“Elsbeth, I stand before you merely a man, if you don’t love me, I und…”
Elsbeth leaps into his arms, sobbing uncontrollably. Simeon lifts her and holds her close. Laughing and crying with her.
“Of course I love you,” she says raining kisses over his face.
“Say you’ll never let me go again, Simeon!” She demands pushing back to look into his chocolate eyes.
“I’ll never let you go again, Elsbeth.” His mouth takes hers in a searing kiss and for the first time they touch without shame, fear, worry or regret. Only love.
Chapter 38
A baby’s cry fills the morning and Varena hurries to her daughter.
“Okay little one,” she coos as she lifts her tiny body and pulls her close shushing her gently. “Everything is going to be okay, Alexandria, mommy is here.”
Varena looks out the window while the baby nurses and wonders what the future holds. Hunter brought her back to his home with him and Alex. Polly returned with them to her home and Ruby and Ronnie have gone back to their ranch, with a promise to all get together at their house in the spring.
Hunter stands in the doorway watching her and the baby.
“Isn’t it odd, Hunter how things change so quickly?” she asks him.
“Yes, change is part of life. More change is coming I am sure. Once human’s and angels created only destruction and evil. Yet look at Alexandria.” He says in wonder walking closer to look at her. “She is not evil, she is proof that change is inevitable.”
Varena reaches out and takes his hand. “You are amazing, Hunter. How is it you can love another person’s child as your own?”
“You make it easy, Varena and I know of another man who raised a child that was not his own, so it is not totally unheard of. When I look at her, all I see is hope. Hope that we are worthy of love. She is a reward to the faithful, a reward to your strength, and determination to survive.”
Elina watches from the shadows with Malach and she sighs.
“Raphaim was more than an angel, he was a child of a Keeper and Archangel. He was pure evil. I have seen what her future holds and it is not pretty. She will need blood to grow strong and healthy. Will Hunter be able to raise her knowing that? Will Alex be able to live with her once they realize it? Is it even fair to ask them too?”
“Who better to raise her than a Gunskaliski and two Keepers? They will need to be trained and I am sure we can make sure they are?” Malach reminds her.
“It would be safer to take care of it now?” She says looking back at the child. She does not see the infant, but the girl ripping the heart from her brother and raining blood over a crowd of hungry fallen. Her eyes begin to glow and her hand itches as she grasps the hilt of her sword.
“So many questions, but not the right ones.” Malach says running a hand over her soft white wings. Chills erupt at his touch and she spins around in his arms.
“I have a question for you, why don’t we let our Father guide us and try not to out-think him.”
A soft smile curves her lips, “Yes, that may be sound advice considering what happened last time I second guessed my maker.” Her smile fades as the babies crying echoes out once more.
“I don’t know why she’s so fussy tonight, Hunter. I have fed her, but it seems like she can’t get enough. You don’t think she’s getting sick do you?” Varena asks in a worried voice.
“Let me see,” he lifts her up and kisses her chubby cheek before settling her on his shoulder. Her crying changes to a hiccup and she calms quickly, soothed by his touch.
“No more crying, little angel. Everything’s going to be fine,” Hunter promises and walks to the window to look outside.
“Everything’s going to be fine.” He says to the angels outside the glass.
Elina sighs, “Time to go home, Malach.”
Chapter 39
They fly to the farm, just as the sun rises in the fields, casting a golden glow across the land. She is nervous, she does not know how they will react. They have been her parents and lovingly raised her. They have fought with her, prayed for her, and loved her. Malach takes her hand and smiles at her.
“You worry too much. They love you like a daughter, Elina.”
“Oh, I’m not worried for me, but for you, husband.” She turns with a sassy smile and heads to the barn.
He is moving slower these days, spreading fresh hay inside the stalls. The horses whinny and prance inside watching her as she moves softly inside the outbuilding.
“Hi, Dad.” Elina calls out softly.
He stands slowly and turns around tossing the last of the hay down.
“Elina?” he whispers with shock.
“Elina!” he roars and runs forward before skidding to a stop. He has only just noticed her wings. Seeing them from a distance and up close are two very different things.
Ruby walks in with two cups of coffee and stops in her tracks with her mouth open. She drops the cups and runs to her daughter, “Elina!” she sobs wrapping her arms around her daughter.
“It’s okay, Mom, I’m okay.” She says returning the hug.
“I thought we’d never see you again.” Her mother weeps and turns to Ronnie. “But you’ve come home. She came home, Ronnie.”
“For how long, Elina?” he asks. Malach steps into the barn behind her and Ronnie’s eyes snap to his.
“You made me a promise, Angel!” Ronnie growls at him.
“Dad…” Elina tries to soothe him, but Malach raises his hand to stop her. Ruby turns with a smile at Elina and releases her daughter.
“Ronnie, now is not the time for this, we need to celebrate with our daughter!” Ruby wipes her eyes and turns to Malach.
“Thank you, for bringing her home to
