Chapter 10

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  I leaned my head against the polished rock shower wall, letting the warm water pour over me freely. The water fell from the rocks above me like a waterfall. I couldn’t see any shower heads or knobs to turn one way or another. The water just went on and on at a perfect temperature. Of course.

  No shower curtain was around to cover me, and I was incredibly thankful for at least a bathroom door with a lock on it. Angels were way too open with their bodies for my liking. I began to understand Penelope’s free personality more, though.

  Even breathing felt difficult as I thought about the events of the past month. Everything was so screwed up and I just wanted to scream.

  How had I thought that Joey was just a misunderstood boy who really loved me? How had I thought that Zander wanted to be with me? How could I be so naive and believe my world was even close to ordinary? Yup, it was screwed up. All of it.

  The heat from the water seemed to never cool, no matter how long I stood there sulking. I needed rest eventually though, so I stepped out of the heavenly waterfall and grabbed the fluffy white towel that hung beside the large mirror.

  I tied the towel around myself tightly, feeling like I was wrapped in a cozy blanket, and sighed. “I could get used to this,” I said to myself as I left the bathroom to find some likely skimpy clothes to wear.

  After rifling through every closet and cupboard, I gave up trying to find clothes and curled up in my cozy towel-blanket on the large round bed. The “dormitory” as Riyon had called it, was a large suite with a couch, a circular bed, and one entrance that I couldn’t leave through without flying. I was trapped, but I didn’t care if I never had to face the other angels again.

  I stared up at the stone ceiling, wondering how I was going to get out of an arranged marriage with a grumpy Throne angel, and my body drifted off into a deep, dreamless sleep.

  ⬨⬨⬨

  A rustling sound registered in my sleep-fogged mind, and I struggled coming around enough to find out what it was. It grew louder, and I turned over in bed, trying to pry my tired eyes open.

  “Grmmph.” A loud breathy sound like a grunt or snort came from my right, along with a small gust of air. I swatted at the noise, irritated, and my hand smacked against a soft feathery object.

  My mind registered the foreign feeling and I jerked fully awake to see yellow eyes staring at me with confusion and curiosity.

  “Holy crap!” I shouted and jumped away from the massive creature standing beside my bed. My heart jumped to my throat and I quickly backed myself into the nearest corner, putting as much distance as I could between myself and the thing.

  At first glance, it looked like a mix between a horse and an eagle, but once I had a full look at it, I realized its body was much more like a lion than a horse. Its golden tail swung from side to side, and the short hair on its back morphed into golden feathered wings that stayed folded, and there were gold feathers at its neck and on its head.

  The large beak opened and closed as it watched me cower in the corner with unblinking yellow eyes. The creature’s striking gold tone reminded me of the Throne’s wings, and I could tell it was a powerful being.

  Gryphon.

  “Uh… hi there, Gryphon.” I tried to talk calmly to it, hoping that it would warm up to me like the phoenix had. “I’m Erin.”

  The gryphon turned its head, listening to my words like Bruno did. I held a hand out, welcoming the creature to come to me, and it’s large wings fluttered gently behind it. It turned and stepped around the large bed to get closer to me, and I noticed that the animal was a male.

  “Oh. You’re a sweet boy like my big Bruno.” He stepped closer as I spoke, moving slowly. “I guess Bruno isn’t so big compared to you, though.”

  The gryphon’s large talons clacked against the polished floor, and the length of his claws made my face go pale. “Wow. You aren’t made for cuddling, are you?”

  He stopped only feet from me, and bent his head toward my hand in the same way the phoenix had. His beak was three times the size of my hand. Continuing towards me, the gryphon pressed his face into my palm. He was warm, and I felt calm in his presence.

  “You’re beautiful,” I whispered to him. He snorted again, blowing my hair back with a gentle breeze and I laughed. “Careful there, big guy. You’ll blow me away.”

  I slid my hand down the gryphon’s soft neck and he leaned into the touch, seemingly enjoying my petting. “I guess you’ll need a name too, won’t you? I don’t know if you belong to anyone, but for now I think there’s an obvious name choice. How do you like Griff?”

  He turned his head and nudged my shoulder with his beak, making me nearly fall over from the gentle touch. I laughed again.

  “Hey! Get back!” A strong voice shouted from the doorway of my room, and Griff jumped, throwing me to the ground beneath him.

  I screamed, about to get stomped on by Griff's long talons, but was lifted from the floor just in time. Large arms wrapped tightly around me, protective, and Griff turned, leaping out of my dorm with his golden wings spread wide.

  My breathing was ragged and I wiggled out of the arms that held onto me. I turned to see Amell, the Throne angel looking down at me with worried eyes. My fiancé.

  “Why did you do that?” I shouted the question at him, worried about Griff. “You scared him!”

  Amell’s eyebrows rose high and he held his hands up in defense. “You are angry with me? I saved your life.” His words were far less angry than my own, and I tried to reign in my anger.

  He looked sincere, so I steadied my breathing and tried to let my guard down. “I'm sorry for yelling, I was just worried about Griff.”

  “Griff?” he asked.

  I pointed to the open door where he had flown away. “Yes. The gryphon. I named him Griff. He wasn’t hurting me or anything. I was just petting him.”

  Amell watched me with shock and a touch of amusement. “You were petting the gryphon? I have never heard such a thing. Those animals are wild and very hard to control.” His eyes roamed from my feet to my eyes with a dark curiosity. “You are a curious one, Miss Porter.”

  My body heated up under his gaze, and I realized very quickly that I was still in nothing but a towel from my earlier shower. I hugged myself and looked away from Amell with a deep blush staining every part of me.

  “Shoot. Turn around.” I spun my finger at him, hoping he’d comply. He didn’t.

  He just continued to stare at me openly with roaming eyes. “Why would I turn around? All of your essential parts are covered.”

  I scoffed and grabbed the blanket on the bed in front of me, draping it over my shoulders. “I guess it’s not a big deal around here to see a girl in nothing but a towel? Where I come from that’s decently scandalous, especially considering you’re a complete stranger.”

  He just shrugged and stepped closer to me. His golden wings relaxed on his back, reaching the floor at his bare feet. His white pants fit tight and low on his hips, leaving his entire sculpted torso to draw my eyes right in. It was no question that the angel was gorgeous.

  “If the gryphon was not here to harm you, then why was it in your room?” He continued to move closer to me as he spoke.

  “I… I don’t know. I just fell asleep and when I woke up he was staring at me. Animals seem to be comfortable around me.” My heart thudded with each step Amell took toward me, and I stepped back into the wall that Griff cornered me in before.

  Amell stopped only a foot in front of me, and his eyes connected with mine. “I am glad you were not harmed.”

  I nodded. Something about his close presence caused my body to want to react to him. Traitor. I wasn’t expecting it in the slightest.

  Amell held a hand out to me and smiled gently. “I thought I would come to officially introduce myself after my disgraceful welcome earlier. I am very sorry to have attacked you like that. I am Amell, heir to Morian. Welcome to our city.”

  His entire demeanor was so formal and pleasant. I felt like I needed to bow to him, or at least salute, but I just shook his hand. I expected to feel something when we touched, but it wasn’t like anything I felt when I touched Zander.

  “Thank you, Amell. I understand why you reacted the way you did. I’m not exactly easy to figure out. I don’t even know what I am.” I pulled the blanket tighter around me.

  “You are an enigma, Miss Porter. I look forward to finding out all that I can about you.”

  “Please, call me Erin.”

  “Erin.” The name sounded foreign on his lips, but he seemed to like it, as the corners of his lips lifted slightly.

  His close proximity made my insides squirm, especially with the way his eyes explored me with such intensity. I looked past him to where he entered, and I noticed for the first time that it was actually dark out.

  “What time is it, Amell?”

  He turned and walked to the door, looking up at the sky. “It is the darkest hour.”

  I shrugged. “I’m not sure what that means.”

  Amell smiled at me. “Time in the city is not like your time on earth. We speak in terms of hours, not minutes or…” he clicked his tongue, trying to find the right word. “O’clocks PM?”

  I giggled at his phrasing. “Okay. So, if it’s the darkest hour, would that be like midnight?”

  He nodded. “Yes. It will be light again in three hours. The city is currently sleeping.”

  “If everyone is sleeping, why are you here?” I felt slightly creeped out by his late night visit… while a little intrigued as well. What is wrong with me?

  Amell placed his hands behind his back, looking like a soldier, and also suddenly very vulnerable. “I apologize again. My father told me of what he proposed for the two of us…” He looked at the floor, suddenly becoming shy. “If I am to be your kanavar, I thought that I should come and clear the air between us, and apologize for everything.”

  I felt a blush coming again. “Thank you. I’m glad you came by. Are you not upset that Morian made this choice without your consent?”

  He shrugged, locking his blue eyes on mine again. He looked innocent, and even hotter if that was actually possible. Dear lord. “I feel better about the arrangement, having come here tonight.”

  What does that mean?

  He didn’t elaborate, and I wasn’t about to ask him to, while I still only had a towel on. I shuffled my feet, feeling uncomfortable, and I guess he took the hint.

  “I will be going now. Please, get some rest. I am also sorry about your gryphon friend. I do hope he returns if that is what you wish. If you need anything at all, please let me know.” He turned to leave, and a thought occurred to me.

  “Wait,” I shouted after him, and he spun back to me in the doorway with a questioning look. “I do have a request, if that’s alright.”

  “Yes. Anything.” Wow.

  I smiled. “My guardian, Zander. He was locked in the prison. He was trying to return to me on earth because I was left unprotected. If it’s alright, I would like to see if you can release him.” No sense in him staying in prison when he never actually had feelings for me in the first place.

  Amell frowned. “I will see what I can do.”

  I released a slow breath, trying to hide my incredible relief. Did I really care that much whether he was let go? “Thank you, Amell.” I gave him a friendly smile and he returned it with his own.

  He bowed his head at me. “Good night…, Erin.” Then he turned and left me alone again.

  Chapter 11

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  “Rise and shine! You’re not in Kansas anymore, babydoll!” Penelope’s all too excited voice rang in my ears, causing me to pull my comforter over my head.

  “No! Leave me alone, devil,” I groaned out.

  Penelope’s boisterous laughter blended with a smaller twinkling giggle. I peaked over the blanket’s top edge to see Pen and Batya smiling down at me with their wings hidden away and arms full of white fabric.

  “I see. Bringing reinforcements to wake me up? Clearly you are aware that I am not a morning person!”

  Penelope just smiled wider and jumped on top of me, making me squeal and grip my comforter tighter. “Here in the Divine City, angels have been up for hours. You are expected to appear in the training arena promptly, so get your tiny tushy out of bed and ready to go.”

  I groaned again, wishing I could click my heels and return back to Albuquerque. “Fine,” I growled and threw the blanket off of me, revealing my still towel-covered self.

  Batya bowed to me as I stood and adjusted my towel tighter. “I am so sorry that I could not prepare your room sooner. I brought you some coverings.”

  I looked at the white garments folded in her hands and smiled. “More tiny angel outfits?” I asked, pointing to the clothes wearily.

  She shook her head. “Not for physical training.” She unfolded a small white spaghetti strap top and long white leggings, as well as some humany underwear. “This will be more appropriate for the occasion.”

  I released a happy breath and threw my hands in the air. “Wahoo! That’s much more my style.”

  “Girl, you are crazy. The angel boys would go wild over you in something more like this.” Penelope gestured to her skimpy white strapless top, tied at the back just under where her wings normally emerge, and the thin white skirt that fell to her mid-thigh. She did look smoking in the outfit, but she was literally angelic, so it suited her.

  I grabbed the clean clothes from Batya and ran to the bathroom to dress. “I’m not interested in any angel boys. They can look elsewhere,” I shouted from the open bathroom door as I quickly threw on the tight leggings and tank top.

  Coming out of the bathroom, I did a twirl in the comfy angel clothes, feeling much more in my element. “Besides, didn’t you hear? I’m engaged now.” I looked at the girls, expecting shocked reactions but getting none.

  Penelope grimaced and pulled me into a warm hug. “I heard. I’m so sorry, Erin. I don’t know why they're making you do this.”

  I plopped onto the bed, suddenly depleted just thinking of the things to come. “I’m supposedly going to be powerful, so I guess it’s like I’m some gift to the precious prince.”

  Batya scoffed, causing Pen and I to both turn to her with wide eyes. She flinched at our stares, becoming shy again. “Sorry, but I just think it’s really stupid what they are doing to you. It’s clear even to me that you are not born of evil.”

  “Thanks, Batya. I wish the others could see what you see in me.” I gave her a friendly smile, grateful to have another friend.

  Penelope pulled me back to my feet and smacked me on the butt. “We better get going before your new fiancé comes looking for you. Ready to fly?” Her wings popped out of her back with a snap and Batya laughed at her.

  I shook my head. “Sheesh. You are too much for me today, Pen.”

  She winked at me and put her small arm around my waist. “I’m just trying to keep you going in all of this…” she waved her free arm at the world around us, “…everything.”

  “Well. I guess if I have to keep going for you, I’ll do it.”

  She smiled and pulled me to the dormitory’s open door, and stood with me at the end of the balcony. “Riyon told me that you aren’t a fan of flying, but don’t worry. I’m a pro.”

  “Can you even lift me? I’m like twenty pounds heavier than you.” I raised my eyebrows at her.

  She let out a loud ridiculous laugh and gave me a wicked grin. I immediately regretted questioning her strength as she gripped onto my waist and jumped off the balcony like a rocket.

  An instinctual scream left me as we jetted over the city, reaching the center of town in seconds, where a huge circular arena sat like a crater in the ground. It reminded me of a football field with its bright green grass, but held three rings of padded tracks inside for running around the center field.

  Penelope lowered us to the middle of the crater with ease, and I had to refill my lungs with air after holding my breath too long.

  “Pen!” I yelled at her as she continued to laugh at me. “How are you that strong?” I asked, feeling like a wimp all of a sudden.

  She made a show of flexing her muscles in front of me. “I’m an angel, Erin. I can lift a car with ease. You are like a teddy bear to me.” I needed to start lifting weights, stat.

  “Did we miss a good joke?” Riyon’s voice came from behind me.

  I spun around to smile at the Power angel, but my smile faltered when I saw Zander standing beside him, shirtless with his white wings spread wide on his back. He shined in the morning light, causing my heart to skip multiple beats as our eyes met. I wasn’t sure whether I wanted to run into his arms or run the other direction as fast as I could.

  Totally cool.

  I couldn’t speak, so Penelope filled in the words for me. “No joke. I was just laughing at Erin’s fear of heights.” She shared a look with Zander that I couldn’t decipher the meaning of, and then moved to introduce herself to my former guardian angel. “Hey. I’m Pen.”

  Zander smiled pleasantly at her, though it didn’t reach his eyes. “Zander,” is all he said for his own introduction.

  Riyon came up to me, patting me on the back. “Good morning. Are you ready for your tests?”

  I couldn’t keep my eyes off of Zander as Riyon spoke. He avoided looking at me, and stood silent. Riyon must’ve noticed my obvious interest in Zander, because he stepped in front of me, blocking my gaze.

  “I’m sure you are wondering why your guardian angel is…”

  “Former,” I cut him off.

  Riyon looked at me with sad eyes and nodded. “Yes. Your former Guardian. Early this morning, at just the first hour of light, Morian came to me to tell me to release Zander from the prison and invite him to participate in your tests.”

  “Why?” I asked, shocked that Morian would want Zander anywhere near me.

  Riyon shrugged. “That is what I asked. I guess he believes that your… former Guardian would have a greater insight into you and be of value to this training.”