Chapter 17

It was a dark night. All around there was silence and coldness. It was as if the world knew that darkness was needed to camouflage their identity from the enemy. Even the silver moon was missing from the night sky and in its place the twinkling stars were shining brightly to serve as a guide.

Ezequiel sat on the steps outside of the main castle door. He was preparing his mind for what was to come. He was still unsure of what to expect or what would be waiting for them over at the forbidden forest. The cold wind grazed his beautiful face, ruffling his dark bangs to the side. His penetrating red eyes focused on a single spot on the ground. It was as if this single spot was the answer that he had been hoping for to stop all this Arcones nonsense from escalating. For him it was nonsense because there was not a single doubt in his mind that he would do anything and everything to stop this treason from escalating further.

Amid his focused attention, his mind took a brief detour, and a smile grazed his masculine face. He couldn't help, nor stop himself even if he wanted to. Emilia was all he could think about. He was still in a confused mess. He did not understand why he was feeling this way nor why was he giving her so much importance, but just the thought of her radiant red hair brought a warmth to his heart that he could not control. He could not help but imagine what would it feel like to run his fingers thru that beautiful, silky red hair of hers. He knew that for sure she would burn him, but he did not care. He was willing to get burn if he had the opportunity to taste heaven, her heaven even for one single moment.

He imagined his hand reaching for her rosy cheeks and traveling to her voluptuous lips. Those lips that he could not help but want to conquer. Just the thought of feeling her breath on his face made him shiver with anticipation. His whole body filled with goosebumps and dread: he was not supposed to feel these things. While it was not forbidden for divine beings to have romantic relationships with humans it was frown upon for divine beings, that is demon and angels, to have such thoughts about each other. Ezequiel knew that times had changed, and this rule could be easily ignored, but not for him nor for Emilia. They were both successors to "rival" clans. This was a time of peace, but peace is a fragile thing that could break at any moment. Would his parents even approve and support them?

Raking his hands thru his dark locks in aspiration Ezequiel could not help but reprimand himself, "Why am I even thinking this? It's not like Emilia feels the same way." However, Ezequiel knew, he knew in his heart that she did. He saw the longing gaze that she gave him. The look that was a mixture of want and confusion, just like his. Since the very first moment that they crossed paths there was something there that neither one could explain. Back then he had chosen to run away and ignored those feeling, but after tonight he wasn't sure he could. And to be more sincere he didn't want to.

Looking up at the night sky, he took a deep breath, "Let time decide and I shall accept whatever it is that it has plan for me. If she chooses to dance with a devil like myself, then I will gladly accept to dance with an angel like her." Ezequiel made this silent promise to his heart who knew that he could not keep running away.

"What troubles you, my son?" An enchanting and beautiful being emerged from inside the castle and sat quietly next to Ezequiel.

Penelope was a captivating beauty. She had long gray-white hair that was braided to the side. Her silver eyes were like looking at a peaceful frozen lake. Her robes were white with black flowery decorations. If lady Amelia was considered and ethereal beauty than lady Penelope was a worldly beauty who exuded passion every step she took. She was an imposing beauty that could easily be mistaken for Ezequiel's sister if not for the fact that she exuded a wise temperateness that was non mistakenly a mother's love.

"Mother, I," doubt invaded his mind. He was not ready to reveal his heart's true desire, at least not yet "Ah, nothing I am just thinking about Azael. He did not take my decision very well."

Penelope who knew her son better than the back of her hand knew that he was hiding something, but she decided to let it go. He would come to her whenever he was ready and willing. Besides tonight was not the night to plague his mind with unnecessary dilemmas and worries. She needed him to concentrate and come back safe.

"I see," Penelope nodded and pretended to believe him, however, just like Penelope knew he was lying to her, he knew she was also pretending. "I worry about your brother too. He is so impatient to grow and to follow on your footsteps. I wish that he could think for once and not be so edgy."

"Mother, I know that like father you want to keep him a little bit longer, but you must realize that he is not a little kid anymore. The only reason why I decided to not take him with me tonight was for you and father. But I will not be able to stop him for much longer. He will grow even more impatient and do something risky. Before that happens, I would prefer to have your blessing and have him by my side to teach him and protect him."

Penelope knew that Ezequiel was always one step ahead of her. He was so mature, and she was so immensely proud of him. Reaching over she took both his hands in hers and whispered, "I know. I promise I will speak to your father and to your brother. I'll try to calm him down before you return. But for now, cast all worries aside and focus on the mission at hand. You must come back safe to me, to your family."

"Of course, mother." Ezequiel hated worrying her, "Besides there is no need to worry. This is just a recon mission. I will be back before you know it."

"I am your mother. It's my job to worry." Penelope gave him a sweet smile and reached over to cradle his face within her warm hands whispering a quiet prayer of safe return. Ending her prayer with a kiss on his forehead she let go and briefly smiled at him, "Now go and be safe."

"Of course, mother."

And with that Ezequiel stood up and started walking towards the stable gate to meet with his commander who had just arrived to meet with him.

"We are ready my lord," a young commander who was not older than Ezequiel said while he handed him the reigns to a black horse. "As you said it will just be Tobias and myself joining you as well as the two Elysium soldiers who are already outside."

"Thank you, Charles," and with that Ezequiel boarded his horse making it cry in excitement while turning to wave his mother goodbye only to find that his father was right next to her standing as imposing as ever.

"Where is Azael?" Penelope asked her husband not taking her eyes away from her eldest son for a second.

At her question, Yazakiel reached over and grabbed her hand in a firm grip only to whisper, "He is gone,"

Penelope, quickly turned over to look at her husband, "What do you mean gone?" Shock obvious on her tone.

"I mean gone. He is probably planning to follow Ezequiel" Yazakiel did not turned to look at his wife. He kept his gaze on Ezequiel and the two soldiers that had joined him.

"And you are not going to stop him?"

Yazakiel made eye contact with Ezequiel and nodded in understanding.

"No. Ezequiel is right. We have to trust him. We have to trust them both"

And with that the cry from Ezequiel horse got louder, followed by the strong sound of the horses that started galloping towards the exit of the castle to meet with the two other soldiers that were already ready to follow them.