~O~

In Sickness

The downpour struck Westmarch so suddenly. It was as if the very heavens wept.

Hadar closed her eyes, searching the streets.

She found a shape lying beneat some trees and pulled them aside, only to find Imperius laying there, his eyes closed and sunken. It was as if he hadn't slept.

Hadar looked over her shoulder. "He's over here!" she yelled.

Imperius was shivering.

"Hold on..." Hadar said, carefully. "We'll get you home."

Eirena was shocked as Hadar and the others worked to get him into a wagon. "Even after all Valor has done to your daughter, you would still let him into your home?"

"We can care for him now," Hadar told her, "Explanations can come later."

The way she spoke it; it was calm, but firm. Eirena didn't want to argue with her any further. She could see Myriam Jahzia making her way over to them and the woman placed a hand against Imperius' chest. She closed her eyes briefly before opening them, her gaze filled with sadness.

"His soul is twisted inside..." she said, "He has been through so much."

Lyndon scoffed. "You haven't seen what he did to the girl."

"I did. But there is reason for it." Myriam told him. "A darkness clouds his heart, but it will pass. I see this and know it. While there is never a reason to harm an innocent woman, I know that it was cause of his conflict."

"We need to hurry back." Tyrael told her.

Myriam nodded her head. "He is ill. Take him home and care for him. The rest will fall together in time."

They returned to the farm later that morning, carrying Imperius inside. Hadar urged them to remove his wet clothing and armor before setting him by the fire. Though they were hesitant, Imperius offered no argument and no words. He simply stared straight ahead, shivering as Hadar placed blankets over him.

He simply laid down by the fire and said nothing more. The dog joined him, lying down by his side to keep him warm. Hadar knelt down and felt his head. It was warm.

"He's ill," she said. "I'll need to keep him warm and bring his fever down. Lyndon. Bring me some water from the well. That should help."

Lyndon sighed, rolling his eyes. "Why should I? I watched him beat Thalia!"

Hadar frowned intensely. She leaned forward, speaking to Imperius at the lowest possible tone, just enough for him to hear. Her eyes hardened.

"That will not happen again," she said, "Ever. If you think to lay your hands on my daughter in that way a second time, there will be no forgiveness, understood? Mighty as you are, there will be no chance against all of them at once. Including the Nephilim."

Imperius didn't respond. He merely stared ahead, his gaze seemingly lost.

"All right. Eirena, if you have any potions you could spare, by all means, let me know..."

O

As they day went by, Imperius refused to move from the spot they had left him.

Tyrael had gathered a few more furs for him, but watched his brother sadly. It was so strange that the most powerful of angels had fallen so quickly.

Thalia had refused to offer any form of aid, and did not allow Maya to even go near him.

"Come now, Imperius..." he said, gently. "This broth should help you."

He had a bowl in his hands of the soup in question.

Imperius stirred, if only a little.

"You can't undo what's happened, brother," Tyrael told him, "Such an act won't easily be forgotten. But you can make up for it. If you were just to try."

Imperius did not respond.

Thalia entered the house and noticed the situation. She pursed her lips and Tyrael beckoned to her. When she shook her head, he gave her a pleading look.

"Please, Thalia..." he said. "He's my brother."

Thalia looked away.

"I know what I ask is great, but help him." Tyrael pleaded softly, "Help him see. Help him heal. He will listen to no one else."

"And you think he would listen to me?!"

"You don't know until you try. Please."

Thalia glared at him, but the pleading stare melted the cold chill that had doused her heart. She took the bowl and knelt down in front of Imperius. He didn't acknowledge her.

"Imperius, you need to eat this broth." Thalia snapped, her cold tone making Tyrael cringe a little. "Eirena had it infused with magical herbs that will help."

Imperius didn't look up.

Thalia scowled and grabbed his lower jaw, forcing him to look up at her. "Damn it all, just listen when someone's trying to help you!"

Imperius' eyes flickered a little, some manner of life returning to him.

"Good." Thalia scoffed. "I assume you have your pride and you won't want me burdening you. So take the spoon and eat."

Imperius slowly reached out with one hand and grasped it. Thalia did nothing further, stood up and walked away. Imperius watched her go, his features twisting with a mild glimmer of fury before he started to slowly slurp up the soup.

O

That night, Maya had sat down beside the angel while he laid there and started talking to him.

"Aunt Thalia won't tell me what you did, but it must have been bad." she said, "I hope you can get better soon. I'm sorry about what happened."

Thalia stepped into the room and gestured to Maya. She limped a little, but no longer needed the walking stick as Eirena's potion had done quite well in recovering her wound.

"Time for bed. Get washed up." she told the child.

Maya sighed and patted Imperius' head. "Goodnight Imperius."

Thalia ushered her away before she looked down at the angel resting by the fire. The dog had refused to move all day and slept beside him.

The humanity in her wanted to offer comfort in some way.

But after what he had done...

Thalia looked over, hearing her mother utter a few curses in her native tongue. Hadar had dropped a few things and Thalia moved to her to offer help.

"What is this?" she asked, picking up a small washcloth. It looked old.

"It's a few things I found in a chest." Hadar said. "I was going through some old things and found the blanket your father made for you."

Thalia looked surprised and picked it up. It was still old, the patchwork worn and decorated with the symbols of Hadar's family.

"His skill with the needle wasn't precise," Hadar mused, laughing gently, "But it was a gift and I loved it so." Her smile disappeared. "I suppose when he died, I wanted to hide away anything having to do with him. Because I didn't want to forgive what had been done. I just wanted to lock it away and never be reminded of the love and wonders he showed me."

Thalia frowned skeptically. "What are you saying, mother?"

"Forgiveness is hard. But sometimes all it takes is a single moment to remind us when we need to let go and move on." Hadar told her.

Thalia closed her eyes, letting out an annoyed sigh. "Mother..."

"I don't condone what he's done." Hadar told her sternly. "But if we cannot forgive and choose to hold onto terrible grudges, how are we any better?"

Thalia grumbled. "I hate when you use that against me, mother..."

Hadar smiled a little. "I know."

"So what am I supposed to do?"

Hadar offered a few more blankets. "Keep him warm."

Thalia snorted in disbelief and watched as her mother walked away. What was she supposed to do?

She looked back toward Imperius and sighed, walking over to him. The dog lifted its head and let out a small whine as Thalia placed a few blankets around the angel. She sat down beside him and uttered an annoyed sigh.

"This is ridiculous..." she muttered.

Imperius glanced up at her.

Thalia rolled her eyes and laid down beside him. The floor was cold and she uttered a curse.

"It's no wonder you're shivering. This damnable floor." she added.

Imperius sighed, finally speaking. "You can leave. I will not stop you."

His throat sounded raw, as if he had spent days screaming. Thalia looked over her shoulder at him, rolling her eyes at his words.

"It speaks." she muttered. "At the cost of having his pride wounded, I imagine."

Imperius snorted. "Spare me..."

Thalia rolled over so that she faced him. He looked weary, but that was due to his physical sickness. She scowled, but didn't even have the energy to argue either.

"Your wounds have healed..." Imperius pointed out.

Thalia reached up and touched her bruised lip. "For the most part."

He moved a little and she shifted back. It was a quick, cautious gesture that he noted and began to understand. Silly, impudent girl. That just proved his harlot accusation from before to be incorrect.

Imperius closed his eyes. "Don't be concerned with laying by me. I am not human. I do not live by base instinct and I do not wield a weapon between my legs."

Thalia blushed a little. "Maybe I don't care if you need comfort."

"Maybe you're lying."

Thalia sighed. "I don't want to argue with you. You're sick. I'm tired. Actually, to put a firmer note on it, I suppose I'm a little of both."

"Then sleep."

Thalia arched an eyebrow. "With you?"

"Yes. I care little if you do or otherwise."

Thalia gathered the blankets and wrapped herself into them, staring at the archangel defiantly. Imperius didn't offer words to that and merely closed his eyes.

The two were silent for a while until Thalia spoke. "Imperius."

"What?"

"I know it may not be appropriate, but... what I said..." Thalia began, weakly. "I suppose I was drunk and I never knew how uncomfortable it would make you."

Imperius opened his eyes and stared at her strangely. "You think I was uncomfortable?"

"Well, I can't understand what else it could be."

"You are slathering, half-demon filth. Most of your kind do not profess love for me. In truth, none have said anything of the kind. Ever."

"I confused you, then."

"...Perhaps."

Thalia grimaced a little. "There are strong feelings for you there, that much is certain. Though I can't tell if it's hatred, disgust or anger. Sometimes with humans, it can be difficult."

Imperius murmured thoughtfully. "I suppose that is true."

Thalia managed a small smile. "See? We're agreeing on something."

He rolled his eyes.

"I suppose...I should also confess that I did dream of you..." Thalia said, embarrassed. Her face was red. "Gods, that sounds so horrible."

Imperius made a face. "It would seem that debauchery knows no bounds in your bloodline..."

Thalia couldn't help but laugh at his expression. "Are you furious?"

"Why would I be? Dreams are uncontrollable impulses of your kind. I expect no more from humanity's wretched mind. We do not dream."

"You're mortal. I'm sure you have."

"...I did only a few moments as I slept."

Talking like this was actually pleasant, as long as Thalia was being honest with herself. He wasn't yelling, but that must have been due to his sickness.

"You may fall ill as well." he pointed out.

Thalia shrugged. "Don't be so certain. I've been with Maya through every illness known to mankind. I've probably gained immunity due to my constant exposure."

Imperius sighed and closed his eyes. "I may never return to the High Heavens."

"Why?"

"I...simply cannot find myself feeling anything for your kind but contempt."

"Are you sure? I'm certain you can find some manner of common ground with us."

"I don't know about that."

"Nothing at all then?"

He sighed, but didn't answer.

"Just get some rest." Thalia said, gently. "We can talk more about it tomorrow."

"I thought I was no longer welcome here."

"Mother changed my mind, I suppose."

She closed her eyes and wrapped herself tighter into the blankets. Imperius stared at her silently, but decided sleep was better for the moment.

He closed his eyes and exhaled.

"A fair warning that I will not be awoken by any lecherous dreams you may have tonight."

Thalia opened one eye at him before giggling, trying to hide it beneath the blankets.