‘I won’t drop you,’ the Archangel sniggers. ‘Stars forbid, what would your prince do to me?’
A warm fuzzy feeling curls up inside me at her comment. How far has news of our love reached if Archangels concern themselves with what Nathaneal would do if confronted with the threat of losing me again?
Still, at this speed and with winds rushing around us, instinct won’t let me relax until we’re back on solid ground.
At least Raphael wasn’t joking about knowing a shortcut. Actually, I can’t imagine Raphael joking about anything. What feels like only a minute later we’re landing inside their walled city of Empyrean, apparently right on the doorstep of the High King’s Temple.
My Archangel unwinds her cloak and I step out with unsteady feet. For a moment I wonder if all that swirling wind has upset my equilibrium. I quickly realise that’s not the case since Shae and Jezelle look fine as they walk around me, gasping at my altered appearance.
Hearing them, Isaac turns from Prince Raphael, takes in the situation in one glance and whistles appreciatively under his breath.
But by now Nathaneal also knows something is up and he walks away from Raphael mid-sentence, shifting Archangels out of his way until he’s standing in front of me. His eyes rake over me from head to foot. He takes my hands and holds them out to the sides, then pulls me in close as if stepping up for a dance. ‘Oh, Ebbie, you are more stunning than the stars.’
While I don’t have a mirror handy, I’m acutely aware that I’m not wearing Prince Luca’s wedding dress any more. It turns out I’m in a dress that hugs the upper half of my body in pastel lavender that darkens gradually to deep purple as it flows over my hips to about mid-calf in silky folds and a handkerchief hem. I lift the dress a little at the front and see a pair of strappy high-heeled silver shoes on my feet.
I glance at the Archangel who brought me here with questioning eyes. But all she says is, ‘You can thank me later.’
Dismissing his team, Raphael leads us into the Temple, to an open central space where wide corridors spear off in seven directions. As we walk down one of these corridors, I find myself unwinding with a sense of serenity this place seems to be giving off.
The six of us enter a lift that rises to the top level, but instead of stopping there it continues ascending at a much faster pace through floors without numbers. I’m relieved when it eventually stops and Michael is waiting for us. Dressed in a white officer’s uniform, he cuts a daunting figure. It’s times like these I wish I had my memories back, not just the one or two that occasionally surface. Without memories of my life in the spirit world, or of my time in my mother’s womb, and those that Seraphim Angels inherit from their ancestors, everything is new. It keeps me on the outside of this close-knit order. Each memory allows me a peek into the world where I belong. But it’s not enough to feel that wonderful sense of belonging I can see they share. They get to belong without trying, and as I go forward into my life as an angel, I wish I could too.
‘Hello, Ebony.’ Michael smiles, his eyes widening at my appearance. ‘You scrub up splendidly, little one.’
‘Thank you, Michael. So do you.’
‘This must seem like a baptism by fire to you.’
‘I have no idea what’s going on. I just hang around with you guys for the surprises.’
They laugh quietly, but everyone’s mood is subdued. I understand that just being here is a big thing, and that whatever is about to happen could have serious consequences.
Raphael confirms this when he says, ‘Ebony, I will escort you to a guest room until our High King is ready to see you.’
‘What’s this?’ Nathaneal asks. ‘You never mentioned –’
I squeeze Nathaneal’s hand, making it clear I want to handle this myself. ‘Raphael, why do you want to separate me from my family?’
‘You are new to our ways –’
‘Actually I’m not. Through no fault of my own, I simply don’t remember our ways.’
He glares down his very straight nose at me. ‘The business we’re about to attend to is far from pleasant, my lady.’
‘I gather that, Raphael.’
‘The High King wishes to spare you.’
‘Oh. In that case, please tell the High King I can handle anything as long as I am …’ I glance at the others, ‘with my own kind.’
Raphael tilts his head for a second without losing eye contact with me. ‘Very well,’ he says. ‘He will allow your presence.’
‘Thank you, Raphael.’
He grumbles under his breath as he walks us into a room that’s like the interior of an ancient amphitheatre. It’s enormous and stunning, with a white tiled floor, high marble columns, intricate architecture and a semicircular arena where a thousand angels representing the nine different angelic orders are already sitting in the stands. Even the light here is different; bright, though the room appears to be windowless. And there is something about the air, as if it were a living organism that has the ability to deepen my sense of empathy, or, the thought occurs, awaken it.
It feels as if I have dived into an ocean of love.
I’ve never felt anything like this before.
Or maybe I have and I don’t remember.
Soft murmurings from the stands die down when the angels notice us. Heads turn to check out the newcomers. Raphael escorts us to the middle stand. Nathaneal wraps his arm around my waist in a protective gesture. He’s keeping me close, and I don’t mind in the slightest.
It’s then I notice his clothes have changed too and I have to stifle a gasp. He looks incredibly HOT in an elegant, Armani-quality midnight-blue three-piece suit, with a white open-necked shirt. I force my jaw to shut and I touch his lapels, brushing an invisible thread from them. I want every angel in this room to know the Prince of Light belongs to me.
Shae, Jezelle and Isaac have changed too, and they look equally stylish and beautiful. They try to keep near us, but Raphael escorts them to the back row, before showing Nathaneal and me to the vacant front row, to the centre two seats directly in front of a round platform elevated by two steps all around.
Michael sits beside Nathaneal, and thankfully Raphael doesn’t make him move away.
‘Anything I should know?’ I ask them both. ‘Raphael wasn’t exactly forthcoming with information.’
They both chuckle softly. Then Michael leans around Nathaneal and whispers, ‘You only need remember that whenever the High King is glowing, don’t look into his eyes.’
Just as I thank him a figure of a man manifests into solid form on the platform in front of us. At least eight feet tall, and wearing a white suit and matching long coat, he has a structured face that appears statuesque and yet also kind. His skin is not glowing, so I check out his eyes and find them hauntingly beautiful. Whenever he moves they change colours like the facets of an opal but with the shimmer of diamonds.
The High King walks down from the platform and comes straight over to Nathaneal and me. Wrapping his two long hands around ours clasped together, he welcomes us with a smile and the added words inside our heads, Welcome, both of you. I’m glad you could come. We will talk soon.
Not sure what I’m supposed to say or do, I just nod. He seems satisfied and walks back to address the entire semicircular arena from the platform. ‘It is with great sadness that I have called you here to witness today’s events.’
There’s not a sound in the room.
‘A traitor has been walking amongst you. A soldier of the Order of Seraphim. A captain and a prince.’
Gasps break out but the High King shuts everyone down with a sharp look. ‘He was someone you have all welcomed into your homes. Who has drunk your wine and danced at your weddings. He mourned with you when you lost loved ones. Fought by your sides. Commanded your children in battle.’
The outrage is palpable, but so too is a deep sense of sadness. It’s this sadness that pours out of the High King and fills the room. His eyes glisten. This is really hard for him. And I get it. He loved Gabr
iel. The thought occurs that he loves us all.
Angels turn and glance at our stand, their eyes roving up and down as if looking for the one who’s missing. But no one is saying a word.
‘I have gathered you here today to bear witness to this traitor’s sentencing.’
Suddenly Nathaneal is on his feet. ‘My lord, if I may examine the evidence I’m sure I could sort this out. I think a grave misunderstanding has occurred.’
The High King motions to someone out of sight, and the sound of rattling chains brings goosebumps out on my skin. Six Archangel soldiers in predominantly white uniforms, body armour, helmets, weapons hanging at their sides, walk in with Gabriel in a simple white tunic, his hands and ankles in chains, and force him to kneel before the High King.
Michael, are you sure? Nathaneal asks him in a link open to me too.
Michael’s voice rings out like church bells in my head. The proof is undeniable, as you will come to see soon. Don’t let this get under your skin, cousin.
The High King steps down to stand over the prisoner. ‘Prince Gabriel, how do you plead?’
Gabriel turns his head to Nathaneal. ‘Help me, brother. Only you can help me now.’
Still standing, Nathaneal frowns and rubs his neck. ‘My lord, Prince Gabriel came to me. He confessed, and I forgave him.’
The High King looks at Nathaneal with eyes shimmering with empathy and remorse. ‘Yes, prince of my heart, I saw that exchange and I was pleased.’
‘He is my brother, and my parents have already lost one son because of the Dark Prince.’
‘Nathaneal, listen carefully. Prince Gabriel did not act like your brother when he used a prearranged signal to alert our enemy to the precise moment Lady Elesha gave birth to a destined future queen.’
Nathaneal’s head shakes. ‘No, no, no, my lord, that was not Gabriel. That was my mistake. I tried to leave the birthing chamber in a hurry and my clothing caught in the protective webbing.’
His glittering eyes still pinned on Nathaneal, the High King is not finished. ‘Prince Gabriel was no brother to you when he released the secret underground hatch to our blessed Holy Cross Monastery, allowing twelve Prodigies and Prince Luca himself to enter our Earthly sanctuary. Three Brothers died that day.’
Nathaneal hisses, running a hand round the back of his neck. ‘That was you, Gabe? Really? Why?’
Gabriel drops his pleading eyes. Now the truth is out, he’s no longer able to hold his brother’s gaze.
‘Nathaneal,’ the High King’s voice swells and fills the arena, ‘Gabriel was no brother to anyone when he signed a pact with the Dark Prince.’
Nathaneal moans as if he’s going to be sick. He drops down into his chair, his head in his hands.
My eyes meet Michael’s. This is killing him.
The worst kind of deceit comes from the ones you trust the most, little one.
‘Gabriel was no brother to you when he deliberately delayed investigating a powerful force that had attached itself to Ebony, allowing it time to strengthen and take form and multiply before he knew whether it was good or evil.’
The dark forces?
‘Brother,’ Gabriel pleads, ‘the proof is circumstantial, taken from the imaginings of a human boy whose hormones were driving him crazy for his Guardian. Tell them how unreliable that is.’
Nathaneal turns to Michael. ‘Is this true? Is Jordan a witness?’
‘It’s complicated,’ Michael says. ‘Jordan figured out that Gabriel was the traitor during his time in the Crossing. He put his life in danger by confronting Gabriel. But there are many more witnesses and documented evidence that I’ll bring to your parents’ house to explain to you and your brothers in detail in the coming weeks.’
I reach across and tap Michael’s hand. ‘Can I ask a question?’
But the High King answers before I even voice it. He knows I’m thinking about the dark forces he just mentioned. ‘There are seven now. They will not harm you. To the contrary, sweet child, they came into existence already devoted to you. They live to serve and protect you. Earth is not their habitat. Before you leave the mortal realm they will come to you.’
He glances at Gabriel and frowns. ‘Were it not for this traitor’s sabotage, frightening those angels and forcing them to keep running, you would have learned of their devotion to you sooner and the seven would be trained by now.’
The dark forces are to be my personal guard? All that time they were just trying to get close to me? The poor things.
‘What of my wife and children?’ Gabriel pleads, bringing everyone’s attention back to the drama still unfolding before us. ‘Please, my lord, do not punish them, for they knew nothing of what I had chosen to do.’ He flicks his eyes up to someone in the back row of the Seraphim stand and his eyes become glassy. His jaw is trembling when he lowers his gaze to Nathaneal. ‘Brother, I’m truly sorry. I let my desire to be King of Avena overrule my senses. I was wrong. You will make a far better king.’
And there it is. His admission of guilt. Now what is the High King going to do with it?
The High King orders Gabriel to stand and the guards to remove his chains. ‘We have seen what happens when angels are banished, and we must learn from the mistakes we made with Prince Lucian and not repeat them. Today Skade lies in ruins. It will take dedication, skill and hard work to rebuild it. Prince Gabriel, I am setting you that task.’
Shocked, the arena erupts in gasps and whisperings. The High King silences everyone with a glowing flash from his eyes and his voice booms out across the arena: ‘Prince Gabriel, you will carry the title “Custodian of Skade”.’ Looking down at Gabriel, the High King’s voice lowers but loses none of its intensity. ‘This is not a reward. It will take patience, perseverance, humility and above all love. The people of Skade are broken and angry and lost. You have your work cut out. Do you believe you can do this?’
‘I … I don’t know,’ Gabriel says. ‘But I’ll try.’ He looks up then with a glint of hope in his eyes. ‘My lord, how long do I have?’
‘The breached gate has been repaired, but the seal of a hundred years remains. This is how long you will have to rebuild the Kingdom of Skade and bring peace and a new way of living to its people. The rebel army has been informed and its soldiers will assist you, but the majority of the inhabitants are used to cruelty and know nothing else. You will need to show them that there is another way.’
The High King lowers a glowing hand over Gabriel’s head. ‘Prince Gabriel, you have not earned the right to have the power of such a position at your fingertips, so I will be watching carefully to see what kind of ruler you become. If, in a hundred years, I am satisfied with the result, I will crown you King of Skade, but if I am not satisfied, you will be stripped of your titles, your powers and your wings.’
‘I will not fail you, my lord.’
The High King’s eyes soften as he gives Gabriel a wry smile. ‘It is not me you would fail, Gabriel. It would be you.’
40
Ebony
There was a time not so long ago when I looked into a mirror and didn’t know who that person was looking back at me. Something inside me could tell that those eyes didn’t belong to the life I was living. Now I understand why. My eyes see the truth.
And seeking the truth has led me here, to this magnificent arena surrounded by a thousand angels, a species that I now know I belong to, and a High King, a superior being who looks like a man but is not human, and maybe not even angel, but he’s in charge of everything. He is the source, the light, the one.
And right now this all-empowering being is looking at me.
Noticing this, the angels fall into a quiet stillness. It’s in this stillness that the High King opens his arms out, beckoning me. I get up and climb the two steps up to his platform on legs that feel like jelly. But he keeps his eyes on me, and somehow I can tell that I please him.
‘Child of my heart, we have been waiting a long time for you.’ He smiles gently down at me and I can’t help
but smile back.
‘You are still a sweet child, I see. Well, you always were. But recently you have come face to face with evil, and though you didn’t fully know who you were, evil could not defeat you. Abducted at birth, disguised as a human being, your memories eradicated so you could not know your identity, and raised not to recognise your own kind – no angel should suffer the anguish of such disconnection. This experience with the darker side has changed you. It has made you a child no more.’
He sighs, a troubled, frustrated sound, as if the loss of my youth and innocence is somehow his fault. ‘Our enemy did everything possible to keep you from our sight, isolating you in a valley shielded by the walls of mountains, and even changing your name. But you grew into your strengths and became fearless in the face of a daunting enemy. One that exists no more and can hurt no one ever again.’
He looks up at the stands and announces, ‘Prince Luca is dead.’
He holds still while the cheers and whistles settle, then turns to me. ‘Close your eyes, Ebony.’
I do what he says, reminding myself to keep breathing.
‘Ebony, it is now time to put the pain of your past away and look ahead to a future that promises infinite pleasure.’ And with my eyes still shut, his joy pulses into me. ‘Ebony, you please me greatly, and so I give you this gift.’
He lowers his hand to my head and his touch is electrifying. His long fingers fold down over my forehead, and his golden glow penetrates my closed lids.
Memories taken from me at birth begin to flash before my eyes. One after another, they roll in like a film. They’re soon moving faster, a blur of images sliding into sections of my brain, finding their chronological order. Millions of images flicker back and forth at lightning speed.
Eventually he lifts his hand but otherwise doesn’t move. The room is dead silent, but my mind is far from calm. It’s feverishly processing all the imagery and associated information from my past.