He stood there with her for four hours. After ten minutes of holding her, he felt her fall asleep. As much as he wanted to wake her to make her go to bed, he didn't. He didn't know when he would get this chance again. Even as he stood there, he began to think of what he could do to help safeguard her even further. She needed to learn how to fight. She needed to learn survival skills.
When the sun began to rise up over the horizon, he turned at the small gasp he heard coming from the cottage. Lilaurael was standing there with complete amazement. She found her daughter's bed empty and had to check where she was. He simply nodded to her and turned to gaze at the sunrise while still holding the small child. Building up her parental courage, she walked over and said, "She should be in her bed. It would be better for her."
"She will go to her bed when I'm done hugging her," he said bluntly.
"You're holding her, actually. A hug is usually a bit quick," she pointed out.
"I don't care," he muttered. "I'm not finished."
"Very well. But...won't Auriel show concern? Or Itherael?"
"Their opinions don't matter to me."
"I understand. But...is there any word on Tyrael? Has he returned?"
"No. And, when he does, I shall speak to him before the Angiris Council, myself!" he growled. At the feel of Anaurael shifting, he waited in silence for her to settle back down. In a quieter voice, he said, "He destroyed a priceless artifact. He allied with humans."
"You are here with us."
"You are not humans. You are angels. There is a difference," he snorted.
"You really like Anaurael. Don't you?" she asked softly.
"She is...different. I do admit that freely. I would not care, if it was not for her."
"I can see that. There are humans here that are taking a liking to her. There is talk all over the town to see which boy would be best for her."
"Lies!" Imperius suddenly scowled at her and turned to face her. "This child is mine! I marked her! None will lay claim to her!"
"Do you just see her as another conquest of a valorous battle?" she asked sternly. "Because I will not allow anything you plan for her, if that is the case!"
"You would dare to speak to me as such?!" he asked with complete shock. At the trembling of the child in his arms, he stiffened and turned away from the protective mother. "Quiet now. You'll wake her. She's still sleeping."
"Others will be here soon. They will see you. I have deliveries coming here soon. She needs to go to bed. And, you need to go back to Heaven."
"Love, where are you? Oh..." Ilerael paused at the sight. "How long have you been here holding her? I mean...well..."
"I have been here, since Anaurael snuck out of her room to read the book," Imperius seemed to smirk. Now Lilaurael's jaw dropped. "She has not read it. A warrior delivered it safely."
"Huh?" Anaurael asked, as she yawned. Imperius didn't want to put her down yet. She found herself resting on his massive, armored shoulder again, but then she gasped when she saw her parents watching her. She seemed to tremble with a touch of fright.
"They won't hurt you," Imperius said. "They will have to go through me first."
"They are my parents, though. I need them," she whispered to him.
"Fine. But, make me a promise," he said sternly and stood up tall to tower over everything.
"Okay," she nodded.
"Don't let other humans like you!" he growled. That made her blink.
"What do you mean?" she frowned.
"I'll explain it to her," Ilerael said.
"Fine. She is mine. I marked her. I watch over her. I will not hesitate to kill anything or anyone that tries to touch her," he said darkly. "However, I do want her to learn how to fight. To defend herself. My warriors will train her. She needs to start learning."
"I can understand that. We will do what we can," Ilerael agreed.
"When she finds a profession of what weapon works best, I will have a weapon of choice sent to her. That much I know I can do," Imperius said. "You are awake?"
"Yes. Thank you. For seeing me again," Anaurael said softly.
"You are welcome," he nodded. Not often would he ever give such attention to another. It was a rarity. He set her down carefully and watched her go to the safety of her parents. Once that was done, he vanished away. He felt oddly alone again. He didn't want to give her up, either. But, he refused to think that another would want to claim her. He hated the thought of some half-demon spawn even attempting to claim her as their own. He didn't even think that she was a weakness. He saw her as a strength. Even now, as he watched her in the viewing chamber, he felt a sense of relief.
"Where were you?" Auriel asked when she approached him.
"Tending to business," he replied bluntly.
"Demons are mustering everywhere now."
"In Heaven?"
"No. In Sanctuary."
"As long as they don't go near my chosen mark, then I don't care. Let them cleanse Sanctuary as they see fit," he grumbled. Auriel only shook her head.
"We know you went to Sanctuary," she said softly. "We had a pact."
"The demons broke that pact!" he growled. "And I do not mingle with the human filth!"
"I understand that. But, you still went down there," she said evenly.
"And, if I must, I'll go again to safeguard my mark. And, if I have to, I will bring her here."
She was stunned at his sudden admittance of what he did and what he wanted to do. Then she came around and said, "She cannot live here. She must remain down there. There is no food here. No real accommodations for her survival. There is none of that here."
"I know."
"Are you in love with her, Imperius?" she finally asked.
"I don't know," he said.
"You are doing so much to see her. I think you are. Yes, she is young now..."
"She has no demon taint in her. She is purely of angelic blood. I only wish to safeguard her."
"For now," she said. He said nothing. There was no need for him to say anything. But, she did notice that he started to look for where demons were gathering. Her warning did affect him that much.
"Why did they leave...and make her...?" he muttered to himself.
"Because they loved each other," she said gently and left the room. But, on her way out, she whispered, "and you love what they made, too."
He didn't glance up at that. He continued to focus on where the demons were.