Disarmingly Charming: An Annora Park Novel: Book Two

Chapter Two: A Wink and Wish

"Get off of me!" I whine. "Oh my God, you weigh a ton" I moan.
Walker wriggles his eyebrows at me. "That's not what you said when we were alone in my house."
I roll my eyes. "This is so not the time for sexy time. If you haven't noticed we're all piled up like some weird puppy pile." And it was true. Chamuel was at my front, and Terrenel was curled at my feet, with Walker spooning my back. It was ridiculous. It was hot and sweaty in the ridiculous dress and wanted up, and I nodded to pee.
"Seriously, let me up, or I'm gonna pee on you, Walker."
Walker jumps up and in the process wakes the other.
"What...what time is is?" Chamuel rubs his sleepy eyes. His eyes open wide in shock and he blinks. "Did I fall asleep in here?"
I nod.
"That never happens," Chamuel says in disbelief.
"What never happens?"
"I never fall asleep anywhere other than in the Heavens."
I grin. "Well I guess there's a first time for everything."
Terrenel cracks his neck and frowns. "Next time I get her back. I find it most undignified to sleep at her feet like a puppy."
"Hey, I got there first," Walker says, and sticks out his tongue.
I get up and head to the washroom. "Real mature, Walker, real fucking mature." I do my business and take a minute to take in my appearance. It still hasn't changed. Still weird ombré hair, still weird ass cosmo eyes, and pale ass skin. I sigh. I guess I was just going to have to get used to it. Walking out of the bathroom I address all three of my eyes. "Have...have...uh...any of your heard from Branuel Or De A'lanuel?"
I notice their pained expressions, and sigh. Guess not.
What could be going on with him? Was he feeling guilty? Was it something I had done? Well, I HAD killed his nephew, but it wasn't like he hadn't wanted him dead in the first place. And he really needed to die. LIKE REALLY DIE!
"I am certain he will come to you when he's ready," Terrenel murmurs.
I turn my face away, "I'm...I'm not certain...I mean I'm not certain...I mean...I did kill his nephew, and...and...you know he's not really comfortable in your court."
"Mo bhanrigh bhrèagha..."
"Don't, don't, you beautiful queen, me! My fourth is somewhere out there, moping, or doing something, whatever. And we need to figure out what before he gets himself into a world of fucking trouble."
Walker laughs. "Branuel Or De A'lanuel? Are we talking about the same person here? Do you really think that he's getting into fucking trouble? The man's middle name is trouble."  Walker continues to laugh.  "Oh baby girl, I think that guy lives for trouble.  You shouldn't worry so much, it isn't good for your health."
   I roll my eyes.  "I faced down an enraged Fairy with a broadsword who was out to kill me.  I think we're well past thinking about my health, don't you?"
   I pick up the Codex from the side table and startle when I hear the gasp emanating from my Angel.  "What?" I ask innocently.
   "That is the Codex" Chamuel says quietly.
   "Uh yeah." I frown.  "I think we've already established that, Chamuel.  So unless you have anything else to add, I have some reading to get done."
   "You can't be walking about with the Codex tucked under your arm." Chamuel murmurs.
   "And why can I?"
   "Because...because..." He sputters, "Because it's the freaking Codex!"
   Terrenel sighs.  "I tried explaining this to her yesterday, High Host.  And yet, for some reason the Codex seems to respond to her.  It opened for her."
   "It opened for her?" Chamuel says.
   "Listen, is there a damn parrot in here?" I say, and stomp my foot like a three year old.
"The Codex doesn't just open for anyone, my beloved," Chamuel says, eyes still wide,
"Well," And I can't help but feel a bit smug, "It opened for me."
"And again, that should not be possible."
"Did you learn anything fascinating?" Walker asks.
I roll my eyes, "Listen, I really DO need to go and pee. You all just confer amongst yourselves while I do my thing. Then I'll decide if I'm going to talk to you about this shit or not." Probably not. WHAT? A girl had to have some secrets, didn't she?

I hate to think about it, but I'm really beginning to worry about Branuel.  I mean.  I hate the guy, right? Right? I hate him.  I shouldn't be worried about him.  Hell he was probably back in his ridiculous dungeon like palace screwing everything in a skirt.
   "Go to him, Amour," Chamuel appears at my side and places a hand on my shoulder, causing me to jump, startled.
   "Jesus.  Stop doing that.  You'd think by now you'd know how much I hate when you guys sneak up on me."
   Chamuel smiles softly at me, and places a chaste kiss on my forehead.  "Oh my beloved.  Go to him."
   "Who?" And I turn my face away from him so he can't see the petulant expression on my face.
   "Oh my beautiful strong amour.  Why do you torture yourself like this?  If you worry for him...then go to him.  The other's, and myself, we understand.  He needs you now, beloved."
   I turn back to face him and laugh.  "Are we talking about the same Branuel Or De A'lanuel, or do you know something that I don't.  I mean, the Branuel I KNOW, needs no one."
   "That Branuel Or De A'lanuel was one who existed before you, my amour.  Ever since you've entered all of our lives, the've changed immeasurably.  I doubt it is any different for Branuel Or De A'lanuel." Chamuel holds out his hand and smiles widely.  "Come, I shall portal you, and make your excuses to the others."
    My eyes widen.  "You...uh...you'll make my excuses? Chamuel do you have a death wish or something? They'll kill you if they realize you portaled me to Branuel's and didn't tell them or give them a heads up."
   "I can handle a few men, my beloved.  I've commanded legions.  This will be infinitely simpler."
   I bite my lip because I don't want to argue with him.  But I feel like he's full of fucking shit.  And I'm afraid that when I return it's be to a maimed, dismembered body of one over confident angel.  But I guess that was a problem for another day.
   "Well...okay," I murmur.
   "Okay?" Chamuel seems shocked.
   "Is that okay?" I say sarcastically?  "I mean, you offered."
   "No, no it is fine.  I suppose I didn't expect you to give in so quickly."
   I roll my eyes and take Chamue's hand.  "Okay, beam me up Scotty."
   "Who is this Scotty?"
   "Ugh.  I'll explain later.  Just portal us to Branuel Or De A'lanuel now before I change my fucking mind, okay?"
   Chamuel nods.  Grips my hand tightly, closes his eyes, murmurs some words and just like that we wink out of existence.