Itherael was hovering about in his Library, as he recalled what happened. I showed her my core. She Sang with me. At the intense feeling of what happened after that, he knew how his offspring would come about. He didn't know if he should confide in Auriel. He was actually considering on keeping this knowledge hidden for now. He was still lost in thought when Izarius appeared to see him.
"Itherael," he said. "she is with Imperius in his sanctum. I needed to speak with you."
"Of what?" Itherael asked.
"More like of whom," Izarius growled. "Inarius. I didn't understand why Anaurael felt like she did around him. Now I know. He gives off the same vibe as that human scoundrel!"
"Talus'ar has warned on keeping him away from her. Nothing good can come of it."
"And now that demoness's soul is free to be reborn."
"Trust me. I know that all too well."
"What else is there for us to expect? I can only shudder at the thought," Izarius sighed.
"The Vecin female warned Malthael to not let Imperius lose his temper around Inarius. That some form of a tactic could be used if it was done," Itherael said.
"What? What tactic?"
"She refused to say. Only that, if we wanted to know, to let it happen."
"I will return," Izarius said and teleported to Sanctuary. Myriam was easily waiting for him now, and she rose up her hands. She did smile at the new halo, though.
"Celsa, I know why you are here," she said. "I could not reveal this to Malthael. But, I shall reveal this to you. The girl will not trust Inarius. Even if Imperius loses his temper. She knows him better than he knows himself. You have easily witnessed this. As for this Inarius, he would seek to gain her favor by stating that Imperius loses control. That he is rude to all. She will deter him."
"Why couldn't you tell this to Malthael?"
"Because he is rude to me!" she snorted. That got him to chuckle softly. "I tell him what he needs to know. However, I must warn you now."
"Of what?" he asked.
"Inarius may be exceptionally rude to you. To the point that you may want to kill him," she frowned. "It would cause too much stress for her. She could lose her babies. There can be no death of another angel in the High Heavens. At least done by another angel that is so close to her."
"It would cause her stress, because I am locked in her mind..." he whispered.
"Yes. And she would sense it. I know how stressed you get. It is safe to simply avoid confrontation for now. Ah! Talk to your Anu about this. He may help," Myriam nodded. When Lyndon walked over to flirt with her, he paused at the sight of Izarius.
"Are you that guard?" he asked.
"I am Izarius," he nodded. "I received another upgrade. Hopefully the last one. If you will excuse me, I was only here to get some information. Good day to you."
"Oh! Do you know if...?" Lyndon started, but Myriam was quick to slap him hard on the back to make him shout and stop in mid-sentence. Izarius seemed to glare. Myriam knew that the angel was in a killing mood. Izarius only nodded to her and teleported away. Now Lyndon looked at her and said, "Well, what was that for?!"
"I just saved your life. He would have killed you, if you asked about the girl," she snorted. "There is too much going on around her now. Her health is at stake."
"Oh. Well, what's going on?" he frowned.
"The one you all rescued from the Hells. Inarius. He is fully healed now, and he wants the girl for himself. It cannot happen. If it does..." she seemed to cringe. "No. I cannot get into it. Only bad things will come to pass, if such a thing happens. There is no good from this."
"But...he's an angel," he said.
"He is our ancestor. He has lain with a demoness. If he is with an angelic figure...well...any other than the girl, that is, it would be fine. But with her..." she faltered and sighed.
"You can tell me," he said softly.
"I know I could. But, I cannot," she sighed again and shook her head. He finally took her hands in his and looked into her eyes.
"I vow I will not say anything," he swore. At this, she thought and let out a mutter.
"It is not you that I do not trust. There are others listening at all times. This is why I can say nothing. Let us only hope that such a thing does not come to pass," she said and squeezed his hands.
"You can write it out! Burn the paper later, too!" he pouted. Now she laughed at him.
"Ah, celsa! This is why I like you so much! But, no," she grinned.
"I'm going to keep bugging you until I know!"
"Why do you think I will not tell you?" she beamed. At his gaping jaw, she laughed even more. Then she suddenly gasped and turned to face Malthael. The only other shock was that Lyndon saw him, too. His wings were flaring white to show how solid he was. And Malthael was bearing his weapons.
"Izarius spoke to Anu. I was granted flesh to serve as his messenger. You need to come with me to the Angiris Council. Now," Malthael droned out. When Lyndon moved to take out his Manticore, Malthael swiftly stabbed down with a scythe to impale a hand to the wagon. Lyndon cried out his pain when the scythe was yanked free. "That was a warning shot. Next time...I'll remove the whole limb..."
"Lyndon, do not do something so foolish!" Myriam scowled at him. "I need to go. I will not let them wait much longer. I shall be back."
"You cretin! My hand! My good hand!" Lyndon freaked.
"You have two. Make use of the other," Malthael smirked. At the sight of the Nephalem running over at Lyndon's outburst, Myriam waved her staff in warning.
"Lyndon tried to attack Malthael. He was defending himself. Lyndon will heal just fine. Talk to Xavian for a good healing salve. I need to go to Heaven," Myriam said.
"Anu sent me down," Malthael said calmly.
"Very well," the Nephalem nodded. The attack was justified. Now Lyndon was glared at with annoyance. "And you're an idiot!"
"But..." Lyndon winced. "he hurt my hand!"
"And you hurt my brain when you talk. Let's go," the Nephalem grumbled. "When will she be able to come back? Her aid is important here."
"It depends on how much she is willing to speak," Malthael said calmly. "If she says nothing, then she may not return. Such is how it may be."
"She is needed here!" the Nephalem scowled.
"Calm yourself," Myriam chuckled. "Come. Let's go."
Malthael sheathed one weapon to place a hand on her shoulder. Then they teleported away. Lyndon wanted to complain, but a glare from the powerful champion made him sulk. He went to find Xavian for a touch of the healing salve. In the High Heavens, Imperius was cradling Anaurael in his arms while waiting in the Angiris Council chamber. Tyrael was also there to keep a constant watch over her. Itherael had Talus'ar with him, and Auriel was hovering silently to find out what needed to be done.
Malthael had appeared with Myriam soon after, and they all regarded her. She curtsied lightly and said, "Yes, I know why I am here. However, it is not yet safe for me to speak. Is there a place we may speak freely? If any overhear what they cannot hear, then it will not be good."
"We can speak in my sanctum," Auriel said. "My wall of sound will block everything."
"Perfect, celsa! Let us go!" Myriam nodded. Imperius only muttered softly, but Anaurael kept her hand on his cheek to help him focus. Then she yawned and rested her head against his massive shoulder. He couldn't risk setting her down to walk with him. He needed her exceptionally close. When Izarius appeared, she smiled at him and yawned again.
"Feeling drained, sister?" he asked.
"Yes," she sighed. "Very much so."
"Just rest, my ward," Imperius muttered to her. "I refuse to set you down."
"I fear I am forgetting how to walk," she said and yawned a third time. He chuckled softly at her and pressed his lips into her palm. When she finally closed her eyes and succumbed to sleep, they had just reached the Gardens of Hope. Tyrael looked over at her and smiled softly at her sleeping form.
"She may end up waking," Izarius said.
"If she does, then it cannot be helped," Imperius regarded him. "Not much else to say."
"Huh?" Anaurael asked when she woke up with a heavy yawn.
"We reached Auriel's sanctum," he whispered to her and ran a hand over her back. She nodded and rested against him again. At the sound of her stomach growling, he looked at Izarius.
"I can fetch something really quick," her brother nodded and teleported away. When he came back, Darius, Mithus, and Azarius were with him. A small table was set up with a meal. Then he looked at Tyrael and said, "You should eat, too."
"What? I'm fine," Tyrael said.
"At least eat something light," Izarius said. Imperius was already setting her down in a chair to rest his hands on her shoulders. When Anaurael smiled softly at Tyrael, he gave in.
"Very well," he sighed.
"I have already eaten," Myriam said. Malthael moved to stand near the table silently with his weapons ready. Anu didn't take away his solid state yet. Something didn't feel right.
"Malthael?" Anaurael frowned. He turned slightly to regard her, and he bent down to whisper softly in her ear. She looked at him with a soft blink of her eyes, but she nodded. Then she gave him a tight hug and whispered, "Wait until after this meeting. Then do as Anu bids."
"I can do that," he nodded and kissed her cheek gently. He didn't dare to do anything more with her. Imperius was guarding over her rather fiercely right now. Then Malthael was taken by surprise when she reached out to grab his hand. He sheathed a weapon and let her take his hand to press against her belly. On feeling the movement that his body did, he paused. He didn't bother to do this yet.
"That is your body moving for you. Can you feel him?" she smiled.
"Yes. I can," he said softly. Myriam watched this carefully, and now she realized exactly how much Malthael loved this girl. It made her smile softly. In Myriam's eyes, Anaurael was the High Heaven's Chosen Child. It was only far too obvious. She also noticed Auriel's sanctum wall rise up. Now she knew that it was safe to speak what needed to be said.
"I am going to speak now," Myriam said. Malthael stood back up with his weapon in hand to regard her. Imperius squeezed Anaurael's shoulders as she ate. Tyrael was given a bowl of stew when he nodded to the Vecin seer. The others present now waited for her. "If Inarius is with this girl, then we know that bad things will happen. He will want her only for her beauty. Not for anything more. Even though he is an angel, the child made would not be pure of heart. It could become a host for demons."
"What?!" Imperius asked with disbelief.
"So, this is what would happen if she is claimed by one that is not to be with her," Izarius said softly with realization. "She could make vessels for demons. But...they would be mortal angels!"
"Yes. This means they could gain instant access to Heaven," Myriam said.
"If she is already pregnant, could something still happen?" Tyrael asked.
"No. Only if she is free for another," the Vecin woman said calmly.
"I just had a scary thought," Anaurael whispered. "Myriam, can a mortal angel be possessed by a demon? To attempt to be with me?"
"If their heart is not pure, then yes," Myriam frowned.
"Why do you ask that?" Malthael asked.
"There was that one mortal angel that led the others into removing their wings," Anaurael said.
"Mitherael," Tyrael grimaced. "Now I understand."
"The others did show remorse," Izarius said. "but he still holds doubts."
"I have been purposely keeping him busy. Come to think of it, he chose none of the females that went down. He always seemed to glance around the entrance to my chambers, too," Tyrael muttered.
"I should cull him..." Malthael growled. "Fix the problem now..."
"I would not stop you," Imperius nodded.
"Then the other mortal angels would not trust us. We will simply keep him in other areas away from Anaurael," Itherael said. "and the same would need to be done with Inarius."
"Maybe I should have Imperael guard her bedchamber instead of the Diamond Gates," Imperius muttered. When Izarius looked over at him with a nod, he would ensure that it would be done.
"It's a shame," Anaurael whispered and looked away from her meal. "to know that there are angels that would turn to darkness so willingly."
"You can only redeem those that wish for it," Tyrael said. She looked at him and nodded. "Look at what you did with Izual! Even he admitted to me that he was still amazed at what happened. Of course, he cannot recall what happened after he was caught now, but he knows that his mind is finally free of the torment it held. He feels that he is eternally indebted to you."
"I shall need to tell him that such a debt is not needed," she smiled.
"I'm still surprised at the size of Imperael, though. I was not expecting him," Tyrael grinned. That got her laughing softly. "And I pity any that are on the other side of his fist!"
"You need to finish eating," Imperius said and squeezed her shoulders.
"It is hard for me to focus on eating right now," she frowned.
"You need to taste some new things," Myriam said with a beaming smile. "Add a sauce to what you are eating! Even a new spice. Some new flavor makes all the difference."
"What?" Imperius asked her critically.
"Well, if you don't want to share in her tastes," Myriam shrugged. Now Imperius grasped what she was saying. At the small blush that Anaurael gave to Imperius, Tyrael was already adding a dash of salt to various items on her plate. Malthael was clearly amused. It would help her eat.
"Sit in my lap," Imperius instructed her. "It will make this easier."
"Am I done here?" Myriam asked.
"I have one last question," Malthael said. "Where is Inarius now?"
"You cannot confront him!" she said.
"I have no choice," he shrugged.
"Anu..." Itherael sighed. Malthael nodded slightly.
"That's why you still have your solid state?" Izarius asked.
"Correct. So, where is he?" Malthael asked again.
"Wait ten minutes, and you can see him where he used to reside freely," she sighed. "If you do not, you will not have the advantage you seek."
"Very well. I am done," Malthael muttered.
"I did have a question," Auriel said and hovered over to her. Myriam chuckled and nodded to her. As she leaned on her staff, the Archangel asked, "What do you see about the Burning Hells?"
"Currently, there is some confusion. Mainly of how your Inarius escaped. As much as Greed did claim it, not many believe it. Especially from all the death. Be on guard," the Vecin seer said.
"I'll have Greed spy for us," Izarius nodded. Imperius was enjoying various new tastes before he heard this news. At how he went rigid, Anaurael gently caressed his cheek. That got him to sigh and mutter at the ill luck of what was going on.
"If the Burning Hells truly have no sense of organization right now, then we have time. Stay with me all the time, if you must. It's fine by me," she smiled.
"Of course, it's fine by you," he muttered. When she moved to lightly straddle him in his lap to talk to him easier, Tyrael only cringed at the position. It was something he would want to try later. "And what is wrong with you?"
"It's...the way she's positioned...on you..." Tyrael said, as he cleared his throat. Myriam hid her own wide grin quickly. Now Imperius looked at Anaurael and how she was blushing. She clearly had no idea.
"She's coming with me to my sanctum. Return the female back to Sanctuary," Imperius said and rose up quickly with Anaurael in his arms. "Move the remainder of her meal to my sanctum, too."
"It shall be done," Azarius nodded. Itherael was forcing himself to study Talus'ar to keep his thoughts neutral. Malthael only sighed with a touch of amusement. He was no stranger to her position at all. Izarius was able to return Myriam to Sanctuary before moving to stand watch before the sanctum entrance. Imperius was already within it with her.
"You cannot sit down in your core form, can you?" Anaurael asked.
"No," Imperius said. He had her seated in his lap while he sat on his throne in the exact position she was in earlier. "I am unsure how this would even proceed."
"I wouldn't have the slightest idea, either," she shrugged. He had her pull up the cloth around his legs to expose the elaborate armored leggings underneath. Then he had her do the same to her gown. When nothing seemed to happen, she said, "Maybe you need to be reclining?"
"Hmm," he thought. She mentioned that before. He moved to stand with her and carried her into the bedchamber below. Having anyone there leave, he set her down and watched her arrange the pillows for him. Sitting on the bed, he carefully leaned back onto the mound of pillows. It was an interesting sensation to him. It also sent a form of unease through him. His feet were just barely touching the floor this way. He didn't like that. "I don't think I like this very much. Let's hurry with this."
"Okay," she nodded and managed to undress. Once more, the cloth around his legs was pulled up for her to straddle him directly. Now he felt something. And it shocked him. She couldn't even respond at the sensation that gripped her. It was unlike anything she ever felt before with any other.
Even as he recovered with her a few minutes later, he now realized that he was going to want more of that sensation. At the feel of her lying against him, he sighed and rested his arms around her. He clearly like the sensation of her resting on him. His wings were a touch cramped, but now he had an idea of a special reclining chair for him. He would give his idea to Ilerael. He knew her father would see about getting something made. As it was, he was now making plans to make her next physical offspring be directly from him. Little did he know it, but this was how the physical form of the Angiris Council would start.
Malthael was lost in his own thoughts, as he waited for the destined time before confronting Inarius. He mentally counted out the seconds, as he looked out over the Silver City. He gave a slight nod to any stunned angels that saw him, but his demeanor showed he was not to be disturbed. He would only allow himself to be disturbed if anything dealing with Anaurael was given.
When the time came to find Inarius, he moved swiftly to the Courts of Justice. Inarius had just reached his chamber when he paused in shock at the sight of his former leader. "Inarius. You and I must talk. Anu has sent me as his messenger. After we speak, I will lose my form."
"Talk about what?" Inarius asked.
"Anaurael. Who else? But, tell me. What are your thoughts about her?" he asked curiously.
"Oh. She is very beautiful and out of my reach."
"Are your thoughts truly pure about her?"
"She is my sister. What other thoughts would I have?"
"You are lying!" Malthael hissed and gripped his weapons tightly. "You have no place with her! Your heart is not pure! If you touch her, you will open a path for demons!"
"What?! No! You have my vow that I will not lay a hand on her!" he swore. Malthael's form seemed to shimmer to show that Anu was going to respect the vow. Inarius cringed inwardly, but he was always patient. Things could change in time.
"Stick to your vow. Or you'll find me sticking you with far worse things than a spike from the Burning Hells!" Malthael growled. He meant every bit of the threat. "Anaurael's destiny is far too important for you to meddle in. Do not interfere with her."
Inarius only nodded when Malthael's form dissipated in front of him. Then he felt a sensation that made him gasp. Anu was showing that I was now being watched personally. What happened next simply floored him.
:YOU MAY GET...WHAT YOU SEEK...IN TIME. BE PATIENT...A BIT...LONGER...: Anu ordered him. When the sensation left, Inarius wanted to know how much longer, but he stopped himself. Anu just told me that there was a possibility. I can't speak of it to anyone. Until then, I will do what I am told and see Anaurael as a sister. As much as his thoughts said otherwise, he couldn't anger the ones that brought him back to the High Heavens. He had too much to be grateful for. He didn't think that Anu could have been talking about another form of a companion for him, though. That was also a possibility, too.