The room is full of people, half of whom I don't know and have a sneaking suspicion I wouldn't want to. I made the mistake of asking someone what they did and the answer was 'destroy evidence for Etana'. I know Etana does some…questionable stuff but really, inviting 'colleagues' along to a wedding? Isn't that a little…well, silly? A man with white hair steps up to Etana and bows icily. She returns the gesture and I suddenly feel a lot colder.
"Isaac."
"Shadow."
"I am glad you could come."
"The entire Brotherhood came to see the marriage of the Shadow, our oldest member."
"Is it really wise for Howard to be here?"
"He is hidden."
"Good."
"Your gift from the Brotherhood."
A heavy bag that clinks a little too much.
"My thanks, Isaac."
They bow again and Etana's face twists into a hint of disdain, which changes to a look of joy when a man with longish blond hair and a beard steps up.
"Oh brilliant, Leo! I didn't think you could come."
He speaks with a soft Italian accent, "I would not miss this for the world, Etana. How much is it I owe you?"
He brings her hand up to his lips but I can tell it's a courteous gesture only, like Etana's bow from before.
"Nothing, Leo. I think the bet fell through quite a while ago."
He turns to me.
"So you are the man the Shadow fell in love with. Others have tried and failed most miserably. Would you object to me taking her for a dance?"
Etana is busy talking to someone else, and the earnest look in his eyes persuades me to nod. What happens next is curious. He says something in Italian and she responds. The dance that follows is stately and yet also free. Herc steps up beside me.
"What are they dancing?"
"'Tis a dance from the courts of the Borgias."
My history isn't very good but I know the Borigas were Renaissance Italy. Etana constantly surprises me. She dances over and pulls me out onto the balcony.
"Would you mind terribly if we skipped the rest of the reception. Only Tony's speech was rather embarrassing, especially the bit about me having a habit of kneeing opponents in battle. I think everyone is laughing at me."
I nod. Choosing Tony as best man, in the presence of alcohol wasn't perhaps my smartest move. He waxed lyrical about me being unable to use the Internet, coming out with Forties slang and being soundly trounced by Etana. But he's my best friend, so I let it past.
"You still haven't said where we're going."
"Well, there's the Eyrie, there's Aingeal, there's Venice, there's New York, although I don't think that would be a good idea, there's Japan, although I have sort of told Logan and Tora it's theirs now and there's Edinburgh. I haven't been to Rose Street for years… And the safe-houses, but I'm not taking you there."
"You decide."
A slight smirk, a grasp of my hand and we're in the atrium of a spacious building.
"Palazzo Angelo."
A man steps out, gasps then leaps forward and shoots off a very fast string of Italian, to which Etana responds in the same language. He gapes then scuttles off, looking a mixture of embarrassed and gleeful.
"What was that about?"
"I told him to have the week off and he'd still get paid."
"Is this… all yours?"
"I love Venice."
She takes me on a guided tour, round the house, showing me lots of stuff. She laughs when I question the gramophone, radio, cassette player and CD player all in one room.
"I'm a terrible hoarder Steve. Never throw anything away."
In the end, she stops in a corridor, standing quite still.
"I'm procrastinating, aren't I?"
"It's fine."
I actually think I'm more afraid than she is. But she suddenly turns towards me.
"I love you. More than I ever thought I could love anyone."
Her lips press to mine, warm and yielding, tongue exploring my mouth. The tips of her inky wings brush my sides and legs as she pressed me against the wall, light and teasing, far more intimate than feathers brushing through cloth should be. Her words to Hank after she agreed to talk about Cheyarafim practices come rushing back.
"The sexual act starts with the caressing of the partner with wings."
My hands are on her waist and head but she slowly guides one to the base of the wing. I bury my hand in downy feathers and press lightly. I knew her wings were sensitive but I didn't expect the response I get.
She moans into my mouth and we teleport, an instinctive reaction on her part. Although how she was able to land so perfectly in the bedroom, I'll never know…
A.N. Is anyone even reading this? Because if not, I'll just take the story down. Which is a pity as I've already got into the 60s chapterwise (55 is a heartbreaker). So can people at least show me somehow that they're reading this. You don't even have to review, just a small PM would do.
