Chapter 38

I am posting the last three chapters all at once…C38, 39, and series finale C40. Won't be making any comments in between. See you at the end of the novel!

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Warren was curious and would be bold. With the galaxy safe for hopefully thousands of years and Ettwanae's questions about the Esha'Aru answered, he wanted to know more. Etxan'Ir had given permission to ask questions, and that was exactly what he'd do. Glancing around, he wished the Sentinel had a face or an avatar.

"Ta'uii, I have a question – questions, actually. In fact, it's more of a request to tell a story of history. Will you indulge me?"

Curiosity crossed Ettwanae's face. Phai and Taer's eyes were also upon him.

"Speak your request."

"I'd like to know more about the history of Ozshi'wanae, Norzra'tir, the U'larr, Esha'Aru, and Eilu, and how things got so bad between all of them."

Phai seemed pleased as she nodded. "Many details were lost to us after the last Dark Coming. Filling in missing knowledge or correcting misinformation would be very welcomed, Sentinel."

"That story is long if you wish all the details."

"The abridged version?" Warren suggested, knowing everyone was anxious to rejoin those on the other side of the portal.

"I will comply."

"Would you also broadcast that information to others waiting outside?" At Ettwanae's questioning tilt of head, he added. "It will be much easier than us repeating the story several times. Ta'uii, if you would limit that transmission to the Esha'Aru and U'larr ships, it may be wise."

"It shall be done." After a short pause, Ta'uii continued. "To all who listen, hear the story of the Creators as it is a story of Gods and Demigods, of favored ones and the fallen."

Warren grinned. The planet-sized machine had a flare for the dramatic.

###

On Volu, Bae, Uulophar, and Hetruas, the powerful signal burst through communication systems, defying all security measures as if nonexistent.

Unknown to those present at Atmos Prime, U'larr ships and Eshaar'ne across the galaxy also received the unexpected broadcast.

"Do not be afraid. Esha'Aru Warren has requested you hear the following."

Then, the story began.

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"In the beginning, it was only God. There was no light, no dark, no time or space. God was all. God grew weary of aloneness and begot Dark and named the creation Norza'tir. God gave Norza'tir gender and called it male.

"Norza'tir eventually became restless and bitter in his separateness. He decried his state and demanded a companion. God granted Norza'tir the ability to divide once and commanded it to be a complementary opposite, yet equal. Thus, the Demigod begat his companion, Light, called his split-apart female and her name was Ozshi'wanae.

"slowly, God favored Light as she was unlike of her begetter and without selfishness or bitterness. God blessed Ozshi'wanae with life-creating ability as reward for her nurturing ways. Ozshi'wanae created a universe and the galaxies within. The power of her Light birthed new life, and the U'larr amongst others emerged across our universe. She blessed her Favored Ones with Ura – lifewill – thus giving them sentiency and the ability to chose. Yet Ozshi'wanae's creations were not perfect and only nearly immortal. nor were they demigods…a limitation God had placed upon his life-giving gift.

"Norza'tir grew jealous of the power given Ozshi'wanae and threatened to destroy all she created unless she chose to change to his form and become Dark. She refused. Fearing destruction of her creation, Ozshi'wanae sealed the universe within a dimensional realm of her own formation…a place she believed Norza'tir could not reach as it was of Ozshi'wanae and not of him.

"Unfortunately, she was wrong. Norzra'tir found a weakness through the singularity at the heart of Ozshi'wanae's galaxies. Her err was a first for the goddess. That wrongness permeated all she begot, giving rise to what is since been considered aberrant behavior."

'Original sin?' Warren wondered silently. He had immediately begun correlating the story to what he remembered of Earth's religions, Christianity included. Ta'uii's tale sounded familiar on many points, but with twists. 'Fascinating.'

"To appease its difficult offspring, God granted Norzra'tir limited life-creation abilities, but they were not as powerful or fruitful as Ozshi'wanae's. However, he discovered that through those creations, he could breach the dimensional bubble around Ozshi'wanae's universe and send emissaries of Dark, but as creatures of darkness, they were severely limited within the realm of light. Then they encountered the U'larr's first created companions – the Eilu."

Warren jerked in surprise, and quickly looked to the U'larr. Equal shock. No one bothered voicing their reaction knowing the Sentinel would detect it.

"The Eilu were indeed the U'larr's first companion species. They originally sat in the seats Esha'Aru now occupy within the Etxan. Eilu were knowledge gatherers and performed those functions for many thousands of U'larr Unified Years. Until Norzra'tir's minions tempted them, found their weakness in desiring to be more powerful, more godlike…immortal. They fell and passed through the barrier to reside with Norzra'tir in darkness. As beings of both realms, they are able to breach the barrier when it becomes weak and are able to operate effectively."

Warren glanced around – everyone was mesmerized. "Can they only come through when the barrier is weakest? Like it just was? Not other times?"

"That is correct. After the fall of the Eilu, the U'larr created Esha'Aru and modified the Nexus to accept them as keys. They designed safeguards to ensure the Eilu could not wrest control of the Nexus to aid Norzra'tir. during the Dark Coming that destroyed U'larr civilization, some Eilu passed through only to become trapped once the barrier was strengthened."

Emboldened, Warren asked for another explanation. "Why does Norzra'tir continue trying to destroy us?"

"I am but a Sentinel and not privy to the ways and whys of god and demigods. Only they know what is between them, and only God knows why God tolerates the behavior."

Phai frowned. "Sentinel Ta'uii, we had often puzzled about the Nexus being much older than the Esha'Aru, yet it clearly was designed to be operated by two different species. The old U'larr texts we uncovered only hinted at a possible, earlier companion species, but that was all. Why would the story of the Eilu be suppressed?"

"U'larr Phai, while I was not given the answer to that query, I can speculate. The betrayal by the Eilu against the U'larr was that of a beloved child against devoted parents. I believe the Creators were deeply affected and chose to banish the Eilu not only from this dimension, but from memory."

A sudden thought came to Warren. "The Esha'Aru are so different in appearance from the Eilu that it's hard to believe they were created by the same people."

"The Eilu were beautiful before their fall as they were in the likeness of their creators. Darkness changed them."

Warren thought back to stories of the fall of Satan and all the correlations to the story he was hearing. 'Wonder if there's a connection?' But he'd not delve into that philosophical discussion. They had people waiting for their return.

"Do you know the donor species for my people?" Ettwanae glanced expectantly toward Warren with her question.

"I do not. The Creators held many things as sacred knowledge."

Disappointment crossed not only Ettwanae's features, but Phai and Taer's, as well. Warren could only guess as to why the Shozen were disappointed. Then a personal question came to mind.

"Ta'uii, I'm told I have no species marker. Can you explain how that's possible?"

"There are mysteries and forces at work in the universe that cannot be explained. Only the U'larr were without a marker – all of their creations were given one."

It was Warren's turn to be disappointed.

"I have not forgotten the rest of your request, Esha'Aru Ettwanae. You will find my knowledge of your people's history within your amulet's racial memory node. I am not omnipotent and only that which has been given me or gathered through sensors can I share. My time of limited awareness caused a gap in recent knowledge, but the data your amulet already contained combined with my deposit should answer many questions."

Ettwanae pulled the amulet from beneath her top and stared into its intricate beauty. "Thank you, Sentinel Ta'uii." Warren clearly saw her eyes mist over.

"Our time together has come to an end. I must return to standby mode. Know that I welcome any Esha'Aru who wish to continue their original purpose, but I also understand that we have entered a new age and covenant and that information gathering may no longer be the way of the Esha'Aru."

Déjà vu hit Warren. Covenant…

Ettwanae was blinking back tears, but determination ruled her expression. "We won't forget you, Ta'uii. If I have anything to say about it, we will make certain you have regular visitors."

"Then, Esha'Aru Ettwanae, I and Nexus Etxan'Ir look forward to our visitors." The room began to dim and the portal opened to reveal Atmos Prime's surface. "Be fruitful and multiply, U'larr and Esha'Aru – it is the command of our Goddess."

With that, Warren took Ettwanae's hand, gave a squeeze, and smiled as he led her toward those waiting outside.

###

In the hours that followed, the Ekkamm entourage was joyfully reunited, comms were sent to loved ones, physical healings continued, new destinations determined, and the Shozen basked in victory and relief.

On Uulophar's bridge, Phai watched the last of the vessels depart Atmos Prime. Realization came that for the first time in her adult life, she had no plan…nothing she must do. The woman who was a top general in a quiet, thousands-year-old war and pivotal in saving the galaxy was unnerved.

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"I want a do-over."

That earned him a curious, tilting-of-the-head gaze that never failed to bring a grin to his face.

"What's a do-over?"

Fond recollection flitted through memory of when Warren explained the concept to Ztar at the Canyons of Vadyss. "When you redo something that wasn't done right before. You perform it over again like it should have been in the first place."

They were cuddled on her bed aboard Volu, speeding toward Turzent space. Earth, Sat'rey, Alcab? They would decide in the morning.

Her chambers had immediately become their chambers without either having to voice it. Warren would not miss the cramped storage room he'd called his bedroom for months. Atmos Prime, the Dark Coming, and their mission were a full day behind. Victory was theirs. Goals accomplished…they were soulbound, he was free of the nannites, and other Esha'Aru had been located. That meant new decisions were needed – big decisions that could wait a while longer.

"What do you want to redo?" Ettwanae drew one of his hands up and kissed it. Oh, how she how loved him. They'd been soulbound for a single day, but it felt as though there was never a time they weren't. Was it that way for all Esha'Aru pairs? She believed it so.

Even her small affectionate gesture stirred his libido. The difference post-Atmos being they could follow those urges without fear, and Warren fully intended to take Ettwanae to bed as often as she desired. Their souls were bonded, and the sensation was joyful, essence-deep relief. The incessant drive to mate evaporated in the wake of that binding to be replaced by normal desires, such as those washing warmly over Warren at that moment.

"Our first time together."

She jerked up and twisted around to face him. "But why? It was wonderful! Our soulbinding was beyond anything I could imagine," she protested with puzzlement. How could he want to redo soulbinding?

"Wonderful, yes, as much as hurried, stressed-filled sex can be. What we did on Atmos was a means to an end. I want to make love for us…romantically and leisurely. I want to do our first time over again – how it should have been."

The tenderness and love in his eyes made her insides tingle. She cupped his cheek to draw a thumb across the sensual lips. "I think I'll like do-overs."

Her crystalline-blue eyes twinkled with mischief, and the grin across Warren's face couldn't have gotten wider without hurting something. "Oh, I know you're going to like this kind."

Then he enveloped his lover in an embrace, pulling her body tight to his, and sighed in contentment. She felt amazing in his arms…so very, very right nestled there. No other woman had come close to creating the sense of completeness flooding him.

"I love you," he murmured into the golden locks. "Forever."

"For always," she returned, kissing his neck. "Make love to me all night, my soulbound."

Warren was all too happy to obey. Sliding a hand to a wing base, he found the perfect point and kneaded gently. Her hitched breath and shudders delighted and fully awakened arousal.

Ettwanae moaned into his shoulder as delicious heat traced from wing base, to wing tip, to groin. Feathered limbs spread wide and forward to encase them in white softness. How many times had she imagined perfect moments like this? Kissing her way from shoulder, to jaw, to lips, she took his mouth and plunged in. She loved his kisses – powerful, yet gentle…dominant, yet submissive when she probed deep to taste hungrily. The feel of strong hands slowly working their way across her body, searching out the fasteners of her clothes, created quivers of anticipation from head to toe.

Warren tenderly escaped her mouth to place a kiss on the tip of the cute nose and each finely carved cheekbone. He locked eyes with hers – the pupils large and the blue darkened with growing passion. Then slowly, sensually, he released the invisible fasteners of her top – first the one in mid back below the wings, and then the two at her shoulders. With the cleverly-design garment undone, he slipped it from her body. His eyes went to her chest. The breasts were ample without being excessive. Perfect, he thought. Softly, slowly, he caressed one, then the other, sending more shivers through her lithe body and wings. A small, chaste kiss to waiting lips and it was her turn.

Ettwanae didn't need verbal prompts. His t-shirt as he called it was the next garment to be shed. While hers was designed for easy removal, his was trickier. Why he loved the style so much was a mystery. First, pull it up, then maneuver one arm, then the other out of the short sleeves; over the head, and then slide it off the wings carefully as to not harm a single pinion.

All the years she spent hiding her wings were over. He'd done likewise in his younger years. Such a sad thing self-preservation had demanded. No more, she vowed. They would find a safe place where wings could be free. But then enough thinking – only the simple and joyful pleasure of making love to her mate would she allow to occupy thoughts.

She nipped a collarbone, kissed the base of his throat, and ran fingers sensually up the strong arms and across his muscular chest to twirl around the nipples. His sharp inhale said she was doing good, as did the rising mound in his jeans. She'd get there, too, but unhurriedly.

Ettwanae's ministrations delighted the senses, and heat filled his groin. The rest of the clothes had to go, but that was part of the fun. Maneuvering so she was lying on her back on the incredibly soft bed, he burrowed his face into her silky hair, breathed deeply, and let their new reality sink in. His. She was his. He was hers. Finally. It was hard to believe, yet so easy to accept.

Kisses to her slender neck revealed her pounding heart. It pounded for him, speaking of many things, lust being but one. There was nothing he wouldn't do to protect her. No enemy he would not face. No threat he would not strike down for her sake.

Pulling back, he took her in. Lying beneath him with wings spread invitingly across the breadth of the bed, the sight stole breath. She was a goddess. An angel. Deep golden waves of hair spilled around her face like a halo, the azure blue eyes, delicately honed features, the radiantly white feathers almost luminous in the soft light – beauty no artist could fully capture. Yet as heart stopping as the physical beauty was, it was her loving and courageous spirit that imbued the splendor with richness and depth.

He sighed in relief yet again at the lack of Aru's harsh demands for compliance while he trailed a hand from her voluminous hair, to a smooth shoulder, across the firm breast, and down to the pants. Sitting more upright, he grasped the waistband with both hands as she helpfully raised her hips. Slowly, meticulously, he pulled the cloth down. Each newly revealed section of body he worshipped with tender kisses – the hipbones, her lower abdomen, tops of thighs down to the kneecaps, shins, ankles, and cute toes. She giggled and moaned all through his travels as growing heat radiated from entwined bodies.

When the pants were no longer a barrier, he came back up to her mouth for another long, lingering kiss. His head was swimming as he trembled with longings that felt so very, very good.

"I love you," he whispered. "I will always love you." He'd said those words before to other women, but realized with sudden clarity that they had been shallow, yet not a lie; he truly meant it when he'd spoken them. With Ettwanae, it was his soul speaking, not just his heart and head. 'This is what love is supposed to be, Worthington. And you finally found it.'

Fears rose up quickly that she would be stolen away – that the heavens were playing another cruel joke. The Worthington curse – would it come to roost yet again? If he lost Ettwanae, he would not survive. Could not go on. No doubt on that point. What he'd been told about Esha'Aru mates suddenly made complete sense…when one dies, sometimes the one left does not survive. Would that be them?

Then he shook himself mentally. 'Not the time for dire thoughts. Focus on the here and now.' And he willed himself away from worry.

Ettwanae sensed sudden tension in the body lying atop hers. Taking the handsome face in her hands, she studied him. "Warren?"

"I'm fine. Just a fleeting thought that this may all be too good to be real," he sugar-coated.

She locked eyes reassuringly and ran one hand through his blond crown. "It is real. I'm real. We're soulbounds. I will never, ever leave you."

'Bursting heart' was so cliché, but nothing better described the affect of her words. "That's all I needed to hear. I will never leave, either. You're stuck with me!" Her giggle tickled his insides.

She ruffled his hair vigorously. "Make love to me, you silly thing!"

He did…joyfully and deliriously happily so. And it was nothing like he'd ever experience. Sinking fingers between each other feathers, they sought out the pleasures super-sensitive erogenous zones could bestow. He nuzzled breast and she his smooth, firm chest. She massaged his nether regions with blistering effect, and he caressed moist recesses and brought her to the edge numerous times.

Back and forth, tit for tat, they stoked passion into a blazing inferno. Sensually evaporated into red-hot lust. They devoured one another until the room, Volu, and galaxy they helped saved no longer existed. Only each other and the need for physical affirmation of their love.

And when he finally sank into her depths, he nearly came instantly, but that would be cheating her, and so he held back with iron will. The reward was watching her writhe in ecstasy. His angel was in heaven, and he'd keep her there as along as he could.

He moving within her. Delirious sensation building, pulsating, climbing – it was nearly more than she could endure. Climax was so very close. She wanted to be consumed by it, yet never wanted the bliss to end. But then it became too unbearable to wait.

"W-warren, please – now!"

At her plea, his body responded automatically, quickening the pace of his thrusts. Without summons, the inner gateway to Source swung open, spilling its energy through his sensual filter to bathe them in golden light and rapture. He felt ethereal; without body, yet strung taut as if his body were vibrating to an unheard soprano note.

They fell headlong into the ecstasy and drowned in its blissful depths, never wanting to be rescued. In a sudden flashover; climax exploded…first, her cry, then his shattered the stillness as all-consuming release obliterated thought. Source magnified and extended orgasm until neither could draw breath and were lost to euphoria until slowly, gently it faded.

Warren collapsed atop Ettwanae, chest-to-chest, pounding heart against pounding heart. He pulled his arms around beneath her and snuggled into her neck and hair, loving how she smelled. Her hands came up around and anchored themselves on wing bases. Her wings beneath them; his cocooning them from above. He was still inside her; still connected so completely, so intimately. Perfect. Divine. Warren never imagined happiness that deep and absolute existed. Tears filled his eyes.

The two lovers lay silently in each other's arms as breathing and heart rate returned to normal, neither wishing to break the spell.

When he felt his voice had returned, Warren nuzzled her neck and spoke. "Ettwanae?"

"Yes, Warren?"

"Oh. My. God."

"Goddess."

"Goddess?"

"Oh. My. Goddess."

He snickered. "Right. On my goddess."

"Do you think it will be like that every time?"

"Not sure my heart can take that every night."

"You're being a bit presumptuous," she said poking him in the side. He jerked, but smiled at her mischievousness.

"Hey, we're soulbounds now – thought that came with the change of status." He got up on his elbows and to gaze into the blue orbs. "Unless you get a headache, of course."

She laughed. "We don't get headaches."

He tilted his head and smirked. "I was giving you an out. Sadly, you just passed it up."

"I don't need any outs, Warren Worthington the Third. I was puzzled that you want sex only at night."

He chuckled hard, extricated himself from her depths, and rolled to his side. They resettled wings, bodies, and limbs so she could tuck against him, head on his shoulder.

"Esha'Aru Ettwanae, any time you want to make love…morning, noon, or night…Warren Worthington the Third is ready to satisfy. Though I can see I was right all those weeks ago." He let the bait dangle.

She turned her head up to his. "Right about what?"

"You are wicked…wanting sex day and night."

"Mmmmm," she purred, snuggling in even closer. "If that means I'm wicked, then I think I'm going to be very, very evil!"

Warren sighed again in contentment. "Ettwanae, in case you have any doubts, you are simply the best."

"The best of? Best at?"

"Better than anyone…Ztar included. Just so you know. Just so you have no doubts. Okay?"

She squeezed him tightly, giggling softly. "Okay, but you have the advantage. You're the only lover I've ever had."

He kissed the top of her head. "That just makes you even more amazing."

Basking in the afterglow, Warren realized in addition to everything else they'd just experienced, making love to a fellow winged being satisfied as no other bedmate had. He understood Ettwanae's body, and she understood his. They were of like kind. Nothing could equal that. Ettwanae felt so incredibly right and natural and what he'd always been looking for without realizing. After searching most of his life, Warren had found his way home.

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Warren studied the alien before him. He was emperor. Former lover. Ally. But most of all, a true friend. And that friend was going to get married in less than an hour. Warren could read his friend's expressions with uncanny accuracy. The face spoke volumes – anticipation, joy, confidence, tenderness…but most of all, contentment.

The decision to go directly to Sat'rey from Commonwealth space was easy once Warren realized if they did, they could make the marriage ceremony….if Volu pushed her limits with no stops. No one aboard had objected at the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. They had arrived just in time. After a joyful welcome, Warren and Ztar stole a few minutes alone.

"My Archangel…and I want to call you that one last time. After today, you and I are truly in past – just as you wanted." Tears welled up in large, dark eyes, but the voice remained strong. "I've said it before, but today especially, I want you to know that I understand this day would never have happened without you." When Warren opened his mouth to speak, Ztar's hand shot up in a silence gesture. "If you are planning to again deny your role, don't. It would be disrespectful to your Emperor," he added with a twinkle in the misty eyes. "Allow me my small speech."

With the man's nod, Ztar moved in close, pulled the Human into his arms, and looked down into the crystalline-blue eyes of the man he would always love. "I was trapped in a private hell and desperate for escape, but couldn't find the way out. Then I found you – a gift from the gods. I know you hated me to the depths of your soul for a long time; still somehow, despite that, you showed me the power of compassion, self-sacrifice, and how to love enough to let go. And when you ultimately forgave me-" the voice hitched, "it was an absolution that few marvels can surpass. If not for you, I fear the person I would be today. And if I can be poetic for just one moment…?"

Warren thought the man was already doing a damn good job of that. "Sappy warning?"

The man smiled wistfully and nodded; then trembled ever so slightly as he took a slow calming breath. "My past had me tethered in darkness. You brought light and drove away the blackness consuming me. Because of you, I learned how to truly love." The Turzent swallowed hard and blinked back emotion. "I will never be the same – I will forever be a better man because of you. Warren Worthington the Third of Earth and of the Royal Court of Ztar, how you did what you did surpasses understanding, but it was the greatest miracle of my life for it gave me a second chance at a wonderful new life with my Jharda and our child. Thank you will never be enough. Until I no longer draw breath, if you need anything, I am here for you."

Sentiment and feelings wafting from the Turzent teared Warren's own eyes, as did Ztar's use of his true name for the first time. There were many things he could have said to point out that it was Ztar who changed himself and Warren was only a catalyst, but that's not what the man wanted to hear. And so he said the only thing left to say, "You're welcome, my friend," and smiled up at the man.

Ztar's face grew tender as he searched Warren's eyes. A question was there. Warren waited quietly.

"One last gift from my former companion? One last time before I wed the woman I love with all my being?"

Warren knew what gift was desired. Warren's curiosity piqued – how it would feel with their soulbinding broken. "No disrespect of the bride involved?"

"None."

"It may not feel the same…"

"I understand about soulbounds."

"Phai?"

Ztar nodded. "Yes, she explained everything before the Dark Coming. I'd rather not think of that on this special day, but would like my last wish as an unwedded man fulfilled…as only you can."

The deep brown, gold-flecked eyes went dark with longing, but it was not the old fiery lust…more as glowing embers. Ztar leaned down until lips met, tenderly holding their mouths close in a whisper of a touch as warm breath passed between them, but a kiss did not come. A hand slid up to gently cup the back of Warren's head. The powerful man's hand trembled. A chaste kiss on his forehead and then each cheek followed.

"Soulbound or not…wedded or otherwise…I will always, always love you," came the heady whisper in Warren's ear.

Then the Turzent brushed lips across a cheek to find Warren's mouth and take it in. What followed was a kiss that communicated so much – desire, gratitude, and most of all, a deep, abiding love. Tongues entwined and performed their familiar tango, but it was a dance that belonged to the past. Warren's body still stirred at the Turzent's touch, but did not flashover into wantonness. Ztar's kiss was delicious, no denying; however, Ettwanae's kisses were what made him reel now.

Ztar pulled away gently, placed his hands on Archangel's shoulders, and separated their bodies. Melancholy loomed in the dark eyes. "The fire has died for you."

Warren gazed into the deep chocolate-brown eyes amid twinges of regret that the passion was truly extinguished. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be," he offered quickly, brushing fingers through the golden locks before dropping all contact and taking a half-step backward. "My heart holds only happiness. You have found love in Ettwanae. I pray to the gods that she brings you as much joy as my Jharda brings me. And perhaps heirs of your own!"

Sadness evaporated and a huge grin not only spread across the Turzent's face, but to the eyes, as well. It warmed Warren heart and soul. "You are happy, aren't you?"

"That I am!"

The years sacrificed to the man before him had resulted in the ultimate reward. Warren smiled widely for his alien friend. "Then I think we need to get this show on the road. You have a bride waiting!"

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