. Oh yeah, it also changed. When Lucius placed it on my head, it had been a wreath of flowers; by the time we made it back to the house it was a single band of gold that matched Amara’s. In the scheme of things, it seemed ridiculous to worry about and so I didn’t.

  I woke in a pool of sunshine ready for the day to get started. I couldn’t remember a time I was so excited…or so nervous. I felt the angel standing on the other side of the door. If it had been darker in the room I would have been able to see the soft golden glow of my skin that seemed to be constant now. I could feel the pull of him as soon as I opened my eyes; in my stomach. It cut my breath off. I threw my legs over the edge of the bed and willed myself to walk in the direction of the bathroom instead of to the closed door that separated us. I smile as I passed the door; knowing Lucius’s felts it too.

  I was brushing my teeth when the weight of everything happening hit me. That happened a lot these days. In what world did I deserve such an extraordinary life and the love of an angel? There was still so much unfinished and unknown, but the things that had happened so far made me hopeful, even with a full year and a half having passed with no word of the others missing from our happy family. I shook my head to clear my thoughts. The bond that I shared with Lucius was letting me know, enough was enough. I’d been away from him for too long.

  The building pressure caused by our prolonged absence from each other could get painful, although we were almost never separated by more than a room. Lucius had taken Amara’s room when he came to live in the same house. Amara had moved in the room with me, which was fine, since she spent so much time in the room anyway. We had been roommates long before Lucius arrival. Amara moved next door, to the house assigned to Lucius, stating she was tired of bumping into the angel every morning.

  I opened the door and forgot how to breathe.

  I knew he was there. The bond was better than any GPS but the sight of him was overwhelming. Before Lucius, I would have described angels as: golden haired, peaceful-looking, flowing-gown-wearing, glowing, harp-playing creatures. Boy had I been wrong.

  Before me stood more than six feet of solid, seemingly unmovable, muscle. His milk chocolate colored skin was smooth and flawless. His hazel eyes looked more gold today, sometimes they were greener. His hair, usually held back from his face was loose, and his waist length dreadlocks fell around his shoulders in thick ropes. His gaze was so intense it was almost threatening. Anyone that didn’t know us may have thought he meant me harm.

  Lucius was the first to move. He took the single step to close the small distant that separated us and was standing so close I could feel his breath on my eyelashes. His touch was always so light. Like a whisper on my skin. I knew it was because he was afraid of accidentally hurting me. He didn’t have the full strength of an angel but he was stronger than any human man. He raised his hand but it stopped in mid-air, his brow creased in frustration. I put my hand on his chest, over his heart and he closed his eyes and breathed a slow calming breath. My hand was glowing bright and was getting brighter with each second it laid on his chest. The light never bothered us, didn’t make us have to squint or look away. We stood there looking at each other, our eyes and bodies speaking what we no longer had to say aloud. We belonged together. After what seemed like an eternity, he took me in his arms and literally took my breath away. I knew it was harder for him to be away from me. His worry had been constant since Sariel announcement that the realms had recognized me and Azriel knew I lived. He worried I would be taken away from him and so I bared the embrace for as long could. I rested my head on his chest and he released the tight hold enough for me to breathe and placed his chin on the top of my head.

  “Is she up?” my mom yelled from the kitchen.

  My mom wasn’t a yelling woman but it wasn’t every day your only daughter was getting married to a warrior angel. So she was allowed.

  “I’ll give you a moment,” he said, kissing my cheek.

  I walked in the kitchen and found my mom sitting at the kitchen table. She started talking as soon as I walked into the room.

  “It is customary for the mother of the bride to sew a piece of clothing that the bride will wear during her ceremony. I’ve made you a slip to wear under your gown.

  ” She pulled hard, breaking the thread and stood up holding a gossamer thin piece of fabric, “What do you think?”

  The white slip was made from the sheerest fabric I had ever seen. The straps were white ribbon that tied at the shoulders. The bottom of the slip was embroidered with small white flowers that started sparsely at the halfway point and then got thicker as they reached to bottom.

  “It’s the most beautiful thing I will wear today,” I said, hardly believing my eyes. I’d never known my mom could sew.

  Lucius entered the kitchen while I was still hugging my
mother and she hid the slip by turning her back to him, holding it close to her body.

  “It is not your people’s custom for the groom not to see wedding attire.” Lucius said.

  “I know I’m being silly but I can’t help it,” she said, gathering it up and leaving the room to put the slip away.

  The search for the people who would perform the rights of protection had gone quicker and smoother than any of us thought, and once they arrived, the seven men had stood for the last seven days in a circle blessing and protecting the site. They had come from all walks of life; although most were “traditional religious” all were spiritual. Our group included a Tibetan monk, a Roman Catholic priest, a Native American holy man and an African tribal shaman. The one that touched me the most was the homeless man named Woodrow. He had been a street preacher traveling the country, an outcast in a modern society that no longer believed in the possibility of someone being in touch with a higher power. He was always in good spirits and had the most infectious smile. He hugged everyone when greeting or leaving them. He was an absolute joy.

  The soft whispered prayers of the priests felt both menacing and soothing as they called upon the heavens to bless the site, and at the same time, put in place wards against evil. They all wore plain burlap colored robes, tied at the waist by a length of rope. They’d sat in the same position for the last seven days; cross legged with their right hand over their hearts and their left held out from their bodies with the palm facing out as if stopping someone or something from advancing. Each had their heads slightly bowed and their eyes closed. Their lips never rested from the prayers they recited.

  I had come out a few times since the blessing had begun and watched them in awe. I was touched by their dedication and tenacity in the ritual, and like every other time, I became teary eyed to be honored in such a way by these men who never met me, had only the story of a prophecy, but prepared nevertheless…for me. Lucius put a comforting arm around my shoulder.

  “You shouldn’t be so upset,” he said, kissing the top of my head.

  “I know,” I whispered.

  Lucius had already explained that they were in a trancelike state and while their physical bodies remained, their spirits actually traveled through the realms. I thought about the old saying about leaving childish things behind. Magic would definitely be high on the list of things you believe as a child but one day don’t, and for some unfortunately people faith in the unknown was the equivalent of magic. I really started reevaluating my belief system. How could I not. I was now in same the league as countless other mythological deities. I wondered how many others forgotten gods were real.

  Lucius had timed it perfectly and within minutes of our arrival the prayers were over and the men all “woke”. There were other people at the sight that offered them food and water. We had packed food ourselves that Lucius unloaded when we arrived. The area surrounding the site was buzzing with activity as people worked setting up the space that was to be used for the reception. Once the blessing was done at the ceremony site it was quickly overtaken by people who busied themselves preparing it. Seeing it all come together was like a dream. I walked amongst the people that had taken us in and then made the choice to stand by us if things headed south. They smiled as they greeted me.

  I had given no instructions on anything. I would have gladly married Lucius the second the blessing was done but mom and Amara insisted on something a little bit more extravagant. I marveled at the lanterns and lights being set up and the thousands of flowers that were being strung up everywhere in every color until Ruth announced it was time to leave. Lucius and I walked back to the car, nervous about being apart. It was going to be the longest since he’d found me. There had been no threat on my life since my birth, but Lucius guarded me as if there were assassination attempts on a daily basis.

  “I love you very much Wila Ife Freeland. I am yours forever.”

  As always his declaration of love left me lightheaded and breathless. I let him pull me into an embrace to calm us both. He breathed in heavily and then let me go; turning to walk away without another word maybe afraid he’d not leave if he did. I hadn’t said anything but knew that I didn’t need to. He knew I loved him.

  After watching him walk off with one of the seven men who’d performed the blessing, I turn and was shocked to see everyone around had stopped what they were doing. In unison they all touched their hearts and then blew kisses to me.

  “It is an acknowledgment that we have witnessed true love, that we are honored to be in its presence and love more because of it.” My mom answered the unspoken question.

  I found myself on another level of excited as I began my own preparation for the day. Ruth and I made it back to the house to find two seamstresses in my room removing my dress from a large garment bag.

  The dress was made of black silk. I was stunned by the muted elegance of it. A short sleeved wrap dress with a matching black sash, it had a small train about three feet long, embroidered with black silk ribbon that was the same pattern used on the slip my mother showed me earlier. It was perfect. I actually jumped up and down and clapped my hands. It was so beautiful.

  After everyone had cleared out and I was given a few moments alone, I thought about my family. Finding Amara was like a dream come true. We fit together like hand in glove, the bond of sisterhood strong from the very beginning despite us not knowing each other. I thought about my parents and my mom’s family. I had no memory of my birth parents and had only “met” Mom’s once, but they were missed dearly. I thought of Lucius and his history and all the things that he’d gone through. I thought of all that had happened that led us to this moment.

  Lucius told me of the places he went while he searched for me. How the world changed as it evolved. The customs and traditions that had developed as mankind’s time on the surface grew longer. He was the ultimate historian. The customs and rituals that we were using today were all his idea. He’d worked personally with Amara and Mom to make sure everything was just right.

  The blessing of the circle was old and powerful, full of a magic that hardly existed anymore. There were other parts that he included just because they were beautiful to him: the ceremonial bath we’d both take in a nearby lake, his eight hour prayer vigil, my escorts for the day, and our wedding ceremony. All were his doing; a collective of interpretations of religion, devotion and love.

  My mom came in wearing the same plain white gown that I was wearing for the ceremonial bath. My mother had never been one to let emotion rule her. She was so strong. She’d taught me grace and had given me the strength I’d need to be the person she knew I was meant to be. We left my bedroom to join five women and Amara. All were dressed in the same white gown. I would be escorted by six guardians. I differ only in the emerald green robe that was draped across my shoulders and the crown of wild flowers on my head.

  There were two sets of guardians followed by Amara. My mom was behind me in the place of the greatest honor. Only the strongest walked behind the bride and this lone guardian would protect her from any evil spirits. It was a mile walk to the lake. As we got closer, crowds of people began lining the path throwing flower petals. So many that they carpeted our path. When we reached the banks of the lake, four of the holy men were there and four of guardian women join. To my delightful surprise Woodrow stood just in the lake. I stopped on the bank only long enough to have my robe removed before joining him. Woodrow started my wedding with a prayer.

  “Great Creator, whose breath gave life to this world, and whose voice is heard on the soft breeze, for strength and wisdom, to help us to walk in beauty and accept all things with open arms and full hearts, so when life fades, our spirits may leave this realm without shame.”

  Woodrow removed the crown of flowers from my head and handed it over my shoulder to my mom. I took his hand and he led me just a step or two further into the water before turning me. He put one arm around my shoulders and the other over my heart. I brought my a
rms up and laid my hands over Woodrow’s before he submerged me completely in the water. As I lay there, eyes closed, I thought about Lucius. Not long before he’d been in the lake, maybe in the same spot. I reached out through our bond and felt his calming presence. My angel, the angel of love, the gate keeper of the second gate of heaven—and very soon—my husband.

  When we’d all gotten back to our house, I was allowed to change into a bathrobe. Big and puffy –my favorite kind.

  Hey there,” Amara said. She’d changed into a robe too, same style, but in pink. She was holding a large case and I eyed it suspiciously. She was going to do my hair for the wedding but I hadn’t expected her to show up with a duffle bag sized container full of who knows what. I don’t know why I hadn’t. Amara’s personal motto was, Go big or go home.

  I wasn’t allowed to dry my hair with a blow dryer and Amara dried it as much as possible with a towel before she fixed it into a low hanging chignon. It felt oddly light, seeing as my hair was damp and thick. Soft waves lay close to my head. I had been adamant about wearing a crown of Spirea. It was the small white flower that Lucius had given to Ife. It was my only contribution and was going to be a surprise for Lucius.

  Mom came in seconds after Amara was done and together they rubbed ceremonial oils on my arms and legs before helping me with my dress. I turned around and almost didn’t recognize myself; funny how clothes and a simple crown of flowers can do that. I ran my hand over the smooth slick material of the gown. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever worn. I marveled at the thought of all the hard work that had gone into making the clothes I wore. Nothing was machine made, not the fabric or ribbon; not even the thread. Everything had been handmade and dyed using natural materials. Amara had worked very hard in getting everything here in time.

  The dress was black. I had thought marrying in black was weird until the custom was explained. The colors symbolized that I would be faithful until death; and then mourn the loss of my true love until my own passing. . The vow I’d take today meant that I would leave this world with my true love but the color still felt right.

  “Ready,” my mom said in a low voice.

  I nodded. I didn’t trust myself to speak.

  Mom and Amara both had honored positions. This time my mom was in the front as elder of our family. Amara was behind me; a lady in waiting. We walked to the ceremony site. The butterflies in my stomach were in full flight. Since Lucius’s oath under the tree, I’d begun to see the world as I’d never seen it before. The grass seemed greener, colors of lime and emerald in the leaves of the trees and bushes. Vibrant orange, yellow and red in the flowers that seem to bloom all over and the stark white of the pedals that carpeted the ground I walked on as people threw them as I made my journey. There were smiles on each of their faces, from the oldest in front, to the small children on the shoulders of their fathers; all coming out to get a glimpse of the bride.

  The sun had begun to set by the time we made our way to first branches of the great treat. They spread out wide and inviting like comforting arms. Lanterns provided soft light and even with hundreds of people, it felt like a small intimate gathering. The people that were standing in a circle parted as we arrived. Standing in the center of the circle, dressed in all white, was my angel.

  Lucius touched the crown of flowers on my head before taking my hand, turning it and kissing the inside of my wrist. His warm lips resting on my skin made my heart do crazy things in my chest. We closed our eyes at the same time and we take mirroring long, deep breaths. I dare not touch him, too overwhelmed by his simple touch. When we opened our eyes he gave me one of his seldom seen smiles before he turns us. Our hands were bound with a rope of plaited grass; my right to his left, my mom was given this honor.

  “Now there will be no loneliness, for you will be each other’s constant companion, she said before kissing us both on each cheek and stepping back.

  Amara stepped forward, smiling and looking older and wiser than her eighteen years. She placed her hand on top of our bound ones.

  “There is but one life before you. May those days together be good and true.”Amara kissed each on us before backing away.

  Next were the seven blessings. We walked around the circle to receive a blessing from each of the men who had come to bless the site. Each placed a beaded necklace long enough to “bind” us together. Once done, Lucius and I went back in the center of the circle and faced each other. We hadn’t written vows but decided to speak from the heart. There were no pre-written words that could join us. A true vow is only as strong as the person that gives it. Only we knew the depth of our love for each other. Lucius put his free hand over my heart and recited his vows.

  “I am yours eternally. I hold my own life as little, but our love as all. I ask that you stay at my side in life and in death.”

  Everyday our bond grew stronger; starting with that fateful day in the convenience store. Since his oath, we could feel each other’s emotions and they wrapped me in their warm embrace as he spoke his vows. Before me stood a man who had spoken the utter truth. He was mine…in all ways. Everything he had to offer, he gave me willingly, even his life. Was it too much for me to offer the same? No. Never.

  Placing my hand over Lucius’ heart I answered, “With deepest joy I receive you into my life so that we may live it as one. I give you my living and my dying.”

  Someone untied our hands and I bowed to Lucius. Not the simple act of a slight dip of my head, or even lowering to my knees. I lowered her body to the grown and leaned forward bringing my forehead to the ground and putting her hands in front of me. I would share all things with Lucius, spend eternity with him or die by his side. He would be my mate in all things. Lucius would be my King.