Splendor and Darkness (Rebel Angels) (14 page)

Will groaned. “Does this mean we’ll have to go to bed early so you can plow her field?”

“Will!” She spun toward her son. “Where did you hear that phrase?”

His horrified expression made Daniel laugh. The boy clearly had no idea what the phrase meant. “My guess would be Hamill.”

Will nodded, tears welling in his eyes. “Is that something bad? Hamill made it sound like ever so much fun.”

“I’ll have a talk with Hamill in the morning. If he can’t conduct himself like a gentleman, you’ll no longer be spending time with him.”

“But he’s teaching me the sword.”

“He certainly is.” Daniel’s chuckle earned him a glare from Judith.

“That is a crude phrase and I don’t want you saying it again.”

“Yes, Mama.”
He shuffled from one foot to the other. “But what does it mean?”

Judith expelled an audible sigh and looked at Daniel. “If you will excuse me for a moment, I need to have a private conversation with my son.”

“His curiosity is natural. Don’t be angry with him.”

Her expression relaxed and color bloomed on her high cheekbones. “If Will is going to learn about plowing fields, I would rather he hear the facts from me.”

“You said that was a crude phrase and I…”

The rest of his sentence was lost as Judith led/dragged Will into his bedchamber.

Daniel turned toward Anna and smiled. “Can we be friends again now that your mother has something else to distract her?”

“If you show me your wings.”
Her tone was casual, as if she made the request of everyone.

“It’s very hard for me to unfurl my wings. Do you want me to admit I have them or do you really want to see them?”

“I want to see them.”

He rolled his shoulders. Did he dare expend his precious angelic energy to amuse a child?

“Must they be his wings or will mine do?”
Gadrayel
materialized in a flash of golden light.

“Oh,” she gasped, “you are even more beautiful than him.” She pointed to a spot against the wall.

Gadrayel
looked at Daniel for an explanation. Daniel shrugged. “She can see everyone.”

Anna circled
Gadrayel
, her expression filled with wonder. “Can I…?”

“Go ahead.”
Gadrayel
bent to one knee so Anna could reach his wings.

“They are soft.” She petted the translucent surface then ruffled one scalloped edge. “Does this tickle?”

“No, child, it feels like this.” He stroked her long auburn hair and she nodded in understanding. Pushing to his feet, he took her by the hand and led her to the window. “How many angels do you see out there?”

“Two on the wall, one on each side of the gate and the one flying circles in the sky.”

“Remarkable.”

“Did she list them all?” Daniel asked.

“All who are visible from this
window.
” His gaze returned to Anna. “When did you first see the angels?”

“Two days before Uncle Nate got home. I told Mama, but she didn’t believe me until after he came with Lady Lailah.” She pointed to Daniel.

“After our conversation in the counting room, Lady Judith must have reconsidered Anna’s claim.”

The door to Will’s bedroom opened and
Gadrayel
blinked out of sight. Anna giggled. “Can you do that?”

“Not any longer.”

“Can he do what?” Judith led Will back into the solar.

“There was an angel here. He let me touch his wing.”

“Mama,” Will
protested
.
“Why do you let her go on and on about these angels?
You punish me when I tell lies.”

“If she were lying, I would punish her,” Judith said. “Anna really does see angels.”

Will rolled his eyes and stomped back to his bedchamber.

Judith shook her head with a helpless smile. “He had a similar reaction to my explanation about plowing fields.”

* * * * *

Lailah stood on the battlement, the wind whipping through her hair. She had discarded her headdress and the filmy veil as she climbed the fortification. Bracing her hands against the coarse stone wall, she stared out into the starlit night. She longed for the sky, the wind caressing her wings and the freedom of flight.

She glanced over her shoulder as Nate joined her on the battlement. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”

“Have you?” She turned back to the night. “That seems rather pointless when you’ve gone to such lengths to avoid me.”

He didn’t deny it. Moving up behind her, he rested his hands on the stone ledge, framing her with his body. Heat sank through her clothing, warming her spine, stirring her senses. Why did he continue pursuing her when he only turned around and pushed her away?

“My life was orderly and predictable before the tragedy.” He rubbed his cheek against her hair, his tone hushed and conflicted. “I try not to link you with those events, but they are inseparable in my mind.”

“I played a part. It’s natural that the two are connected.”

“You make it impossible for me to forget.”

She turned within his embrace. Tilting her face up, she looked into his eyes. “Don’t try to forget. Memories themselves are not destructive. It’s how we react to them that
determines
their power over us. You can’t allow yourself to be controlled by what took place that night.”

He ran his fingers through her hair, his eyelids lowered in obvious pleasure. “A tempest is brewing. I can sense it and I’ve never felt less in control.” Brushing his lips across hers, he pressed her against the wall. “I’ve never been this frightened and I couldn’t understand why. I’m not a coward. I’ve led armies into battle. I’ve watched men die on the end of my sword.”

“This is a different sort of war. You’re—”

He pressed his fingers against her lips and shook his head. “I’ve grown accustomed to the spirits. That’s not what frightens me. No matter how hard I try to deny it, I’m in love with you.”

Joy fluttered through her breast and lodged in her throat. Her lips trembled against his finger. “Why does loving me frighten you?”

“I’m terrified that I might lose you, that I won’t be able to protect you from the coming storm.”

“We’ll protect each other.” She turned her head, placing a kiss in the center of his palm. “I’ve been happier, more content in the past year than in all the years since my transformation. Regardless of what lies ahead, I will treasure my time with you.”

His hands moved to her shoulders and his gaze focused on her mouth. “You make that sound like goodbye. I don’t know about you, but I’m prepared to fight for our happiness.”

“I’m
willing
to fight,” she averted her face. “I’m just not sure how.”

“We’ll find a way together. Now do I show you how determined I am to make you happy right here on the battlement or shall we retire to our bedchamber?”

“
Our
bedchamber?”

He took her hand and led her toward the stairs.
“Aye.
The angelic guard has orders to protect me, so you’re not leaving my side.”

His protectiveness soothed her while tension coiled low in her belly. Her body ripened, melted, prepared for the promised intimacies. But danger added an edge to her desire, an urgency she’d never felt before.

“You’re awfully quiet.” He paused at the door to his chambers. “Is this not what you want?”

“I want nothing more.”

He accepted her answer and opened the door, but concern remained in his eyes. After bolting the door, he led her toward the high bed, his gaze clouded with emotions she couldn’t decipher.

“Why do you seem uneasy?” he asked.

She pushed her hair behind her shoulders and sighed. “Right after Enos restored my sight, he taunted me. He told me to look into your face while you made love to me and…imagine life at his side.” Pulling her into his arms, he held her for a long moment, silently offering comfort. Lailah clung to him, inhaling his unique scent, pressing against his strong body. “I don’t understand his fixation with me or why he continues to oppress your family.”

“I don’t have the answers, but I mean to find out. The vision I had today was unlike any other. My powers are growing. There must be someone who can teach me how to control them.”

“Sariel said you would be trained.”

He chuckled. “Do I know that name? You and Daniel have mentioned so many.”

“Sariel is Alyssa’s husband. He is the current Prince of the Grigori.”

“Meaning he became prince when Enos
Fell
?”

She nodded. “They were brothers, as Alyssa and I are sisters.”

“No more talk of angels, Fallen or not.” His arms tightened around her. “In fact, no more words.” His mouth settled over hers, ensuring her silence.

Lailah parted her lips and accepted the bold thrust of his tongue. Each time they touched their lovemaking took on a personality of its own. The first time had been soft and dreamy. In the garden, they’d been ravenous. After the garden, they’d explored each other with patience and wonder.

What little Nate had told her about his vision left Lailah anxious for the comfort of his
embrace.
She didn’t want to think about Enos or
Makatiel
. She wanted to focus on Nate, savor the bond forming between them. Words like “together” and “we” had nearly faded from her vocabulary until Nate entered her life.

“How does this bloody thing come off?” He growled the words against her parted lips.

Laughing, she raised her arms, revealing the side laces on her gown. In short order, he had the gown draped over a chair and her underdress folded on the seat. Her chemise soon followed then she went to work on his clothing.

She hesitated over the ties on his hose. “I’ve never actually seen you before.”

“Would you like to remedy that or shall I snuff the candles?”

“Oh nay, I want to see you.” She eased the garment along his hips and stepped back as he kicked the untidy pile aside. Licking her lips, she let her gaze wander at will. Long, muscular legs tapered to narrow hips. His belly rippled with subtle definition while his chest formed distinct curves.

Her gaze returned to his groin and her feminine core clenched. Her body knew where he belonged and ached to have him there. His cock rose thick and long from a dark nest of hair. Below, his balls invited her touch, her kiss.

“Sit down on the edge of the bed.”

He grinned.
“As my lady commands.”

She knelt before him and rubbed his calves, his knees and thighs. He spread his legs, silently urging her on. Her fingers barely met as she circled his shaft. She paused, absorbing the intriguing contrast of hard flesh and soft skin.

Every visual signal sent a pang of dread deep into her chest. This was a gift from Enos, light from the darkness. She closed her eyes, centering her attention on Nate, his heat, the texture of his flesh against her fingers. Bending toward him, she spread her hair over his legs and flicked his tip with her tongue.