One Crown & Two Thrones : The Prophecy ( Book One) - Prologue

Chapter Sixteen - Downfall

XVIII

Downfall

Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all...

Alfred Lord Tennyson.

Eveline pushed Theodore's heavy weight off her body and swung her legs over the stone table as giant columns of grey rock fell around the angels and demons. A great roll of thunder shook the ground beneath her as she scanned the area for a weapon.

"Eveline I need to get you out of here now!" Theodore roared as flashes of white light and red light filled his vision. All about them as the abbey crumbled were angels and demons, all of whom were now heavily involved in fighting one another. Eveline turned to face her white washed husband, her eyes burning with anger.

"Not without Galean!" she said with a voice so cemented with determination that her husband looked dumfounded. Theodore gazed at her with blinking eyes, she seemed taller and more profound than ever and he in turn felt smaller and less profound. Her simple gown of ivory fell to her bare feet and her wild auburn hair played about her long body as though they it were made up of fiery embers. "Please Theodore, you must set aside your bad opinion of him and help me!" Eveline pleaded as she bent to pick up a discarded dagger.

"Celestine, leave now!" came the all omnipotent voice of Michael as he lifted the still body of Gabriel up into his arms. "Do as Theodore bids and leave at once, you are not safe here any longer."

"I cannot let Lagmar kill Galean!" Eveline said as she raised the dagger before her, her golden eyes ablaze and bright. Beneath her gown she felt the coldness of a necklace and looked down, drawing back the material at her chest slightly. With widened eyes she caught a glimpse of the golden star and let out a strange breathe. As she placed a finger over the star she felt a strong hand grasp her wrist.

"Were leaving now like Michael has ordered!" Theodore said loudly, forcing her to follow his steps as he weaved them in between the fighting angels and demons.

"No!" Eveline begged of him. "No please Theodore, please don't allow him to die!" Eveline felt her feet burn as Theodore dragged her away from the fractured alter towards the side door.

"Galean's business with Lagmar is not our own," Theodore said darkly as he turned and caught her frightened gaze. "Michael is right, if you stay here another minute longer then none of us will walk away from this fight unscathed."

"Cael please!" Eveline said quickly, her toes curling against the marbled floor, slowing them both down. Theodore turned his head with a shake and once more guided her towards the side entrance. "I said no!" Eveline cried out so loudly that the walls of the falling abbey shook as another great streak of lightening violated the night sky. With a strength she had never before felt within her, she unclasped her hand from Theodore and swung the hilt of her dagger, the metal meeting her husband's face. Without a sound, Theodore fell to the ground unconscious, his sword of light falling beside him. Eveline felt her body shake with disgust as blood began to flow from her husband's ear. "Forgive me," she whispered with trembling lips, bending down to retrieve his sword. Behind her she could hear the footsteps of a shadow racing towards her. With renewed focus she spun about and stood up, wielding both a sword of light and dagger. A shadow, whose face was as beautiful as the morning star positioned himself, a smile upon his lips as he challenged her with a look. Eveline closed her eyes briefly.

"Always remember where to place your weight when lunging at an enemy," Galean instructed Eveline, placing a hand upon her stomach. "Bend forward just a little to give your legs strength and to shield your upper body from attack." Eveline did as she was instructed and bent forward a little, her eyes glaring into Jophiels whose own gaze was riddled with merriment. "Now clasp your knives like this, see?" Eveline turned her gaze to Galean and watched as he took a knife and held it firmly at the hilt, his arm slightly bent in front of him.