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“Better?”
Theo nodded and knelt at Father’s feet. It didn’t escape his notice that he had been in this exact position when he declared his intentions and love for Daniel. “Father, how do I get him to see how much I love him? His heart begs for love, to give and receive it, and yet he keeps it at arm’s length.”
“He knows.”
“Then why doesn’t he say so? What will happen to me—to us—if he refuses to say what is in his heart?” Theo swiped away the tear that tracked hot down his cheek. Then another, and another.
“My child,” Father crooned, guiding Theo to rest his head on His thigh. He carded his fingers through Theo’s hair soothingly. “When Daniel is ready, only then will I take your wings.”
“I won’t have to wait like you told the others?” Hope bloomed in Theo’s chest, for even if his mate refused to say the words he longed to hear, then perhaps with time. Though he wasn’t a fan of the phrase “With absence, the heart grows fonder,” in this case, he hoped it bore true.
On the Eighth Night of Chanukah
Saturday: Sunset
Thelial
John found Theo resting in nearly the same position he’d been with Adonai. His head and arms were on the edge of the fountain, the sound of splashing water and the warm sunshine numbed him enough to relax in solitude. He needed the time to rejuvenate and conserve all the energy he could for the match to come.
“There you are. It’s past sunset. We assumed you’d already been down on Earth, but Sy said you hadn’t left yet.”
“After sunset? Heavens!” Theo leapt to his feet, shoving past John and heading for… He slowed as he exited the garden and entered the living quarters of his fellow warrior angels. How had he let it get so late?
“Thelial, how are you feeling?” John asked as he caught up alongside him.
Theo shrugged and wrinkled his nose. “In some ways, fantastic. I am completely healed, but that only causes problems. How can I report to Troy without the cuts, the bruises, the pain of cracked ribs?”
“It won’t matter if you’re late.”
Theo stopped and stared at John. “I know. Why am I late? The last thing I remember is sitting with Father.”
John stared back, horror filling his expression. “You mean to tell me our King let you fall asleep? Why would He do that?”
“I can tell you why,” El said, running toward them. “We must hurry. Judah is gathering those below while Sy keeps an eye on Daniel.”
“Keeps an eye on— What? Why?” Theo asked, his heart pounding. “What’s going on?”
“On your mate, who decided on his own to be a hero. He’s right now taking your spot in the ring.”
“No!” Theo grabbed the sleeve of El’s white robes. “You’re lying. Daniel wouldn’t do that. He wouldn’t last a minute in that cage.”
John gripped Theo’s shoulder and pressed a hand to Theo’s chest, right over his galloping heart. “You know right here that Eleazar would not lie to you. If he says your mate has decided on a foolish course, then there must be a reason. Think, Thelial, Angel of Love, why would Daniel, your mate chosen by The One Most High, choose to take your place?”
There was only one reason Daniel would put himself in that position, and that truth nearly broke Thelial. His legs felt like jelly, and if John and El hadn’t been standing right next to him, he would have hit the floor.
A bright rainbow of color raced past, then double-backed to stare at them. “Why are you still here?” Joseph shouted, pointing at Theo. “You need to go. Hurry!” Joseph snapped his fingers and Heaven’s light shrouded them in its brilliance.
Theo shook off John’s and El’s hold as the light cleared and he found they’d arrived inside the locker room. “Follow me,” he shouted, bee-lining it for the door.
Daniel
“Dan, there you are. Where’s our fighter? I want to wish him luck,” Troy chuckled as he glanced around the locker room.
“He’s not coming.” A trickle of sweat rolled off Daniel’s forehead. He wiped it away, then rubbed his damp palms on his thighs.
“Not coming.” Troy stopped moving and glared at him. “Not coming, you say?” His boss stepped closer and closer, but Daniel held his ground. “Why, pray tell, is Theo not coming, Danny-boy?”
Daniel shrugged, afraid if he opened his mouth, the truth of what Theo was might spill out.
