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Ade stared at her a moment longer, and then he stepped forward and embraced Sariel in a huge hug. The expression of surprise on her face was enough to make Jophiel burst out laughing, and the grin that had spread over my lips got wider as what she said finally started to dawn on me. Sariel patted Ade awkwardly on the back and then pushed him away. He released her, and to my amazement, I saw tears in his eyes.
“Anytime, anywhere, if you need us, you let us know. Don’t think I don’t understand the risk you’re taking, Sariel.”
She nodded. “Once everything has died down, check in with the Concordia branch in Seattle. They’ll be able to hook you up with the right people. Now go, and God be with you.”
Ade nodded, then turned and scooped me up into his arms. “Eleth, is there any chance you can get that truck going?”
Eleth nodded, and we headed toward my father’s old truck. Ade got into the passenger seat, placing me gently on his lap. I felt the truck groan under us as Remiel climbed into the back with Jophiel, and Eleth took the wheel. I turned to wave goodbye to Sariel, but she was already gone.
“There’s a spare key under the mat,” I told Eleth as he started to mess around with wires.
He smiled at me. “Good, that’ll be faster.”
I smiled back, my heart beating faster as I realized we were going to be okay, together. Eleth started the truck with a rumble, and we pulled down the dirt track that led the main road. I could see the light of the fire against tree trunks and fence posts as we drove away from my home, but snuggled against Ade’s warm chest with his arms wrapped tightly around me, I didn’t look back.
FIFTEEN
DYLAN
Two years later
I stood on the porch, leaning on the railing that swept around the new house, and gazed out over the farm—my farm. The sun was sinking low and glowing orange, turning everything its warm rays touched a gorgeous gold. It was quiet and peaceful, though on a farm there is never silence. I could hear the cattle in the fields and the chickens in their extended pen to the side of the house. Jess barked somewhere in the distance and then suddenly appeared from behind the barn, chasing a rabbit that dashed away into the woods, out of reach. I grinned.
Since Jophiel had healed her, the silver in her fur had turned black and she had as much energy now as she did as a puppy. I knew how she felt. After the events that had led to the fire, and my father’s last act of anger against me, I spent a week in the hospital under the care of some very kind doctors who ensured I was comfortable while my men procured a large trailer for us to live in until the new house was built. On returning home, Jophiel had decided that human doctors weren’t a match for angel healers, and he had poured his energy into me day after day until every bruise and scratch was gone, my skin was clean and unmarked, and my energy was returned. I was sure he did a little more than heal me though. I’d never had this much energy, and I hadn’t fallen ill since then. My hair was thick and shiny, my skin was clear, and my body was filling out in a way that was not unpleasant—at least my men didn’t think so. They seemed to spend enough time touching me to convince me I looked good in their eyes.
Without constant judgment and the promise of damnation, I had started wearing slightly more revealing outfits. The farm was doing well with four strong farmhands helping me run it, and with their assistance in building the house as well, it had come under budget, leaving us with a nice chunk of money in the bank. After finding out how little I had actually owned, my men now spoiled me rotten, taking me shopping regularly and encouraging me to buy whatever I wanted, whether it was clothes, makeup, books, or study supplies.
I enjoyed wearing new outfits around them to see their reaction, and I wondered how they would like the dress I had slipped on for the evening. It was still a cotton summer dress—it was too hot to wear anything else at the moment—but it only fell to mid-thigh, and the sweetheart neckline dipped down between my breasts, which were now slightly bigger due to the amount of food the guys insisted I eat. The dress was a dark plum color that looked lovely against the light golden tan I had developed working outdoors over the last summer, and it had lasted through winter, making me feel really good. The evenings were getting slightly warmer as we moved into spring, and I had left my hair loose, the dark waves falling to my waist and covering most of my bare arms.
I couldn’t wait to see their faces when they saw me in it. A cool breeze drifted over me, and I shivered, wondering if I should get a jacket, but a strong pair of arms slipped around my waist, and I was pulled back against the warmth of Remiel’s body. I sighed in contentment, trailing my fingers up and down his arms. He smelled amazing, and I realized he’d just gotten out of the shower. I turned around to find him clad only in a soft pair of blue jeans. He kept his arms around me and smiled down at me as I ran my hands lightly up the sculpted contours of his chest.
“What are you thinking?” he rumbled, his chest vibrating under my touch.
I smiled and looked up at him. “I was just thinking how amazingly lucky I am.”
His smile widened, and he bent down to kiss me. It was gentle and unhurried. There was no fear of being seen stealing kisses, and the thought made my heart burst. “We’re the lucky ones. We’re free and whole, and we found you.”
“Rem,” I murmured, reaching up to press my fingertips to his lips. I stroked them down over his close-cropped beard. It was the same deep red brown as his hair, and I was beginning to like it.
“I know you find it hard to believe how much we all love you, Dylan, but believe me when I tell you that we will find some way of letting you know every day of your life how much we adore you—even if that involves fanning you with palm leaves and feeding you grapes.”
I grinned. “Have you been watching movies with Eleth again?” The two were addicted, and we often spent our evenings, tired and happy, in front of the large widescreen TV they’d insisted we buy for the front room—not that I was complaining. I hadn’t been allowed to watch much TV growing up, and I was enjoying catching up. It was also fun watching the four of them puzzle out humanity as they went. It had some really good benefits too. Any time they saw a steamy scene in a film or TV program that showed something different, they were always game to try and reenact what they’d seen in our own bedroom. As I ran my hands down Remiel’s chest, my mind wandered to what we might try tonight...
“Earth to Dylan.”
I blinked. “Sorry, Rem, got a bit distracted by... Umm, anyway, what were you saying?”
“That Eleth and I were watching this program about fixing up houses, and we decided we should build a pool so we can go swimming in the summer.”
I shook my head at him, and he grinned at me.
We’d only moved back in a six months ago. The insurance money took longer to come through than we’d originally thought, and we’d spent a while designing the house to make it right for us. We’d turned the majority of the top floor into a huge bedroom suite with an extra-large bed that could fit all of us comfortably, as well as two bathrooms and a large walk-in closet. The downstairs had a big kitchen, dining room, and a large front room. There was also an office Ade had insisted they put in so I could study. With their support and encouragement, I’d found an adult education class in the nearby town and had finally graduated high school at the start of last summer. We’d celebrated by taking a trip to Seattle and going to the theater and dancing.
“I don’t know, Rem. Maybe we should wait until next year and see then? I just want to relax and enjoy our life for now.”
He smiled down at me, but there was a strange look on his face, and I frowned. “What?”
“Oh, nothing. It’s just, well, you know, life has a way of making things happen, so don’t be too worried if you don’t get much of a chance to relax.”
