Black Wings

Chapter 21

I slammed the ballroom doors shut after we ran into it. No one was in the room, no one except Andrea. She sat at one of the tables, drinking a martini. Her red lipstick lips turned up at the corners as sipped her drink.

"I'm taking this as you finally figured it out." She said in a silky voice.

"Took me long enough, but yeah, I did."

I stalked towards her, drawing my blade. She tsked, holding up a finger. I paused in the middle of the dance floor.

"I wouldn't do that. See, my assistant can't just cause people to fall in love, no no, he can also kill them. And we wouldn't want to lose poor Rachel here, now would we?"

Erik had come through a side door and was now aiming an arrow at Rachel.

"You know, I always hated you angels, stuck up with your Christianity. However, the archangels. Made to be beautiful, and my goodess they are. And to think the best one is right in front of me."

Michael made a disgusted noise.

"But he belongs to someone else. Too bad. The love story though, that's one that is so twisted and wonderful. You see, the one he's supposed to be with was quite literally born for him. And someone has been pulling all the strings to make sure they're together. But the idiots still won't say they love each other!"

She cleared her throat and started again in a more even tone.

"And why not let a god of love get them to say it?"

"Honestly, I know you're Aphrodite and everything and you love sick and twisted love stories. But whoever it is, is running through my screen tests first." I growled.

"My goodness. Don't you get it!? It's you!"

"What?"

"The whole reason you were born was to be by Michael's side. And yes, you do have a twisted love story, both in the past and in the future and you know exactly why. So, are you going to get it out, or will I have to have Eros prick the two of you with an arrow?"

"That's not true." Michael said softly.

I laughed bitterly.

"The fact is she's right. Why would a pagan lie to us? You know it as well as I do, Michael. Rachel even knows it! I just..."

"Stop this!" Michael suddenly growled, focusing on Aphrodite. "I won't let you make Rina do something she doesn't want to."

He stood protectively between Aphrodite and me. I exhaled heavily and grabbed Michael sleeve, turning him around. There was only a brief moment for him to look confused as I pulled his face down to mine. His flared out, surrounding us. When I let him go, he looked rather stunned.

"I think I may have broken my promise to Rachel to not wait to long to tell you."

"You're such a dork."

"Yeah, but your dork."

"Your wings muffle, right?"

"Yes?"

"Good."

It was Michael that kissed me that time. I was surprised by the sudden change. He was certainly restraining himself before. Now? Not so much. When Michael finally leaned away, I could do nothing more than blink and wait for my nonexistent heartbeat to settle.

"Are you going to be even more of a tease than before?" I managed to ask.

Michael slipped an arm around my waist, leaning in close.

"Of course, strawberry." He purred into my ear.

That was so not fair. Jerk. Michael folded his wings, revealing that he had once again paused time. As time came back, I punched him in the arm.

"Does this mean all the awkward sexual tension is gone?" Rachel asked.

"I thought they'd never say it." Eros said, putting away his bow.

"I'm entirely confused." Jason said.

"Now all of you go, I still have a wedding and a rehearsal dinner to finish. And don't you dare be late!" Aphrodite said, shooing us out.

"Seriously, you're sticking around?" I questioned.

"Of course. A pagan god of love makes a great wedding planner. How else am I suposed to maintain power?"

"Never thought about it."

"Go! And I left all of you suits and dresses for the rehearsal dinner and the wedding in your rooms."

With that we were pushed out of the banquet hall. Jason was still utterly confused. We went to meet up with Amy for lunch.

"So, how was your first job with the kids?" She asked.

Rachel cleared her throat, giving her mom a look.

"Oh, you know what I mean."

"Made me reconsider how I handle hunting. And I didn't know gods existed. My dad's journal had all sorts of stuff in it, but not like this."

"And then there's the moment you realize that Michael is older than the human race." I said.

"Ugh. I swear you guys will be the death of me."

*****
"You sure I look okay?"

"Rina, you could be wearing a potato sack and still be the most beautiful person in the room. Yes, you look great."

I looked down at my floor length emerald green dress. Playing with the slit in the dress that went up to my thigh, I looked into the mirror to make sure my make up wasn't smudged and my hair was properly curled and pulled to the right. Rachel zipped up my dess, careful not to hit the jeweled straps of my scoop neck collar.

"What's up? You're never nervous about your apperence, why now?"

"I don't know, maybe it's because my internal systems have finally recognized Michael as a potential and ideal mate? When angels court, you want to make yourself look the best you can. Usually it's wing apperence, but I guess it applies to other areas too."

"Well, not that you don't look beautiful usually, but wow. Trust me, you're going to knock Michael out of the sky."

I laughed and smiled at her reflection.

"Hey, we don't want to be late. I'd rather not be at the wrong end of an arrow." Michael's voice sounded through the door of Rachel's hotel room.

"Calm your feathers." Rachel snapped back, going to the door.

She opened to door and tilted her head towards me. Michael got a crease between his eyebrows in confusion until he looked in my direction. His face went completely blank. I played with the split in my dress nervously.

"Wow." He said after a moment.

I giggled and smiled brightly. Michael snapped out of it and offered an arm for each of us. Rachel was passed over to her father when we came to their door. The dinner was more of a fancy cocktail party, but it was nice. Michael and I met many family members and friends, talking the evening away.

"I'll be back in a moment." Michael said, before slipping away, leaving me with Rachel's grandmother.

I could see him seeking out April. He asked something, nervousness showing in his face. April responed with a bright smile, nodding enthusiastically. Michael smiled and seemed to thank her greatly. He started towards me, pausing only to say something to Rachel.

"Quite a handsome lad you have there." Rachel's grandmother said, making me blush as she moved along.

When Michael reached me, our finger entwined instinctively.

"Come with me."

I nodded and let him guide me out of the room. When the coast was clear, Michael transported us somewhere different entirely.