"You're sure brother,today will be the day?"Michael asked, Ciel knew he was hurting and wished he could have done something to ease the pain.
"Yes, I've watched Vincent and Rachel closely and I've grown very fond of them. When she cried, I wanted to be a comfort to her and the best way to do with is to give her her request. Both seem as if they would be good parents. They deserve happiness and I only wish I had it within my power to change their fate."
"I understand, but you know our rules, we cannot intervene in the death of humans unless it is a special circumstance. You will be giving them a great gift."
"You've been telling me that. I'm not so sure. Thank you Michael, for choosing so carefully."
"I would not hand you to just anyone Ciel. I raised you and you are precious to me, I know that once your grace and wings are taken, you will not remember me. It pains me more than you know. I love you Ciel, and until the day comes, I hope you remember that." Ciel hugged the older angel tightly.
"I love you too brother, even when I leave our home for the last time, you will remember all of this. I will always love you and it's my hope that one day I may look back on life as an angel and know that I had a brother whose love was so strong,he would never allow me to simply be thrown into the world without first taking the time to find a wonderful family for me." Michael fought back tears as he held his brother.
"Even as a demon's mate, you will always be my brother Ciel. My love will follow you,you will never be alone."
"Thank you for all you've sacrificed for me Michael, I regret that my memories of you will fade."
"I do as well." They parted and wiped away their tears.
"I suppose we must contact the beasts and give your answer." Ciel nodded. This time they wouldn't be returning to the field, they found themselves in a isolated island of rocks and surrounded by silence. After summoning the demons, it took a short time for them to appear. This time. A female accompanied them, her hair was dark and her eyes were kind. Her long, slender fingers were folded in front of her and as they approached Ciel could hear the swishing should it made brushing over the ground. They stopped several steps away from the angels.
"Warmest greetings to you both Angels, my name is Rhiannon,I am mate to the devil, mother to Mordred and Sebastian Michaelis as well as Queen of Hell. My family acknowledges the sacrifice you are about to make. It is cause for great sorrow and joy. As one existence fades to give way to another. We honor whatever choice you have made and I know it wasn't easy by any means." Her voice was strong and filled with confidence and yet it was loving and kind.
"As is tradition, the princes will speak to you one more time, please accept our apologies for the way the courting turned out, truly Mordred and Sebastian were raised better and were instructed to show more respect." She added bowing her head.
"Rhiannon, you have no reason to apologize, you have done nothing wrong." The devil turned to her.
"I am their mother, I brought my children into the world and I vowed to stand at your side always, however when you and our sons behave terribly, it is the least I can do to attempt to make it right."
"Mother, I simply explained what was to be expected of the future king's mate." Mordred growled.
"By demanding demonlings and no doubt placing emphasis on your abilities to take the throne from your father, this experience was meant to be about compatibility and the ability to love. I am disappointed with your behavior as well as your brother's and father's." The devil and his sons knelt down.
"our most sincere apologies to you all." They said in unison. Ciel could see immediately that she was the one that kept the family in line.
"Now then, before you announce your decision, I will ask that you hear my eldest son." Ciel nodded.
"Mordred, you may begin." She said.
"Greetings to you chosen one. You and I have not been on good terms with each other, however, should you come to me as my mate, you and I will be bonded together and begin our eternity. I will be at your side in your human years. You will be looked after until the day and can truly claim you. You and I will be a force to be feared and nothing will stand in our way."
"is that all I am to you, a way to gain power?" Ciel asked.
"Of course not, I am certain that you and I will grow to -"
"Enough Mordred." The Queen interrupted. "Sebastian, please speak to him."
"Certainly. Hello again precious angel, I know that you and I hardly know each other however if you would permit me, I would very much like to take the opportunity to give you the words in my heart." Ciel nodded and listened with interest to the demon's words.
"Ciel, I wish only happiness and peace for you. In the short time we spent together, I have never known this feeling. I go through my life and I realize this world can show me nothing new, but now, I see before me the most beautiful eternity imaginable. With you beside me, I have something much more important than anything. You bring out the best in me and you have my heart. Everything I am and will be, I will be because of you. I would consider it an honor to hold such an amazing being and know that you and I belong together. I will never build a wall around you, you are not my prisoner. I know what a prince is meant to be, however, to be a mate is something that we must learn together. If you do decide to have demonlings, it will only be out of love and I do not require that from you. The choice is yours and you have my word that I will always put you first. Please understand that I too am a possessive creature who would not want to let go. I would fight for you Ciel. I will die for you without hesitation. I want to build a life for you Ciel, never have I wanted to care for someone as I would care for you." Ciel knew Sebastian was telling the truth, he had felt a connection to the demon as well. He couldn't be happy at the moment, this would be the last time he would see Michael, hug him and tell him that he loved him.
"Angel Ciel, do you have a decision?" The devil asked. Ciel turned to Michael who nodded.
"I do." He said sadly.
"Two princes kneel before you,both want you as a mate and only one will succeed. Have you chosen Mordred or Sebastian?" Ciel took a moment,knowing his brother's reaction would be one of pain."
"Sebastian, I choose you." Sebastian's heart was breaking, His Ciel was unhappy."
"You are now allowed to go to him freely my son." Rhiannon said. Sebastian stood up and walked slowly toward him again kneeling. He held his arms out to him and Ciel took the invitation.
"I know that this is difficult for you Ciel. I see the pain in your eyes. You will miss him, and he will feel the loss. I cannot undo the arrangement."
"I know, I don't expect you to." Ciel replied. " You've already given me so much."
"allow me to give you another gift, as a sign of my love for you."
"What else can you give?" Sebastian wiped away Ciel's tears with his thumb.
"Today my beautiful Ciel, you will return home with Michael, and there you will remain for the maximum amount of time allowed, two years. When that time has passed, you must become human and I will have to take your grace. When your time on earth ends, I shall be waiting for you and on that day, I shall take you to my castle far away to be at my side." Ciel and Michael were both in shock.
"But Sebastian, are you not meant to take it instantly?"
"Ciel, you are not ready to leave it behind and I love you so much. It will be difficult to wait for you this long but if you recall our conversation about the flowers, you will understand." Michael was grateful to the demon and smiled sadly.
"Thank you for understanding Sebastian. I can't tell you how much this means to us." Ciel said.
"My darling Ciel, you are worth waiting for."
