Hope in Love (2 page)

“I need only have your child.” Yael stated flatly.

It sounded so crude, not angelic in the least. His kind were
not always angels, but is this what it had come to? Bedding an exulted to save
mankind from themselves… No, it wasn’t themselves man needed to be saved from.
His peers created this bizarre problem.

“You are more important than you know, Yael. Yes, we will
have a child together, and it will be a blessed event for those who need her.
And I will see to it that you enjoy yourself.”

“What about you, will it be a blessed event for you?”

“The Fates decree it. We must do this.” For the first time
ever, Ram was lost for words. He hadn’t expected her to ask that question. He
thought he’d prepared for everything, but not that.

“Yes, I understand. You will couple with me. We will create
a girl child who will become the savior of those Gabriel and Ezekiel trifled
with. This will be a life, a child of my loins, and I will love her more than
my own life. Do you understand that?”

“She will be our child. She’ll be raised here, with—”

“Don’t, Ramiel. It’s not necessary. I do understand. I will
raise our daughter to be a great woman, and a savior.”

This wasn’t going as planned. He’d continued to read her
mind and was even more determined now to get her moved to his palace. He must
get her away from those who would fill her with…with what? They were not lies,
though some of the stories were embellished. Most were true, but a carnal
beast?

She was right. He, like his brethren, took what they
desired. Woman, man, whichever. The angels took what turned their fancy at the
moment. He’d taken enough to know. Damn her for making him feel like he was no
better than a rutting dog.

“You will reside at my palace until our child is born. There
is no need to bring anything. I will supply all that you require.” His words
were angry, sounded harsh and commanding, when he really meant to be polite and
accommodating. Why? Why did it matter what she thought and why did he want her
so? Confusion reigned in his mind.

“I will spend this last night in my rooms here. I shall come
to you tomorrow.” Standing, she swept her robe closed, fingers knotted in the
material. She went down the winding marble stairs and across the impeccably
kept lawn.

Ram did not stand. He watched her move with grace, her head
held high, down the walkway. He saw the riot of colorful flowers in bloom. He
smelled the magnolia. But only because Yael walked among them. What had changed?
He’d never noticed these mundane things before. Life held very little beauty
for him anymore.

And what would he do with her now that she belonged to him?
If only for a short time.

He decided to visit Michael.

* * * * *

“So, my friend, have you worked out the details of your
mating with the exulted?” Michael sat at his desk.

Ram was the only person aside from…well, he was the only
person who dared enter Michael’s study unannounced.

“The one you speak of has a name.” He fell heavily into a
soft chair beside the angel-general’s desk. He leaned his head against the back
and crossed his ankles, extremely tired for some reason.

His fingers drummed on the arms of the seat as he looked
around the study. It reminded him of his own on Earth. Sumptuous and soft,
burgundy leather covered overstuffed chairs and a small, matching settee, the
highly polished wood floors covered here and there with priceless and colorful handwoven
rugs. The walls were decorated with a one-of-a-kind paper that depicted, of all
things, cherubs and doves.

Only Michael and he got away with this much luxury in Heaven.

Library shelves were lined with books, classics and
biographies. He once told Ram that all of it, the luxury and the books, helped
him to stay in touch with what man needed. They’d both pretty much fucked up
this time. Neither was “in touch”.

Michael looked up at the surly tone he heard in Ramiel’s
voice. He’d also caught a glimpse of the sarcastic thought lodged in his mind.
His friend was upset. He didn’t wonder at what caused it. Without an invasion
into Ram’s private thoughts, he already knew. The angel of hope wore every
thought on his face and in his hardened, dark blue, fathomless eyes. Michael,
unlike many, didn’t see it as a weakness. He waited, knowing Ram would speak
when he was ready.

“She will come to me tomorrow. I thought it better for her
to be in my domain.”

“Do you think that is a good idea?” His eyes were glued to
Ram. “You are only to get her with child, Ramiel. Nothing else.”

“Shit, Michael, none of this is a
good
idea. Why can’t
we go down there and wipe these foul creatures off the face of the earth? Why
can’t we dispense with the bullshit and games and finish this?”

“What is the real problem, Ram? I will not answer your
question because you know why.” His hand slashed through the air. “Because of
your dealings with men, I’ve given much leeway on language but must you be so
crude in my presence?”

“Why didn’t you ask Raphael to do this? He’s such a bastard
anyway and this would be right up his alley. Why did you choose me?” Ram glared
at him from under raised brows.

No angel questioned Michael. He wasn’t called by his other
name for nothing. The angel of death was a power to be reckoned with. Ram
pushed the envelope. His friend suspected something else amiss here.

“I haven’t seen you in such a state for some time. Tell me
what really bothers you? And remember, I’ve known for many years of your
involvement, no matter how slight, in this sordid affair.” His implication went
ignored. Ram had been aware of Gabriel’s misdeed with the prophet. He had stood
by and done nothing. Had Ram informed him in time, he could have intervened.
Now it was in the hands of the Fates. And their powers were not to be trifled
with.

“I want her in my bed, under me, around me. I want her in
every way I can possibly have her. Do you understand?”

“So have her. It’s never bothered you before.” Michael
looked directly at him.

“Yael is not like the others. I need
her
to want
me
,
and I don’t even know why.”

Before he replied, Ram vanished. Michael smiled. Of course
he had made the right choice. The time had come for the angel of hope to feel
hopeful once again.

After all, Ram was one of his and the Father’s favorites.
And Michael wanted to keep him from the depraved activity he sought so much of.
His debauched behavior had become a problem, and this assignment should take up
enough of his time to keep him under control.

Things were changing for angels. Even the Father was aware
they needed to evolve to deal with men and all they had done to the promised
land given them. They had to become more like humans, live like men. Feel like
them. Or God’s children could never be saved.

Gone were the white robes, symbolic of a gentler time. Of
course, some angels had taken their freedom to the extreme. Michael couldn’t
stand to lose the angel of hope from his ranks.

The universe would not survive that blow.

* * * * *

She had needed to hear Ramiel say that she or the infant
would mean nothing to him. That was the only way Yael thought to keep her heart
and soul from him. She’d tumbled headlong into those fathomless blue eyes he
turned on her. She must find a reason to dislike him because he was right.

She would enjoy her time with him.

Still, the idea of creating a life to save others did not
appeal to her. But she didn’t have a choice in the matter. She could not even
blame him for that. The Fates decreed it. But they would not have to decree she
love her child. She’d cherish their babe, love her enough for the both of them.
So why did she feel this pull toward him?

Her heart pounded. She’d never spoken to one of them in such
a curt manner. They were angels, supreme. She must do as she was asked. Deborah
made it sound like there was a choice, but there wasn’t. The damn Fates.

Many lifetimes had been spent with these angels, and though
some were good, many were sexual deviants. Ramiel fit into the latter category.
She’d heard many stories. The heavenly halls rang often with legendary accounts
of his conquests, here and on Earth. Her heart wrenched at the fact that now
her name would be added to those horrid tales.

She walked away from the palace, not ready to face her
benefactor. She didn’t notice the blooms on her favorite magnolia tree, its
scent held on the breeze. Nor did she see the brilliant colors of wild flowers
that flanked the walkway, or her precious blood-red lilies she had planted with
her own hands. She saw only the cold, desolate sea of pain that spread out
before her.

I will give him only what I must.

Yael grew tired of walking and thinking. As she went back
through Deborah’s gardens, she stopped and looked at the magnolia. Everything
was always in full bloom in Heaven. She breathed deeply of the fragrance of the
tree. It soothed her as no other in the garden.

Maybe this wasn’t a bad idea. It would be like her home. She
would make Ramiel’s garden her garden and he would be hers. For a little while.
Her face grew warm with a flush as her body trembled. She must be careful. She
would tell Deborah that she intended to stay with the archangel until the babe’s
birth.

“Are you sure this is wise?” Deborah paced Yael’s room. “If
you remain here, you will not have to suffer him often.”

“It will be for the best.” She couldn’t say to her friend
that she really wanted to be alone with him. If they got to know each other, it
might be easier to bear. It would not seem arranged. She’d decided the only way
to do this was to pretend it was a mating of love, that she and Ramiel were
together because they wanted to be. Not because the Fates decreed it.

Sometimes she could read Deborah’s mind, and the prophetess
thought it a mistake to go to his home. She even meant to visit the Fates on
Yael’s behalf to change their minds and find someone else for this duty. She
thought her too gentle for the undertaking.

I am not as gentle as she believes me to be
.

* * * * *

Ramiel had watched Yael climb the stairs and disappear
inside. What the fuck was he doing here? He went to the magnolia tree and stood
in the same spot she had. He breathed deeply of the tree and the scent of woman
and shivered with delight. Her smell made him envision being buried inside her.
If she was still there, he’d take her hard. Put an end to his craziness.

He would get a tree like this for her, for his garden. He’d
do that now. He disappeared in a halo of white light.

* * * * *

“This is such a surprise. What brings you here?” Gabriel’s
brows knitted together in shock. Ram hated Montana, didn’t like cold climes at
all and usually stayed as far from them as possible.

“Magnolia trees.” How could he explain his situation and not
have Gabe laugh at him. Plus, he must to be very careful how much he divulged
to the archangel. His tryst with the exulted would affect the outcome of his
and Ezekiel’s game with the vampyres.

“What?”

“I’ve seen many, but where can I find the best? One that is
already in bloom and absolutely perfect?” He felt Gabe’s probe at his mind and
strengthened his mental shields against the intrusion.

“What on earth do you need with a blooming magnolia tree?”

“It’s a gift.”

“Hmm, I see. A gift. Have you gone absolutely mad, Ram? Most
men take a bunch of flowers, a dozen roses or something like that. The whole
tree would be overkill, don’t you think? And since when have you needed to take
anything but yourself?”

“She’s special.”

“
Very
special I would say.”

“Stop fucking with me and tell me where I can find one. I
don’t have much time.”

“New Orleans has the best. They should be blooming as we
speak.”

“Thank you. Oh, and red lilies, buckets of them that I can
plant at my home.”

“You have lost your mind. You need to get out more. Try Home
Depot. They carry a variety of what you’re looking for.” He’d caused Gabe to be
curious and wonder what he was up to. “Why don’t you use magic and be—”

“No, no, no. They must be planted with my own hands. I’ll see
you later, I have to hurry.” Yael had planted hers with her own hands. He
should do the same.

He searched New Orleans endlessly to find a magnolia with
the most perfect flowers. He would get the tree and plant it today. He’d
surprise her with red lilies blooming everywhere in a matter of weeks.

Having spotted a nice specimen to unearth, he heard the
voice.

“You crazy bastard, what the fuck are you doing?”

That was what he needed, questions from Lucifer. He decided
to ignore him as he began to shovel at the dirt around the base of the tree.
The roots seemed to go on forever. Then he heard Gabe.

“I told you he’s serious.”

“Both of you go away, leave me alone.” He still refused to
use his powers in any way for the task. The heat he loved stifled him and sweat
poured copiously down his bare back. He didn’t need these two to bother him. He
was on a mission and had to be quick. She would arrive tomorrow.

“Ram, man, listen to me.”

“Go back to Hell, Luke. And screw you, Gabe. Must you tell
him everything?”

He’d dug long enough. He pulled the whole tree up from the
soil, and with the roots trailing behind, he disappeared. He left a rupture in
the earth that gaped up at the sky.

At home he deposited the tree in the hole he opened with his
mind and stood back to survey his work. Perfect. She’d love it.

Back on Earth, he searched for the nearest Home Depot with
red lilies in stock.

Christ, I have lost my fucking mind!

On occasion Ram had considered an exulted of his own.
Michael chided him often, saying what a sad state of affairs when the angel of
hope could not find a single earthling whom he felt deserved elevation.

Many angels became attached to people below. If the human
performed an exemplary service in God’s name, they would be elevated when their
time of death came. Exulted held lofty positions within their benefactor’s
household and often became their best friend. Treated royally, they weren’t
expected to serve anyone.

He’d used the exulteds of his peers without remorse to ease
the fullness of his shaft, but Ram never brought one of his playthings here or
to his domain on Earth for that matter. Why? Some held him captivated for more
than a brief period. But the invitation to visit his personal space remained
absent. None ever saw what he called home.

Of course if he had an exulted right now they’d be tossed out
on their ass until he finished with Yael. Michael wouldn’t like that. It was a
good thing he didn’t have one. Ram couldn’t believe the lengths he was prepared
to go to. His need to get her in his domain and under his full protection
burned in him like a volcanic fissure.

Yael and he would be alone.

His palace, wrapped in magic, gave him the ability to know
when anyone approached. Ram immediately and shamelessly entered her mind when
he felt Yael near. He should give her privacy. With others it never mattered so
he left their thoughts alone. He vowed to himself he would stay out of hers
once she was comfortable. He must be careful because those elevated often
possessed heightened senses with the ability to read minds themselves. Some
even wielded minor magic if their angel allowed it.

Yael could move the winds and bring storms.

He greeted her at his door. Heaven, like Earth, was renowned
for its elite neighborhoods. He lived in what he referred to in a sarcastic
manner as “Heaven’s Riviera”. The elite of the elite resided here. Michael
often chastised him for his debasement of the hierarchy.

Recently, for the smallest infraction, Raphael had been
located to another, less ritzy, area. And he showed his dislike of the
situation often and loud. Ram didn’t want to link with Michael now so he made a
note in his mind to speak to him later regarding the archangel. His attention
now was on Yael.

“Welcome to my domain.” Ram felt as nervous as a boy in his
first throes of love. He’d never been so flustered. What was this woman doing
to him? She clouded his normal rational senses. And he hadn’t even wondered yet
about his constant state of arousal whenever he saw her. He prided himself on
his control. Even now he battled a stiff erection that pushed insistently
against the slacks his good sense told him to wear today.

He took her through his home, and when they reached the room
they would share, Ram opened the door and showed her inside. He loved comfort
and this was his favorite place. Spacious and bright with floor-length windows
that overlooked the grounds. A comfortable sitting area with a chaise for
relaxing and sumptuous, velvet-covered chairs for reading. Muted teal colors
accented with coral were his colors of choice. It brought to mind the sea and
its calming energies. Bookshelves that held many of the same classics as
Michael’s study graced one wall.

Ram blatantly used his power to every advantage. His domain
reflected night and day. He’d found after many years of delivering hope to the
masses on Earth that he liked the variety of light and dark humans experienced.
When night fell, soft lights dotted the room. He found it very sensual. In his
mind he could see the play of it dance on Yael’s caramel skin. Her round ass
brushed by the golden rays that would glance across the bed. The sheen of
moisture between her thighs.
Damn it. I’ve got to stop this
. His cock
grew so hard, it hurt to breathe.

He mentally opened the glass doors, outside of which stood
the magnolia he’d planted for her delight. The sweet smell drifted into the
room. Ram watched as the scent of the tree engulfed Yael and tears gathered in
her eyes. He again read her mind. She hadn’t expected to find something here
that would bring her such comfort, and she envisioned the many hours she’d
spend under it.

“I love magnolias. It’s very beautiful.”

“I’m glad you like it. You can spend many hours relaxing
there.”

“May I ask something of you, Ramiel?”

“Please, call me Ram. And you may ask for anything.”

“I would like my thoughts to be treated with respect and
privately as my own.”

“Of course, as you wish.” Hell.

“Thank you.”

“The bathroom is over there.” He pointed to a door across
the room. “Lunch is prepared. When you’re ready, please join me. Outside and to
your left are stairs that will bring you down to the patio. Take your time. It’s
only fruit, some cheese and wine. I hope that’s to your liking?”

“That sounds wonderful.”

Quick to escape his presence, she moved in the direction he
pointed. “I won’t be long.”

Damn it, he’d been in her mind and aware of her desire to
spend hours under the tree. Somehow she’d gotten him to promise not to invade
her private thoughts.
Yeah, I’ve lost it.

Ram vanished to the patio. He wouldn’t stop using his magic.
She’d get used to it. Her benefactor believed in doing things the old way. He
didn’t. His long and difficult life had led him to use everything at his
disposal to make time easier and more exciting.

Perhaps he would share some of his…
What am I thinking?
Already, he wanted to give her more abilities. What was happening to him? He
needed to be very careful with his powers—they were great. To share them would
be disastrous.

Look what Ezekiel had done with Gabriel’s magic. Michael
turned a blind eye to this practice, but that was bound to change one day.

He stood with a glass of wine and looked out over the water
as he waited for Yael to appear. Ram was not usually impatient. Anxious glances
at the stairs told him he couldn’t wait to see her again, smell her. Though his
penis lay docile between his legs, the moment she appeared it would rear its
large, leaking head and search her out. He’d allow her time to adjust, but it
wreaked havoc with his nerves. Hell, she’d only been there minutes.

It crossed his mind how she avoided his bed with her eyes.
It was huge because it needed to accommodate his large frame. Chinese silk
covered it. He loved how the cool sheets felt against his naked body. Her
tanned skin would be beautiful against them. He could picture her thick, coppery
hair spread across the pillows as he stroked deeply inside her wet canal.

He thought to rush his sunset and bedtime, but decided
against it. Maybe take her in broad daylight right here on the patio. Being
with her for hours, unable to touch or have her, would drive him absolutely
nuts.

Perhaps Michael had been right. He should take her and have
done with it.

He disliked the indecision that took residence in his
ordered mind. He decided after lunch he’d go below, see if he could disperse
hope somewhere.

Give her time to settle in.

* * * * *

“Thank you.” Yael whispered to her image in the mirror. Since
coming through the front door, and apart from asking Ram to stay out of her
thoughts, it seemed to be all she could utter. She felt silly.

She didn’t have to wonder how he’d known she arrived. Most
angels were blatant in the use of their extraordinary abilities, particularly
to protect their domains. They would know right away of anything out of the
ordinary. Sneaking up on one was unheard of. Undoubtedly Ramiel had read her
mind, though she had not felt him there. She must be careful of her thoughts of
him. But if he wanted to read her, she couldn’t stop him.

Second only to Michael, he possessed untold powers. She
could only bear his voice because he modulated it. With a spoken word he could
decimate cities. Some lay buried by his destruction.

She’d not been alone in the presence of a male for a very
long time. Her devotion to the prophetess had become legendary and envied by
many. Keeping to themselves, they lived a quiet, simple life. They were satisfied
and at peace. Nothing more. Politics ran rampant in the heavens and she and
Deborah avoided it at every turn. Her cheeks flamed beet-red when she thought
of some of the untrue stories that circulated about them.

Standing hidden in his bathroom, she’d thought herself
prepared for this, but she wasn’t. The mere thought of endless hours spent
alone with him every night suddenly made her weak. What would she do? She
should have listened to Deborah and remained in her home.

Too late now.

She gathered courage to leave the room and descend the steps
toward the patio. When she neared the bottom she came to a complete stop,
breath caught in her throat at the scene in front of her.

In the heavens a fountain was expected, a pond even, but
Ramiel had created a whole lake. The beauty of it took her breath away. Her
heartbeat rivaled the waves that washed against the small stretch of sand.

She remembered the elegance of the many rooms they passed on
her arrival. They were serene in both style and color. The opposite of
everything he was. She did not expect the warmth and peace she felt there. Yael
found herself caught off guard by the angel and his sensibilities. She voiced
it out loud as she moved to stand near him. But not to close. “I’m surprised by
the quiet beauty of your home. It’s not what I expected.”

“What did you expect?”

“I…I don’t know.”

“Hmm, well, I’m glad you like it. I hope you will be
comfortable here and treat it as your home.”

“Thank you.”

“After lunch I must go below. Feel free to explore. You are
absolutely safe. No one will disturb you.”

“Am I allowed to see my friends?”

“You’re not a prisoner. You can have anyone visit. I do
expect that if you leave the grounds you’ll let me know. I won’t go into your
mind unless invited. However, I will keep vigilance in case you need me. I’ll
know if you reach out to me.”

“I understand.”

“Do you like to swim?”

“I cannot swim.”

“What?”

“I don’t know how to swim.”

She trembled when he moved to stand closer to her. He took
her hand in his and raised it to his lips. He brushed her palm with his lips.
She swallowed air as her heartbeat escalated. Lowering her eyes, she saw the
fullness of his manhood. It swelled at the front of his slacks and she almost
swooned at the size of it. She’d be unable to make it through lunch with him.

“I have given you a gift,” he whispered, his breath warm on
her skin. “I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.” He vanished.

Glad he left, Yael leaned against the railing so she didn’t
fall. She gave in to the weakness invading her limbs. She hadn’t expected these
mixed feelings. She shook with the fear that bloomed inside her. Not fear of
Ramiel.

She was afraid of herself.

Her body betrayed her even now as wetness pooled between her
thighs, nipples tightened and strained for release. She prayed for strength to
resist him. She wasn’t a fledgling, but what he invoked inside her made her
knees shake. The things she wanted him to do. She tried in vain to slow her
heart, which raced out of control. She couldn’t move from her mind the picture
of him kissing her body all over. His mouth trailing across her breasts.

She’d been surprised by the warmth and softness of his lips.
Her blood coursed hotly through her veins.
And he only kissed my palm.
What would she do tonight when he called upon her to service him? She did not
think she could live through him claiming her body.

Unbearable heat overtook her. She was alone so she removed
her thin white gown, hoping to gain some respite from the heat. But it didn’t
help, she still burned. The fire raged up inside her. She looked toward the
water and watched it lap on the shore. She needed to feel it lick over her body
in the same way.

She left the patio and went to stand on the sandy strip of
beach. The waves beckoned and whispered for her to step in. And she did. She
felt the coolness wash over her as she slowly waded deeper and deeper. Her feet
were swept from under her by the current. Fear carried bile from her unsettled
stomach into her mouth.

She reached out to Ramiel and instantly heard him in her
mind.

Caress the water. Sweep your arms through the coolness of
it. You can swim, darling. My gift to you. Don’t be afraid.

Ramiel?

Do it now. Enjoy the waves washing over you. You’re safe
in my care always
.

Yael reached out and stroked the cool water. She repeated
the motion again and again. She was swimming! It felt so glorious, so
refreshing. He’d given her a gift she would cherish forever.

Thank you.

You’re welcome. I won’t be late coming back this evening.

She heard melancholy music sweep through the doors. It
reached her as she moved through the water. She turned onto her back and idly
floated around. She envisioned Ramiel in the lake with her. Inside her.

Yael turned back over and swam hard for the shore. She
needed to get what she felt and her thoughts of him under control.

* * * * *

He found it unbelievable that anyone would miss out on
something as pleasurable as swimming. What he had given her was small and
precious. It made him think about the lilies. When would they bloom? He’d worry
later about why he felt such joy in the fact that she found his home beautiful.
No, he already knew why—he wanted her time with him to be happy.

Why did he still frighten her so? He very carefully kept
death out of his eyes as he’d promised, but her body trembled at his nearness.
He wanted to take her, hold her. Her nipples had peeked at him from behind the
thin material of her dress. He’d struggled to refrain from pulling her
sumptuous breasts out and suckling on them.