She was able to sleep for a good four hours. She needed the rest. When she woke up, her light-blue topaz gaze was looking into Tyrael's golden eyes. He had removed a good portion of his armor to rest better with Izarius's help, and he was only in light cloth for now. El'druin was easily placed off to his side to rest near him. He also knew that she was upset. She seemed to frown as she blinked back tears, and he pulled her close to hug her tight. He knew why she was on the verge of tears.
"Hush now," he whispered. "We'll make another one. It's okay."
"I was just...so happy..." she whispered back.
"So, you like being able to be the mother of my children?" he smiled. At the small blush she gave, he laughed softly and kissed her. "I would want no other to hold that level of honor for me."
"Honor?" she murmured against his neck. His scent was a pleasant musk that almost reminded her of the scent after a storm. She was surprised that she didn't smell it before.
"Yes. That is how I see it. Sure, I could be with another female. But...I honestly doubt that it would work. An offspring could take, but...why? I prefer my children to remain pure."
"I think you are right," she sighed and pressed into his warm embrace. "I would feel...upset...if you were with another. I just...don't like to admit it..."
"I know," he nodded and moved to let her rest on his chest. The pillows were positioned to let him lean up in the bed to cradle her better, and he gently stroked her molten gold hair. "But, I do want to ask you something. It's been on my mind lately."
"What is that?"
"Will you marry me?"
"What?!" she gasped and now rose up to look at him. "Tyrael! You know that I cannot!"
"I understand that here, in the High Heavens, you belong solely to Imperius. But, on Sanctuary, this would be needed for me to protect you better. Imperius can't come down all the time. And, I know that you won't be able to, either. What I ask is a full safeguard of you."
"I cannot marry you," she winced and moved to pull away, but he held her fast to him.
"You are going to be bearing children for me. Yes, for Imperius, too. It is frowned on for children to be made out of wedlock. I've been studying on their mortal beliefs on this. You also know this. If you were legitimately wed to me, then they can say nothing. Nor can they do anything. Do you not understand what I am trying to tell you?!" he asked in a pleading tone.
"Tyrael, you are a fool!" Malthael snorted when he appeared by the bed. "Do you have any idea how thrilled Imperius is going to be now? You have just jeopardized your truce with him!"
"I'm thinking of her safety for our offspring!"
"Now...think on this, if you can," Malthael growled. "Say you marry her. Become one with her in their so-called beliefs. She will be hunted, because she is the wife to the leader of the Horadrim. The demons will gain a foothold on how to find her. By tracking you."
"I would keep her here. In Heaven," he argued back mildly.
"Then she would belong to Imperius, and you would get jealous that she spends no time with you. Face it, Tyrael. You want more than you can achieve. Is it worth trying to break an already fragile truce? A pact of trust? I know that Anaurael wants none of that."
"Damn it!" Tyrael scowled. At her look of hurt, he sighed. "I'm sorry. I truly was thinking of your best interests with me. But, I know what I need to do now. And I want you with me."
"And what would that be?" she asked.
"I want to consult with Chalad'ar," he said. Malthael seemed to snort down a laugh.
"Fine. We shall see what the Chalice tells you. We should go now," Malthael mused.
"Tyrael," Anaurael said to him when he finally released her to put his armor back on. "I do care about you. Greatly so. I do not wish for you to destroy what has been trying to heal between you and Imperius. In many ways...Imperius has claimed me as his wife. And, I have claimed him as my husband. It is true, there was no ceremony. But, why should there be? It was done the moment he showed me his true core. I can love no other so wholly and deeply than him."
"I do know this," Tyrael said with a small sigh of his own inner pain. "I know you care for me. I see it every time we look at each other now. Not only for what needs to be done...but, because you do genuinely care about me. I just...I know you can't say this back. But...I love you."
"I..." she paused in shock. Malthael sighed and shook his head.
"It's why I asked you to marry me. Yes, I understand that Imperius will not be pleased, but even he knew that something like this was bound to happen," he said.
"It was inevitable..." Malthael muttered. She was still in shock that Tyrael told her he loved her. She couldn't say anything, much less think of doing anything. Izarius had just gotten back from some mild cleaning up around the room when he saw his sister's state. When he saw Malthael standing there with a sensation of displeasure, he knew something big was going on.
"What happened?!" he asked now.
"I asked her to marry me," Tyrael said bluntly and got the rest of his armor on.
"What?!" Izarius asked incredulously.
"And he told her he loved her," Malthael said with a shrug.
"Imperius will be livid," the angel sighed.
"I wanted to speak with Chalad'ar," Tyrael said. "I want to ask about her marrying me."
"Not a good idea, if you ask me. However, I will accompany you," Izarius nodded. Anaurael was clearly upset. He moved to her side to let her cling to him to gain some form of comfort from him. "I'm here now. Hush, sister. Let's see what the Chalice has to say."
"I don't think that may be possible," she whispered to him. "Imperius...I know that he can feel my distress. He is going to glean my mark. He will see all."
"You are not at fault on this. Be brave," he said and pressed a chaste kiss to her lips and one to her forehead. "I will be your backbone now."
"I love you," she smiled. He chuckled and kissed her forehead again.
"As I love you, sister. Come. Let's go," he nodded slightly. At Tyrael's astonished gaze, Izarius regarded him calmly. "She loves me like a younger sister to an older brother. I see her purely as my sister. I was there for her, since her newborn days. I never left her side."
"Right," Tyrael nodded. Izarius looked at how his sister was dressed, and he shook his head at her original cotton and leather garments.
"I'd dress you in something better, but..." he frowned.
"I know. Not much to say about it. Two more days need to pass from Sanctuary standards. At least the cramping is lessening now. I feel better about that," she smiled.
"Can you walk?" Malthael asked.
"I can. I've been carried around so much, I feel as though I'm forgetting how to!" she grumbled. That got Tyrael to chuckle. Malthael moved to walk behind her. Even though other angels couldn't see him, he was going to let his presence be felt. He placed his hands on her shoulders, and she blinked that she actually felt his gentle squeeze.
"I have no physical form. You can feel me. I cannot touch others. But, I will help keep you calm. Chalad'ar awaits," Malthael said lightly. She nodded and moved to walk between Izarius and Tyrael. When a small cramp hit as they walked, she slowed up slightly until it passed. Any angels that saw them nodded respectfully. If any lingered out of curiosity, Malthael's aura caused them to gasp with alarm and move on. As they neared the Pools of Wisdom, Itherael was waiting for them.
"Do not consult the Chalice!" he warned.
"What?" Tyrael asked.
"It is unwise!" Itherael warned again.
"What has Talus'ar told you?" Anaurael asked.
"Nothing good will come of this. Yes, Tyrael will get his answers, but the cost will be too much. Please. Heed me. Do not speak with Chalad'ar. Turn back now," Itherael said.
"And, why do you wish to seek Chalad'ar?" Imperius said when he appeared in a flash of bright light in front of the Pools of Wisdom entrance. "For what purpose?"
"I had a question I wanted to consult," Tyrael said. Anaurael was able to move quickly to Imperius's side. He scooped her up to cradle her with a sense of relief and let her rest on a massive shoulder pauldron. When she looked at Tyrael, he nodded that he understood. Imperius let her take his hand to press against her mark. Now he turned to glare hard at Tyrael. This was also why Malthael didn't leave for her mind just yet.
"Remember her health..." Malthael warned. "and remember your truce."
"You would dare to ask such a question of her?!" Imperius seethed. At the feel of her hand touching his cheek, he shivered for control. After a moment of reflection, he whispered to her, "Thank you. I almost lost myself again."
"It's why I did it," she smiled and enjoyed the feel of his hands on her. He moved her other hand to wrap around his neck to ensure that her touch was secure. He couldn't think properly without her touch anymore. When she was with his core, it did tide him over, but only by so much.
"I tried to warn them," Itherael said.
"What did your Scroll say?" Imperius asked now in a much calmer tone.
"It would not say the outcome of the question. Just that a confrontation was going to happen. I also had to intervene for you to regain your mental clarity. Now it is safe to consult Chalad'ar," Itherael nodded. "Anaurael, keep your touch on him. It will keep his anger in check for, not only his health, but for yours, too. It will be important."
"Very well. Um, should Auriel be here? Or my parents? I mean...this is a big question..." she frowned. Itherael thought and looked at Imperius.
"Yes. Get them," Imperius nodded. "We shall all learn of this answer together."
"I shall return," Izarius said and vanished. Auriel soon appeared shortly before he came back with her parents. They had just eaten, so they were good for a while.
"Why are we here?" Ilerael asked.
"I wanted to ask the Chalice a question of considerable importance. You will know what it is when we go in," Tyrael said. At a look from Lilaurael, he sighed. "No. I have not eaten yet. I will after this is seen to. I'll make sure of it."
"You had better," Lilaurael said.
"I'll ensure it," Anaurael smiled. "I will need to eat, too."
"You should have eaten," Imperius now said to her.
"But..." she frowned.
"No. No more excuses after this. You are still bearing my offspring. You need the nourishment. You will eat the moment this is seen to."
"Yes, Imperius," she nodded. He patted her back lightly and refused to set her down. He made sure that her hands were still touching his invisible form under the helm. He needed her to keep focus when they walked through the Pools of Wisdom. Itherael was exceptionally curious about everything. Auriel was moving next to Malthael's illusionary form.
"You are upset that your physical form failed?" Auriel asked him.
"Not upset. More like...disturbed. But, another will form. I know how to ensure the proper one takes. That is not an issue. I can handle that," he replied calmly.
"And, if a daughter forms?" Ilerael grinned.
"Quiet..." Malthael said with a touch of amusement. That got laughter given back. "I will ensure that the body is male. Any others past that will vary. This first one is important."
"Right. But, wouldn't it be interesting if the firstborn was female?" Ilerael asked.
"No. That would be...complicated," Malthael muttered. Ilerael laughed again and got poked by his wife to settle down. Tyrael was hiding his smile at it all, though. When he looked behind him to see Anaurael and Imperius engaged in a kiss, he quickly turned his head and refocused. He had no right to be jealous, but the thought was there, all the same. Malthael was quick to give him a mental jab for control.
"I know. And we're here," Tyrael said when they reached the Chalice.
"Clear your mind first," Malthael ordered.
"Should I eat in your sanctum?" Anaurael whispered to Imperius.
"I think you should," he agreed and had her focus on the Chalice with him. Tyrael took a deep breath and cleared his thoughts. Placing a hand on each side of the Chalice, he readied himself.
"Be calm," Malthael whispered. Tyrael nodded.
"If Anaurael marries me, will it be beneficial?" Tyrael asked now. Ilerael's jaw dropped. Lilaurael was stunned. Auriel was even taken by surprise. Itherael merely hovered silently to see what the outcome would be. Imperius grumbled, but remained calm with Anaurael's help. Malthael tilted his head slightly to wait and see what the answer would reveal. After a couple minutes, Tyrael turned to face them with a bit of a troubled look on his face.
"What did it say?" Itherael asked.
"Well..." Tyrael sighed. "an actual wedding will not work. It would not be feasible. But, we can do a false wedding. If Anaurael belongs to two, as in both Imperius and I, it will complicate things for her. But, to safeguard her against others and myself, a false wedding will work perfectly fine. I can have Lorath and Xavian stand as witnesses for the Horadric order. The lot of you here will also stand as witnesses. Anaurael can simply place a ring on my finger with no vows said. She already has a significant ring on her finger. It can also work in my favor. It does belong to Imperius, but it can also show that she is, technically, wed."
"Hmm..." Imperius seemed to think over it.
"Would she need to wear a gown?" Lilaurael asked.
"No. The false wedding would not take place on Sanctuary. It would need to be done here to show the importance of it. I also saw, much to my surprise, that she can visit the Horadric library when it is safely taken back into the Horadric fold. It will be enjoyable for her," Tyrael chuckled.
"When does this false wedding need to take place?" Malthael asked.
"The sooner the better. To get it done," Tyrael said seriously. Imperius was incredibly disturbed by this. He didn't like the idea at all.
"Think of it like this," Anaurael soothed him gently. "I will not belong to Tyrael. It will just be a status. To play out as his wife to keep others from trying to harm me. Lorath, Xavian, and my parents will help play the act along as false witnesses to this. Since it will not be true, demons cannot attach the truth to the lie. They see lies as riddles. Words on the wind. A solid truth would be like a path straight to me. You would think this would safeguard me even more. And, if we do this, I will do something for you. Just for you."
"Hmm?" Imperius asked mildly.
"I'll have Greed get me a wedding gown just for you to see," she whispered softly under his helm. "Something that no one else can gaze at, save you. I don't need to wear a gown for this. Or anything special. But, for you, I will. To show that I am completely yours."
"He would call you his wife..." he muttered.
"Acting, my love," she chuckled. "Only to save face as to what I did to others that questioned us. In a sense, it would make me feel relieved. Less to explain, but there will be the few that know I also belong to you. The exception for him will still stand. They don't need to know everything. And I will be bearing him a son. Maybe others, too, if needed. Hopefully rarely, but the fact is there."
"I still don't..." he sighed and tensed at the small neck rub she gave him.
"You are the one my heart belongs to. You know this," she murmured softly. "And, I need to do this to you more often! Your neck is a mess!"
"So is your back," he muttered.
"I wonder if I can massage your core self," she mused now. At the growl he gave her, she knew it was complete enticement. "But...what do you think?"
"I don't want you to go through with it," he admitted. "I will think that I lost you."
"No. It will not even be a true wedding. You will lose no part of me. You will always be the first one I go to. Even on Sanctuary around Tyrael. It would be instinctive for me to go straight to you when I see you. You know this."
Malthael seemed to pause, and he walked over to Imperius. Then he spoke in a low tone, "I need to tell you. Anu...agrees with this. The whole thing. This false situation. I just felt a sensation. Touch her mark. You will know."
"What?!" Imperius now looked at him with a complete form of shock. Anaurael's jaw dropped, but she regained herself. Taking Imperius's hand, she pressed it to her mark. On sensing what Malthael did, he was mildly stunned. Then he shook his head. "Anaurael...you said you would wear a gown for me? Just for me?"
"Yes. I will have Greed get me the best one he can find," she promised.
"Make sure it is gold," he said.
"I will," she nodded and kissed him fiercely. Then she looked at Malthael and said, "Why do you think Anu agrees with this?"
"Anu agreed?!" Tyrael asked now.
"Yes. I felt a sensation. He will accept the false wedding idea. I believe that it is to form a stronger trust. A closer bond between us all. It will be needed. But, time is slipping now. We need to do this false wedding. Now."
"I shall get Lorath for you, Tyrael. I will also inform Greed and Xavian. They were still in the treasure room," Izarius said. "Should I bring your other three brothers?"
"Please bring them. Let us do this in the Angiris Council chamber. I...would say the Crystal Arch, but this is false. It would be best in the Council chamber. All shall bear witness in the High Heavens," Auriel said. "Yes, this will be false, but none can oppose all of Heaven witnessing of a union. False or not. I could even go so far as to have a true union done between Imperius and Anaurael."
"There is no need for that," Imperius said. "All know that she is mine."
"True, but it should be done, anyways," Ilerael said.
"Well, who would do the service?" Anaurael asked. "I honestly think that it is not needed. All of Heaven knows that I am soul-bonded to Imperius. There is nothing more to say."
"You should wear a gown," Lilaurael chuckled.
"No. There is no need for that," she smiled. "I'm still trying to pull through these cramps, too."
"That's right," Ilerael sighed. "Well, maybe a light dress. Gold base with diamond glitter?"
"Father!" she sighed. Imperius just shook his head and kept holding her. Izarius chuckled and now went to inform Greed and Xavian of the new plans. His next stop was to pick up Lorath. The false wedding was going to be done shortly. There was no choice in it, if Anu wanted it done.