Book One : The Prophecy : VII : City of Ruins

VII

City of Ruins

The city of churches had in one night become the city of ruins…

Alderman Thomas Underwood.

Jophiel found Theodore standing before the long mirror which hung in the corridor of the Georgian house, owned by a friend of Theodore’s mother who had written to ask that they all travel south to visit her for Christmas. Mary was her name and her son George who had been a friend of Theodore’s had been killed in action some weeks ago leaving her in a darkened state of distress and grief. Jophiel stood at the top of the stairs, gazing down at the changed Theodore, his back straight and his face a blank canvas since that night in the St Barnes cemetery where he learned that his new wife was bound to his best friend, where their old mentor who had guided them through difficult times had given up his life for Jophiel, a dark reminder of the love Theodore had left behind. Any hope of reclaiming the lost love that had once been so full and bright was lost, his heart in the hands of another woman, a woman he had sworn never to bind himself too.

They had barely spoken on their journey from London to Bath, each of them altered by the events of the last week. Jophiel had rejoiced inwardly at the arrival of their old friends, Ada, Bram and Peter who were now scouring Bath for any sign of Lagmar and Belem. They had spent the previous evening dining with one another, reminiscing over their old lives together in London before discussing quietly amongst themselves, how best to protect Eveline. Yet here they stood, once best friends, their lives intertwined, filled with both lightness and darkness, apart and barely able to acknowledge one another. As if hearing her thoughts Theodore turned from his reflection and lifted his gaze to her own.

“You’re up early,” Jophiel announced as she descended the stairs gracefully. “Which is very unlike you.” Her words churned within Theodore forcing him to turn his gaze back to the mirror.

“I like to rise before nine,” he said flatly, fixing his collar and tie. “I received a message this morning; Bristol has been badly hit by German bombers during the night.” Jophiel stood away from Theodore.

“You mean to go to Bristol immediately?”

“Yes.”

“I will come with you,” Jophiel replied firmly, collecting her red coat from the coat stand which stood close to the large Georgian door.

“You do not have to come,” Theodore said curtly, turning to her with adamant eyes.

“I want to come,” Jophiel said firmly, buttoning her coat up with a small smile. Theodore held her gaze before turning away abruptly.

“If you wish.”

Jophiel watched him walk away before sighing, her body relaxing. She wanted to go to Bristol not to be in his company but to offer him support if he needed it, if Bristol had been badly attacked then Theodore would need help in finding his wife. A few minutes passed before Theodore returned, opening the door and waiting for her to exit. Jophiel descended the white steps and stood at the passenger’s door, waiting for Theodore to open the car before getting in and resting her gloved hands upon her lap.

“How long will it take us to get to Bristol?” she asked Theodore as he started the car.

“About an hour I should think,” Theodore replied, resting a gloved hand upon the gear stick before driving away from the Georgian house. Jophiel kept quiet, letting her gaze take in the beautiful streets of Bath before they ventured north through the green countryside, passing farmers and other cars along the way. Each passed the time in uncomfortable silence until Jophiel could take it no longer.

“Theodore can you stop the car for a moment please,” she asked hurriedly, turning to him with pleading eyes. Theodore did not answer he merely slowed the car down until it stopped before a gate that led into a field. Jophiel turned her body to face his own. “Before we go to Bristol I think we need to speak, frankly.”

“What do you want to speak about?” Theodore asked quietly, looking uncomfortable.

“We cannot act the way we are or those around us are going to become suspicious of why we tread about each other in the way that we have since being re united in London,” Jophiel stated with resolute eyes, her back straight and her shoulders firm. “I understand you may find it unpleasant to be in my company considering all that has occurred between us.”

“I do not find it unpleasant,” Theodore interrupted.

“Yes you do,” Jophiel said with wide eyes. “It would be illogical for us not be somewhat cautious around one another, but we are adults and should tackle this situation like adults.”

“There is no situation between us Jophiel,” Theodore argued hotly.

“Theodore I do not wish to come between you and your wife, I understand and am accepting that you love her,” Jophiel said with a kind smile upon her lips, betraying her true inner feelings. “This is not a time in which to be arguing over the matters of the heart, we… I mean you and Eveline are facing dangerous times and we all need to work together to somehow ensure that she can be delivered to St Pauls without getting tangled up in a situation with Lagmar or Belem, on that do we agree?”

“Yes,” Theodore said with grim eyes.

“What happened between us…,” Jophiel stopped as her voice cracked. Quickly she closed her eyes and sought strength. “That is in the past and should not get in the way of the future. I am here to help you as your friend. At least I hope you can accept me as your friend?”

“You will always be my friend Jophiel,” Theodore said quietly, his gaze reaching her own. “But I am not ignorant of the fact that I left you heartbroken and married another.”

“It is in the past Theodore, obviously our fates were not entwined and so I have to be accepting of what has happened,” Jophiel said with wise eyes. “We are standing upon the threshold of dark times, we need to cast aside our differences and focus on the future, focus on protecting the only being that can defend all that we stand for.”

“I agree.”

“Then can we start again as friends?” Jophiel asked with kindness and warmth.

Theodore looked down into her face with kindly eyes. “Yes we can.”

“Well,” Jophiel smiled with relief. “I am glad, for the tension between us was driving me to distraction. We were once a great team, you, myself, Ada, Bram and Peter, we can be that team again, even if under different terms.”

“Your right, I was being petty forgive me,” Theodore said with a nod of his head.

“Let us focus on Eveline and the bigger picture,” Jophiel said gently, feeling stronger and more content now that matters had been aired and sorted before escalating into despair.

“Yes, lets.”

“Right, now we have that sorted should we go and find your wife?” Jophiel smiled as Theodore started the engine once more.

“Yes, she has been waiting a long time to see me.”

Jophiel didn’t answer she simply smiled as her past lover turned the car onto the road once more, evidently more relaxed and sedate, both of them agreeing to settle their differences for the sake of the woman who had torn them apart.

*

Estelle and Belle stepped out onto Broad Street, early in the morning after receiving some food and water. Eveline, Galean and Wordsworth had not returned and she was trembling with anxiety, unable to sleep through the night as pictures of her daughter formed within her mind, teasing her with terrible conclusions. Standing among a crowd of people, she drew in a breath, the sight of destruction causing her to feel nauseous and unwell. Fires still engulfed some of the destroyed buildings. Ambulances and fire engines filled the street as men searched the debris and buildings for survivors as make shift ambulances filled with injured patients drove by the smell of pungent blood and saline filling the atmosphere. The Grand Hotel had been badly damaged, the front of the building rendered unrecognisable, the windows without glass and the hinges without doors. The sky above was pure and blue a slap around the wrist for all those on the ground who walked about in a cloud of disbelief, faces blank and eyes wide with terror. Bristol had been the victim of raids before but it seemed that the bombing campaign incurred the previous night had been on a larger scale bringing with it untold destruction and death.

Estelle stood still, unable to find the ability to move as a man urged her to retreat away from the street as it was dangerous, the buildings unstable. The lips of the man moved but Estelle could not hear a word as she watched embers fall about her, covering the ground, now covered with a blanket of dust, debris and sand. The man before her waved at her to move but she did not take one step as Belle clung on to her tightly. Frustrated, the man finally gave up and turned walking away with his hands in the air, leaving her alone. As she stared into the abyss a tear fall upon her cheek as the fear of Eveline’s death arose within her. She felt Belle’s forehead fall upon the side of her own head bringing her back into reality.

“We need to find a way to get to St Peters,” she announced to Belle who was very quiet and withdrawn. As she prepared to turn she noticed a figure standing within the cloud of dust, a figure she had seen before, the night that her daughter had been rendered unconscious, hovering in mid-air before their cottage. A figure cloaked in black, whose piercing eyes were upon her. Men and women walked about Lagar as he stood some distance away, oblivious to his presence as he simply stood and pierced Estelle’s heart with a coldness that knew no temperature. Estelle stepped back in horror, her body crashing into another causing her to turn her gaze.

“I’m sorry,” a nurse said quickly as she walked around Estelle and off into the crowd. Estelle turned her gaze back to the place in which she had found Lagar to find it empty, he had vanished. She closed her eyes with relief and covered her mouth with her free hand.

“Can we go now, please?” Belle begged, fearing the man cloaked in black would be back.

“Yes,” Estelle said firmly, finding courage and strength. If Eveline had fallen prey to death then surely the Lord of darkness himself would not be stalking Estelle as though needing to make sure Eveline herself had not been killed. With this revelation came the realisation that Lagar knew where they had been staying and now knew that Eveline was not with Estelle. With renewed energy Estelle turned on her heels and began to make her way up Broad Street, turning to walk down Newmarket Avenue which led Estelle to Tower Lane. With Belle in her arms and a need to find Eveline immediately, the lingering pain of having to sit against a wall all night fell away as she strode down Tower Lane making her way onto Pithay Street which lay close to Wine Street and the entrance to Castle Park. She stopped to take in a breathe, her gaze upon the destroyed park and street. Beyond the mass of people she could see St Peters Church, engulfed in flames and heard herself cry out.

“No!” she cried, letting Belle down onto her feet and keeping her hand within her own as she stepped forward a little, straining her eyes. Belle looked over at the park and let out a small whimper.

“Evie!” she said quietly as an ambulance passed by. Estelle looked down at the stricken child and found herself bending down before her.

“Evie will be fine do you hear me? Galean and Wordsworth will have found her, you mark my words,” Strength lay in Estelle’s words, her eyes filled with determination. If Eveline had been taken from her she would know in her heart. Belle nodded, her eyes filled to the brim with unshed tears. Estelle wiped her eyes and looked up into the blue sky were two birds flew by in unison with one another. Together they crossed the street and made for the entrance only to be stopped.

“My daughter was attending the evening service,” Estelle argued with a soldier.

“No one is allowed in the church while it is weak and unstable,” the young man declared. “You will have to wait here for any news.”

“Please I must find her,” Estelle cried out with sternness.

“I understand your need to find your daughter, but I have been forbidden to allow anyone into these grounds until the area is safe,” the soldier said with equal sternness in his voice. “Everyone who is missing a relative is to make their way to St Stephens Church where any news will be directed.”

“I don’t know where St Stephens Church is,” Estelle pleaded urgently. The soldier turned and pointed his left index finger down Wine Street.

“If you follow this road straight to down until it bends left and cross over to Corn Street,” he ordered. “Make your way down Corn Street until you come to the first right hand turn off, which will be St Stephens Street the church lies about five hundred feet away.” Estelle followed his directed finger and nodded in submission, her need to get into the park futile. “Do you understand?”

“Yes, thank you,” Estelle said flatly, turning from the soldier with Belle beside her.

“Will she be at the church?” Belle asked as they made their way down Wine Street.

“I hope so,” Estelle mumbled quietly, aggrieved by the destroyed buildings and weeping families that had lost their businesses overnight. It took them twenty minutes to walk up Corn Street before they found the turning for St Stephen’s Church and made their way up the crowded street filled with people who had been directed to the church for information on their loved ones. Heavy dust made it almost impossible to see as they came to the stand before the church. Estelle and Belle looked up into the smoke as a torn English flag fell through the air slowly, causing them to watch on in silence. Standing still the noise of a dog filled the atmosphere and they glanced upwards towards the steps of the church were the flag fell and met with the ground.

“Evie!” Belle cried out, pulling her hand out of Estelle’s and running up the steps, her arms outstretched as the figures of Eveline, Galean and Wordsworth came into view. Estelle as though time had slowed watched on as Belle was heralded up into the arms of Galean, the trio wrapping their arms about one another as Wordsworth jumped up, laying his paws on Galean’s waist. Estelle felt her feet move as she ascended the steps and joined the embrace, her heart lifting with relief and love as they all held one another closely. After a moment, Eveline broke away from Galean and Belle and embraced her mother tightly.

“I went to the church and thought you lost,” Estelle cried into Eveline’s hair.

“Not lost mother, found,” Eveline whispered into her mother’s ear. “Galean found me and brought me to a shelter.”

“I knew he would,” Estelle smiled ending their embrace so that she could turn to Galean.

“I told you I would bring her back,” Galean said with kind eyes before being tightly enfolded into Estelle’s arms. Wordsworth jumped up and down with excitement at the joyful reunion.

*

Theodore stopped before the barracks and rolled down his window as a soldier walked over to him.

“The road is closed sir due to heavy bombardment,” the man said, taking his hat off and nodding to Jophiel who smiled in return.

“I am supposed to be collecting my wife from the grand hotel,” Theodore said as he glanced over the bonnet of his car. On the other side of the bridge, buildings had been ripped apart, fires burned and the once beautiful park lay in ruins.

“I’m sorry sir but you can’t drive over the bridge,” the soldier re iterated. “But if you park your car close by you can walk over and make your way towards St Stephens Church, do you know where that is?”

“Yes,” Theodore answered clearly.

“That is where you will find information on anyone that was within that area yesterday evening,” the soldier said, his head lowered so that he could see Jophiel.

“Thank you officer,” Theodore returned as he turned on the car, rolling up his window. Jophiel didn’t say anything, seeing the distress in Theodore’s eyes she thought it best to simply stay quiet. It didn’t take long for them to park the car nearby. “Do you want to stay in the car?”

“No I will come with you, you may need the extra help,” Jophiel said as she opened her door and rose out of the car, closing the door behind her and taking a proper look at their surroundings. The street was bustling with soldiers and emergency services. She had become accustomed to the raids in London and so didn’t find it as distressing as the local citizens, able to keep her mind focused and rationale. “Which way do we go?” she asked Theodore.

“We can cross the bridge,” Theodore answered as they made their way back to the bridge, finding a narrow gap that allowed them access, following nurses and doctors, many with stretchers. The stench of blood and fire caused Theodore to bring a hand up, covering his nose as he and Jophiel crossed the bridge. He had grown accustomed to such scenes but they still caused him to feel stressed, memories of his time in the RAF clouding his mind. Jophiel unbuttoned her coat, the rays of the winter sun warming her body. She tried to stay close to Theodore, who strode with purpose and intent, his eyes unwavering as they walked up Wine Street coming onto Corn Street.

“I think we turn this way,” Theodore said, turning without acknowledging Jophiel who followed him at a slower pace, unable to keep up to his speed. The street was busy with everyone following each other in the same direction. It wasn’t long before Theodore turned right and made his way up St Stephens street, taking his hat off against the heat. Jophiel a few feet behind Theodore stopped when she realised that he had stopped, his face suddenly filled with anguish. Jophiel followed his gaze and found her eyes stopping to take in a heart-warming scene of a family embracing one another their wolfhound jumping up and down beside a tall man, a tall man she suddenly recognised.

“Is that Galean?” she said aloud coming to stand beside Theodore. Theodore didn’t answer he simply crossed the street and made his way up to the group, leaving Jophiel behind to watch on with raised brows. As she stood upon the pavement, women and children passing her by she observed the young woman with auburn hair as she realised Theodore was behind her. The young woman wrapped her arms about Theodore tightly and kissed him firmly on the lips as Galean stood by and watched his own brows furrowed. He was kissing his wife, Eveline, the woman who had stolen his heart. With a gulp she wiped her eyes and took in a deep breathe forcefully urging her lips to curve into a smile as she crossed the road and made her way up to the group.

“Jophiel?” a familiar voice rang out. Galean descended the steps before her with a look of shock. “Is that you?” Jophiel smiled up at the handsome man.

“Galean! How lovely to see you!” she burst out as he quickly enveloped her into his arms tightly, thankful to see a friend and thankful for a distraction.

“How are you here?” Galean asked as he leaned back to get a closer look at her, still beautiful as always, her eyes filled with intelligence and a hint of sadness. He knew the source of her sadness and wondered how exactly this new dynamic was going to work.

“A long story,” Jophiel replied quickly, shielding her eyes from the sun. “A story that is best kept within closed doors.”

Galean frowned slightly at her response a feeling of curiosity sprouting within him.

“How did you come by Theodore?” he asked with confused eyes.

“Barnes Cemetery,” Jophiel replied solemnly.

“You went with Lier and Theodore?”

“No not exactly,” Jophiel said with a withdrawn look. “It is as I have said a story best kept for another time when we are awarded a little privacy.”

“I understand,” Galean replied as he gently lay an arm about Jophiel, an amazing young woman who had helped to keep London safe over the last century. Jophiel was greatly respected by those working to keep shadows at bay and she had been to him a source of logic and comfort after the death of his wife and daughter, both of them grieving in a similar manner. When Theodore has morphed into a young boy, Galean had left for London and spent a year scouring the land for Jophiel, finding her in Scotland and spending the next two years with her before heading back to Meer. She was bright, strong and wise and had been a friend in time of need, both had held each other in high regard, a relationship much akin to a relationship that lay between a brother and sister forming. He knew that in this very moment her heart was shattering into a thousand pieces, to have to stand before her first and last lover who had married another woman. He regarded her with love, acknowledging how well she was presenting herself.

“Come let me introduce you,” Galean said as he drew her up the steps, coming to stand before Theodore and his wife. Jophiel looked into the young woman’s eyes and drew her mouth into the shape of an ‘o’. She had heard of her rare beauty but she had never anticipated just how alike she had been to her mother. Jophiel was not shallow and understood that beauty ran deeper than the skin, but as she looked into those golden eyes she could see fire and life and against her better judgement instantly found herself liking Theodore’s wife, however complicated and irregular that felt.

“Jophiel may I introduce you to my wife, Eveline,” Theodore announced, his face much changed now that he had his wife in his arms. Jophiel felt her heart twist, she had known that face, filled with love once. “Eveline this is Jophiel an old friend.”

“Lovely to meet you Jophiel,” Eveline beamed glad to make a female acquaintance. “You’ll have to forgive my appearance, I was caught up in the raid last night.” Jophiel looked from Theodore to Eveline.

“It is of no matter,” she said with a smile that nearly verged on being earnest. “I rather think you would look beautiful in any state.”

“I doubt that,” Eveline said with reddened cheeks. “What is the phrase used by Homer…” she lifted her gaze to the skies and then snapped her fingers. “In youth and beauty, wisdom is but rare!”

“That is me told!” Jophiel laughed, amazed and thankful that another person liked to read Homer.

“My wife is a great believer in the saying that beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” Theodore said with pride, kissing his wife upon her temple. Eveline quickly tapped her husband on the wrist before pushing herself away from is embrace slightly embarrassed.

“You must meet my mother, Estelle and our little friend Belle who is an evacuee staying with us for the foreseeable future,” Eveline exclaimed as she bid her mother to come over, Belle at her side. Jophiel shook the hand of Estelle before kneeling down in front of the shy child who hid behind Estelle’s skirt.

“You’ll have to excuse Belle she’s had a rather trying few weeks,” Estelle announced, her hand upon Belle’s shoulder.

“Well of course!” Jophiel said, observing the round face of Belle, her green eyes wide and curious. “Hello, I’m Jophiel.”

“Hello,” Belle whispered through her smile.

“I think you must come from London?”

“How do you know?” Belle asked mystified, finally coming forth with Wordsworth at her side, guarding her protectively.

“I am from London also, we tend to have a more refined accent I think,” Jophiel said with mischief in her eyes, causing Eveline to rumble with laughter.

“That’s what my tutor said,” Belle replied with rosy cheeks.

“Well your tutor was a fine man,” Jophiel winked.

“She was a woman,” Belle laughed finally coming out of the shadows, her green eyes upon Jophiels green eyes.

“That’s even better,” Jophiel whispered. Belle smiled as her new friend stood up, giving her some space. The group stood around one another for a while before deciding to walk back to the grand hotel to see if they could retrieve any of their belongings. Belle found herself perched up in Galean’s arms as he walked alongside Jophiel, behind Eveline, Galean and Estelle who were all chatting together seriously, no doubt about everything that had happened in the last few weeks.

“It’s good to see you again Galean,” Jophiel announced as they walked behind the others.

“And you although it would be rather rash to say under good circumstances wouldn’t you agree?”

“Entirely,” Jophiel nodded, understanding his gaze.

“Have Ada and the rest arrived in Bath yet?”

“Yes and they have been driving me to distraction!” Jophiel sighed with content for despite the perilous circumstances that had brought them all together again she was glad to see her old friends, their comfort easing her pain a little. “Shall you be staying long with Eveline and Theodore?”

“For as long as they need me,” Galean replied, his eyes on Eveline. “But I will have to leave within the next few weeks, my father needs me to return home.”

“I will be sad to see you leave,” Jophiel admitted as they crossed another road, passing by some injured children that were lain upon stretchers.

“It is time for me to take up my true responsibilities,” Galean said with seriousness as Belle twirled his thick curls about her fingers, keeping her eyes on him as told so that she did not have to observe the horrific scenes surrounding them.

“Time for you to become King once more,” Jophiel whispered attentively.

“In time.”

“You will make a fine leader Galean I promise you.”

“As always you are my biggest advocate Jophiel.”

“I always will be,” Jophiel smiled broadly. “I just wish I could see you take up your rightful place upon the throne of Meer.”

“There is nothing to prevent you from coming with me Jophiel if change is what you really need,” Galean replied with curious eyes.

“I too have many responsibilities which happen to be in London,” Jophiel rolled her eyes. “And with Lier gone, someone has to take up his place as keeper.” As the words rolled out of her mouth she realised that she had gone too far. Galean stopped instantly and turned to her with alarmed eyes.

“Lier has died?” Galean whispered low, careful of Belle. Jophiel rested her hands upon her hips and lowered her gaze to the pavement.

“I shouldn’t have said that, at least not like this,” She retorted lowly. “He is the reason I am still living.”

“What do you mean?” Galean set Belle down upon the pavement, holding her hand within his own.

“I can’t speak of it in front of a child Galean, it can wait till we are alone,” Jophiel said with firm eyes.

*

The journey to Bath didn’t take long, when finally they had collected their belongings and drove away from the dismayed city. Eveline found that her mood had considerably darkened with no indication as to why, she simply felt darker sitting in the back of the car with Estelle, Belle and Wordsworth, who were all quietly gazing out of the window at the destroyed houses that had been destroyed after the German raid. Eveline replayed the moment she had been reunited with her oldest of friends and husband, the moment in which he lifted her into his arms and kissed her deeply, a ripple of shockwaves coursing through her tired body. To feel the safety of his arms about her gave her added strength at a moment in her life when she felt herself being gripped by an unspoken darkness within. She chided herself inwardly for feeling slightly abashed by Theodore’s public declaration but decided that he must have missed her very much indeed, considering all that had passed in the time they had been apart from one another.

When she had awoken within the comfort of Galean she had felt a pain within her heart, a pain the flowed from the bite in her neck and for a second she felt different, something dangerous and unknown within her had stirred and for that briefest of moments she felt dark. With Galean’s suspicious eyes and intuition he had awoken with a shock, as though feeling that speck of darkness too.

“Eveline? Are you alright?” he had asked with his usual calm demeanour, never intruding always curious and observant. Eveline had carefully deceived him into believing she was alright and that she was just suffering from the aftershocks of the previous night, to which he had fallen prey too, insisting that she have her wounds attended to by the nurse once more. Together they and Wordsworth had been taken to St Stephens Church in which they were fed and given blankets and a place in which to wait for Estelle and Belle. They had not been their long when Eveline had felt herself moved to get up and walk over towards a stain glassed window which stood tall before her. She gazed up at the scene which was of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. The two characters were draped in leaves before a tree. Eveline stepped forward a little and found the serpent weaving its body around the tree with malicious intent. When observing the snake she felt something shift within her, again something unknown, something malevolent and timeless. As she looked at the snake it began to move, hissing at her as though casting a veil of submission over her body and mind and she in turn hissed back as the snake made its way down the tree, moving across the grass to where Eve stood. Eveline watched as the snake made its way up Eve’s body, curling its head about Eve’s neck before biting into it. Eveline felt the bite within her own neck and lifted her hand instantly to tame the burning that soared through her veins. As she clasped her neck she found herself looking into the reflection of the glass and for a split second swore that her eyes had turned the deepest shade of black, quickly reverting to her own golden gaze.

“Eveline?” a gentle voice had called from behind. Eveline held herself still, dropping her hand from her neck.

“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil,” Eveline whispered darkly, feeling a hand upon her arm.

“Behold I sent an angel before you to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place that I have prepared,” Galean returned feeling the fear in her body.

“Tell me Mr Edwards, is the God we humans so willingly submit to and wage wars over in true likeness to your God?” Eveline turned around, her face pale and drawn, dry blood within strands of loose hair.

“What has darkened your gaze Eveline? Have you had another vision?”

“Answer my question Galean,” Eveline said quietly, her eyes flashing.

“Heiden is many things, He has similarities to the God that men believe in, but He is also different, in ways that not even I can describe,” Galean replied calmly. “That is what is so frustrating about Him, He conceals a part of himself from those who love him and serve him.”

“He places a mirror in front of Himself so that we see our own flaws and not his?”

“No, I believe he is fully aware of his faults,” Galean argued, bringing her over to a bench and sitting her down. “I think it accounts for his behaviour, greatly altered by the deaths of his daughter, three sons and wife.”

“He had a wife and family?”

“Yes, once.”

“What happened to them?” Eveline asked as Galean once again brought a blanket about her shoulders.

“When the angels rebelled and war broke out across the universe, Lagar killed Heiden’s wife and three sons, rendering Heiden broken with unspoken grief, for those he had loved had turned from him, wielding hatred and darkness across all of the universe,” Galean explained. “Lagar and his followers were banished from the Kingdom of Heaven and Heiden gave any that served him the right to make their home elsewhere, for great were the losses inflicted and many wished to lead a quiet and undisturbed existence outside of the Kingdom.”

“Gabriel’s son?”

“Yes, he was called Magnar and he choose to leave his father and make a home for himself in my world, marrying a human and baring children, who are my ancestors also,” Galean said with soft eyes, proud of his heritage despite the few ancestors that had been corrupt. “My father, brothers and myself we have a longer lifetime than those who are human, which is why we spend time away from our world, serving Heiden.”

“You said that he had a daughter? What happened to her?” Eveline asked as the church was awash with noise. Galean looked down at his boots not sure if it was right of him to tell her about her own mother.

“She was impregnated by Lagar and Heiden without knowing this sent her to my world, to a special place in which she would be safe and free from harm,” Galean answered flatly.

“What happened to her?”

“She dwelled within that secretive place for a time and gave birth to a son naming him Heidan after her father and mother. When he grew up he left her, taking up the cloak of darkness and re-joining his father, leaving her abandoned and alone.”

“Why do I feel pain as though a deeply seeded bud of grief has suddenly erupted within?”

“It is natural to feel pain when listening to her story,” Galean said with sad eyes.

“Why did Heiden leave her alone? Why did he not go to her?”

“He was plagued with grief and his daughter was in the likeness of her mother. He could not bear to look upon her fair face and so kept himself from her, ashamed and altered.”

“Did she die alone?”

“No, it is said that when she was walking among the trees she met a young King, who fell in love with her,” Galean turned his eyes to Eveline and found himself looking into the face of her mother, Unyae. “He brought her out of weeping and took her back to his Kingdom, marrying her and giving to her a life of happiness she had long lost hope in.”

“I am glad for her,” Eveline smiled deeply. “Did they live happily until their deaths?”

“How I wished they had,” Galean murmured. “But fate was never kind to the Queen.”

“I’m scared to ask what happened to her…”

“Upon hearing that she had given birth to a child, her firstborn came back to the Kingdom in disguise as a courtier and poisoned both her wine and her husbands. When they knew they were dying they fled to the place in which they had met with their babe and died in one another’s arms. It is said that Heiden came to them and cried so painfully that the world was engrossed with thunder for seven days.”

“What happened to the child?” Eveline asked with tear filled eyes.

“He brought her home with him,” Galean lied. “And brought her up under his protection until such a time as she was strong enough to go back to her birthplace and take up her rightful place upon the throne.”

“And Heidan? What happened to him?”

“He and his army of supporters raided the Kingdom of Calnuthe and took the crown and throne, throwing the kingdom into a second darkness.”

“What of the other two kingdoms?”

“The vast and once beautiful Kingdom of Ruarr which lies to the east had a long time before been attacked and raided by a man named Islaer, once Heidan’s mentor. The fair and strong Kingdom of Taer once ruled over by the fearless Queen Cathlen was also attacked from within, she had given birth to a bastard child and a few weeks later had died from poisoning, placing the powerful merchant and politician Ravan onto the throne.”

“How terrible,” Eveline sighed.

“Light still exists Eveline, within the people of the Kingdoms, for a King or Queen is only one person and there subjects are many. Many are filled with light and refuse to give in to the darkness that prevails over the lands. Whilst they stand in the light hope will remain.”

“And the High Queen? Will she reclaim her throne?”

“If she chooses to, it will be an enormous task and will take great courage and strength,” Galean said with furrowed brows.

“I hope she does, if not in vengeance for her parent’s death then to free her people of oppression and suffering.” Galean held her gaze a moment, a smile lingering upon his lips, how incredible to be sat in front of that very Queen, to see the determination and hope in her eyes and strength that gave him hope in the future of their two Kingdoms. How idle and foolish had Heiden been in hiding away from his daughter and her daughter, how he would come to regret treating Unyae with such severity on his part. For here he sat in the presence of her child and was astounded by her grace and compassion. He understood that a good leader needed to be firm and severe at times, but many that possessed such qualities lacked in compassion and understanding, qualities that brought healing to a nation and love.

“You said that you were a prince of the northern Kingdom, yes?”

“Yes.”

“Why is it that you stray from your people?”

“I will be returning home in the next few weeks, for war lurks within Meer too,” Galean said with solemnness.

“Who wishes to wage war on the North?”

“My brother Beon,” Galean admitted through gritted teeth. “He has fallen into shadow and so has his Kingdom, greedy for all the land in the North and unable to keep his greed to his own lands and people.”

“Such burdens you carry with you Mr Edwards,” Eveline said kindly.

“We all carry burdens Eveline,” Galean said with serenity in his blue eyes.

“Look,” Eveline said as she pointed to the windows of the church. Galean followed her gaze and smiled as the rising sun filled the glass stained windows and church, falling upon everyone within, warming their cold skin and weakened spirits.

“It is very beautiful,” Galean whispered never bored by the rising and setting sun.

“Despite all that can happen within our maddeningly corrupt world, the sun still rises, mocking the pain of the night.”

“It gives us hope Eveline that from darkness comes light.”

“Indeed Mr Edwards,” Eveline smiled warmly.

It had been a strange night and morning Eveline concluded as the car stopped before the beautiful Georgian house on Cavendish road that lay opposite to the Royal Victoria Park. With a sleeping Belle in her arms she and Estelle made their way up the steps of the house and into the beautifully lit home, met by Estelle’s old friend Mary.

“Estelle!” Mary beamed taking her old friend into an embrace. “What a terrible few days you’ve had, come I have had supper made for us all. This must be Belle,” she whispered as Eveline came to stand beside her, a weak smile upon her face as Theodore draped an arm about her waist protectively.  “I have her room made up, it’s up on the first floor, two doors to the left.”

“I think I will take her up now and put her to bed, she has had a long day,” Eveline whispered turning to Galean. “Can you help me?”

“Of course,” Galean replied coming forward and taking Belle from her, Theodore and Jophiel watching on as the trio made their way up the stairs quietly.

“Come let us have some tea,” Mary announced, heralding everyone into her dining room. “Ada, Bram and Peter are here as well.”

When everyone had settled around the table, they quietly took supper, tired and exhausted. It wasn’t long before Eveline and Galean returned taking seats beside Theodore and Jophiel.

“Ada, Bram and Peter never did I imagine that we would meet again!” Galean said merrily, joyous to see his old friends.

“Galean you haven’t aged a day!” Ada announced as he sipped on his sweet tea.

“Always a joker,” Galean returned as Jophiel yawned lightly. “You should head to bed Jophiel you look run down.”

“I think I will retire Galean,” Jophiel smiled, setting her cup down and bidding Mary and Estelle goodnight.

“Have a peaceful sleep Jophiel,” Eveline exclaimed kindly, rising to embrace her new female companion. “Maybe we can go for a walk in the morning and really get to know one another if you would like?”

Jophiel looked at Eveline before looking down in Theodore’s darkened eyes.

“I would love to,” she said with earnest eyes. “It is nice to make a female acquaintance at last.”

“I share in your opinion,” Eveline smiled before sitting down beside her husband. One by one the guests made their goodnights leaving, Eveline, Theodore and Galean alone before a dying fire.

“What a day!” Theodore said into Eveline’s hair as she sat on the ground before him, leaning back into his legs, her eyes on the dying embers as memories of the previous evening infiltrated her mind, her conversation with Galean causing her to smile gently her eyes rising to meet his own confused stare.

“I could sleep for a week,” Eveline groaned inwardly.

“As could I,” Galean muttered, stretching his legs before him. “Maybe we can discuss matters in the morning Cael?”

“I think that would be best,” Theodore returned mildly, seeing the look that past between his young wife and friend, shaking off the idiocy of his jealousy. She loved him and he had sworn that he had no heart with which to share after his wives death.

Eveline looked into the embers and realised with renewed shock that this would be her first night with her husband and suddenly found herself afraid. She wasn’t afraid of Theodore but afraid of what would come, she had never thought about the physical part of their marriage before as they had been parted so long, but now that it had arrived it felt wrong and too fast. She drew in a sigh and resigned herself to the conclusion that she was shy and nervous like any other bride.

“Shall we retire my dear?” Theodore announced, looking down at his wife.

“Yes I am tired indeed,” Eveline returned with quivering lips.

“Galean will you retire too?” Theodore asked as he got up from the leather chair and held out a hand for his wife who took it, a tremble in her hand causing him to look at her with concern. Galean watched the couple and took up his glass of whiskey.

“I shall stay here for a little while longer, you go on ahead you need not wait on me,” Galean said quietly, seeing a shadow of nervousness pass over Eveline’s face as she followed her husband from the room.

“Do as you wish,” Theodore returned pleasantly as he led his wife away from the room and out to the reception area where they came to the marble stairs. Galean sat back into his chair with his glass of whiskey in one hand, watching Eveline intently as she walked away quietly, turning once upon the stairs to stare back at him with a slight smile upon her lips. Galean smiled in return, wanting to reassure her, needing to sweep away any fear she held, not knowing why it was she felt suddenly fearful. As she faded from sight, he glanced back into the fire and realised that this was her wedding night and suddenly understood why it was that she looked fearful and yet thought that she should have felt wonder or love. With a deep gulp he drank away the rest of his whiskey and closed his eyes in pain, all would be right in the morning.

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