Chapter 1: New Beginnings
This short story is set in the immediate aftermath of Malbonte's war against Shepha. In this 'verse, Vicky is eventually going to become an angel.
***—***
Vicky and Malbonte return from Shepha's realm, treaty in hand. Their arrival is greeted with cries of surprise and shock; many of those present had not truly expected to see them returning alive and unharmed from Shepha's realm. However, immortals on both sides of the war seem relieved at the declaration of truce.
Vicky eventually slips away from the knot of demons and angels examining the treaty and goes to check on her friends. Apart from poor Lucifer, all her friends have made it through the battle and are healing from injuries. The news of the treaty and the ceasefire has already spread among the masses. Some are elated, while others merely look bewildered. Still others simply sit uninterested and mourn their losses. It breaks Vicky's heart to see Misselina's grief at losing Geralt. She remembers how selflessly he had insisted on Vicky taking Misselina to safety while he fought off the subantras.
Vicky eventually leaves after bidding farewell to her friends and promising them that she will return to the Academy soon. Some like Mimi and Dino are not happy about her association with Malbonte. Vicky can understand…both have lost their fathers to this war one way or the other. Feeling sick at heart, she trudges her way to Malbonte's room, her head bowed. Malbonte meets her in the hallway and grasps her hand, the touch immediately grounding her. The war is over. They have won, though what that victory will look like, only time will tell. And yet, Vicky is determined to have a hand in shaping it. She will not shirk her responsibilities like Shepha had. She put her hand to the plough, she will not withdraw it now.
Once they are private, Malbonte and Vicky quickly strip off their clothes and slip into the hot bath waiting for them. There, everything comes crashing down on Vicky and she begins to sob uncontrollably. It is an overwhelming mixture of grief for those who have died, especially her mother; for the devastation it has taken to bring heaven's secret to light; the horror of Shephamalum's dungeon; and the realization at what knife's edge their victory has been won. Malbonte holds her tightly in his arms, letting her cry out her emotions. He takes a washcloth and with gentle hands helps her finish bathing. After a hodge-podge dinner, they pass out in each other's arms, too tired for anything else.
***—***
Vicky slowly awakes to the feel of Malbonte's strong arm encircling her waist and holding her against his chest. Rhythmic puffs of air tickle the back of her neck as Malbonte's chest rises and falls like clockwork. She slowly turns around, careful not to jostle him. Malbonte looks so peaceful and relaxed, more like Bont than ever in his sleep. Vicky gently runs the back of her hand over his cheek, enjoying the prickly feel of his stubble, remembering with a blush how he had taken care of her last night. Just as he had tended to her when she had fallen sick, without judgment, without despising her for her display of vulnerability. If he is a monster, he has a pretty big heart for one.
Vicky shudders as she remembers the sight of his battered and bruised body at Shepha's realm and how he had almost died. How has Malbonte become so dear to her in such a short time? She had known and cared for Bont for much longer, but she has fallen for the whole man now. He is both Mal and Bont, and she feels such a deep connection to him that at times seems physical. Is it simply due to his power running through her veins? She doesn't think so, because she had been drawn to Bont even before the ritual that had transferred Malbonte's power to her, and no matter how much Malbonte dislikes accepting his angelic side, Bont is very much a part of him. Hadn't the reminder been what had pulled him from his destructive streak in Shepha's realm last night?
Vicky continues her gentle exploration of his features. She traces his eyebrows, painting soft arches with her fingers. She trails a feathery path along the slope of his nose and caresses his chin, mentally tallying all the ways Malbonte is both like and unlike Bont. She runs a finger across his bold, sensual lips. A rush of affection for the man beside her overwhelms her senses. He is so handsome, so strong, so passionate, so…
Malbonte suddenly flicks out his tongue at her finger, then slightly inclining his head, takes the tip of it into his mouth and nips it gently. Vicky hastily withdraws her hand and covers her face in embarrassment.
"Vicky…" Malbonte drawls, his voice rough with sleep.
Vicky peeks at him from between her fingers. A flock of butterflies take residence in her stomach catching his expression, because he is giving her that piercing lopsided smile she has only seen a few times, and it makes her breathless. Malbonte shifts to lie on top of her; she circles her arms around his torso and tucks them under his wings, enjoying the heft of his body blanketing hers.
"Good morning," she says, grinning, her heart thudding with excitement.
"Yes, it is," he says and kisses her on her lips.
They kiss for a while, deeply, lazily, savoring each other's taste, getting acquainted with each other's rhythms and blending them into an exciting and soulful melody. They slowly undress, taking the time to kiss and caress every part of their bodies exposed with each shed garment. The room tingles with their thrums of pleasure. When the end comes at last, Vicky is catapulted to a realm of floating clouds made of serenity and bliss.
Vicky tucks herself against Malbonte's side and rests her head on his chest. He puts his arm around her and sifts her hair through his fingers.
Recollecting something she's been wanting to ask Malbonte about, Vicky says, "The visions about your past have stopped for me. Do you still see mine?"
Malbonte shakes his head. "They've stopped for me as well—ever since the last time you were here."
"Does this mean my body has adapted to your energy?" She doesn't know whether she is relieved or disappointed that the visions have stopped. While they have both witnessed incredibly personal events from the other's past, those visions gave her a window into Malbonte's soul.
"I think so," Malbonte agrees. He gives a faint smile. "Your body seems to like having a part of me in it."
Vicky blushes and playfully hits his chest.
***—***
They leave the bed some time later to get ready for their upcoming flight to the Citadel. Malbonte has decided on flying to Heaven at once to ensure that everybody knows he means business. He is not one for procrastination.
They decide to take a dragon because of the distance involved. Malbonte would probably have no trouble, but Vicky isn't used to flying such long distances on her own. Fyr is still recuperating, so Vicky shares a large older dragon with Malbonte; the ride is hardly romantic as the dragon isn't as smooth a flier as Fyr, and Malbonte loops his arm around her to keep her steady.
As they near the citadel, they notice throngs of immortals gathered everywhere, buzzing with news and rumors of everything that occurred the night before. A hullabaloo arises when they spot Vicky and Malbonte approaching the main council chambers. Vicky tenses…is this crowd going to turn hostile? Malbonte squeezes her arm reassuringly.
When the dragon reaches the council headquarters, Malbonte pulls on the dragon's reins making it hover over the crowd. "Silence!" he bellows, and the crowd immediately quietens. Malbonte's face is stern, almost cruel, but his eyes reveal his strength and readiness to rule. His voice spells authority and commands instant obedience.
Vicky looks over the assembled crowd curiously. There are both angels and demons in the throng. Many demons live In the Citadel, but that alone is insufficient to account for the sheer number of them assembled here. Evidently many have made the long trip to the citadel in order to observe the latest developments with their own eyes. After all, Malbonte had promised to fight for equal rights for the demons. Was he going to fulfill his promises?
"Today is the start of a new beginning," Malbonte declares. "From now on, angels and demons will be treated equally." The demons cheered loudly. "The Law of Segregation has been nullified." More cheers erupt, this time from a seemingly younger section of the crowd. Vicky recognizes quite a few students from the Academy among them. "There will be a new Council and everyone's voice will have equal weight." More cheering, but Vicky notices some angels casting apprehensive glances at each other, probably wondering if the demons will start harassing them in revenge.
Vicky shudders as she steps into the council building. Has it only been a few days since her mother sacrificed herself to save her? Her mother's body is intered at the council cemetery and Vicky visited it on the day the old councilor had handed her the stumbling stone. Vicky knows that she has to stay strong and push through her grief. After all, her mother would have done the same and would expect the same from her.
Discussions and negotiations begin soon after their arrival. Angels and demons clamor to be included in the decision-making process, claiming the privilege of being authority figures of the old regime. But Malbonte is firm on starting over with a clean slate.
"The current Citadel Council is dissolved. Does anyone take issue with that?" Malbonte asks, looking around the chamber. Most immortals are still too intimidated by Malbonte to protest his decision; others have perhaps decided to bide their time. "Whoever wants to become a Councilor, whether angel or demon, will need to prove that they are worthy of the position. There will be a temporary committee selected to govern in the interim. We will revisit progress on a monthly basis and proceed from there."
One seraph, Alvin, speaks up at this juncture, pompously stating that demons have no experience in citadel matters and cannot be trusted to handle important council responsibilities.
Malbonte squeezes the armrest of his chair. "If anyone in the Council speaks out against equality even once, they will be executed," he sternly declares, his eyes hazing over with a film of darkness.
"My Lord!" The councilor looks terrified.
Vicky quickly inserts herself into the situation, suppressing a smile. Has the seraph been living under a rock? "You aren't open minded enough, former Councilor Alvin. I advise you to quickly accept the new rules of our world," she says smoothly. "Malbonte and I would like for those in the Council to fully support our ideals. After all, even Shepha has agreed." She looks pointedly at the treaty sitting prominently in the middle of the table.
The now officially "former" councilor, looking properly chastened, backs down. Though still an Unclaimed, Vicky has met with Shepha and has successfully negotiated a treaty with him. Moreover, she is demonstrably in Malbonte's confidence. No one present dares to question her presence or say in governance.
Malbonte is no fool. He shrewdly picks out immortals who seem the most able and intelligent among the lot and delegates to them the task of forming an interim governing body, his only stipulation being that there is to be an equal number of angels and demons in the new makeup.
After another hour of talks, Malbonte and Vicky leave the council chambers together. Most of the crowd outside has dissipated by now, though there are still some clusters of demons or angels here and there. They walk along the main thoroughfare, Vicky's hand automatically finding Malbonte's. For a moment, he does not respond to the gesture, and Vicky tenses. But he then clasps her hand and they continue walking, discussing the meeting, the treaty, everything and nothing. They finally come to a halt at a bridge that commands a view of a large section of the city and stand silently watching the sights. The pubs are all full, doing a thriving business with the visiting immorals. Construction workers are repairing the citadel buildings damaged during Malbonte's attack. A bunch of children are playing a game on the street, very much resembling the mortal game "tag". Humans and immortals seem so alike in many ways.
Malbonte eventually says, "I need to go down to Hell and see to things." Vicky nods, albeit reluctantly. She is not fond of visiting Hell. Sensing her hesitation, Malbonte says, "You don't have to come with me. It'll probably be better if I go down by myself. Without a Satan there, things are bound to be unstable."
Vicky nods gratefully. "I think I'll go back to the Academy and check on things."
"Alright."
"Are you going to be the next Satan?" Vicky asks curiously.
Malbonte snorts. "Goodness, no! That's not something I want or need. I'll set things up to run smoothly until a new Satan is appointed."
Vicky feels relieved, though she's not certain why. Perhaps it is because Lucifer died without getting his wish of becoming Satan. Or perhaps she simply doesn't want Malbonte permanently settled in Hell. "Will you replace Shephamalum? Can you do that?"
"If I couldn't do it, I would've never started all of this," he replies. He turns to face Vicky and takes her hands in his. "With the Amulet of Darkness in my possession, it will be a much easier job than it would've been otherwise. And it's all thanks to you. Without you, our victory wouldn't be possible."
Vicky blushes and nods in acknowledgment of his words. She has not yet spoken to Malbonte about her encounter with Shephamalum in any detail, and she doubts she will be able to for a long time. She cannot fathom how Malbonte spent millennia in that horrific dungeon with the horrific creator of darkness. Never has the phrase 'Abandon all hope ye who enter here' seemed such an apt description of a place more than the dark god's prison. As though sensing her troubled thoughts, Malbonte draws her close and presses his lips to her forehead. She puts her arms around him and rests her head against his chest, the steady beating of his heart soothing her spirits.
After a while, they seperate. Vicky asks Malbonte, "Were you surprised that Shepha agreed to our terms?"
Malbonte looks thoughtful. "As Mal, I could see nothing but cowardice in his actions. But I also remember the long conversations he used to have with Bont." He shakes his head. "At his core, Shepha was a moral coward who shied away from looking too closely at the larger implications of his actions."
"But with you, he was forced to confront the consequences of his questionable choices."
"Yes," Malbonte replies succinctly. "But he knows I'll be watching him and I'll make sure that he sticks to his word."
If Shepha had understood the depth of agony he would be subjecting Mal to, would he have split the boy in two? Perhaps not. Shepha had seemed genuinely regretful about everything he had done. At least he had had the grace to concede—that is something, Vicky supposes, whereas Shephamalum seemed incapable of conceding anything to anyone. "Will you come to the Academy tonight?" she asks, suddenly not wanting to be apart from him for long.
"I might have to stay in Hell overnight, but I'll come find you tomorrow."
Vicky nods, though she is disappointed at the thought of not spending the night with him again. Perceiving her disappointment, Malbonte caresses her cheek.
"Are you sure we should be meeting at the Academy?" he asks. "I'd rather not start a panic."
Vicky looks at him archly. "You didn't seem to care about that all the times you visited me there. In the garden, on the roof, in my bedroom…"
"Only you could see me in those visions, and you well know it," Malbonte counters. He tucks a thumb into his belt-loop and swaggers closer. "I can still visit you in your bedroom. Just to make sure our connection remains…stable."
"Alright, Peter Pan! I'll leave the window open for you," Vicky says, rolling her eyes and blushing. Malbonte arches an eyebrow in confusion. Vicky laughs. "It's an earth thing."
They smile at each other.
"Ready to leave?" Malbonte asks.
Vicky assents, and they take off into the sky together. The future is waiting for them.
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Hope you enjoyed the story! Would love to hear your thoughts.