As Anaurael's parents retired to their new, yet temporary, room, Anaurael was being cradled by Imperius in his inner sanctum. It was sealed off, and she was in a state of sheer bliss while he held her against his core form. Her armor was set off to the side, though. He didn't want any Greed Goblins to think it was theirs for the taking. It was doubtful, but he didn't want to replace it. Even her spear was set aside with respectful care.
"What is wrong?" he asked in a tender way.
"I'm surprised at myself," she whispered. "I should have been slaying demons much sooner."
At this, he gave a soft laugh and squeezed her. "Better now than never?"
"It does seem to be that way."
"There is something else on your mind."
"Well..." she sighed. "Itherael was...curious about pleasures of the flesh. I had him talk to my parents. They would know best."
"He did? That is odd," he admitted. "I would not have expected that of him."
"I know," she agreed. "But, he claimed it was out of mild curiosity."
"I will speak to him about that later," he vowed.
"Of course," she smiled and gasped at the feel of his body humming. His Song was powerful and vibrant. It was full of life and vigor. It seeped into every pore of her body and clung to her unlike anything she could have ever imagined. Her mark seemed to flicker in tune with him until he let it ebb away gently. Her skin was still tingling with the sensations, and she was gasping for air when she finally recalled herself. Only ten minutes went by, but, to her, it felt like an eternity.
"Do I really bring you a form of pleasure?" he asked.
"Yes. It...fills me with an indescribable joy. At least you can control it now," she chuckled.
"I know. I did not expect what happened that first time," he admitted. She pressed her head into his glowing neck, and he continued to hold her. His wings slowly flicked out back and forth, as he hovered with her. He glanced up and seemed to mutter.
"What is it?" she frowned.
"I'm being sought. A request is being sent in to enter my inner sanctum," he sighed.
"Your work is never done?" she smiled softly. He chuckled and gave her a gentle kiss, as his armor reformed around him. He landed a touch heavily on the ground and stood up tall with her in his arms. On knowing that she was nude, he seemed to snort.
"I would have you dress in your armors, but there is no need while you are here. Go find something clean to wear and return to me," he ordered lightly.
"Yes, Imperius," she nodded. He gave her cheek a light caress and watched her walk off and down the passageway. A few minutes later, she came back in a solid leather dress. Nodding to her, he had her settle in his lap when he sat down on his throne.
"In the future, I may hide a spare gown of yours under my cushion. Just in case," he said.
"Understood," she smiled. He let her recline against him, and he willed the sanctum doors to open. When he saw Itherael there, he seemed to glare, but not intensely.
"My apologies, Imperius. Tyrael is in the Council chamber. He wishes to speak with you," he said and hovered expectantly.
"Very well," Imperius sighed. "Remain here, my ward. I shall return."
"Of course, Imperius," she nodded.
"And, Itherael, at some point I would wish to speak with you," he said.
"Understood," Itherael nodded. He knew what it was about. "However, to save face, it is only for knowledge. I would never attempt anything, myself."
"Ah. Then you know. Very well. I understand why you asked. Knowledge is fine. Nothing else," he warned. Itherael only nodded and vanished away. "There are times I wonder why he keeps such things to himself. You would think he would inform me of everything."
"Sometimes, it is best for one to figure things out for themselves," she smiled.
"Perhaps. But...he did tell me that we may be expecting offspring. He just does not know when or how many," he responded softly. Her jaw dropped, and her eyes went wide. "Don't worry, my ward. If it does happen, I will not be displeased at all. I will welcome it gladly."
"You will?"
"That I will," he nodded. "Let me see what Tyrael needs. I shall return."
"Of course," she said with a small blush. When he left the chamber, she could only sigh and force herself to rest. His Song still had her body tingling. It would take her at least an hour to recover her full senses. It was the same thing as before.
When Imperius got to the Council chamber, he regarded Tyrael lightly. "Why do you call on me? For what reason is your visit?"
"I wanted to let you know that the ancient Nephalem ghost, Orek, has made an appearance once again. The Nephalem Rifts are now being challenged once more. I do not know where they will take the Nephalem champion, but I had to let you know," Tyrael said.
"I see. Interesting. Very well," Imperius nodded.
"How is your ward doing?"
"She is resting. Her parents are also resting here. She went to Pandemonium to train. Auriel, Itherael, and myself assisted with my angelic warriors that watched her. Her parents were there, too."
"And you didn't get me?!"
"No. You have the Horadrim to look after," he seemed to smirk.
"I want to go next time. I knew she was going to Pandemonium, but I didn't expect any others to join her. Lorath can handle any issues that arise for me."
"Not likely. But, we will see."
"How did she handle herself?"
"She fights as I do. She holds my Wrath and Valor. She wields it well. I am very pleased. All of her past training has finally come to a pinnacle point."
"She could fight alongside the Nephalem."
"No. I forbid it," he growled. "What has been done is plenty."
"Right," Tyrael muttered. He knew that Imperius still thought of all humanity as a part of the demon race. He didn't want Anaurael to fight alongside demons. No matter if they killed each other, or fought on the angelic side. Such a thing was still something he detested fiercely. As they continued to talk, Itherael found himself back inside the inner sanctum. Anaurael was asleep on Imperius's throne. He was anxious to speak with her regarding his Scroll of Fate. As much as he knew that he should wait, he had found something that she needed to know.
What he did notice right away was how her body was slowly slipping off the throne. She was in danger of hitting the floor, and he knew that Imperius wouldn't like that one bit. Sighing to himself, he moved to gently shift her back onto the massive chair. What he didn't expect was for her to pull him close to kiss him. She was dreaming heavily of Imperius, and her body was still tingling. When she got touched, it jolted her, and she instantly thought that Imperius had returned.
The kiss she gave Itherael was one of intense love and devotion that she always gave Imperius. When she felt that something was completely off, her eyes snapped open, and her jaw dropped with complete horror. Itherael was simply beside himself with his own form of shock. "I thought...you were Imperius! I mean...I just..."
"You were about to fall off his throne..." he whispered in his own form of surprise.
"I was dreaming of him. I didn't know..." she trembled.
"The fault is both of ours, it seems. I tried to assist you, and you thought I was him. Imperius may not understand this. We shall explain it carefully," he said.
"Explain what?" Imperius said in a rather quiet tone from where he stood in the main entry. At the look of complete shame that she showed, and how Itherael was at a loss for words, he thought to himself. He walked over to Anaurael and pressed his thumb to her mark. The visions were gleaned. "Itherael, you are not at fault. Neither is she. Go back to your Library. We will get there in time."
"Of course," Itherael nodded and quickly vanished away.
"I didn't..." Anaurael whispered and shivered.
"I know. I'm not sure why he came here, though. That does concern me. But, he has never lied to me. I do believe him. What happened was an accident. Don't let it happen again."
"Never!" she colored up.
"But, now I have to wonder if you have taken a liking to Itherael."
"No! I only see him purely as my brother! You have my vow!"
"And you do regret what happened."
"I want to forget it," she winced. On thinking, he stood up tall. His sanctum sealed up again, and his form glowed to reveal his core.
"Remove your dress and come to me," he said. She shivered, but did as he said. He pulled her into his arms to hover with her. "I will help you forget what happened."
"How?" she whispered. Then she actually cried out at the intensity that his Song became.
"Like this," he muttered and focused a bit more. As this happened, her mark seemed to smolder in complete sync with his focus. The memory of what happened was burned from her mind. It would not be very often that he did this, but he didn't want her to find any others as suitable possibilities to be with her. It wasn't likely that it would happen, but he knew that this was something that was purely an accident. He didn't want her to lose focus on it. After another minute of holding her this way, he let his Song subside to let her rest.
"Imperius..." she whispered. "I was sleeping. I didn't even know you came back. You undressed me? And had to wake me up this way?"
"That I did," he said gently. He had removed the entire meeting with Itherael from her successfully. Now he felt much better and let her rest, as he held her.