Chapter 4
The two lovers sat in silence for several long minutes. The angel wanted so badly to ask the young man seated beside him what he was thinking, but something held him back. Perhaps he was afraid of the answer the boy might give. Yes, Nasir had sworn his heart to him, but that had been before Michael's visit and ominous warning. Agronael knew his own heart, he would be willing to face anything as long as he had Nasir by his side. Their love would give him strength and courage, and he would confront all the warriors of Heaven to stay with his human. But did Nasir still feel the same? Agronael was silent, he would not influence Nasir in any way. He needed his love to come to his decision on his own, afterall, free will was the most important gift given to mankind by Heavenly Father, and even though Agronael was about to rebel in a very serious way, he did still believe in that.
Nasir on the other hand wished for nothing more than to have Agronael help him decide what to do. He had no desire to send his angel from his side, of that much he was certain. Whatever they did from here, it would be together. But would he stay here in this place, banking on the slim hope that Agronael could defeat his brothers in combat, or would they flee, condemning themselves to a life of constant running and hiding from something they could never really hope to outrun? And even if Agronael was able to best the ones sent after them, who was to say it would end there? Would not the Almighty only send more, or would he simply reach down and destroy them with his own hand if they proved too troublesome? It would appear that either way they were doomed.
"You are certain you do not wish to heed your brother's warning, and break from one another? I would not blame you if you did. It would pain me, yet I would under-"
"Never," Agronael broke in. "You are my life, without you there is no point to another day on this Earth, or in Heaven. I would not spend eternity with a broken heart. Unless you wish it so. If you asked me to leave you in peace in this moment, I would do so without a second thought. For you Nasir, I would gladly suffer a thousand broken hearts, or face a thousand swords. The choice must be yours my love, for I will honor any decision you come to."
"Oh my angel, my love, I could never send you from me. You are the breath within my lungs, and the blood within my veins. I am bound to you, now and for always. We will stay, perhaps your brother is wrong, and your Father will not wish to punish you. Perhaps he will see that there is no greater thing to fight for than love, and will allow us to have ours."
Agronael looked at Nasir and projected a hopeful countenance. He prayed it fooled Nasir, because the young man simply could not understand. If Michael had come to see him, it meant that their fate was already sealed. The time they had left would not be wasted, and Agronael would spend every minute of it making sure that Nasir knew he was loved and cherished.
The time was soon upon the men to speak with Nasir's parents, Samira and Darek. Agronael had never been so unsure of himself in all his existence. No matter how Nasir tried to reassure him, the angel worried that they would find him unworthy of their son. The truth was he did feel unworthy, he of the hands stained with the blood of mortals. After having met Nasir, and loving him, Agronael could now see worth in every living person, and he regretted very much the times he had been forced to take human life. All his worries were for naught, because when he finally did come face to face with Nasir's parents, he loved them on sight, and they him. Samira was overjoyed, because while she knew it was her youngest son's duty to stay and care for them as they grew older, she had often worried for him. It had pained her greatly to think her son would always be alone after their death, having missed out on the opportunity to find a match. But this Agronael was a Godsend it seemed. He was beautiful, and she could see why her boy was so taken with him. Darek and she welcomed Agronael into their home with open arms. It did not matter to them that theirs was an unconventional match, for it was rare indeed to find a pair of men living together as spouses. What mattered was that Agronael made Nasir happy.
Months passed, and no sign of heavenly retribution came. Each day Agronael woke beside Nasir, the smaller man's body fitting perfectly into the curve of his Agronael's larger one. Nasir still took the goats to graze upon the hill, while Agronael took to making repairs to the small home they shared with Samira and Darek. He had already added on a whole other room, the one he and Nasir now shared. The roof that had leaked when it rained had been fixed by the angel as well. At lunch time everyday, he made the short trek up the hill to eat with his beloved, to talk and laugh together, to kiss and taste the wine one another's lips. At night they retired to their room, and took to each other's arms as though each time were the first time. Agronael knew he would never tire of Nasir, would never stop wanting and needing the body pressed against his, and would never get enough of the pure bliss he experienced when he moved inside Nasir. It would seem they had everything they could possibly ask for.
Almost a year had come and gone, and the time to pay the annual taxes was fast approaching. The previous year, Nasir and Dastan had gone together, taking with them the five goats that were required of them. This year however, Dastan would need to stay close to him: his wife was with child, and would deliver soon. Nasir and Agronael would go together, the journey would take just over two weeks to complete. They were both excited because it was the first time they would be truly alone. Granted, they would have to sleep out under the stars instead of in a warm bed. But for two so newly in love, it would be a more than welcome experience. Agronael had never traveled this way before, on foot, and he never imagined it would take so long, but he and Nasir enjoyed every moment of it.
Two weeks after first setting out, they were within sight of the tiny village they called home. As wonderful as their little respite had been, they both missed their room, and their bed. Nasir also missed his family, and was anxious to find out if Dastan's child had been born yet. He tugged Agronael by the hand, urging him along. The angel smiled and quickened his pace, feeling the love for his little man swelling inside him. Nasir's devotion to his family was one of the things that made him so irresistable to Agronael. He could not help but stare at the wide smile on his lover's face, the light in his golden eyes.
Agronael came to an abrupt stop as they reached the path that led to their tiny hut. His angel senses tingling, everything in him screaming danger! His eyes glazed over as he reached out mentally, searching for the hidden menace. Nasir's easy conversation died in his throat as he noticed Agronael standing stock still in the middle of the path. He turned to face his angel, the worry evident in his eyes. "Agronael, my heart, what troubles you? Agronael, what is it?" He took a few steps back towards his lover, and grabbed him by the arms, shaking him. "Agronael, answer me! Are you all right?"
Suddenly the angel's eyes cleared, the glazed look giving way to one of pure pain and heartbreak. He turned that hurt filled gaze toward his human, and swallowed hard. "Nasir," he managed to choke out, and in that instant, Nasir knew. He understood exactly what Agronael meant to say, but could not. Amber-colored eyes widened in horror, and he began to shake his head back and forth. "No..." he breathed out. "No, no, no, no, no!" He couldn't catch his breath, he lungs were on fire. No, he must be mistaken, that was it. Agronael was wrong, it could happen. He turned, dropping his carry bag, and ran down the path and towards their home. He was halfway there when Agronael felt sense returning to his body, and sprinted after him, catching him by the arm and pulling him back.
Nasir felt strong arms, encircling his body, holding fast to him. He strained against that iron grip, felt himself being lifted bodily from the ground. He kicked backwards with his feet, bent his head forward and sank his teeth into the flesh of Agronael's arm. He tasted something metallic in his mouth and knew he had drawn blood. "Let me go, damn you! I have to see Agronael. Let me go!" he railed. Agronael paid him no heed, only continued to hold the fighting and struggling boy off his feet, until he regained some measure of calm. "Please, Agronael, " he begged. "Please, I must go to them." His voice was low and quiet, but so full of pain, that Agronael relented.
"We will go to them together. They are my family as well, Nasir. I would know what occurred here. I owe them and you that much." Nasir nodded silently. Agronael took his lover by the hand, and together they walked toward the small shack, terrified of what they might find.
Agronael could smell the blood as he stepped through the doorway. It assaulted his nostrils, making it difficult to draw breath. Table and chairs lay smashed upon the dirt floor, and no sound sounds could be heard from within. Nasir pulled his hand from the angel's, and called out, "Mama? Baba?"as he moved further into the room. He found a candle on the floor and looked about for a flint with which to light it. Agronael moved to take it from him, "Allow me, Nasir." Reluctantly Nasir let Agroanel illuminate the small room.
There, in the corner of the room, Nasir found the ones he was searching for. His mother, his father, and brother. He ran to them, fell to his knees before their bodies. "Mama, Baba, please, answer me. No, no, no, please, I beg you, open your eyes and see me!" He was desperate, grasping at his father's robe, rocking back and forth as the tears streamed from his eyes. "Brother, Dastan, no, oh my dear brother..." He knelt further down and cradled Dastan's head in his lap, staining his clothes with the blood of his family. Agronael laid his hand upon Dastan's chest, and feel an almost imperceptible rise and fall there. "Nasir," he gasped, "he yet draws breath. Dastan... Dastan, wake please. It's Nasir and myself."
Dastan slowly began to come back to consciousness. His eyelids fluttered softly, and he blinked several times, trying to clear the blood from his vision. Nasir took the edges of his tunic and wiped at Dastan's face gently, all the while whispering, "I am here brother. It is Nasir, please tell me, what happened? Who did this to you?"
Dastan swallowed, and opened his mouth to speak. His words could barely be heard, and Nasir and Agronael had to lean very close. "There were two of them, fierce and terrifying... they told us we could be left in peace if we told them... where you were." He glanced up at the angel. "Why..." he began, but had to stop as he began to cough, blood trickling from his mouth. "Why did they want you?" Agronael just shook his head, guilt clouding his gaze. "Mama and Baba demanded they leave, Baba even pulled his dagger... They were so fast, and strong. I tried to stop them, to fight them, but I could not." Every word was a struggle for the young man, his breathing becoming more ragged and labored.
"Shhh, do not speak Dastan. Save your strength," said Agronael. A weak laugh escaped Dastan's lips. "It does not matter anymore, I am not long for this world. They left message for you Agronael. He said to tell you, 'Father is displeased. You cannot hide any longer..,' " Nasir's face paled, and his eyes darted to Agronael. "We are the cause of this? My parents, my brother, because of us?"
"Nasir, you must go... flee this place brother. Save yourselves..." Dastan began to shudder violently, his breath coming in tiny gasps, until it ceased completely. Nasir clutched his dead brother, his dearest friend, to him tightly. Hot tears fell over Dastan's handsome face, now forever marred by gashes and bruises that would never heal. From somewhere far away, he heard a keening sound in his ears, a constant wail, and it took some time to realize that anguished intonation came from himself. Agronael was gripping his shoulders tightly, shaking him, calling out for him. "Nasir, my heart! Nasir, please, my love."
"No!" he yelled out, shrugging out of his angel's grip. "They are gone because of us, because of me! I should have died in their place. Would that I could reverse the sun, and that I had been here when your brothers came. I would have gladly given my life, for theirs..." Nasir was sobbing uncontrollably now. Agronael could feel his heart shattering for his little man. This was not divine justice, it was the slaughtering of innocents. He reached out to try and take his lover into his arms, but Nasir lay Dastan's body down, and stood abruptly. "Do not lay hand upon me, I do not deserve your soft words, or comforting touch. I stand a fool..."
Agronael was crying, his heart just as broken as his lover's. These people had been his family too, he had loved them and they him. If anything, he was the cause of their death and of Nasir's suffering. "What would you have from me? How can I help you, Nasir, if you will not let me love you?"
"Do not let them have died for nothing. Teach me to fight back, I would wound them as badly as they have wounded me," Nasir spat out. "They took everything from me, and I would take something from them."
Agronael swallowed the lump in his throat. If this was the only way he could help Nasir he would. He did not know when the time would come again that Nasir would want and need his touch, but until then, he would be patient. He would be teacher, friend, mentor, whatever his little man needed of him. "There is but one way. You will need weapon that is capable of causing injury to one such as myself. Blade must be annointed with the blood of an angel, willingly given."
Nasir's eyes grew wide, and undertanding dawned there. "No, Agronael. That is too much to ask."
"Do not worry, little man. I will not stab too deeply. Just enough for blood to spill and for you to wash your father's dagger in it. Quickly now, pick it up."
Nasir did as he was told, but with such fear and sadness in his eyes. It warmed Agronael, for he understood that this meant Nasir still held love for him, and would return to him if given enough time. But now, this was what his beautiful human needed to do to heal, and the angel would give it to him. He reached for weapon tied to his belt, and pulled it free. As he held the sword aloft, it shone brightly, lighting up, blue fire dancing along the blade. Agronael pointed it at his chest, to a spot just above his heart. Green eyes turned hard, fortifying himself against the pain, and in one swift movement, he plunged the sword into his own body. A small sound escaped his lips, and for a moment he remained still. Slowly, he slid the blade out, and silver blood began to flow from the wound. Nasir was frozen, rooted to the spot, staring at Agronael in horror over what he had made the angel do to himself. "Hurry now, bring the blade forth. Dip it in my blood. Now Nasir!"
When Nasir still did not comply, Agronael took two large strides and grasped the young man by both hands, and pulled the knife close to his chest. Nasir tried to pull away but Agronael did not allow it. He smeared the blade in the shining, silver substance, coating it thoroughly. He let Nasir's hands fall from his, and they both watched as the angel's blood glowed brilliantly for a moment, making the dagger hot to the touch, and then it disappeared. The blood had served it's purpose, the dagger had absorbed all its energy. Nasir tore a piece of his tunic off, and pressed it to the angel's wound, trying to staunch the flow of blood. Agronael reached down and placed hand upon Nasir's chin, raising it so their eyes could meet. The boy flinched from the touch, but did not pull away. "I will be fine, the wound will close soon. What shall we do for your family?"
A short time later, the angel and the human walked down the path, the hut in flames behind them. Nasir had said goodbye to his family. With Agronael's help, they were laid side by side, and the lit candles were thrown in, setting the entire place ablaze. Agronael's cut had stopped bleeding, but he was still weak. He wanted so much to hold Nasir, kiss his tear stained cheeks, but the young man would not tolerate it. He was punishing himself, this the angel understood. Understanding it did not make it hurt him any less, however. For now though, they must get as far away from here as possible. Agronael's brothers might return soon to look for only thing that eased the angel's mind was that they were not the only ones being hunted. There were two hundred Watchers, and most likely only four had been dispatched to find them. Michael, Uriel, Raphael, and Gabriel. They had a chance, albeit a small one. There was time in which to teach Nasir how to fight, how to use his smaller size and quickness to his advantage against the angels. They would run, and fight when they had to, for as long as they could. Agronael wanted to pray that Nasir would soon come to his senses, and accept the angel's love once more, except he knew that this time, there would be no one listening.
