Chapter Nineteen

Adriel`s honey wheat air fell into his ocean blue eyes as he readied his golden bow. Light shone from the gold in his wings. He held them against his back, steadying himself as he pulled back on the string, the arrow notched. He released the tension, the arrow singing through the air, slicing perfectly to end its journey in the dead center of the target. Adriel`s lips turned up into a small sly smile as he brought his bow back to his side. He was one of nine elite warriors under His command. The gold in his wings was a symbol of his status and his lethal skills. He closed his eyes and his mind wandered. He imagined the field of lush green with the small river flowing through the middle. He wondered if she was waiting for him there. Adriel tightened his hold on his bow, elaborately carved and decorated with golden leaves, and willed it away. The bow vibrated inwardly then disappeared from sight. The humming reminded him of the forcefield like wall that kept them trapped in Heaven, never to see or help their beloved humans they swore to protect. Adriel shook himself inwardly and began thinking of the lush field again. He saw Alaine`s perfect face, every detail perfect and crisp. He willed himself there with her, her wings spread wide to catch the warmth of the afternoon rays. He could feel the wind caress his face and toss his hair gently, softly whispering through the green blades underfoot. The smooth bubbling of the river added its sounds to the wind. Her golden blonde hair stretched behind hair, caught in the wind. She smiled at him.

I see you, She mouthed.

He opened his eyes and smiled to himself. He spread his wings and took flight, soaring high above. The feeling of flying was freedom. He loved the way the wind felt in between his feathers. He loved the sensation of flight. Adriel passed others, some were flying fast rushing places and others were flying just to feel the freedom. Below him stretched the vast sea of green. He lifted his face to the warmth of the sun and let it bathe him. His wings carried him effortlessly to the place he had seen Alaine. She lay in the grass, her face turned upwards to the sky. A smile lifted her lips as Adriel came into view, but soon faded as her face clouded over. He already knew what she was going to say. Adriel landed gracefully beside her and folded his wings against his back. She stood to embrace him, her winter white dress blowing softly around her knees. Alaine leaned her head against his chest, wrinkling his white deep v neck. He wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her against him. She buried her face in his a fistful of his shirt as tears cascaded down her slender cheeks.

Forbidden, the word hung between them.

A warrior of the elite was not supposed to love. He was supposed to commit himself fully to his duties. Worse, she was the Commander`s own blood. If anyone knew about the two of them, death was imminent. The Commander had been only a young man when he was suddenly appointed Commander. The Commander before him, had battled in the war against the witches and he and all the men under his command, perished. As the brother of the fallen Commander, he was the only one alive with any training, so he was given the title Commander and he built his own army of eight from scratch. Alaine let her fist relax and the cloth of his shirt was freed. Adriel had vowed long ago that she would not distract him from his duties, rather she would give him more strength to fight when the time came. The familiar hum of the Wall was comforting. No one ever ventured this close to the Wall, so Adriel was not that worried about anyone finding them here.

He leaned close to her ear, "Please don't cry. No one will find out about us." He whispered soothingly.

Her reply was weak, barely audible, "When they do, they will kill you. You will be accused of putting everyone else in danger. I am nothing but a distraction..."

Alaine clung to him as her tears turned to sobs. Her sobs drowned out all else. He wanted desperately to comfort her, to make her smile. To take away her sorrow. Her knees weakened and she swayed. Adriel led her to the ground and held her close as she cried. After a few moments, Alaine`s tears slowed and she sat in silence in his arms. It was quiet now that her tears had stopped. Adriel jerked with surprise. It was silent.

"Alaine...what do you hear?" His voice was urgent.

She immediately looked up at him and listened.

"I don't hear-"

"Anything." He finished for her. "Not even the humming of the Wall."

Alaines eyes widened and she jumped up and ran to where the Wall was supposed to divide the realms. Adriel reached out to her.

"Alaine, get back."

She stretched her hand out to the Wall.

"ALAINE!"

She spun around to him.

"Its gone, the Wall is gone!"

Adriel walked to her side and outstretched his hand. Instead of being met with resistance, his hand rippled through and disappeared from sight. He quickly pulled back his arm with a yelp of surprise and backed away. Alaine gave a fearful look but stepped up to also passed her hand through the Wall. Adriel saw the rippling light moving towards them along the Wall. He grabbed ALaine and pulled her from the Wall. He wasn't fast enough. Electricity shot through them, causing him to release her as they fell. His vision was spotty and he saw lights, even with his eyes closed. He lay on the ground next to Alaine as the last of the electricity ran out of them and into the ground. As it departed their bodies, it left a searing pain behind. Every muscle and tendon in his body was hot with it. He lay unable to move. His wings were not responding, nothing was. He couldn't even form a coherent thought. Alaine moaned beside him somewhere. He could smell the odor of singed flesh and burnt feathers. They lay in agonizing pain for hours before their bodies finally recouped. The humming was back. Adriel knew the Wall was there again, keeping them prisoner inside their own home. It had weakened for a moment, allowing them to pass through.

Why did it weaken? Can it be permanently broken? The first full thought echoed in his head.

He slowly sat up, stretching every muscle he could. Alaines wings and hair were smoking. the majority of her dress blackened rags. Her eyes were closed, shut tight against the pain. He looked over every part of her, searching for external damage. He knew the most serious damage would be internal, the things he couldn't see. He knew he probably looked just as bad. It would be virtually impossible to keep their secret hidden now. He knelt beside her and shook her gently. She stirred but moaned in pain. He could taste the sharp metallic iron of blood in his mouth. He didn't want to know how little of his lips remained. Alaines lips were badly cracked and bleeding but otherwise whole. He knew he would have the worst scars from the entry and exit points of the lighting. All down his arms were long,skinny, angry red lines. Alaie opened her eyes to stare at him unfocused.

"You look terrible Adriel!" She put a bloody hand to his face. The skin on that hand was gone, the missing flesh exposed the muscles and tendons underneath, and even the white of bone shone through in some places. her arm was sticky with blood and pus from her hand. she noticed her hand and quickly withdrew it from his face. Fresh tears flowed down her reddened cheeks.

"We need medical care, if we go then everyone will know about us, and you will be killed."

Adriel gently put his hand under her cheek and as carefully as he could as to not hurt her, tilted her face so she had to look at him.

"You go and get medical treatment, I will be fine."

Alaine shook her head, Her sobbing causing her to wince in pain.

"Adriel no! You need treatment!"

Adriel wanted nothing more then to once again ease her pain, this time he could.

"Alright i will go. If things take a turn for the worst i will do whatever is necessary to protect you."

His jaw was clenched tight, his eyes furiously set. He wasn't wavering. Alaine nodded her understanding as Adriel scooped her into his arms, ignoring the jab of pain.