Anaurael was having severe problems resting. She simply couldn't get comfortable. For over an hour, all she could do was toss and turn. It was, actually, a common side effect to the pregnancy of her soul. It would get worse once her physical pregnancy took place. When she began to overheat, she couldn't take it. She got up to move to an open window, but the weather was always warm. She wanted to scream out her frustrations. When Imperius felt her distress and moved to her side, he paused in complete surprise at the heat she gave off. Then he looked over at Lilaurael coming in with Ilerael.
"Malthael got us. Honey, come here," her mother said. She saw her daughter's distress, and it was the same thing that she went through. When Anaurael broke down into tears, she got rocked. "It's okay, honey. Just let it out. That's it."
"It's hormone build-up," Ilerael sighed. "Sometimes, a good cry fixes a lot of things."
"Does it?" Imperius asked. He was genuinely curious.
"Yes. And she's probably a bit warm, right?"
"Very."
"That is a natural symptom. She'll need to be kept a bit cool when this happens. The humans on Sanctuary make cold treats. It actually helps. It's hard to make, if you aren't able to keep it cold, but I'm sure Izarius could pick some up for her. We could even get her something called chocolate. That will also help. Lilaurael will know what's needed. We'll give Izarius a good list."
"Please do," Imperius muttered. Lilaurael was helping her daughter out of the gown she was in and settling in a much lighter gown of very lightweight silk. This relieved much of the heat considerably.
"Greed will need to get her more gowns like this. And much lighter sheets for the bed, too," Lilaurael said. "She needs clothing that will help shed heat. In time, she could wear these gowns again. It's only needed when she starts to feel hotter."
"Hmm..." Imperius thought aloud. At the sight of Anaurael looking at him with a form of apology, he was quick to reach for her to let her sit upright in his arms. "You are fine. There is much that is new to me. I shall adapt with you."
"Okay..." she whispered and rested her head against his large shoulder. Within seconds she was sleeping deeply. That had him gaze at her with a soft chuckle.
"So, she can only sleep when you hold her," Ilerael grimaced.
"It's fine. The others understand," he nodded. "Inform Izarius of what to bring here."
"We can do that," Lilaurael smiled softly.
"Oh. What do you both think of Inarius?" Imperius asked them now.
"Shocked. Appalled. Speechless..." Ilerael sighed. "Malthael told us what he has to do in regards to that demoness that he was with. That Anu confirmed it. I don't think he'll be able to bring himself to do it. He'll be stuck as he is."
"She did attack him, though. And all around her. So, the moment she went against him, he should have cut off all ties. But, he is known to keep his promises. This is both a doubt and a debt," Lilaurael said. "I'm sure he's at a loss on what to think."
"There is nothing more to think of. He needs to release her of the promise. Then destroy the debt. If he wants to regain what he lost, then this must be done. That makes sense," Imperius said with realization. "That is what he needs to do. To take back his promise."
"I don't know if it's possible," Lilaurael frowned.
"He made the vow out of love. There is no more love there to hold it. His promise was null and void the moment she got out of control," Ilerael muttered out.
"Very true," Imperius nodded. "Did Tyrael return to Sanctuary?"
"He did. He has a lot of work to do right now. The library is starting to retain its former shape. The plants and seeds are being harvested and brought in. We could grow some of the plants here from the constant sunlight. Even Itherael was thinking that the Gardens could work. Auriel has some ideas on what she can do, too. She may even make a separate place for them. Oh. There's something else you need to know. Several of the female warriors here were able to remove their wings. In a way, many did it to help safeguard Anaurael. To keep the men off of her. But, many were also quite taken with a few of them. About five of them did this. I'm not sure how many more would follow suit," Ilerael said.
"It is their choice. I will not dwell on this. The angels that removed their wings prematurely are the ones I cannot trust. The females will be neutral. I do hope they understand what they have done," Imperius snorted. "There is no going back once they remove their wings."
"Oh, they are quite aware," Lilaurael smiled. "But, Auriel still has a major question that has not been answered by you. Ah, you do remember how they need to be here in order to start a family, right?"
"They have to be here. Yes, I remember," he seemed to grumble. His irritation vanished at Anaurael's soft sigh and the feel of her arms moving around his neck in complete comfort. Thinking much more clearly, he reviewed the situation from various angles. "Auriel mentioned a separate building. A different space unattached to the Halls and the Silver City. Fine. But, and I do mean this, once an offspring has taken place, they cannot return. Now, should they desire another, I will allow them to come back. However, they can only go to the structure in question. If they try to go elsewhere, they will be apprehended and sent back to Sanctuary. Furthermore, I will not assist with the building construction. That can be done by those that want to help. That structure will be ignored in full by me."
"And, what made you decide this?" Lilaurael asked.
"Anaurael mentioned to me how...beneficial it could be for more angels to balance out demons. Of course, the demonic hordes have had a stronger foothold there by being there longer. By doing this, we may be able to turn the tides. However, I will not train any of their offspring," Imperius said. "I will see to the training of any of your future offspring, but only because of their relation to Anaurael. She would want that. They could train here in my Halls. I can only personally train Anaurael, but her future siblings can seek further training here. That is the most that I can do."
"That is fine," Ilerael nodded. "The Horadrim, and any others, will gladly assist in training other mortal angel children. And thank you. For allowing this."
"You are welcome," he nodded back slightly. As they continued to discuss what needed to be done, Anaurael was being held by Malthael by the mental rainforest waterfall. He was sitting on the ground with her in his lap, and he was playing with a strand of her molten gold hair.
"You like my hair?" she giggled softly.
"I find it perplexing," he muttered. "It can be so soft and delicate like this. But...when you try to bend it or break it forcefully...you cannot."
"My Mother broke her scissors on it," she grinned. That got a chuckle from him.
"And...you never brush it..."
"No. It never tangles."
"I also noticed that your hair seemed to cover Titharius when his corruption separated from him. Even Izual, too. The demon that formed could not merge back onto them, so they were clear to be destroyed. Come to think of it, Inarius had no demon appear. That is...troubling. But, your hair shielded the demons away. It blocked them off from their original hosts."
"It did?"
"Yes. And it still grows?"
"I don't think it's growing anymore. Not that I can tell," she shrugged. He thought and managed to separate one strand of hair from the others. When he traced it back to her scalp, he noticed that it seemed to merge with the rest in two equal parts down the middle of her head.
"So...it's true..." he seemed to say with a touch of surprise. "Your hair was supposed to be your wings. There is no true single strand that connects to you. It all comes out in two equal parts and separates that way. Tell me. When you comb your hair, does the comb touch your scalp?"
"You know...I never tried that!" she blinked.
"Try it next time to see what happens," he nodded. "Yes, when you bathe, water does hit your scalp. But, your hair stays dry. We know when your hair did get wet..."
"Like a bloody bladed edge..." she shivered and got squeezed.
"Yes. Just like that," he sighed. When her hand rose up to caress his invisible cheek, he pressed his lips into her palm. Then he kissed her before laying claim to her with his Song enveloping her. When she rested against him some time later, he studied her physical condition. Then he chuckled.
"Hmm?" she asked in a drowsy way.
"Another took form. At last," he said and ran a slender gloved hand along her back. "And, this time, I refuse to let it leave your body."
"Don't let it," she whispered, and he squeezed her close. This offspring was made of both Tyrael and Imperius. The Vecin seer was right. He wasn't sure how it could have happened, but, since it did, the offspring would be insanely powerful. And I will inhabit it. Now it just had to take root in her womb. He would be monitoring it closely and guiding it to where it had to go.
"I will tell Tyrael and Imperius the news," Malthael said.
"No. I want to tell them," she smiled. He nodded at that, and she opened her eyes to sit up and stretch in Imperius's arms. When Imperius looked at her, she whispered, "Malthael said that another took form. Now it just needs to take root."
"Excellent," he chuckled and squeezed her. Her parents were still there and were overjoyed at this. Izarius had even managed to bring back some of the specialty foods for her to start eating.
"I want to tell Tyrael," she smiled.
"That is fine. Eat first," Imperius nodded. As she regained her strength in the High Heavens, Tyrael was working on the last of the paperwork at his desk. He was in Westmarch right now, and he had to go over the treasures that were being extracted from the library soon. The guards in his room had hidden themselves perfectly behind false walls to make the new mortal angels think they weren't there. This was needed, as the new ones there could see them easily. It fooled all that didn't know of them.
At the knock on his door, Tyrael looked up and said, "It's open! Come on in!"
"Thank you!" a feminine voice said, as the owner of the voice came in. She was one of the new mortal angel females, and she was wearing armor and garments similar to Lilaurael. The only difference was that she had larger shoulder pauldrons from being a swordswoman. Her sword and shield were kept in her current chamber with the others she currently shared the room with.
"Hello. You are...Mauriel, correct?" he smiled. She nodded her copper-haired head and blinked her green eyes at him fondly. She was as tall and robust as Lilaurael was, too, but he saw her purely as a sister. "How can I help you?"
"Um...I have a bit of a difficult dilemma," she sighed.
"What would that be?" he asked.
"I don't find any of the men here suitable for me," she frowned.
"Really? That's odd."
"I mean...there is one that I do find suitable..." she smiled and gave a flirtatious glance at him. She wasn't there when Anaurael put his ring on his finger. He completely ignored the flirting.
"Good! Maybe he will find you suitable, too," he nodded.
"See, that's the thing," she said and started to walk up to him. "I'm looking at the one that I think is suitable. Do you understand now?"
"I...oh..." he blinked and cleared his throat. "I am spoken for. I see you only as a sister."
"Spoken for?" she frowned.
"I am married to another. I am claimed. You should set your sights on another."
"But, I have no demon taint! Surely this other does?" she asked.
"No. Have you heard of Anaurael?" he asked.
"She belongs to Imperius."
"And to me. It's an agreement. She placed a wedding ring on my finger to show that I am tied to her. Yes, she is carrying offspring for Imperius, but that is in her soul. She may be physically carrying my son. As to why, simple. It is to birth a mortal champion for the High Heavens, and it was foreseen by Itherael. Even Anu wished this to happen. There is no need for you to look at me as a possible candidate for you. It was nice to see you, but I am very busy," he said. Then she moved to sit in his lap. Now he was getting irritated. "Please move."
"But, I like it here! I can help you work!" she said. He placed his hands on her hips to push her off. Then a flash of light lit up the room for him to find Anaurael looking at them in her gown of gold and diamonds. Her jaw dropped at the scene.
"This isn't what it looks like!" Tyrael said quickly. Mauriel was now in shock and got shoved off his lap when he stood up. "I was telling her that I was one with you! That she had no claim to me!"
"I...don't know...what to say..." Anaurael swallowed. Her mark flared out from her distress, and he groaned with disbelief when Imperius appeared. He saw the guilty look of the female in the room, Tyrael's distress at what happened, and Anaurael being close to tears.
"What is going on?" Imperius asked calmly. They were all speechless. He moved to press his thumb to Anaurael's glowing mark to glean what happened. Then he seemed to glare slowly at Tyrael.
"He is innocent," a guard said when he walked out of hiding.
"It is true. Mauriel tried to force her affections on him. He told her to leave. That they were not needed. He stayed true to Anaurael," the other guard said when he appeared. Now Mauriel swallowed. She didn't know they were there. Imperius nodded to Tyrael to let him gather Anaurael into his arms to rock her and hold her.
"You are the one I want to be with," Tyrael whispered to her. At the way she clung to him, he knew she loved him back. He knew she couldn't say it, but how she reacted just a bit ago was more than enough for him. When she whispered to him now, he found himself gazing at her with a form of joy. "Really?! Well, have you eaten yet?"
"I had something," she nodded. "I could use a little more."
"I have not eaten yet. Will you join me?" he asked. At her nod, he chuckled and nodded to Izarius when he appeared. A table was now being prepared. Imperius had not dropped his gaze from the guilty female even once. As a mortal angel, he didn't have to ignore her. And she had severely upset Anaurael. That was a massive mark against her in his eyes.
Izarius noticed that something was clearly wrong, but Anaurael patted his arm to show that all was well. He was quick to walk over to his sister and mutter, "Talk to me later, if you must."
"I will," she nodded. He hugged her, pressed a chaste kiss to her lips, and vanished back to Heaven. He had to sort a few articles of clothing for her that Greed had delivered to help her with heat. As much as Imperius had to go back to see to the troops, he had to address the current situation first.
"You need to explain yourself," Imperius said to her. "He told you to stop. Did he not?"
"He did," Mauriel whispered.
"Why did you ignore him? He is your leader here. His word is absolute. As is mine in the High Heavens. Are you one to be untrusting at all times?"
"No! I just...didn't want to believe it. That's all. I apologize for my actions. It will not happen again," she said softly. As she was leaving, she found herself blocked by Anaurael, but the look in her eyes was a form of soft understanding.
"I appreciate how you took the plunge to remove your wings. Not many are willing to do so. I do wish to see all that do this as family. As brothers and sisters. Will you be my sister?" Anaurael asked.
"I...yes!" Mauriel said with a trembling tone, and they both hugged. "I am sorry for my actions. I honestly didn't know. I didn't see what happened at the Heavenly Arch. I...disregarded what I heard, too. But, I did speak the truth when I found none of my type here."
"Well, why is that?" Anaurael asked.
"They seem too pushy. They expect far too much," she admitted.
"You know, you should talk to Ikarius. He has been showing promise," Anaurael suggested.
"Ikarius?" she asked.
"He's the one with white hair," Tyrael nodded. "I agree with her."
"Oh! I'll go do that," Mauriel beamed. Now that she had her issue resolved peacefully, Anaurael was able to sigh with a touch of relief. Imperius rested his hands on her shoulders to squeeze.
"You will be well?" he asked gently.
"Yes. I will be here," she nodded. He rose her up in his arms to kiss her and set her back down. After he went back to Heaven, Gurzick appeared with several other Greed Goblins.
"Okay?" he asked.
"Yes. A small issue did rise up, but we're fine. And, Anaurael will be carrying my son again soon. At least, I hope it's my son. He has only just formed. Now he just needs to take. We need to make sure she has plenty of meals," Tyrael said. "Malthael confirmed this."
"What issue just happened?" Greed now asked from Gurzick's crown.
"One of the female angels here tried to...make a claim to me. After I declined her. It was just the timing that it happened when Anaurael came in to witness such a thing. It was resolved peacefully enough. She will go after Ikarius. Do not bother her. If she does it again, you can pick on her," Tyrael said. "We are trying to build trust with them."
"What did she look like?" he prodded.
"She had hair like mine, but much darker and red," Anaurael said. "Ah! Copper, I think. That is the closest color I can think of. Of course, my hair is longer."
"I've seen her. Very well," Greed muttered.
"Oh," she said, as she got seated and served a plate of exquisitely cooked meat by a Greed Goblin. "Imperius has agreed to designate a building for any that wish to try and reproduce. Away from the Silver City, of course."
"He did?" Tyrael asked with amazement. He didn't think Imperius would take to the idea.
"Yes. So, Greed, if you feel you want to help by decorating it carefully, then you can. It is only for any new ones here to attempt making children. They will not be living there," she said.
"Ah. So, basic furnishings. I can do that," Greed mused. "That will not be hard at all."
"No treasures there," Tyrael advised and tucked into the dish before him. A pitcher of sweetened water was now placed in front of them. Ilerael had stressed to Greed on no wine or alcoholic beverages for her. It was easy to serve them both the same thing.
"Oh, I wanted to mention something," Greed said. "I found a hidden room in your library."
"Did you?" he asked.
"Yes. I don't think you knew about this one," Greed said a touch seriously. "It reminds me of that one Horadric rogue mage you had. The one that made the Black Soulstone. I can sense that dark essence coming from it. My minions go everywhere, as you know. This room was found during an exploration to see what else could be found."
"Kulle made a room in my library?!" Tyrael gaped.
"Who?" Anaurael frowned.
"Zoltun Kulle," Tyrael seemed to grumble. "I'm glad that one was destroyed by the Nephalem."
"Was he that bad?" she asked.
"Ah. You were not told of him," Tyrael nodded. "He was the one that created the Black Soulstone to hold souls for both angels and demons. To not only hold one, but multiple. Malthael tried to use it against humanity."
"I see..." she said softly. She heard Malthael's soft sigh, but she showed he was forgiven.
"You should have given it to me. I would have ensured none found it," Greed chuckled.
"That would have been the wisest decision ever," Tyrael smirked.
"None would have gotten it then," she giggled. He chuckled with her. After they finished eating, he knew there was one thing he wanted her to do. He helped her stand, and he took her over to his desk. Then he sat down and pulled her to sit in his lap. Greed giggled and had all of his minions leave the room. He wanted to scope out on the female that bothered them. He wouldn't do anything, but he was going to keep an eye on her for a while.
"This is better," he said and kissed her gently. "Did you want to help me with some work?"
"That I can," she blushed softly. At the very feel of her in his lap, it sparked a desire to have her closer. The paperwork was quickly ignored at the intense kiss he gave her next. At the harsh gasp of desire he let out when her mouth moved to nip at his neck, he knew he wasn't going to last long without having her. The two guards were able to move outside of the room discreetly to give them some privacy. Even they knew it was needed after what happened.
"I love you," Tyrael whispered to her when they reclined in his bed. "And don't say anything back. I know why you can't. I know you care deeply for me. That is enough."
"Of course," she nodded and pressed into him. "I couldn't believe...the thoughts I felt...when I saw her sitting like that on you..."
"I saw what was going through your mind just by your expression," he sighed and ran a hand along her back. "I only want to be with you. I don't need anyone else."
"I'm...happy about that..." she whispered softly. He tilted her face to his and kissed her.
"In many ways, you know me better than I know myself," he chuckled.
"There are quite a few things that I still don't know about you," she blushed and ran a finger up his chest. "I only know what Imperius told me."
"What do you want to know?" he said with a small grin.
"What can you tell me?" she asked with her own soft giggle. He squeezed her and got comfortable to tell her what she wanted to know.