Spoils of War by Tricia Owens

Author:Tricia Owens [Owens, Tricia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2016-03-02T23:00:00+00:00

7

Angel therapy, in Ryan's opinion, could heal the universe of all its pains.

"The Creator teaches forgiveness, but what Anifiel did to you strains my belief in that," Vithius muttered as he combed his fingers through Ryan's curls.

Tucked up snugly against the Angel's chest, Ryan felt content. Safe. The blow-up with Anifiel no longer upset him, it only made him tired in a way, as if he'd been jogging in place and gotten nowhere. "He's got major issues," he sighed, "but I don't want you to be mad at him, Vithius. It's not his fault that he's the way he is."

"Though the Creator designed Anifiel to be as he is, like all Angels Anifiel is expected to perfect that which is imperfect in himself," Vithius grumbled. "Things such as his temper, his impatience, his—"

"But that's not what's really wrong with him, though, is it?" Ryan opened his eyes and watched his fingers draw patterns against the Angel's tea-colored skin. "Those are side effects of the real problem: Anifiel's afraid to let down his guard. He's so used to having to be the big, bad protector of Heaven that he can't allow himself to be vulnerable, even for a moment. You heard him. He thinks something will happen if he gives in to us."

"What could happen?" Vithius wondered aloud, his fingers drifting down the back of Ryan's head to caress the nape of his neck. "Loving you will not weaken him as a warrior. The Demons already know of his feelings. His interest in you cannot be used against him since we have taught you to defend yourself."

"And you'd think he would have learned something from Finn," Ryan agreed. "I mean, Finn's all on his own down on Earth and yet he went ahead and fell in love with a human and they're doing just fine. Finn can't be braver than Anifiel, can he? That doesn't make sense."

"Anifiel does not fear the Demons or the threat of turning, but his bravery appears to waver when it comes to what we offer him."

"I guess he's never had to face it before." Ryan traced a dark aureole with the tip of his finger, smiling when the flesh beaded into a brown pearl. "Threaten him with a sword or an ugly Demon and he'll stomp you into the clouds. Offer him a hug, though, and he runs for the hills." He turned his head and slid his tongue across the wrinkled bead. "By the way, what did the Creator have to talk to you about earlier? Nothing bad I hope?"

Vithius' chuckle was warm and easy. "No, I was not punished. The Creator merely wished to understand my emotions concerning you and Anifiel. The Creator is curious about our joining, I believe."

"I think he—It, whatever—is running some kind of experiment, trying to see what we'll do. We're like a game for him—It."

"The Creator wanted only to ensure that no one would be hurt by what we are doing."

Ryan paused. "Then it's like we just got the stamp of approval.

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