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Guardian, III

According to Ezekiel, Eden's grave was a short walk from the house. Issa could tell he wanted to talk to Edvardiel alone so she excused herself, giving Edvardiel some much-needed space. She knew that he only held onto her so tightly because he was worried about her. While she appreciated it, she didn't need to be babysat. The ominous gates were far away and no one seemed to notice that she hadn't bled on the heart.

Issa waited underneath an apple tree at the back of Edvardiel's home. The peaceful garden made her feel out of sorts. With no blood and violence distracting her, a century's worth of things she'd been forced to ignore now made itself known. Aches and pains. Exhaustion. Grief—although she didn't know if this one was hers or Edvardiel's.

Issa leaned back against the trunk and closed her eyes. The leaves provided a cool shade and the morning breeze blew pleasantly against her cheeks.

This time, she sensed the dream before it dawned upon her.

Once more, the two angels were battling, their golden blood raining down on her as a large hand pulled her through a devastated city. Magnificent wings wrapped around her and kept her safe in her slumber.

The colours blurred and the next thing she knew, she was floating in front of Eden's golden gates, her skin still warm from the seraph's great wings as he tried to set her down.

"This is as far as I can take you, child."

His glory faded and as the blinding light receded, she saw his face for the first time. He had the harsh face of a warrior angel, his wild hair shining flame-red. But his eyes glittered with humour.

Issa found that her child self was no longer afraid of him. She clung to his neck instead, not wanting to let go. "Where is Mother and Father?"

"I do not know." The swirling gold of his eyes was unearthly. Looking into them made Issa dizzy. "What I can tell you is that I am in great debt to your mother. She wishes me to repay the debt by doing three very bad things to you."

Issa blinked, light-headed from looking into his unnatural eyes, and he took the opportunity to put her down.

"I do not believe in stunting someone for protection. I do not believe it works. But this is your mother's wish and I owe that wicked woman too much." Displeasure flashed across his unearthly face as he opened his palm to reveal four fiery feathers.

Issa rubbed her eyes. "Mister Angel. You said three things but you have four feathers."

The seraph's grin transformed his face. "Very good, child. I may yet forgive you for your sharp teeth." The three feathers in his palm began to circle the fourth. "The first feather will seal your growth, the second your strength, and the third your memories. But the fourth is special. The fourth will free you. Do you want that?"

Issa nodded.

Wickedness danced in his eyes. "But the fourth is not part of the debt I owe your mother. If I give you the fourth then it means you owe me a favour. Do you understand?"

"I'm not stupid," Issa said and the angel laughed.

"Such spirit," he said, looking at her with delight. "I almost want to gift you the fourth." He smiled a very wide, very human smile. "In fact, I will do just that. The fourth will free you when the time is right." His eyes glittered with a deviousness that her childhood self didn't understand.

Issa frowned. "Mother says you must never take without giving."

The angel laughed again, looking thoroughly amused. "Very well. Let your father have it when you see him again. That is the favour you owe me."

Issa's frown deepened. "Let Father have what?"

"You will understand it soon enough." The fire in his palm grew, and the feathers spiralled around her head like a crown. They grew in size, blinding her until all she could see was feathers, fire, and the angel's flaming hair.

"Issa?"

The voice didn't belong to the angel from the dream. It belonged to her angel.

She would recognise his soft, honeyed voice anywhere. Gentle fingers stroked her cheek and she opened her eyes to find him looking down at her. His dark silky hair tickled her skin, glinting red in the sun. She reached out to touch it but was distracted by the ring of glory in his eyes.

"You were glowing in your sleep," he murmured, his thumb tracing her cheekbone.

He looked beautiful as always.

She reached up and circled her arms around his neck, pulling him down onto her and nuzzling close. She loved his warmth.

His brooding mood abated as his arms came around her. "Did my baby lion miss me?" he teased.

"I missed you."

The words came easily and she felt his jolt of surprise echoing her own. Something sweet and soft leaked from her heart, searing across the bond like fire. She felt the same softness from his end of the bond as he turned and kissed her. She let him lead this time, patiently responding as he caressed her with his lips and his tongue. When they broke apart, he buried his face in her neck.

"I missed you too," he whispered.

He didn't talk about his mother's grave and she didn't talk about her dream. They stayed in each other's arms, both fatigued and lost in their own thoughts. Although he belonged here and she didn't, it was comforting to know that she wasn't the only one overwhelmed by Eden's garden.