Chapter 10

I expected our lovemaking to be satisfying and it was. What I didn't expect was what would happen when she lowered her mental barriers. Our minds didn't simply touch. They collided. I felt her heart and mind. I know her fears and doubts, feel the strength of her devotion to her father and the guilt she feels at what she did to try to heal him. I feel her concern for her friends and I feel her love for me.

It's unprecedented. That's not being melodramatic. I've never connected with anyone on this deep of a level. Perhaps it's because of her unique heritage. Heritage she is completely unaware of.

What will she feel when she discovers the truth? Will it change how she sees herself? Will it change how she feels about me? I hope not. I never intended it to happen and find it miraculous that it has, but for the first time in my existence, I am in love.

To coin a human phrase—it scares the holy crap out of me.

Gabriel watched her sleep. What was to come would be difficult for her. She was going to discover truths that would shake the foundations of her self-identity. And possibly shake the unquestioning trust she had in her father.

Not to mention the fact that she might end up a pawn in a very dangerous game as factions aligned in their quest for power and dominance.

He knew which side he stood on. Beside his friends. Beside Augustus. He might drink blood for survival, but was the most fair and moral leader Gabriel had ever known.

Gabriel checked the time. He'd have to wake her before long if she was going to make it to her job on time. As if cued by his thought she opened her eyes.

"So it was real."

"Excuse me?"

"Us. What happened."

"Yeah, it was very real."

"What time is it?"

"Almost eight."

"Oh shit! I have to get to work." She bolted up from the bed, scrambling around on the floor for her clothes. "I need to shower and change. I have to go."

"No worries. I'll take you home."

He got up, dressed, and as she finished buttoning her shorts, pulled her to him for a long kiss. "It was real."

She looked at him and he felt the questions in her mind. Could she trust what she felt when their minds touched? Did he really care for her?

"I do, Heaven. A lot."

"Me too. But that won't pay my rent, so how about helping a gal out?"

"Angel Express at your service, ma'am." He took her hand, led her outside and then lifted her into his arms and took to the air. When he set down behind her home, she gave him a soft kiss.

"Will I see you soon?"

"As soon as you get off work. I'll be waiting."

"What are you going to do?"

"Find Taighan."

"Do you think you can?"

"Yes."

"Okay, well, I better hit the shower and get ready. It's a bit of a walk and—"

"Your keys are on your kitchen table along with the rest of your belongings."

"They are? Did Layla ship—"

"No, I brought them."

"Oh thank you." She threw her arms around him. "It might be a POS but it'll be so nice to be able to drive to work."

"Glad to help. Now, go. I'll meet you at the bar. What time do you close?"

"I'll be done around 3 am."

"I'll be waiting."

He gave her a lingering kiss then took to the air.

Nevaeh watched him until he disappeared from view then hurried inside. She had no confidence that her mind would be on work. With all that was going on, she felt a bit like Alice in Wonderland. Only Alice hadn't lost her heart to a gorgeous angel.

*****

Gabriel parked the car and turned off the engine. Taighan looked at the facility and then at Gabriel. "I never thought to see him again."

"Yet here you are."

"Yes."

"Look, I'm not going to crowd you. I know you need time with him, but I am going to remind you again that both of you need to think about Nevaeh. She had no say in this charade and it's not fair for her to operate blind. She needs to know the truth, Thelonious."

"Taighan."

"Yeah, I know that's what you're going by but it's not your name and we've known each other long enough that you can trust me with your real name."

"True."

"So come on. I'll do my thing on the nurse in charge and hang out in the waiting room until you and Nathanial have spoken."

Five minutes later Gabriel was opening the door to Nathanial's room. He was sitting in his chair, staring at the television screen. He didn't turn his head or acknowledge their presence until Thelonious spoke.

"Nathanial."

That was when Nathanial reacted. He turned his head and the moment he saw Thelonious, tears welled in his eyes. "Grandfather."

As Thelonious started toward Nathanial, Gabriel made his exit. He made his way to the waiting room and took a seat. He thought about Nevaeh and how she was going to feel when she learned the truth. She loved her father more than she loved anyone. Would she see him keeping the truth from her as protection or betrayal? He hoped it was the former.

"Gabriel?"

He looked in the direction of the voice to see Thelonious at the door. "Could you join us?"

"Sure." Gabriel followed him to Nathanial's room.

"So, they did break the spell." Gabriel directed his comment at Nathanial.

"Yes."

"And what do you plan to do now?"

Nathanial looked at Thelonious. "My grandfather told me where you stand and I agree. Nevie has to be told."

"I'm glad you agree. She's already placed herself in a lot of danger. To proceed without knowing puts her at a huge disadvantage from those who would seek to manipulate her and use her abilities. Or use her to get to you."

"I know and I won't have that. I will tell her, but not here. I need to leave this place. My enemies know where I am."

"And just exactly who are your enemies?"

"What do you know of our history?" Thelonious asked.

"Severin gave me the highlights. You and your wife had a daughter who mated with a wizard, Raj Ragnorok. They are Nathanial's parents. Your daughter was taken hostage to force Ragnorok into service for the dark fae. He refused and your daughter was killed.

"Ragnorok and his followers stormed the stronghold of the dark fae and he was also killed, leaving you to raise Nathanial. You faked your own deaths, crossed into this realm, and took different names to raise Nathanial.

"He grew up, mated with an angel, Gavreel, had Nevaeh and then Gavreel was killed."

"In a nutshell, yes. What you were not told, and what our people here may not know is that my wife Zerena is of the house LaFoy."

"And that is significant because?"

"The mother of Eldric Whitehorse was of the house LaFoy. Her mate, Michael hid two of her children from her when she abandoned the light path and resumed the ways of the dark fae. They had three children."

"Yes, Eldric and his sister Ellie have been looking for their other sister." Gabriel picked up with what he knew of the tale. "Apparently the doorway between worlds got—I don't know, out of kilter, malfunctioned or something. Michael searched for the places on Earth that housed the doorways and found one in Florida. He spent years trying to open it. His daughter Ellie had the power to open it at least partially and Eldric, who was on the other side, added his power."

Thelonious nodded. "Yes. And it was assumed that only Eldric crossed over."

"And that wasn't true?"

Thelonious looked at Nathanial for a moment before answering. "The other Whitehorse child is Elysia."

Gabriel didn't often feel a strong sense of alarm, but those words sent something akin to a pain lancing through him. "The woman who took Nevaeh is Elysia Whitehorse?"

"Yes. She is formidable. The oldest of the Whitehorse tribe, she has spent her life being schooled by her mother's house in the arts of the dark fae. Her mother's blood is strong, but her father's even stronger."

"Augustus needs to know this."

"Yes, he does. Nathanial and I would appreciate the chance to meet with him in person. To that end, we must find safe haven. Zerena and I must leave our homes. It will not take Elysia and her people long to come for us now."

"But where can we find safety?" Nathanial asked.

"I can take care of that." Gabriel put his hand on Nathanial's shoulder. "I have a home in Florida. It is protected but I believe that with the help of some friends, we can shield it."

"What friends?"

"Andre, Severin and Eldric."

"And they are?"

"Andre is wizard, Severin is demon and Eldric—well you know who he is. If you leave now, you can be there before morning. I'll get in touch with my friends and we'll meet you there tomorrow morning."

Nathanial looked at Thelonious. "Can Grandmother leave now?"

"I don't think it will take any convincing. But we need to get you out of here without raising an alarm."

"I think I can take of that, too." Gabriel pulled out his phone. "Let me make one call."

He dialed Augustus. "Hey, I need a favor…"

*****

Nevaeh checked the time on her phone for the fourth time in an hour. It was finally closing time and she was eager to get out of there. It concerned her that Gabriel had not returned as promised, but she told herself to focus on the tasks at hand and trust that he would be there when she finished.

She wished there was a way to sneak into the care facility so she could go see her dad. She knew it would bring unwanted attention to him if she did that so she'd wait until morning. And hope that damn Elysia didn't show up before then.

It took a little over an hour to finish what she needed to do. She cashed out her credit card tips and walked outside.

Gabriel was leaning against her car in the parking lot. She felt the smile rise on her face when she saw him. The smile he gave in return had her spirits lifting. She hurried over to him and went eagerly into his arms.

His kiss woke passion despite the lateness of the hour and the worries on her mind. When the kiss ended she pulled back and looked up at him. "You're way too good at that."

"Is there such as thing as being too good of a kisser?"

"Good point. So, you want a ride, handsome?"

"Yes, I think I do."

"Then get in."

He had to scoot the passenger seat back as far as it would go to accommodate his long legs.

"The air isn’t working. Sorry."

"No problem. You have windows." He started to roll down the window. It lowered three inches and stopped. "Well, sort of."

Nevaeh felt a little embarrassed. "Sorry."

"For what?"

"My less than adequate car."

"It gets you where you need to go, so it's perfectly adequate."

"You're sweet."

"Yes. I am."

She chuckled and pulled out onto the street. "So, tell me. Did you find Taighan?"

"I did."

"And?"

"And I took him to see your father."

"And?"

"And your father will explain everything when you see him tomorrow."

"Why can't you just tell me?"

"I did not intrude on their conversation."

"Oh, well, I guess I'll just have to wait. But my dad's okay, right? And safe?"

"Yes. He is safe. You do not have to fear tonight, Heaven."

She cut a look at him. "Are you ever going to use my real name?"

"Do you want me to?"

"Yes."

"Okay."

The rest of the drive was passed in silence. When they arrived at Nevaeh's place, she unlocked the back door, tossed her things on the kitchen table, and got two cold beers from the refrigerator. She opened them and handed one to Gabriel.

"If I asked you something would you be completely honest with me?"

"Yes."

"Okay, then who is this Taighan and why did my dad want to see him so badly?"

Gabriel almost regretted saying yes. How could he answer and not usurp her father's right to reveal the truth to her?

"I want to tell you, Nevaeh, but it's not my place. Your father asked that I say nothing other than to let you know he is safe, and to allow him the opportunity to explain. I promised that I would. So, which promise do I break? The one I made to him or the one you ask of me now?"

She was quiet for a bit, her expression troubled. "Fine. I can wait for him to tell me. Just tell me this… he's safe. I mean safe."

"Yes. No harm will come to him and you will see him tomorrow."

"Okay. You want another beer?"

He held up the half-full one. "I'm good."

"You want to go outside?"

"Nope."

"Watch television?"

"Nope."

"Then what?"

"I want you to pause time."

"Huh?"

"Stop it. Just for a little while."

"Why?"

"Why? Nev, it's an incredible chance—a chance to have a moment in time that's just for us. We won't take anything from anyone, or put anyone in danger or have any impact on any other lives. We can just…be."

His words struck home. Maybe it was crazy, and maybe even selfish, but he was right. It would not hurt anyone. And having him all too herself was too tempting to pass up.

She set down her beer and offered him her hand. He took it and followed her into the bedroom. Nevaeh took her time undressing him, touching and caressing as she did. When he was nude, she removed her own clothes.

Without a word spoken between them, he pulled her down onto the bed, spooning his body around hers. He moved her hair to one side to kiss her shoulder as his hand stroked up her thigh and along the curve of her hip.

"Now."

His whisper was a caress in itself. Nevaeh wasn't sure she could do it but she tried, concentrating on how much she wanted to prolong the moment. His lips touched her shoulder again, lingering and then slowly moving down her arm.

Nevaeh rolled over to face him. "I want this but I'm scared it's a mistake."

"Why?"

"Because… because I have feelings for you, Gabriel and I'm scared this is just going to make them deeper and—and I don't want to have my heart broken."

He stared into her eyes for a long time, so long that she started to feel uncomfortable. She'd said totally the wrong thing, revealed too much. Now he was trying to figure a way to wiggle out of the situation.

She started to roll away, intent on getting off the bed. His hand clamped on her arm, stopping her. His fingers loosened on her arm. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you. I just…"

"Just what?"

"I'm not quite sure how to do this."

That did it. She was positive he was trying to find the words to tell her that he didn't feel the same way. Humiliation at revealing her feelings overwhelmed her. She rolled away and sat up. "Just spit it out. You don't feel the same way. The sex was great but that's all it was. We can be friends. I like you but—"

"That's not—"

"It's fine." She jumped off the bed. "Really. I get it. You don't have to—"

"Will you listen—"

"No. I don't need to hear it." She circled around the foot of the bed to the opposite side for her discarded clothes. "Seriously. I understand. You—"

"No, you don't."

"Yes, I do!" She pulled her t-shirt over her head and suddenly was lifted up off her feet and plunked onto her back on the bed.

"No you don't understand." Gabriel straddled her body on his knees, his wings flared. "I'm trying to tell you that I love you, Neveah."

"You… you—love me?"

"Yes. I love you."

"But you can't."

"Why not?"

"Well, because you're—you're you. You're Gabriel. An angel."

"And you're Heaven-spelled-backwards and you have no idea what and who you really are."

"What does that mean?"

"It means we're all more than we imagine. And it doesn't matter what we are or aren't. What matters is what's in here." He placed his hand over his heart. "I'm not practiced at this, Neveah. Not at all. But I know that I've fallen in love with you and I hope you feel the same because this is… this is amazing and I'd really like to enjoy it."

Amazing was a word that definitely fit. She looked up at him and felt the full punch of what she felt for him slam home. She loved him and maybe it was a love that was doomed because of who they were, but it was still love.

And she wanted to enjoy every single moment of the time she had with him.

"I love you, Gabriel."

He smiled and lowered himself down on her, capturing her lips in a kiss. Nevaeh surrendered to it. Maybe it was okay to give in to the feelings, to indulge in this moment. Morning would come soon enough and she'd face whatever had to be faced. But until then, she'd give herself to something she'd never experienced before. Being in the arms of a man she loved.