“Mercy!” Gabriel cried; his voice sounding hollow through the water. “Have mercy on me, Godhunter!”
“Don't listen to him,” Thor growled as he joined us. “That bastard is as smooth with his words as he is powerful; he's playing you.”
“Don't worry; I have no mercy for angels who hurt humans,” I snarled. “For some reason, it seems even more diabolical than when other gods do it.”
Gabriel's power rushed through me; my mind blossoming with the knowledge of new languages and god spells. I saw the magic in every word; their true meanings and the ways I could use them. I felt our connection; how words would bow to my will, and the way I could give them life. I gasped as the magic collected inside my chest and the complete power of the Archangel filled me. Then I heard the sound of horns and felt a blast of air against my cheeks. Was I flying or standing still? I couldn't tell.
And that's when the pain came.
Gabriel fell backward and ceased to move as I dropped to my knees and screamed. The wall of water splashed to earth as Toby knelt beside me. Thor and Odin joined us soon after, and I was suddenly surrounded by men. But they couldn't help me; something inside me was trying to burst free, and it was burning its way through my back.
“Give her room,” a new voice said; a voice that resonated in my soul. “Her wings are emerging.”
The men backed away and a pair of feet came into my line of sight. Horrible agony seared my flesh; burrowing up from my spine as a horrible itching bloomed beneath my skin. I cried out and clutched my stomach; trying to protect my baby even though the harm was seeking a way out, not in.
“It's okay,” the new voice said as a hand came to rest on my head. “Stop resisting it; accept the pain with the knowledge that it will only be this once. Your wings are being born today, Godhunter. Soon, Heaven shall open its gates to you.”
“Heaven,” I whispered as I looked up into a pair of pale blue eyes.
As I watched, those eyes lightened and sparkled like diamonds. There was a symbol set on high his cheek, and it glowed with blue fire; the same color his eyes had been. His dark hair was closely cropped but looked as fine as silk, and my hands reached out to touch it automatically.
“Heaven or Hell,” I said, “it would all be the same with you beside me.”
“Carus,” he whispered as his eyes widened. “I've found you again.”
“Azrael?” The name left my lips as if it had been waiting there, and my new magic gloried in the power of it.
Azrael nodded as he lifted me to my feet, and a pair of gleaming white wings sprouted from my back with another burst of pain. I cried out and collapsed, but Az caught me and held me to him.
“I've got you, Carus,” he murmured into my ear. “And this time, I'm not letting you go.”
Why did his words give me a sense of deja vu?
“What's happening to me?” I leaned my head back and whispered the question to the sky as Azrael surged upward with me.
“Vervain!” Odin shouted. “Azrael, I will strike you down if you don't bring my wife back to earth this instant!”
I glanced down and saw Odin's spear, Gungnir, appear in his hands.
“Are you ready to fly?” Azrael asked; ignoring Odin.
My wings lifted at his words, and they caught the wind. I nodded, and Azrael transferred his grip to my forearms; giving me room to work while continuing to support me. I felt the muscles I'd just grown seconds ago bunch together instinctively. My wings pounded down, and I went up; soaring toward the Sun like Icarus. And Azrael went with me.
“Vervain!” Odin shouted.
I turned back, even though I knew that I could fly much higher without worrying about falling like Icarus; these wings would never fail me. But my husband feared for my safety, and I didn't want to worry him. I let go of Azrael and swept down; intending to land. But the feeling of flight was so familiar, and it brought me such joy, that I ended up soaring across the battle.
The fight had lost its impetus once Gabriel died, and now, another angel soared above the humans. They dropped to their knees and stared up at me in wonder. For the first time, I felt the appeal of divinity; the amazing sensation of being admired and worshiped. I looped about and headed back to my husband; finally landing before him.
“Vervain,” Odin said with relief as he pulled me into a hug.
I hugged him back and folded my wings around him. Odin looked up and reached a hand out to stroke my feathers. He shook his head in amazement before staring into my eyes.
“This suits you,” Odin whispered before he kissed me.
I gloried in that kiss; pressing myself tightly to his muscled body. I loved this man more than anything in the world. But even as I reveled in that love, I felt another love—just as powerful as this one—come pressing in against my heart. No; not one, but two. How was it possible to fall in love with two men in a matter of minutes?
Because you already loved them. Alaric—that disembodied voice—was back. Them and more; you are meant to be with all of them, Vervain. They are your support and your power.
