Chapter Eight #2
He gasped and shuddered, his mouth opening to mine, and desire uncoiled within me.
It had been dozing, waiting for the right moment to react to my attraction to Gabriel, and now it rose with full force.
My lips molded against his, and he responded.
His hands wrapped around me, one hand at the nape of my neck and the other at the small of my back, pressing me against him.
My nipples went hard through the layers of fabric, and I moaned at the pleasure that shot through them as I rubbed against the broad expanse of his chest.
When his tongue slipped against my mouth, caressing my bottom lip, I groaned with surprised delight. I had wanted him since the instant I saw him, and my body reacted. He moved, and my eyes fluttered open enough to see his wings expand behind him, curling forward, cocooning us in heavenly white.
This was…everything. Never had I felt so safe, so wanted. Never had I wanted someone else so completely. I shamelessly rubbed against him, pressing my hips to his. A bulge pressed into my lower stomach, hot as a brand.
My tongue stroked his, then darted away so I could gently bite his lip.
He grunted in reply.
I needed more of this. Again and again. It doesn’t matter if it’s Gabriel. If he’s a seraph. It doesn’t matter if Zorababel wants Gabriel—
My eyes flew open as I remembered exactly who I was kissing. Because it did matter. Oh, so very much.
He must’ve felt me go rigid, for his kiss gentled immediately. I let go of his shoulders and stepped back. His wings withdrew, snapping back into place, as he, too, stepped backward.
We stared at one another again, chests heaving and eyes dilated.
“That was—”
“I can’t—” His brilliant gaze burned like green fire, and I couldn’t tell if it was passion or anger hiding behind his eyes.
This was a mistake. The realization washed over me like a bucket of icy water. I couldn’t afford complications.
A sound, then a cough sounded at the balcony door.
I gasped and whirled, heart pounding in both arousal and now fear. Who was there?
Another seraph landed on the tiny balcony, making my scrambled mind stutter and my jaw drop. Another?
This angel was not as tall as Gabriel, but he had broader shoulders.
Dark brown curls clung to his temples, perspiration from his flight evident.
He paused in the threshold when he caught sight of me, his brown eyes widening in surprise.
Mahogany wings shook behind him, as if casting off water droplets, then folded along his spine.
“Hello.” He grinned. “I’m Castiel.”
I blinked, surprised. I had assumed—wrongly, apparently—that all seraphim were solemn, stoic creatures because of Gabriel. This one had the aura of your favorite older brother, the one who always let you sneak along when he got into mischief.
“Eve,” I said automatically. “A pleasure to meet you, sir.”
His brown eyes flicked between me and Gabriel, then back again.
I inwardly cringed, hoping he couldn’t guess what he’d nearly interrupted. Oh, gods, he hadn’t seen, had he? The thought made me shrivel inside.
“You’re the housekeeper.” He snapped his fingers at the realization, an oddly human gesture.
A smile tugged at the corner of my lips. “I am.”
“Glad to see you’re making the captain live a little. Stir him out of that melancholy.” He glanced at Gabriel, as if expecting or even hoping for a reaction.
Gabriel scowled at both of us.
“Will you be staying for supper?” I inquired politely. “So I can prepare a meal adequate for both of you?”
Castiel still smiled as he shook his head. “I’ll stay, but don’t feed me anything.” He wrinkled his nose. “Still adjusting to human food.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. From the corner of my eye, I saw Gabriel rub his chest and stiffen, his scowl deepening.
“I stopped by the village shop,” Castiel told me. “It’s too small to have its own post office, so all the mail goes there.”
“Oh?” I inquired politely, not sure why he was telling me this. Castiel goes into the village? How does he keep that quiet? Why aren’t there more rumors flying around? Do the villagers fear him? A host of questions chased through my head.
Castiel slid his hand inside his leather vest, plucking an envelope from an interior pocket. “This was waiting for you.”
Beside me, Gabriel practically vibrated with some unknown emotion.
Dread and curiosity warred within me. I reluctantly took the letter from the other seraph’s grasp.
“Thank you.” It couldn’t be good news. It would never be good news.
Only a few people knew where I was, and only one of them would likely message me.
I curtsied to both the seraphim and escaped, the letter burning in my hand.
The rumble of male voices started up as soon as I closed the door, but I didn’t stay to hear what they were saying. My mind spun with all sorts of worries I knew wouldn’t be put to rest until I read the letter. All thoughts of pleasure and of Gabriel’s lips disappeared.
My stomach clenched. I hurried downstairs to the kitchens. With shaking hands I broke the wax seal and pried the letter open.
Dear Eve,
It has been nearly three weeks. Any progress? I assume since you haven’t attempted contact with home this is the correct location for who we’ve been searching for.
I anticipated a much quicker return once you found him.
Why have you not returned to the fold with our person in tow?
Remember, I am counting on you because you were chosen to be my betrothed.
You have a chance to honor our Church, and we in turn can honor you.
Do not fail your brothers and sisters now.
Do not fail your heavenly Father, nor your lord and master and reverend.
Two ambassadors who speak with my voice shall be at the village inn tomorrow, waiting for you. Go. Speak with them. Remember, your obedience honors our Lord. I await your news with great joy, for we are close to meeting the great herald of our age.
Go with purpose and gladness of heart,
Z
Despair trickled through me. I’d forgotten.
In my happiness and desire and that blasted kiss, I’d forgotten the danger growing around me.
Floggings. Fastings. The prayer closet. Char duty.
Public confession and shaming. If I didn’t give Zorababel what he wanted—if I didn’t escape, this was my future.
The fire popped and crackled beside me. A wild, desperate urge to toss the letter in nearly overtook me.
Why couldn’t he leave me alone? It had only been a fortnight and some days.
Gabriel was not a trusting soul, and he clearly had no desire to be worshipped—exactly how we’d house and clothe and feed and worship a Herald, I didn’t know.
Zorababel refused to share details with anyone besides his elders.
My stomach writhed and I gagged. Burning the letter would not rid me of my problem.
I sighed, rubbing my temples, as I tried to think it through.
I’d have to tell them the truth: seraphim did not trust easily, and Gabriel would not listen to an invitation from someone he didn’t trust. I was still getting Gabriel to trust me, and I needed more time.
Speaking to Zorababel’s men, recounting private conversations, felt like a betrayal to Gabriel. But it would give him a buffer against the church, even if he had no idea it was happening. It would buy me time, too.
I hated this. Gabriel deserved better than secrets and half-lies, but I needed to protect myself.
I couldn’t tell him what was happening. If he grew angry, what would happen to me?
He’d never hurt me intentionally, but he was a seraph, with far more power than me.
They lived a thousand years, could regrow limbs, could smell a river two miles away.
He was more predator than warrior. And he could wield magic.
Gabriel was inhuman, and I couldn’t expect him to understand my predicament.
What if he cast me out? Without pay, I didn’t have enough to rent a cottage.
The money I’d saved was enough for travel.
Then Zor would swoop me up and I’d be in the prayer closet until I confessed my sins. I couldn’t risk it.
If I went, if I told them the barest details, that would push them off longer. I’d protect myself and Gabriel.
I grimaced. I wasn’t sure that would be enough.