Chapter Thirty Five…

The feathers of Sypher’s wing were soft under Elda’s fingertips, reminding her of the first time he’d allowed her to be close to him. He’d fallen asleep in the bath, exhausted from days without rest. Now, he lay beneath the sun with his arm around her, talking about his life before he was changed.

He told Elda what Iliria was really like, how it was a hive of innovation and creativity, a refuge for the most powerful species on Valerus to live in peace. The Angels would often leave their home to spread their knowledge to other areas, protecting people from the occasional demonic straggler that managed to find its way out of Shade. Back then demons were few and far between.

Sypher was twenty-six when he was killed. Eris had been fifteen, Ana just four years old. He’d had parents too; Roman and Elisandre. He and Eris had taken after Elisandre with their chestnut hair and red eyes, while Malakai’s raven locks and green irises were traits he got from their father. All of them had been murdered during Malakai’s attack.

“What happened to Ana’s mother?” Elda asked curiously.

“Raya. She died when Anaita was born.” His hand drew small circles over her shoulder blades, his free arm tucked behind his head. “I raised Ana with the help of her grandparents and my sister.”

“How did you and Raya meet each other?”

“Our parents chose our match,” Sypher explained. “Angels didn’t often marry for love, though it wasn’t unheard of. That being said, I did grow to love Raya. She would have made a wonderful mother.”

“I’m sorry you lost so much even before Malakai came along.”

“Don’t be. She held Ana before she died. She was peaceful enough knowing our daughter was safe. I’m glad she never saw what my brother did,” Sypher admitted.

“What was he like? Malakai?” Elda asked tentatively, turning onto her front and folding her arms on his chest to rest her chin on them. He took his eyes off the clouds to study her face.

“Intelligent,” he replied. “Kind, once. He had a thirst for knowledge. He often spent time away from Iliria searching for new places and new people to learn about. Before he returned to the city to destroy it, he’d been gone for almost a year.” Sypher’s brow furrowed. “I guess the last time he went searching he managed to find his way into Shade.”

“I wonder what he found there,” Elda mused. “Just travelling to Shade wouldn’t turn him into a monster on its own.”

“Hopefully we never find out.” He yawned, flashing his pointed incisors.

“You haven’t slept in days,” Elda noted. “What can I do to help you sleep?” He cocked his head, hesitant to reply. She smiled. “You can tell me, Sypher. You know you can.”

“…I sleep better when you’re around,” he admitted awkwardly. “If you don’t mind sharing a room with me on a regular basis?”

“I’m your wife. Aren’t we supposed to sleep in the same bed anyway?”

“Only if you want to.” He looked back at her seriously, giving her the option to say no.

“I want to.”

Her cheeks coloured, but she dipped her head to press a chaste, hesitant kiss against his lips. A sigh escaped him and he caught her before she could pull back, one hand finding the back of her neck when his lips parted to deepen the kiss. Another shiver rippled through her at his touch, heat blossoming in her chest. He rolled until she was the one laid in the soft grass, his wings encasing her on either side as his weight settled over her. A groan that made her toes curl rumbled through him when her fingers knotted in his hair.

He broke off their embrace reluctantly, looking down at her with eyes so bright they glowed. Their faces were close enough that Elda could see the fire flickering in his irises, fire she now knew belonged to the soul of an Angel.

“You’re extraordinary,” she whispered, reaching up to take hold of his cheeks. His features softened into a faint smile. “Come on,” she said gently. “I think you’re ready to be around the others now. I’m sure Julian is worried sick about you.” He nodded and got to his feet, helping her up beside him. When she was settled on his back once more, they took to the skies.

Julian was pacing, wearing a flattened trail into the lush grass of the villa garden. Syd followed his path diligently, nosing at his elbow every time he turned to repeat his steps. He turned when Sypher finally landed in the villa garden, pausing in his pacing to watch Elda climb down from his back.

“Finally! I was starting to think you’d abandoned us,” he quipped, but then he saw Sypher reach out and tuck a loose strand of blonde hair behind Elda’s ear, his fingers lingering to tenderly trace her jaw. “Oh, I see how it is.”

“See how what is?” the Soul Forge asked without looking away from her. Julian surveyed the green fronds caught in the back of Elda’s braid.

“You went off and got me all worried about you when really you just wanted a quick roll around in the grass. I hope you weren’t publicly indecent,” he teased, feigning offence.

“It’s not indecent if she’s already my wife.”

“I knew it!” Julian beamed, bounding over to slap his friend on the back. “If I’d put money on you two falling in love, I’d be a rich man right now.”

“Foresight isn’t your strong suit,” Sypher answered, but he smiled. Elda noticed Julian take a deep breath, almost like he’d been holding it until he knew his friend wasn’t going to lose himself. The Soul Forge watched him, cocking his head.

“I’m glad you’re still with us, brother,” the Vampire murmured, pulling him into a tight hug. Sypher froze for a second, then returned the embrace and patted Julian warmly on the back.

“You’re my family, Jules. I won’t leave you.” His voice was rough but he forced himself to step back and flash a shaky smile, keeping his hand on Julian’s shoulder. The Vampire nodded slowly, blinking away the moisture in his eyes. A wicked grin split his cheeks.

“Of course you won’t. Your life without my pretty face in it would be an absolute travesty,” he winked. Sypher laughed despite himself. He opened his mouth to answer, but Elda tugged his elbow and pointed towards the doors leading into the villa, where Yani and Clover stood side by side.

“When you’re done flirting with Sypher, I’d like a kiss hello,” Yani quipped. Julian grinned and bounded across the clearing to embrace his husband. Clover raised an eyebrow and descended the few stairs into the gardens.

“Tell me you have something,” Sypher pleaded.

Clover shook his head. “Unfortunately not. Arden simply moved from city to city like the rest of the Keepers, helping the monarchs and civilians with whatever they needed. From what I can gather, his first encounter with the Corrupted was the day they took him.”

“Then we still don’t know where they’ve taken him or why.”

“Would they not have taken him to Shade?” Elda suggested. “Isn’t that where Malakai hides himself?”

“Unlikely,” Sypher answered. “Even Cynthia on her Wraith would struggle to cross the border. Shade is inhospitable, covered in molten rivers and teeming with demons of every kind. They would only enter and exit Shade when absolutely necessary.” He frowned down at his boots. “She found us on the mountain, which means she never returned to Shade after taking Arden. Abraxos is incapable of crossing the border without her.”

“Why?” Clover asked.

“She has an... affinity for demons.” He hesitated over his choice of words, and Elda sensed there was more to it than Cynthia simply being good with the creatures. “If Abraxos tried to ride a Wraith without her he’d lose his head.”

“Which means they’re still somewhere else on Valerus,” Elda realised. “But where would they go?”

“Rift is closest and has less demons to worry about, but it’s almost as inhospitable as Shade,” Sypher mused. “The whole realm is a desert.”

“So the simple answer is we don’t know?” Clover asked.

“Unfortunately. We can discuss it as a group once Lillian returns. Until then, I need a drink.” Sypher ran a hand through his white hair, pushing it back from his forehead. Elda watched him approach Julian and speak. The Vampire grinned and grabbed his arm, dragging him to the kitchen just as Gira emerged.

“I’m pleased that he seems to be doing better,” the Shifter noted, smiling at Elda.

“He’ll be okay,” she smiled. “He just needs some time and someone to lean on.”

Yani sauntered over and appraised her curiously before Gira could reply. “Perhaps now we can actually be introduced. I’ve been dying to speak to you properly ever since I was told you put a wedding ring on Sypher.” He smiled kindly, green eyes glinting with warmth. His hair was a rich copper and a smattering of freckles dusted his cheeks.

“It’s nice to properly meet you too,” she chuckled.

“You’re short for an elf,” he commented.

Her cheeks coloured, but she nodded. “I know.”

“I’m short for a Vampire too,” he grinned. “I think we’re going to get on.” Her smile returned when he tucked his hand into her elbow. “Come on. Julian and Sypher will probably only think to drag ale out of Gira’s cellar.”

“I’m sure I have an aged wine somewhere around here,” the Shifter grinned. “Are you a wine man or an ale man, Clover?”

“I prefer port,” Clover shrugged.

Gira’s grin widened. “You’re in luck, my friend. Come with me. Let’s see what we can find.”

The small group followed Gira back into the villa and down some steps hidden by a door at the back of the kitchen. The wine cellar was cool and lit by the gentle light of an enchanted stone set into the ceiling. Gira found Sypher and Julian browsing the kegs and directed Yani to a wine rack filled from floor to ceiling with dusty bottles. Elda chose the one the Vampire recommended and followed the rest of them back out of the cellar when they’d settled on their drinks of choice.

Gira led them back out to the garden and turned left, following an ornamental path through the greenery that led to an area decorated with cushioned seating. An awning stood over it, hung with gossamer drapes that offered a little protection from the setting sun.

Sypher flopped onto the cushions and patted the space next to him for Elda, Yani settling himself on her other side. When they were all comfortably seated, Sypher leaned forwards and snapped his fingers, producing a spark that he dropped into a strange table in the middle of them. Elda’s brows crept up when it burst into neatly contained flames.

It took Sypher a while to properly relax, but after a few drinks and the company of people he cared about, he was settled back against the cushions with his arm draped around Elda, joining in on the conversation at last. Julian leaned forwards eagerly and grinned at him.

“Come on then, Angel. Show us the sword!” Elda expected Sypher to retreat back into himself, but the Soul Forge arched an eyebrow and clenched his free hand, the sword appearing in his grasp.

Her eyes widened at its unique design, taking in the intricate markings pressed into the length of darkened metal. The tip was so sharp it looked capable of cutting through stone like butter, and the grip was inlaid with with woven golden runes. The pommel and cross were black, patterned to give the impression of sleek black feathers covering the metal. A knuckle guard in the form of an outstretched wing curved around the grip, and a brilliant ruby was set into the end of the pommel.

“In the memory it was white and gold,” Elda remarked.

“I know. Angelic blades are forged for the wielder and they change to fit their owner. Back then I had no demon blood,” Sypher explained. There was a ridge between his brows but his voice didn’t tremble.

“This is insane,” Julian fawned, leaning closer to get a better look. The Soul Forge passed him the sword. “I’m holding the first Angelic weapon to see the light of day in almost a thousand years,” he whispered, looking down at the blade across his palms in awe.

“It sure beats your crappy axe,” Clover remarked.

“Did all Angels know how to forge weapons like this or were people specifically trained?” Julian asked with an impish smile. Sypher’s arched brow rose higher.

“People were specifically trained.” The Vampire kept staring imploringly at the Soul Forge until eventually he rolled his eyes, fighting a smile. “Yes, I was one of them.”

“Can you make me something?” Julian pleaded before Sypher had even finished speaking.

“It’s been a long time since I tried. I’m not sure this body is even capable.”

“But you can give it a go, right?”

“I suppose.” His eyes fell on Julian’s ring; dark silver with a large emerald set in its face. “Are you attached to that?”

“Not if you need it to make a weapon for me.” He took it off and handed it to Sypher.

“Don’t get excited,” he warned. “And give me a few days.” Julian’s grin was so wide, Elda was surprised his face didn’t split.