Until Darkness Ascends

CHAPTER SEVEN

By the time they arrived, it was after dusk, and the skies were darker than they were during the day.

Malachi landed easily on his feet, his bright white wings slowly down and coming to a stop on the marble. She watched as his wings folded on top of one another on his back, their apexes relaxing after a long flight.

She held her breath and they came to land as well. Altair floated down, his wings as well coming to a fold. Cordelia wanted to get out of his arms, but she still wasn't quite sure how to use her legs to walk.

But as the large, golden gates of Olympia came into view, all thoughts vanished. Her eyes widened at the sight, the palace and mountainous range peaking from behind the bars. Without thinking, she launched herself out of his arms, trying to get closer to those gates. But almost as soon as her feet touched, instability wrecked her legs.

A strong arm grasped her waist, keeping her upright. She smiled, embarrassed, at Altair. "Thank you. I guess I got a little too excited."

"I'll carry you closer."

And he did. He walked her so close that she reached out and touched the brilliant bars, marveling at the sight. She jumped as something caused the gates to begin widening open. Just within stood another archangel, with his wings revealed, but encircled around him and a scepter of sorts.

He looked to be the reason the gates opened. He must have been the Guardian of the Gate. She'd read about him.

"Is he Aharon?" She questioned. The gates suddenly stopped and the archangel, with a startled gaze, looked immediately at her.

Malachi came next to her. "Yes, and you distracted him from his duties."

She blushed. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to."

"Lo," he said. His long, golden locks fell over his large shoulders, whistling past him as he flew to her. "A woman should never apologize, especially one as enticing as you."

Before he had a chance to kiss her hand, a gust of wind bristled her hair. Altair had fully extended his own wings. It seemed like a strange whose wings were larger contest.

The answer? Altair.

"Nay, Aharon. Do not touch her."

The archangel suddenly stopped, looking at Altair. He nodded, stepping away respectfully. They started up the stairs, but she lifted her head to look back at Aharon.

"You have an accent. Where are you from?"

With a large smile, he called out, "Aya, I come from what humans call the hot lands."

"What do you call it?"

"Afula, beautiful."

Her cheeks reddened. "My name is Cordelia. It was nice to meet you!"

She felt Altair begin to rise and she realized that he was flying away. Literally.

"I was speaking!"

"Archangels won't believe we are mates if you blush for other males."

"Then," she began, cocking her head up at him. "Make me blush."

He stopped, snapping his dark eyes down at her. "Be careful what you ask for."

"It was more of a command, sir," she chuckled. "I'm sure you're not used to it."

"Nay, especially from a female."

"Like it?"

He shrugged a small grin accompanying. "It's different. We will pass other archangels. I would appreciate it if you wouldn't gawk."