Book One : The Prophecy : IX : Something Wicked This Way Comes

IX

Something Wicked This Way Comes

All things can corrupt when minds are prone to evil…

Ovid.

“Dominus,” Lagmar announced as he bowed low before Lagar who sat upon his throne of flames.

“Kyrios,” Belem exclaimed also bowing low before his master. Both demons stepped aside as another, older and darker demon made his way forward.

“Adon,” hissed the demon as he bent to the marble floor made out of ash, kissing it before arising to stand before Lagmar and Belem. Lagar smiled weakly before settling his lips into a straight line, his dark eyes sparkling and deep.

“Have you infiltrated her mind?” he asked coldly as his snake Nagtium slithered between his bare feet.

“Yes master,” Nathaniel answered clearly, his open mouth revealing his pin pointed teeth, sharp and long. Nathaniel was Lagar’s mouth piece.

“Does she weaken?”

“Her mind alters and has submitted to my powers,” Nathaniel hissed quietly, his orange eyes alight and hot. “Soon she will fall completely, soon she will willingly do as I bid her.”

“What of her husband?” Lagar turned his cold eyes to Belem.

“The seed of doubt flourishes,” Belem announced with confidence, his deceitful eyes merry with intoxication for he revelled in the torture of angel’s, his removed ancestors. “His heart beats wildly for vengeance and power. He alters with every breathe he draws.”

Lagar rose from his throne and descended the cold steps to come stand before his most trusted demons. Beautiful was he the creature of the night as he gracefully strode about his demons thoughtfully.

“And what of the lover?” he hissed deeply, coming to stand behind Lagmar, his lips close to his servants ear.

“He suspects that the bitch has been bitten,” Lagmar said cautiously. “He sticks to her like a leech, always suspicious, always present.”

“He must be killed!” Lagar whispered with venom. “You promised to kill him.”

“And I will my lord,” Lagmar promised faithfully. “When she comes to me in the night seeking her husband and brat, he will follow and so the blade of darkness shall pierce his heart, rendering him to dust. Dead.”

“And you shall be richly rewarded,” Lagar smiled as he gently touched the side of Lagmar’s face with his long fingers. “For if he lives then the prophecy lives and all that we have fought for will be for nothing and that bitch will sit upon the throne.” Nathaniel turned to his master.

“You do not wish her dead my Lord? May I ask why?” he asked with an air of curiosity. Lagar looked up from Lagmar’s shoulder and smiled.

“A fool would rid themselves of the only key to the garden of Calhuni,” Lagar replied with a deep smile, which altered his cold and distance expression, riding his beautiful face and in its place teasing at the darkness within. Nathaniel nodded understanding his master completely.

“I don’t understand,” Belem interjected as Nagtium slid over his feet towards his master. Lagar stood away from Lagmar and waited patiently as the snake slid its way up his legs, under his black robes causing the material to ruffle until finally the snake re appeared as he wound his way about his master shoulders. Lagar tenderly stroked the snake’s face before turning and walking towards the open doors of his palace which overlooked the vast Kingdom of Helnuthe.

“Only a being of equal power can rid the universe of its God,” Lagar said aloud, his body turned from his most trusted servants. “My power is vastly deeper than your own,” he smiled. “But unequal to Heiden’s. My power only equals my brother’s, Michael.”

“What off your son my Lord? Is he not equal to Heiden?” Lagmar asked, walking slowly towards his master, whose body froze in response. Yes, his son was more powerful than himself which was a great risk, this he knew. But what those around him including his son did not know that they were all just puppets in an ever deepening game that only he was enlightened upon, a game where he and he alone would become the most powerful being in the universe. Heidan was but a pawn in a game that he knew nothing off. It would be no easy thing killing his only off spring but it had to be done and once his son had access to the garden of Calhuni he would call upon his father in exaltation. Only the heir of Calnuthe could find the garden and the throne within. If his plan went accordingly then his son would kill his sister and take the throne, this Heidan knew but what he did not know was that when seated upon the throne the power derived from being crowned King, would flow into his blood thus anyone who shared his blood would become heir to Calnuthe whether they were accepted by the God Heiden or not they had equal claim to the throne and the power it gave to those who sat upon the ancient chair. Once his son had claimed the throne, he in turn would become an heir and so it only seemed logical that he kill his son, claim the throne and lands (which he cared little for) and the power derived from God himself. With that power, he, Lagar of Helnuthe would become Heiden’s equal and when that day came he would unleash hell upon the seven corners of the universe.

“She is useful to me,” Lagar said simply, feeling Lagmar’s presence behind him. “If she is killed you may count yourself dead too.”

“No one will touch her,” Lagmar promised. Lagar turned swiftly to Lagmar.

“If she mates with that bastard of a prince or takes the throne of Calnuthe she will unstoppable, make sure you kill that bastard before he can plant his seed within her and create a child more powerful than you or I.”

“But Galean holds no power,” Lagmar replied quietly seeing the anger seep into his masters eyes.

“He is of Gabriel’s blood, Gabriel is the only angel who shares Heiden’s blood,” Lagar said curtly. “Galean is his descendant. They must not breed. He must be killed.”

“He will my Lord,” Lagmar promised again, bowing his head slightly in reverence and fear for he felt the power radiate from his master.

“Then go, all of you and do not come back to me until you have taken care of what needs to be taken care off,” Lagar said darkly. “And mind that if you dare return with ill news you will feel the back of my hand.”

*

“Are angels and demons the only beings that possess magic or power for a better want of the word?” Eveline asked her husband as she brushed her hair gently in front of her dressing mirror. Theodore sat upon the edge of their bed and laced up his shoes.

“No, angels are known to have human partners and thus their children are born with gifts,” answered Theodore as he watched his wife brush her long tresses of auburn hair, her mirrored gaze upon him.

“And what happens to these gifted children?”

“Before I was assigned to protect you I had the job of seeking out those that were gifted and taking them to Anglesey with the agreement of their parents of course, to a school called Ravinston.”

“A school for those with magic?” Eveline set down her silver backed brush and turned with curious eyes.

“Yes, there are three within the united Kingdom,” Theodore nodded as he got to his feet and made for the mahogany cupboard, opening the doors and searching within for his tweed jacket which he found. “One in Anglesey, another in the highlands and a smaller school along the northern coast of Northern Ireland. Ravinston is the parent school being eight hundred years old, headed by a great man called Alsandair Cellach.”

“Anglesey is known for its deep history concerning druids,” Eveline murmured aloud as she turned to the mirror once more, opening a small silver box that held her hair pins. “Am I right in thinking that the roman general Gaius Suetonius attacked the island in sixty AD? Around the same time as Boudicca’s revolt?”

“You always were quite the historian,” Theodore smiled as he came to stand behind his wife, planting a gentle kiss upon her head. Eveline looked up into his face, considerably smoother and calmer a fresh change from his persistent state of anger which had led to them having several serious arguments over the last week. She had found herself having to tip toe around her husband, fearing the end of the day when she would have to withdraw herself from the company of her friends and retire to their bedroom. She wondered is his anger stemmed from her reluctance to consume their marriage due to having spent so little time with one another in the last year and half, wondered if it was a mixture of her reluctance, the presence of Jophiel and the Galean.

“How many attend the school?”

“Around a thousand pupils,” Theodore returned as he picked up his own comb from the table and combed his fair hair.

“And do the community of Anglesey know of the schools purpose?” Eveline asked with furrowed brows.

“No although many have their suspicions,” Theodore replied as he combed his fair hair gently. “The school is within a private estate quite some miles from the nearest village and protected by physical walls and enchantments.”

“How intriguing, I wonder why I never attended?” Eveline smiled with intrigue as she pinned her hair delicately.

“You are too precious and have been hidden away for a reason,” Theodore said with seriousness.

“I wish you would tell me why Theodore, I am you wife?” Eveline urged sensing the change in atmosphere.

“Why must we argue over this Eveline? You know I cannot tell you no matter how much I wish too and trust me I do,” Theodore said darkly. This side of her husband and friend she had never seen before, this altered being who seemed to be distant ghost of the Theodore she had grown up and married. It frightened Eveline how little she really knew her husband, it frightened her more how she unconsciously became submissive to his moments of rage, fleeing from his presence to find comfort in the library, alone where she could lick her wounds.

“Theodore I don’t wish to argue with you, I find myself unable to say anything without receiving the sharpness of your ever troubled tongue,” Eveline said with straight shoulders. Theodore stopped combing his hair and looked at his wife’s reflection. “This is not the Theodore I married, you were never so angry or troubled as you have been this last week. You hesitate to tell me about your past and about who you really are. I understand you may be a little angry that we have not yet…not yet,” Eveline bent her head in embarrassment.

“You know I would never force you to submit your body against your wishes, I’m not that much of a scoundrel Eveline!”

“I know you are not, but I wish you would tell me your troubles so that I may help you,” Eveline bite down on her lower lip, trembling with emotion.

“I’m fine,” Theodore lied as he smiled weakly, wanting to comfort his wife. “I will feel better when we can go home and be freed of the constant presence of people.” You mean to be free without the threat of Galean and Jophiel, Eveline concluded inwardly. “Don’t you agree?” Theodore looked into his eyes as though searching her soul for an answer.

“I like the company of your friends, they are kind and have been very good to me,” Eveline whispered with sullen eyes. “Without their aid I would not be sitting here as your wife.” Theodore turned from Eveline and walked away, resting a tense hand upon the frame of their bed.

“Such saints they are,” he murmured with closed eyes, hating the jealousy that had flowered since that night within the cemetery. Eveline was right and he knew it, she was not at fault it was he who was making life unreasonable for her and yet he couldn’t control his warped mind. He wanted to laugh off the idea that fate had bound his wife to Galean, the ever praised hero and warrior, the prince of angels and King to be. He was jealous of the friendship that had bloomed between the honourable Galean and his wife, both of whom shared similar pasts and heritage. But if he were to look deep within he would conclude that at the heart of all his problems was Jophiel, the quiet and graceful Jophiel who willingly submitted herself to the pain of his broken promise, who rose above vengeance and jealousy and found friendship and solace in his wife. She should have hated him, she should have confessed to Eveline how deceitful and greedy he had become in his lust for more power and praise. But Jophiel was ever the gentle and forgiving woman, the woman he had fought tooth and nail to have in marriage before being offered an assignment not even he could have dreamt off. She had refused him for years before finally succumbing to his feelings and opening her closed off heart to him, a heart that had been badly used in the past when she was younger and naive to those who wished to simply use her for her rare gifts and position.

Of course he could not blame himself for marrying and loving Eveline, he had no idea of his true being, his mind had been stripped of the memory of his previous life. He had fallen in love with Eveline with a true and trusting heart. He had been devoid of the complicated personality of his previous self, Cael. He had been altered to such an extent that he had completely changed, he was happy and optimistic wanting to just be a pilot and husband. The flaws of his character had been discarded when he morphed into a child. All his past regrets and acts had been washed away. But he couldn’t run away from himself for long and with his enlightened state came all the complications of Cael, all the regrets, pain and history. His anger derived from his corrupt heart that found itself in love with two woman no matter how hard he tried to delude himself, how hard he tried to stay away from Jophiel or how hard he tried to do away with his previous self. He was not a bad man, he had many flaws but he was not bad. He had spent his life aiding those more vulnerable and mentoring those who could change the world.

“Theodore?” a soft voice brought him back from his thoughts.

“I’m sorry what did you say?” Theodore replied gently, letting the anger seep away for what use was it if it only brought tension between himself and Eveline. He had to trust in her love for it was the only thing standing in the way of the prophecy and Galean.

“You should be proud to have friends like Jophiel and Galean, they are good people with only good intentions,” Eveline re iterated as she rose from her chair and walked to her husband, laying her gentle hands upon his tense arms. “They mean you no harm. And we should not forget Ada, Bram and Peter, such delightful characters they are, full of mischief and life. I have never had friends before and I rather like having them, especially when I consider my dire situation.”

“Ever the optimist,” Theodore smiled, turning to his wife and looking down into her golden eyes.

“I have never known you to be this angry Theodore, never,” Eveline whispered with concern. “We should despite all that is happening around us be swept up in loves warm embrace, instead we argue constantly about who it is I spend my time with or how I spend my time.”

“Can you blame me?” Theodore answered with urgency. “When you are not spending hours cooped up with Belle you are taking long walks around Bath with Jophiel, talking about God knows what,” Theodore waved his hands about in distress. “And then you spend your mornings with Galean, learning how to protect yourself with knives and daggers. When do we ever have time for us?”

“Theodore I invite you to come with me when I go for walks,” Eveline said with pleading eyes. “I try to bring life into your always sullen eyes but you are always busy with matters of urgency…I wonder if you are…,”

“If I am what?”

Theodore and Eveline stood apart from one another, their eyes fixed upon on another. What had happened to them Eveline pondered as she looked up into the tense face of her once calm and unaffected husband and best friend. Of course she knew the reason behind all this explosive drama that was taking place within their marriage. But was he really so bothered by a prophecy? So bothered that it had altered his frame of mind? And was he right to feel bothered? Eveline could not deny the growing friendship between herself and Galean, she had felt a distinctive connection to him from their very first meeting, but was it straying too close to the line of impropriety? Was she at fault? Again the seductive voice within, the beast that had crept out of the lingering shadow of her soul whispered, yes. And why should she refute the beast’s whisperings? For he was right, she had ruined those closest to her without consciously knowing. An ever growing storm was whirling not only within her but outside of her, a storm that grew stronger with every minute that passed, a storm that made shadows of all that lay within its path.

“Jealous,” Eveline whispered fearfully taking a step back.

“Should I be jealous?” Theodore whispered darkly.

“No,” Eveline said with authority, betraying her inner anxieties, she did not know or trust this version of her husband.

“You are my wife,” Theodore said with a possessive voice.

“I don’t belong to anyone else Theodore, I never have,” Eveline said as her husband ran his fingers through his blonde hair. “I wish you would tell me what it is that is really bothering you.”

“I have already told you!” Theodore said loudly. “War affects those involved, it brings out the worst in men, including myself.”

“But you are still the loving and light hearted Theodore that ran through the fields with me at your side,” Eveline begged as she lay a soft and shaking hand upon his chest her eyes upturned, pouring into his soul, searching for any sigh of the Theodore that she had married. “Maybe you should see a doctor?”

“You think a doctor can help me?” Theodore laughed with sarcasm. “A doctor could never possibly comprehend my problems.”

“Many men who go to war and return suffer from post-traumatic stress, maybe there is a way in which you can try to deal with it,” Eveline said with pleading eyes and frustration. Theodore placed a hand over his mouth, closing his eyes tightly.

“A doctor cannot help me Eveline,” he said quietly. “It is not just the war that troubles me, it is this,” he waved his hands about. “Us and everything that comes with it.” Eveline felt a ray of hope touch upon her anxious heart, finally he had spoken instead of walking away.

“We are safe Theodore, I am safe,” Eveline said with a loving gaze, lowering her hand so that she could wind her arms about her husband’s waist, laying her head against his chest instead. “Lagar cannot touch us here with Galean, Jophiel and the rest protecting us.”

“Don’t be so easily fooled Eveline, we are not safe. Wherever we go we will be hunted,” Theodore said curtly. “Shadows do not only lingering outside of us but within us as well.”

“You give them strength and power if you submit to their fearmongering.”

“Fear?” Theodore stood back from his wife and looked down at her with furrowed brows.

“Is that not what you feel?” Eveline asked with confused eyes.

“I don’t fear demons, I’ve spent my whole life fighting them,” Theodore said with a laugh. “I fear those that portray themselves as allies when in fact they are the opposite, those are the foes you should fear.”

“Who do you mean?” Eveline suddenly feeling dizzy, sat down on the edge of their bed whilst her husband walked about the room pacing. “Has someone close to us betrayed us?”

“Betraying us doesn’t just mean handing you over to Lagar or killing you, there are many ways in which a person can betray you,” Theodore said abruptly, making no sense to Eveline who simply felt confused.

“I don’t follow,” Eveline whispered, her body feeling strange and spent her breathing becoming rapid. Theodore stopped and turned to Eveline seeing the distress in her eyes. As though she had simply clicked her fingers he found the dark cloud that seemed to follow him wherever he went disappeared as his wife clutched onto the sheets of their bed with her hands, her knuckles turning white as she tried to calm her breathing.

“Eveline? Are you alright?” he asked gently, coming to kneel before her. “Eveline?”

“I’m fine just a little stressed,” Eveline said as she closed her eyes trying to regain her core strength, the wave of weakness passing slowly.

“I’m sorry for being so angry and possessive,” Theodore whispered as he cupped her face. “I wish I could tell you why, but I can’t.”

“Aren’t husbands and wives meant to share their troubles with one another?” Eveline said, opening her eyes slightly.

“In a perfect world yes,” Theodore smiled. “But this is no perfect world and you are under too much stress. Please try to take things easy, maybe forgo your self-defence classes with Galean if you may?”

“Theodore,” Eveline lifted her hands from the bedsheets and cupped her husband’s face also, seeing the vulnerability in his eyes. “For whatever perverse reason, it seems that the creatures of the dark wish to harm me, kill me even. I know only a little of magic, I am no true scholar in the least. So it is therefore vitally important that I can protect myself in other ways.”

“But you are a natural at knife fighting,” Theodore argued lightly. “One day off won’t tarnish all your efforts thus far, will it?”

“I suppose you are right,” Eveline said with a weak smile upon her pale lips. She had greatly looked forward to her time with Galean, so much so that the thought of forgoing a day’s lesson made her feel miserable. But if her husband was to trust her and his friend then she would have to heed his word and submit to his subtle demand.

“Then you will rest for today?” Theodore said with a brightened glow upon his face as though he had suddenly morphed back into the Theodore she had married.

“I am no use at resting or lounging, but I think I shall take the time to visit Bath Abbey,” Eveline answered lightly. “If that is alright with you?”

“I’m not so sure it would be safe for you to go alone,” Theodore mused thoughtfully.

“Why don’t you join me then?” Eveline asked with raised hopes.

“As much as I would like to, I cannot,” Theodore replied, now standing up before her. “I have business to attend too, but maybe you can bring Ada or Bram?” Eveline looked at her husband, all traces of hope disappearing as she breathed out a long sigh.

“What business do you have today?”

“Peter and I must scan the town and surrounding areas,” Theodore said as he buttoned the front of his tweed jacket. “And I promised to take mother out for a walk.”

“May I join you both when I return?”

“Of course you may,” Theodore said lightly as he made for the door, stopping to turn to her. “We leave at three. And Eveline?”

“Yes?” Eveline looked at her husband.

“Take Ada or Bram, maybe leave Galean and Jophiel to their own today?”

“And if I was to bring either Galean of Jophiel with me would you mind?” Eveline asked with a challenge in her eyes.

“They could spend their time more constructively instead of leisurely,” Theodore returned flatly. “They are here to help.”

“I take that as a no then? Even if I am not entirely sure why it is you disapprove of my friendship with them,” Eveline lied, knowing perfectly well why her husband wished her to stay away from his best friend and once lover.

“Eveline let’s not argue again,” Theodore sighed. “I shall see you at three?”

“Yes,” Eveline smiled as he nodded before exiting the room, leaving her alone to battle with her thoughts.

*

“Morning Theodore,” Jophiel announced as she entered the breakfast room and sat down to the table next to Belle.

“Morning Jophiel,” Theodore murmured, taken aback by her fresh face and bright eyes, hit by a strangely familiar feeling, a feeling he had once recognised and acted upon, a feeling that was as much a regret as a foe.

“Where is Eveline this morning?” Jophiel asked as she filled her plate with bacon and toast.

“She will be down shortly,” Theodore replied quietly as he drank deeply from his cup of coffee, his eyes jittering from his plate to her face, serene and content, not one hint of sadness or grief which greatly troubled his already troubled mind. It had only been a few weeks since Lier’s murder and it seemed odd to him that Jophiel was not in the throes of despair instead she was glowing and radiant.

“I thought I could take Belle and your mother to the roman baths for the day?” Jophiel announced much to the joy of Belle who looked away from Estelle and smiled up at her new friend.

“Oh please can we go Estelle?” the child asked with wide eyes.

“I suppose a good walk shall do us the world of good,” Estelle exclaimed with gladness. “I wonder if Eveline should like to join us.”

“She wishes to stay at home this morning,” Theodore said as he opened up the Times newspaper.

“Is she alright?” Jophiel asked her voice laced with concern and suspicion, she had heard their raised voices as she has passed their room on her way downstairs and wondered if Eveline was alright.

“Perfectly alright just a little tired,” Theodore returned with an air of calmness.

“I hope you haven’t been arguing again Theodore,” Estelle said with a stern glance.

“Mother I prefer to keep the affairs of my marriage private,” Theodore said sharply. Estelle felt herself warned and glanced over at Jophiel with raised brows. Mother or not she was very aware of her sons ever changing mood swings and worried not only for him as he was clearly suffering but for her daughter who had spent the last year and a half in contemplation for the return of her husband. She knew how war affected men and understood to a point her sons altering mood swings but was awash with confusion as to why he and Eveline where not in the throes of romance and passion like most war time couples.

“I hope she will regain strength,” Jophiel said after a moment of awkward silence.

“I am certain she will,” Theodore muttered under his breathe. With the conversation at an end the occupants at the table remained quiet until eventually they made to leave, the women glad to be rid of Theodore.

“He is always so glum,” Estelle said to Jophiel as they collected the plates to bring down to the kitchen. “I worry for him.”

“Theodore is known to have grey episodes,” Jophiel returned as she smiled into Estelle’s drawn eyes greatly aged by the past weeks. “They will pass and soon he will be back to his normal self.”

“I hope you are right,” Estelle said as they withdrew from the room, making their way down to the kitchen passing a quiet and thoughtful Galean.

“What do you have there?” Jophiel asked her friend, looking down at the wrapped present in his hand.

“Nothing special,” Galean said as he stopped to converse with Jophiel. “Eveline lost her bible during the raid so I went into Bath yesterday and purchased one for her.”

“You bought her a bible?” Jophiel whispered with anxious eyes. “Galean I thought you agreed to keep your distance from her?”

“And I have bar her lessons in the morning,” Galean argued quietly so that nobody could hear. “She really treasured her bible and I thought it may cheer her up.”

“I’m not so sure it would be a good idea to give her a present, not when the atmosphere between her and Theodore is so sour,” Jophiel said with kind eyes. “Although I know you are being kind and generous as always.”

“Has she come down yet?” Galean asked as he slid the small present into the pocket of his suit jacket.

“No, Theodore said she was feeling weak but should be down soon,” Jophiel sighed. “I’m worried about her Galean, if she isn’t quiet and unmoving she lashes out in anger which is very unlike her, and I have not known her for long.”

“Yes I would agree with you,” Galean murmured as he digested Jophiels observations. “I will keep an eye on her.”

“As long as it is from a distance,” Jophiel pleaded.

“As you wish,” Galean said with a nod, turning and walking away from Jophiel. Galean made himself comfortable in the breakfast room, pouring tea and making himself toast as the residents left the house, leaving himself, Eveline and Mary at home. He sat and read the newspapers in content quietness until he heard the footsteps of Eveline descend the stairs and sat up straight, his pulse suddenly racing. Eveline jumped in surprise as she entered the room.

“Gosh I thought I would be alone this morning,” she smiled weakly, stopping to take in a deep breathe before striding to the table and sitting down.

“Would you like some tea?” Galean asked, standing up with the pot in his hand.

“Please,” Eveline replied as she took a seat and laid her hands upon her cream skirt. Galean came to her and quietly poured her a cup of tea before returning to his seat once more, observing her with suspicious eyes as she buttered some toast and poured a little milk into her tea.

“How are you this morning?” he asked gently.

“Very well Mr Edwards and you?” Eveline replied, keeping her eyes on the table. Galean as normal noted her posture, attire and mood. Her already petite frame had thinned greatly since their meeting so much so that her fine blouses looked a size to big on her. Her once straight posture was now bent as though unable to hold herself up, the weight of her shoulders too much for her to bare. Her beautiful auburn curls were finely set with pins, but her face was pale despite her naturally pale complexion and her eyes as always were a shade darker and led Galean to only feel heightened anxiety, she was clearly unwell and it shocked him that those around her especially her husband were blind to the changes that had come over her at such with such speed. Eveline stopped buttering her toast and looked up to meet his gaze, her altered eyes filled with unspoken questions as though she knew what was circulating within his mind.

“I am well,” Galean smiled warmly, lifting his newspaper again so that Eveline could eat in peace. Eveline waited until the newspaper covered his face before letting out a sigh and returning to her plate and tea, her heartbeat slowly a little, her chest freeing itself from the tightness that had clutched at her when she entered the room. They sat in silence for a while as she willed herself to eat, her appetite wavering greatly over the last few weeks. “What a fetching scarf you are wearing,” Galean said with suspicious eyes, she had taken to wearing silk scarves about her neck in the last few days and for good reason if his suspicions were true.

“It’s all the range apparently,” Eveline lied, not being in the least bit interested in fashion.

“I can honestly say I haven’t witnessed any women wearing scarfs the way you do,” Galean said with frankness. He watched as she gulped down a mouthful of tea.

“What are you going to do today then?” Eveline chirped changing the subject with rapid speed.

“Well I thought after our self-defence lesson I could help Mary sort through her sons clothes,” Galean answered kindly, turning a page of the newspaper.

“Well as to our lesson,” Eveline coloured profusely. “I will have to forget about it today if you don’t mind?”

“Are you unwell?” Galean said with serious eyes, tilting his newspaper down so that he could gaze across at her.

“Oh nothing serious, I’m just a little tired and Theodore thought it best that I take a day off,” Eveline smiled.

“Well then would you like to go for a walk perhaps? Some fresh air may do you good?”

“As much as I would love to accompany you on a walk, I am going to visit Bath Abbey for a few hours.”

“Would you like my company?” Galean asked seeing distress rush over her.

“I…, it isn’t that I would not like or enjoy your company but my husband…”

“Does not approve?” Galean said with furrowed brows.

“He thinks that you should be spending your time constructively and not leisurely with me,” Eveline blurted out. Galean’s hands crunched down on the edges of the paper in anger. For a moment he saw fear in Eveline’s eyes and forced the rage within him to calm. “I’m sorry.”

“You have nothing to be sorry for Eveline,” Galean said through gritted teeth. “I hope that you enjoy your time in Bath, the abbey is beautiful.”

“I have quite a secret passion for architecture, especially churches and so I wanted to take the chance to visit Bath Abbey,” Eveline smiled weakly, her heart thudding loudly against her chest, the noise of the thudding filling her ears.

“Yes I know you do,” Galean smiled politely. Both Eveline and Galean held one another’s stare in a moment of awkward silence.

“Well I better go and fetch my coat and hat,” Eveline laughed lightly, rising from the table and setting her paper handkerchief down upon her empty breakfast plate.

“Have a nice morning Eveline,” Galean said warmly, waving her goodbye as she left the room, her steps filled with hesitancy. No matter how much she wished for him to come with her, she wouldn’t disobey her husband.

*

Eveline slipped on her red coat before picking up her red tilted felt hat and positioning it upon her auburn curls. She stood in front of the mirror and fixed herself, quickly applying a little lipstick to her pale lips before picking up her bag and rolling on her gloves. With a smile and a breathe she opened the front door and made her way down the steps to where Ada and Bram stood on either side engrossed in conversation.

“Ada, Bram,” Eveline announced as she came to stand before them, her auburn curls dancing about her face.

“Mrs Sampson,” Ada exclaimed turning his face up to meet her own.

“My husband said that I should bring you both with me to Bath Abbey, would you like to accompany me? And maybe we can find a small café and have some coffee?”

Ada looked to Bram who shrugged then looked back up into Eveline’s questioning eyes with a smile.

“Of course we cannot say no,” he beamed merrily. “But a walk and some coffee would certainly add some entertainment to our quite unentertaining day.”

“I’m glad,” Eveline said with sparkling eyes. “Shall we?”

“After you Mrs Sampson,” Bram said, his arms outstretched waiting for her to pass him on the steps.

“You must call me Eveline or Evie if you prefer, I hate formalities,” Eveline said as they made their way up Cow Lane merging onto Marlborough Lane.

“Which do you prefer?” Ada asked as he scanned the busy street for anything unusual.

“I rather like to be called Evie,” Eveline replied as they stopped to cross the busy road.

“Then Evie it shall be,” smiled Bram as the trio made their up Royal Avenue, through Victoria Park. It was a beautiful day if cold. The sky was blue and the sun’s rays heated Eveline’s back as they walked through the beautiful park. Eveline spotted a few robins, dancing from the branch to branch chirping with merriness. The flowers beds had died back and the lawns were covered with a light sprinkling of fallen leaves, winter had most certainly arrived. The park was brimming with women and children, all wrapped up and many of the children enjoying the piles of leaves, kicking them into the air with the shoes.

“I’ve never been to a more beautiful park,” Eveline said aloud, standing in between Ada and Bram who were tipping their hats to passing ladies, mischief in their eyes. Eveline wondered if they were younger than Galean, Theodore and Jophiel.

“Oh look there is the lake, shall we cross over the bridge?” Ada proclaimed, his cheeks rosy and his eyes filled with life.

“Of course!”

The trio filled with light conversation about the beauty of the winters light and the ever changing cycle of nature crossed the bridge, stopping a while to observe the waters beneath them with reflective eyes.

“It is hard to believe that so much darkness can exist when faced with such pleasing scenes,” Eveline said with an air of sadness clipping her tone.

“That is the irony of life Eveline,” Bram sighed as he tightened his coat about his tall frame. “But we must trust in the beauty of life don’t you think?”

“You must forgive Bram, he is a dreamer,” Ada smirked. “What is it that Oscar Wilde said about dreaming?”

“How would you possibly know Ada? You hate Oscar Wilde,” Bram laughed, gently slapping his friends back with mirth.

“A dreamer is one who can only find his way by moonlight, and his punishment is that he sees the dawn before the rest of the world,” Eveline proclaimed with pride, her back straight and elegant. Ada and Bram turned to Eveline with eyes filled with astonishment.

“Despite being at least fifty years older than you, you outmatch us both in intelligence,” Bram said with a pleasant smile. “It is most refreshing.”

“Hardly that!” Ada groaned. “When we are not off doing a job we have to listen to Galean or Jophiel debating hotly on the subjects of morality and ethics, it becomes rather boring after a while.”

“What do they discuss if you don’t mind my asking?” Eveline proceeded to ask as they once again made their way through the park.

“Last night they were discussing Plato’s views on the relationship between a father and son,” Ada replied, plunging his freezing hands into his pockets.

“Why ever where they discussing that?” Eveline asked with wide eyes, she knew the theory of Plato’s views on the subject but wondered if the discussion between Galean and Jophiel had anything to do with Galean’s family.

“They were arguing over Galean’s brother, Beon,” Ada sighed heavily.

“Ada she probably doesn’t know about Beon,” Bram chastised gently as the trio finally came to the end of the park.

“Galean has told me about his family,” Eveline assured Bram and Ada as they made their way through the iron arched entrance.

“How strange, he never discusses his family with anyone bar Jophiel,” Ada said with a confused expression. As the group made their way towards the centre of Bath town, passing Queen’s Square they argued over Galean and his family issues.

“Apparently Beon’s wife tried to poison his father during a winter feast some years ago,” Ada explained to Eveline as they reached the guildhall.

“Why?” Eveline replied with curious eyes as she tucked her gloved hands into the pockets of her coat.

“There was an apparent plan for a coup d’état to take place, putting Beon onto the throne and in the process killing Ballor and arresting Galean and Loaki,” Bram said as they passed sweet old shops that lined the road.

“What happened?”

“Of course the plan folded, Ballor is too popular as far as I know and I have never been to his world,” Ada said, his eyes scanning the crowd diligently.

“Beon and his wife were sent back to their Kingdom of Galgor and then Beon’s wife died a few weeks later,” Bram added. Eveline stopped and furrowed her brows.

“How did she die so suddenly?”

“Galean claims that she was killed by a disease that had spread throughout the North that winter, taking with it thousands of peasants,” Bram said, keeping himself close to her for safety. “Beon on the other hand claims that the High King had her poisoned in return hence Beon’s campaign of vengeance.”

“But surely he cannot hope to claim victory against his father and brothers?” Eveline asked as they began to walk once more.

“Well that’s the problem,” Ada interjected, him being the eavesdropper and main mouth of information. “Some Kingdom in the south, Taer I think it’s called is aiding Beon and his Kingdom, strengthening their armies and resources. That is why Galean will be returning in a few days.”

“I see,” Eveline said quietly a pain shooting through her. She felt so much more connected to the world that Galean was born into rather than her own and it caused her great confusion.

“I still cannot believe he will be a King one day,” Bram muttered under his breathe. “It is slightly unnerving to know that the man you spend most of your time with is a prince. He is just Galean to me and he shares not in many of the characteristics of a Prince if you understand my meaning?”

“You should hear the stories about him, he is a renowned warrior who is greatly revered and loved among his own kind,” Ada smiled with pride. “But his heart has been badly done in and he wasn’t himself for a great while. I don’t know if either of you have noticed how he seems to be brighter and more himself lately?”

“I have observed the same,” Bram murmured as they finally came to stand before Bath Abbey. The group stood still as Eveline beheld the beautiful Abbey, a sigh leaving her mouth. Ada and Bram turned to her with merry faces.

“It is even more beautiful than I had hoped,” Eveline said quickly as a couple passed her by, shocked by her apparel. With quick hands she bent her hat down over her eyes and smiled weakly. “Sometimes I forget that people can be alarmed by my appearance.”

“I wouldn’t worry too much Evie,” Ada said with kind eyes. “No sooner do they see you before they clamp eyes on something else that takes their fancy, which is the way of human beings.”

“How very insightful of you Ada,” Bram teased as the group walked closer to the magnificent building which was once a great monastery. Before its great doors were piles of sand bags, a symptom of the war. “Shall we go in?”

“Yes lets,” Eveline laughed, her eyes filled with wonder and her heart intrigued. She could not logically explain her love of buildings, not in a simple way. But bar from being a lover of history she was too a lover of architecture and Bath Abbey had been one of her favourite buildings in England. Eveline knew that the Abbey had been built using bath stone which was a rare shade of yellow. It was in the perpendicular form of gothic architecture and cruciform architecture common of Christian churches. Inside her pocket was a small book on the Abbey and as the group made to enter the grade 1 listed building through the entrance she opened it up. With the book open in her hand she felt a strange force take hold of her as she passed under the tall arch, causing her to stop abruptly, her body tightening and her heart slowing rapidly. Quickly as though to venture forth would burn her internally she stepped back.

“Eveline are you alright?” Bram asked, already within the building. Ada came to Eveline quickly and scanned her body with serious eyes.

“What is it Eveline?”

“I…, I don’t know,” Eveline whispered as a couple passed by her with confused faces. “When I stepped through I felt something force me to step backwards.” Ada looked to Bram with concern. Angels and humans where allowed to enter any religious building, those not allowed where the servants of Lagar and Eveline was no such servant.

“Why don’t you try again?” Bram asked gently, coming out of the church to stand at her other side.

“Alright,” Eveline said with anxious eyes. Eveline smiled in embarrassment as she stepped forward once more. Again the burning force took hold of her. Determined to fight the pain she forced herself forward only to fall abruptly to the ground a white light burning through her mind. Ada and Bram fell to the ground beside her lifeless form and looked at one another.

“Something isn’t right,” Ada whispered as several people came over them. Bram stood up from the growing crowd and looked about with serious eyes.

*

Galean watched as Eveline fell to the ground outside the entrance of Bath Abbey and strode purposefully from behind the black railings of the pump rooms which were located on the right hand side of the Abbey. As he strode forward he felt something hit him and stopped, scanning the heavy crowds about him. He felt a familiar and unnerving presence somewhere close by and looked in vain for the source. Across the street over the heads and hats of the crowd he found his gaze falling upon his old nemesis Lagmar, who stood upon the corner of the street, his gaze on Eveline, a lingering smile upon his face. As though feeling Galean’s eyes upon him he tore his gaze away from Eveline who had awoken and was being helped away from the entrance of the Abbey. Lagmar lowered his eyes upon Galean, who stood very still, the world about them suddenly slowing down, time beginning to lengthen in a most unhuman way. Galean watched on as the faint smile upon Lagmar’s face faded away only to be replaced by a look of violent intention. Galean knew that he could not risk open confrontation but could not simply fade away into the crowd with Eveline in danger.

“Lagmar no!” Belem hissed as he came to his side, taking Lagmar’s arm roughly. “Now is not the time!”

“I promised Lagar I would kill him!” Lagmar spat venomously, ripping his arm away from Belem.

“Not here, not like this and not when we are so close to succeeding!” Belem tried to argue as Lagmar began to move through the crowd. Lagmar stopped walking and took in a deep breathe. “She has submitted to the poison,” Belem whispered frantically. “She cannot enter the church, we cannot let Galean suspect or we will both be returning to our master empty handed.” Lagmar knew he spoke the truth and clenched his fists as Galean stood perfectly still, challenging him with fearless eyes.

“We need to bring the plan forward,” Lagmar hissed as he turned away from Galean to face Belem whose face sighed with relief. “She is ready.”

“There is to be a fund raising ball at their residence this Saturday night,” Belem whispered as they retracted into the crowd and out of sight. “That’s in two days’ time.”

“Then that is when we will strike with such force they will not know what has hit them,” Lagmar said with such anger, Belem stepped away.

Galean watched as the two demons retreated and disappeared before making his way through the crowd towards Eveline, Ada and Bram. He was suspicious that Lagmar had simply walked away but even more so he was greatly troubled that Eveline had been denied entry into the church. It was time to take matters into his own hands whether Theodore liked it or not.

“Galean how did you get here?” Ada exclaimed as his friend came over to them dropping before Eveline who was sitting against the wall of the church, her eyes dark and her face pale.

“I followed you,” Galean said quickly as he turned Eveline’s eyes up to his own. “Eveline can you hear me?”

“Something happened when she tried to enter the church,” Bram whispered, waving the gossipers way dramatically.

“Lagmar and Belem were here watching you,” Galean said with a serious expression.

“But how?” Ada cried out his eyes infiltrating the crowds. “I scanned the area and found no traces of shadows.”

“It is over populated here during the day,” Galean returned as Eveline sat still and quiet, her eyes glazed and unsettling. “We need to get her home now.”

“I will fetch a cab if possible,” Bram announced running off into the mass of onlookers. Galean without speaking scooped the unresponsive Eveline into his arms and quickly strode away from the onlookers, making his way down the side of the church where it was quieter and less public. He brought her over to a small fountain by the side of the Abbey and set her down upon the steps.

“Eveline nod if you can hear me?” He urged as Ada walked about checking the area, only turning to look at them briefly stunned by Galean’s gentleness and closeness to Eveline.

“I can hear you,” Eveline mumbled, blinking her eyes as though they hurt.

“What happened?” Galean asked with frantic eyes as he gently untied her scarf, exploiting her current inability to function so that he could get a better look at her neck. Cautiously he unwound the scarf until it fell away to reveal her blackened throat. “Oh my God,” he cursed out loud. Ada turned and stood still.

“What the hell has happened to her?” he asked quickly coming to Galean’s side.

“She won’t tell me,” Galean replied curtly as he softly touched the area, blackened and bruised.

“Galean I don’t mean to scare you but it looks like she has been poisoned by something,” Ada said quietly as a tear fell from Eveline’s eye.

“I feel strange,” she whispered.

“Eveline I need you tell me how you got this bite,” Galean urged forcefully. “Please.”

“I can’t,” Eveline retorted, shaking her head roughly.

“Eveline! Look at me!” Galean said angrily forcing her eyes to look down into his own. “This is no fly bite, tell me what really bit you!” Eveline shook, frightened by his anger. As she looked down at him the sly voice within her whispered seductively. “Can’t you see how he hates you? If you tell him then he will only hate you more, just like the rest of them.”

“No!” Eveline cried out to the dark creature within.

“Eveline what is it?” Galean whispered, disturbed by her sudden change in behaviour as though she was fighting an internal storm.

“There jealous of you Celestine, jealous of your power,” the voice hissed loudly. Eveline stood up abruptly and walked away to the wall of the Abbey, resting her hands upon the yellow stone as she battled with the inner beast within. Galean stood up and watched on in horror as did Ada.

“She wasn’t like this when we arrived,” Ada whispered darkly. “I don’t know what has come over her.”

“Lagmar and Belem where here, they know what’s happening,” Galean said with creased brows. “I know this may be considered a wild guess but I’m betting that she wasn’t bitten by a fly and that she has been bitten by a shadow or worse by Nagtium.”

“Nagtium? Isn’t that a little far-fetched? Nagtium can only be found with Lagar?” Ada argued weakly as Eveline pounded the wall with her fists.

“Lagar was there in Keswick you know this,” Galean said quickly. “If he was there then Nagtium must have been.”

Galean walked over to Eveline and laid a hand upon her shoulder.

“Eveline it’s me,” he whispered feeling her body relax under his touch.

“Galean?” she cried quietly, her hands falling from the wall.

“Yes it’s me,” Galean exclaimed as he turned her around. “Eveline tell me, did the snake bite you?” He watched as she struggled within.

“I cannot say,” Eveline whispered as though scared of someone hearing.

“Then nod your head,” Galean said gently, taking her trembling hands into his own, “Just nod, you don’t have to say a thing.” Eveline gazed into his calm eyes and closed her eyes briefly, the creature within becoming angry with her. She felt a sudden light of strength rise up within her, forcing the creature to retreat and nodded her head slightly. Galean closed his eyes, he had prayed in vain that it wouldn’t be so for if she had indeed been bitten by Nagtium then darkness was upon them all, for the venom of the snake could only be cured using an antivenin which had to include the venom of Nagtium. Galean knew that they would never be able to extract venom from the snake of Lagar. He looked into Eveline’s scared eyes and felt himself suddenly fall into an abyss of terror, if there was no antivenin then there would be no cure, she would in time die and dying wouldn’t be the hardest part, first she would be possessed and would change. He had seen it countless times before when Lagar had killed angels using his snake.

“Galean…what is it?” Eveline whispered as a car came to a halt before them.

“Nothing Eveline, let’s just get you home,” Galean said with assuring eyes as he helped her to the car.

“There were no cabs,” Bram exclaimed as he opened the passenger door for Eveline. “This kind man here offered to help.”

“Thank you very much,” Galean said to the man as he jumped in beside Eveline, keeping her hand in his own for comfort. Eveline remained quiet and unspoken until they had arrived back home.

“Eveline what’s happened?” Jophiel cried out as she ran down the steps, closely followed by Theodore who immediately took his wife’s hand from Galean.

“What happened to her?” he asked Galean as they made their way into the house.

“I just need to sit down please,” Eveline said weakly needing space from all the eyes and whispers.

“Yes of course my love,” Theodore cooed as he brought his wife into the main room and helped her over to a regency styled sofa by the window. “Here sit down.” Eveline sat down upon the marigold sofa and drew in a breath. As she sat down, Estelle entered the room alongside Mary and made for her daughter.

“What happened?” she asked Galean and Theodore in unison.

“Eveline has been bitten by a snake,” Galean announced, as he closed the doors to the room. Everyone turned to him with confused eyes. “When Lagar visited her in Keswick he brought with him his most venomous weapon, Nagtium. Nagtium must have bitten Eveline when she had been forced into unconsciousness.” Everyone turned their eyes to Eveline, their gazes falling to her naked throat.

“Oh my God!” Estelle cried out. “How did I not notice?”

“She has been keeping her throat very well hidden beneath her scarf’s,” Galean replied as he glanced out of the windows, drawing the heavy curtains quickly and lighting the fire with a wave of his hand.

“Eveline how could you keep this from me?” Theodore whispered attentively as his wife blushed crimson with shame.

“I didn’t want to annoy you, you’re always so cross with me,” she whispered quietly so that only he could hear. Theodore found no words in which to reply and merely stroked her hands softly.

“What can we do?” Jophiel asked Galean under her breathe as Estelle fussed over her daughter. “A snake bite can only be cured by antivenin you know that.”

“I know,” Galean whispered darkly.

“We need to find some antivenin quickly,” Theodore urged as he stood away from Eveline and came to join the group of angels.

“It can’t be just any venom Cael, it has to be taken from Nagtium,” Ada said roughly.

“That’s impossible,” Theodore said weakly.

“Surely we can try some other snake venom?” Jophiel said with raised hopes. “It may keep the poison at bay until we can get our hands on Nagtium.”

“And how do you propose we do that?” Bram asked with raised brows.

“I don’t know,” Jophiel whispered hotly. “The only way we could procure venom from the snake is if we somehow summon Lagar here.”

“That’s out of the question,” Theodore said sharply.

“There has to be another option,” Bram interjected.

“I think we should try finding any kind of antivenin possible and see what happens,” Galean ordered. “If we can procure some and keep her stable then maybe Gabriel can help.”

“He won’t come to Bath, he will be vulnerable to Lagar,” Jophiel retorted flatly.

“Then we must get Eveline to London as quickly as possible,” Theodore said with serious eyes.

“We can’t leave until Sunday,” Galean warned. “Whatever plan Lagmar and Belem have up their sleeves they will become suspicious if we move her immediately.”

“He’s right,” Ada said, his hands upon his hips. “Any sudden changes will only make them suspicious.”

“Jophiel do you know anyone who can procure some antivenin?” Galean asked.

“I think so, I know an old professor who worked at Cambridge and now lives in Oxford. I can go there tonight if someone drives me?”

“Theodore is the only one who can drive,” Galean said turning his gaze to Theodore.

“I need to be with my wife,” Theodore argued.

“She will be in safe hands,” Ada said. Everyone turned their eyes to Theodore.

“Fine,” he said raising his hands in defeat.

“We need to leave immediately,” Jophiel said in a rush. “Meet me at the car in ten minutes.”

The group dispersed, Jophiel and Theodore leaving the room quickly. Galean, Ada and Bram strode over to Eveline who was taking off her hat, helped by Estelle.

“Where is Peter?” Ada asked Bram.

“Theodore said he was coming now,” Bram replied as he watched Galean once again lift Eveline into his arms.

“She can rest better in her room,” Galean explained to Estelle desperately.

“I will have some tea brought up,” Mary added as she watched Eveline being carried away, Estelle following. Ada looked at Bram with knowing eyes.

“And I will help you,” Bram announced, quickly following Mary from the room.

*

“I seem to attract trouble like the light attracts flies,” Eveline said to her mother as Estelle lit the lamps in her room, bringing much needed comfort into the room.

“That’s not true darling,” Estelle argued kindly as she drew the curtains across the windows. Eveline liked to have the curtains withdrawn from the windows, spending some time by the window at night, staring up at the stars, but she let her mother draw them knowing she was restless with concern.

“Do you know about mayflies?” Eveline asked lightly, feeling much better after a few hours of rest and sleep.

“Mayflies?” Estelle re iterated with confused eyes. “Only that they live for a short period of time. Why do you ask?”

“They have such a fleeting and troubled life,” Eveline began as her mother came to sit near to her, sighing with exhaustion. “The males create a swarm above the water and the females join them and they mate, but what is so sad about this ancient ritual is that the female mayfly will drop to the surface of the water completely spent to lay her eggs before being eaten by fish.”

“What a depressing story, have you no happy stories in which to tell?” Estelle pleaded.

“Just hear me out,” Eveline smiled gently, finding her mother’s hand and holding it.

“Alright.”

“Whilst the mother dies upon the river, the father will perish upon land. The eggs turn into nymphs and they hatch within a few weeks and live under the water feeding on vegetation for two years,” Eveline said as she rested her head against the pillows, her mind filled with beautiful images, images she had seen in books. “Eventually they undergo an incomplete metamorphosis and turns into a subimago form.” Estelle looked at her daughter, her eyes still filled with confusion, she had never been a great lover of wildlife biology to the great disappointment of her daughter who loved nature and all its complexities being an avid fan of Charles Darwin. “And so they emerge with wings and fly to the banks of a river to feed on the vegetation undergoing yet another change in which their wings lose their surface layer and in turn become more transparent and brighter.”

“Eveline what is your point?”

“Patience mother,” Eveline laughed. “They are usually attracted to light and of course the same mating ritual takes place, the dance it is said is beautiful to behold.”

“Is there an underlying metaphor in correlation to them being attracted to light?” Estelle asked gently seeing the contentment in her daughter’s face, a far cry from the disorientated eyes she had beheld earlier in the day.

“I suppose yes there is, such beauty rarely lives for long periods,” Eveline replied quietly as though deep in thought. “The things that to my eye are truly beautiful last for short periods of time and that makes them all the more beautiful don’t you think?”

“Yes I do. I personally love to watch the cherry blossom trees implode into life during the spring, knowing they only bloom for a short time,” Estelle lamented. “They just fill the garden with beauty and when they eventually die, I find myself filled with sorrow that is renewed with hope because they will bloom again in another year.”

“Love in essence kills the mayfly,” Eveline whispered to herself. “They grow for a period of time just to be able to fly for a few hours, to dance with another and well make love before dying. But in death they give way to new life.”

“When you think about it like that, I suppose it is rather beautiful and tragic,” Estelle surmised thoughtfully. “How does the life of a mayfly resemble your own?”

“I’m not entirely certain, I suppose in a way I feel as though I am the light that all these angels are attracted too and I fear because of me they will end up dying,” Eveline said darkly.

“Dear that makes no sense, it is part of the mayfly’s life cycle to die within a few hours.”

“I know,” Eveline sighed. “But Galean, Jophiel, Theodore and the others have given up their lives to protect me and I’m afraid that I will inadvertently end up killing them or ruining their lives.”

“Such talk,” Estelle sighed, shaking her head. “Your equation is wrong, you have forgotten that they have free will.”

“And yet they still decide to protect me when they could be off protecting a better cause,” Eveline said with solemn eyes.

“Dear, for the mayfly it must be beautiful and enthralling, escaping from the water to enter into this short but life altering moment of flying, free from the constraints of underwater life. And from that love comes life.”

“I’m not sure I am worth all this effort,” Eveline said with tight lips. “As much as there is a beautiful metaphor in relation to mayflies, one often forgets the dark side of their existence.”

“Which is?”

“They serve as hosts for parasites,” Eveline groaned. “Such as nematodes and trematodes.”

“And?”

“Am I not hosting a parasite within me?” Eveline said with distressed eyes. “Something that is altering my behaviour in a very disturbing way?”

“Eveline you are not hosting anything within you,” Estelle argued, sitting forward with concern. “You will not fall prey to the poison, I won’t allow that to happen.”

“I saw the look in their eyes, the look of helplessness and defeat,” Eveline whispered. “And still they would risk their lives in order to save me from death.”

“Because they want too,” Estelle said in desperation. “They have not been forced into helping you, they have chosen too out of their own free will.”

“But why? Why me? Why am I so special to them?” Eveline said forcefully. “If I die then I do not mind much, I have seen the light, breathed the air and found love in life, what more can I want?”

“You were sent to this world because you are precious, because you are despite your protestations a rare light,” Estelle said sternly. “And if these angels are willing to give up their lives for you, then you have to ask yourself why, because they are not ignorant, they would not give them up without good reason.”

“I wish I knew,” Eveline whispered as a knock came from the door.

“Come in,” Estelle called out, patting Eveline’s hand. “Stop worrying.”

The door opened and Galean entered with a book in his hand.

“Mr Edwards, come in,” Estelle said with relief, wanting to change the topic.

“I thought I might read to you for a while so that Estelle can have a little rest,” Galean said as he closed the door behind him and made for the second chair which was positioned beside Estelle’s.

“I’m sure Eveline would like the company,” Estelle smiled kindly. “I fear my eyes will not stay open for very long, despite my urging them to stay open.”

“Go and sleep mother, I will be fine with Galean to keep me company,” Eveline said as her mother rose from her chair and bent to kiss her forehead.

“I will wake in a few hours,” Estelle said to Galean before leaving the room and closing the door behind her. Eveline waited a few minutes before hopping out of bed in her nightdress.

“Eveline you shouldn’t be out of bed,” Galean urged as she walked over to the window, drawing back the thick curtains and opening the window slightly.

“I hate sleeping with the curtains closed,” she returned lightly before getting back into her bed.

“I heard something about mayflies?” Galean prompted with inquisitive eyes.

“Oh it was nothing but a moment of melancholy,” Eveline smiled as she brought her sheets up to her shoulders. “What book did you bring?”

“The secret garden,” Galean said as he opened the book. “How is your neck?”

“Fine I assure you,” Eveline lied having wrapped another scarf about her. “I’m sorry I am such a bother, you must be irate with me.”

“Why would I be?” Galean said with curious eyes as Eveline turned onto her side, propping her head up onto her hand to get a better look at her friend.

“Oh I don’t know where to begin,” she smiled. “Being bitten by a snake, nearly bombed to death and oh yes now I am dying.”

“It’s not a laughing matter Eveline,” Galean said with disturbed eyes. “You won’t die, not if I have anything to do with it.”

“My dying won’t bring down the wall of China Galean,” Eveline said sarcastically. “We are all just particles of life soon to be particles of dust.”

“Shall I read or shall we plan your impending funeral?” Galean said darkly, causing Eveline’s brows to furrow.

“Forgive me, I was trying to be light-hearted,” Eveline said with earnest eyes.

“Your death is not something I find humorous.”

“You need to stop being so serious all the time,” Eveline ordered kindly. “You need to find a little humour in life or else what is the point of breathing?”

“Enough of death,” Galean said quickly. “Close your eyes and listen to the story.”

“Alright Mr Edwards,” Eveline whispered, a little hurt at his curt words. Eveline tucked herself down and listened as Galean began to read aloud. For a good while she observed him, pleasantly enjoying the time spent watching the burdened prince read deeply, his eyes sparkling as he dived into the secret garden. “I wish I could go into that garden and become lost in the raw beauty.”

“But you walk daily within your own secret garden, up in here,” Galean brought his index finger to his temple and smiled. “And it sounds just as beautiful, if not more so.”

“It does Mr Edwards, how I wish you could walk their too.”

“Maybe someday I will.”

© Iseult O'Shea and OneCrown&TwoThrones, 2016. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Iseult O'Shea and OneCrown&TwoThrones with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.