Guess who's back, back again. Spoiler it's me.
Anyways, I know I'm always apologising for taking my sweet time but rest assured I will update eventually. The dedication for this one is honestly to all my readers, The Devil's Claim is almost at 100k and honestly I'm so happy. I do plan on editing it in the future when the trilogy is over as I do plan on editing all of them, but for now enjoy!
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Chapter 23 | In full Glory.
"Abaddon! I am ready to conquer the day and all that bullshit!" I yelled storming through the house. I found Abaddon shirtless in the garden doing push-ups with his wings fully out and unfolded. He merely ignored me. Awesome.
"Abaddon, I can do it now!" I cried poking him in the wing.
I watched his body freeze and he slowly looked up at me a heavy glare on his face. Perhaps poking him in the wing wasn't the best move. My foot took a step back and raised my hands in apology.
"Don't ever touch my wings. If you are confidant you have mastered it then clearly you have no more need for me to train you. That was not my mission here. My mission is to observe you and if I deem it necessary I will eliminate any threat you become," he snapped.
My hands lowered as my heart dropped. A lump formed in my throat as I tried my best not to break down and cry. I didn't understand why he was being so cruel now. I honestly believed he at least tolerated me, and I thought we were working towards a friendship.
"I'm sorry for bugging you," I whispered shoving my hands into my sweater pockets, fingers playing with the still unopened envelope.
My head hung and I turned to leave before hearing a heavy sigh.
"Sit down, let me tell you a story Cloud," he ordered.
Happily I spun with a huge grin on my face and plopped down right onto the grass. He rolled his eyes then sat in front of me, crossing his long legs. Kinda reminded me of one of those lanky spiders – daddy longlegs.
Around us, the wind blew causing the deep sweet smell of the roses to fill around us. The garden was beautiful today, small drops of dew cling to the petals and most of the roses were unfolded in full prime and beauty. Even Abaddon seemed to enjoy it, with the breeze he inhaled deeply – his shoulders relaxed slightly.
"Stop smiling, this is a story often told between angels. It is one of sadness and foolishness," he snapped.
My hand slapped across my grin and I peered at him trying to follow his order but too happy to actually not grin. He muttered under his breathe before shaking his head.
"Never mind. Tell me Cloud have you heard of the angel Azul?" The question threw me off guard and I shook my head.
It was true, my last name had been Azul but both Daniel and I had been named by the church I had been born at. Now it had made sense, why I had been named after an angel. It gave me pride and interest to hear of this angel I had been named after.
"Well you shall learn of her today," he paused looking away from me and at the roses, "Azul was the angel of destruction simply put. Her glory was one nothing could compare to and she used it with both anger and love. However, she was also the angel of destruction. Azul was deadly as she was gorgeous. Almost indestructible. However, when created with one flaw. Azul was born with a twin brother, the angel of death. Because of this, the angel of destruction grew with human morality and emotions. She'd often would visit churches, converse with the humans and often she would fight for them and against them."
"She sounds like a deity for the people," I cut in.
Abaddon jolted as if remembering I was there before a ghost smile crossed his lips. Then as quickly as it passed, it was soon gone.
"She was truly something. A true and kind angel of darkness. And that was what we all had forgotten, darkness doesn't always equal to bad and light does not always stand for good. She was the very divinity of despair and destruction yet I truly believe she knew more of love and kindness than any of us. Soon she had then fallen for a human. The angel of death watched as his beloved sister fell for a human man," he paused to look over at me then back at the peaceful roses; and I merely stayed silent awaiting him to continue, "It was no secret what became of angels whom bared children. Yet she did not care one bit. Our people became angry and turned our back onto her. All but her brother whom vowed to protect his sister with his life. For the angel of death had also grown human morality just like his sister. Except where she lived for the humans, he lived for her. She was all that he had ever know, thus he vowed to protect his younger twin. The night the angel of destruction gave birth was also the night the man she had loved so much disappeared. That night the Azul gave birth to a beautiful girl. Azul handed her beautiful infant to the church and with little time left on her hands she had made the angel of death vow to protect that infant that had taken his sisters life. The angel of death didn't agree."
"But it wasn't the baby's fault," I gasped shocked at the stories turn.
Abaddon chuckled.
"You are right Cloud. It was not. Despite not agreeing he did accept the vow. He had even named the child. Once Azul took her final breath, the angel of death took his sister's body and in a form of sorrow and rage he did not return to the church for years."
I gasped loudly, my eyes bulging.
"He left his niece to strangers?" I couldn't believe it.
"He was indeed the biggest fool there was. He learned that quickly, he had abandoned his only family left and his sister's beloved legacy. And so, when he returned years later he learned his punishment for leaving. The father of the infant had returned and taken the child with him. It was only when it was all too late had he found Azul's daughter."
I hadn't realized I had started weeping until after he had finished his story. Now his eyes softened on me and my tears before Abaddon let out a long sigh.
"I tell you that story for a reason Cloud. You are strong yet you also have connections to people who are dangerous and forbidden to you. Your story will not be a happy ending for anyone. Keep that in mind moving into the future; pick when to choose with your heart and when you must choose with your head. Separate the two, once you do even your glory won't tie itself to simple things such as emotions." He ordered pushing his les to stand up.
I noted the sudden cold tone in his voice and how his face was lost of emotions once again. Even as cold as he was, his voice was somehow comforting with his smooth, rumbling voice. Despite how I wanted to argue his words I remained silent. Knowing it was not the time.
With one final heated look he left me sitting on the grass of the garden. I sat there, just breathing in the rose thick air and the cool breeze against my skin. My fingers buried into my pockets when they brushed against the envelope. I had forgotten about that.
I pulled it out smiling at the little wax stamp before opening it. The moment my fingers peeled back that paper lip and pulled the letter free, I was astonished at the elegant hand writing.
Lady Cloud Azul of Inferno,
As another woman of such class I bid you a good evening. Digget has talked much about you and for that I am truly impressed. I originally had sent the boy to observe you – for the sake of the council. However, he did come back bias in your favour it would seem. To my surprise despite what Johnathan has told us he seems to have grown a soft spot for you as well. For that, I invite you to my home, within the gates of Debil, for a glass of tea – or wine if you'd prefer. You may bring Elizabeth with you as it has been such a while since I have seen her, however refrain from bringing your dear husband. Until then I bid you a good day Lady Azul,
~ Potion Mistress
My eyes skimmed the words three times as I took it in. This was a letter directly to me from Digget's "master" and I was entirely nervous. Despite it being an invite, I had the feeling it wasn't a request. However, I didn't think Digget's master would mean to hurt me. At least not in front of the child.
I'd have to go over it with Elizabeth first – which considering how I hadn't seen my friend in a while I knew with enough begging my husband would be persuaded. Perhaps a little more than begging. Lucas was weak when it came to his wonderful wife's lips.
A sigh escaped my lips as I looked up at the sunless sky. There was a cool breeze today.