Itherael was scouring over Talus'ar for anything about this new situation. What he found was perplexing. There was a chance that Imperius could find out, but only if extreme caution wasn't taken. And, should he find out, his ire would be legendary. But, if the proper measures were taken, then all would be well. Anu's body would be properly formed. He couldn't tell Auriel of this, either.
And, how am I to do this? Then he remembered that there were times that he did not wish to be disturbed. I would hold Talus'ar before me and appear to be reading intensely, but it was silent meditation to reflect on my own thoughts. This was the key to being in Anaurael's mind and appearing to be doing something else. Focusing slightly with Talus'ar open in his hands, he let his mental clarity shift. When he refocused, he was surprised to find himself outside of the mental spire in her mind. It completely amazed him.
"What are you doing here?" Malthael mused when he landed in front of his brother.
"I was told to be here. By the Vecin seer. That I was needed," Itherael said calmly.
"Oh? But, you already touched her mark..."
"More is needed. But, Imperius cannot know. I know of a way to keep him from knowing. And, to keep her from remembering. I can share the knowledge with you, but you must vow to keep it secret. Tyrael could also know, in time, but in a discreet way."
"So...hmm...interesting..." Malthael thought aloud. "She can force herself to forget?"
"She can. She had to do such a thing before. Imperius had her do such."
"Did he?" Malthael asked. This was before he was allowed to become aware in her mind.
"Yes. If I tell you, will she hear?"
"No. Her mental focus is awake. Imperius has her with his core self. I will not see what he is like. I had vowed. So, she hears nothing."
"Good. Also..."
"Yes. I vow to say nothing," Malthael said with a small nod.
"Very well. As to what she was forced to forget..." Itherael sighed sadly. "She mistook me for Imperius. She had kissed me. It was an accident."
"She did?" Malthael was taken by a rare stance of surprise. The story was laid bare for him, and he thought. "This would explain how her mind would instinctively know how to remove such memories. To keep her calm, and to keep Imperius's wrath in control."
"He always feels distress for her. As much as I know it would be done as a form of learning sensation for myself, it also needs to be done for Anu's champion. I will not do such a thing again."
"And...as for Auriel?"
"She is Hope. Her presence is already powerful."
"True. Very well. If you keep a mild part of your mental awareness here, you will know when it is safe to come back here. This much I do know. It is how I sensed you."
"Very good. I shall reappear when I know it is time," Itherael agreed and let his awareness come back to his Library. The sensation was a bit intense to him. It was something he had never done before, though. Then he remembered to leave a small bit of his focus aware in her mind. It was easy enough to do, now that he knew how to do it. Going back to his Scroll, he let himself get immersed in it for two hours to slip by safely.
He felt something lightly tickle his thoughts to bring him back around. Then he knew that Anaurael was resting. It was an interesting sensation to him. Clearing his focus, he let himself get pulled back into her mind. He found her in a rather beautiful waterfall setting in a rainforest location. Large, brilliantly colored flowers were everywhere. The sound of water splashing in the pool was rather soothing, for some odd reason. When his gaze rested on her, he paused with complete shock at her attire.
She was wearing all white, but it had a shimmery effect of golden sparkles. She still had on her rings and circlet, of course, but she was barefoot. The gown she wore came up elegantly over her shoulders like a one-piece dress, and a golden loop rope tied off at her hip to keep it to her form. She looked over at him, and she blinked with surprise.
"Itherael?! What a surprise!" she laughed. "I was expecting Malthael or Tyrael."
"No. It is I," he chuckled. "You are resting?"
"I am. I suppose that Izarius spoke with you?"
"He did. I had to see if I could do the same thing. As you can see, it works."
"For knowledge?"
"Yes," he nodded. "And, as knowledge brings me here, I find your mental world surprising."
"You should see it from the air," she giggled.
"Oh? I could. But, I would not know where to go," he admitted.
"You could fly with me. Just carry me," she beamed.
"Would Imperius be upset?"
"No. Malthael flies with me all the time. To carry me around to different areas. If I feel him, I will tell him that you are with me. That Izarius told you how this was possible. He will be fine," she nodded. He nodded back and gestured for her.
"Shall we see what we can find?" he chuckled. She let him gather her up into his arms, and he paused at the feeling. He could now see why Imperius didn't want to put her down. She was light, a perfect fit in my arms, and felt like a beam of sunshine in my embrace.
"Itherael?" she asked.
"I'm fine," he said. "I just realized why Imperius likes to hold you. You're very light. Much lighter than I thought. Just hold tight."
She nodded and circled her arms around his waist. That made another sensation smack into him. He cleared his thoughts quickly and launched into the air with her. His aerial wings bore them easily over the landscape now, and he was very amazed at what he was seeing. Then his thoughts homed in on a specific area he was searching for. Talus'ar had shown him where to go. A small, derelict cave just at the base of some barren hills was found. When he landed with her, she was surprised. "What is this?"
"I am unsure. Shall we find out?" he asked. There was something that felt wrong to her. That the place before me shouldn't be breached. He was still carrying her, and he moved her into the small cave quickly. It sealed up behind them, and her mark flared out to give them the light they needed. Her mark instinctively knew what this place was.
It was a simple cave with smooth walls. There were no other adornments here. There were no windows or engravings. How would she wish to decorate such a place if she would forget about it each time? "I don't like it here..."
"You should like it," Itherael said, as he carried her to the center of the cavern. "This is your mental sanctum. Your hiding spot in your mind."
"What?! You knew?" she gasped.
"Yes. Imperius cannot hear you here. No others can. This is your safe place. It is only a shame...that you may forget all about it soon," he said a touch sadly.
"What do you mean?" she frowned. He set her on her feet and hugged her.
"I know you will not remember this," he whispered. "But...forgive me."
"For what?" she whispered back.
"For this..." he muttered and kissed her before his Song filled the chamber.