2 comments/ 9859 views/ 2 favorites Angel, Angel Burning Bright By: sweet_sex_kitten Around her the inferno raged and rose higher, engulfing the edge of her skirt, singing her long cardinal hair; she closed her eyes and fought back tears and focused her mind on his image. She remembered the day she first laid eyes on the demon that had caused her to forfeit her life, body, and soul. He had seemed a man like any other set apart only by his regal bearing and piercing eyes. His black leather boots were caked with dust from the road and despite the blistering heat he wore a black jacket over his crisp white shirt and had shed not a drop of sweat. His hair shone like a raven's wing in the sun and fell in a cascade of curls bound by a single black satin ribbon down his back. His eyes were pools of warm chocolate that had the tiniest flecks of gold and amber shining in their depths. His mouth was strong and sensual as it curved in to a smile when his eyes fell upon her in the field. His skin shone with a golden gleam that was accentuated by the stark whiteness of his shirt and made his smile shine even brighter. A deep cleft was set in his strong chin and his smile made dimples appear almost magically in his cheeks. He took her breathe away as no man ever had for he looked like no man in her village. His rumbling voice called to her, " Good day, milady! Might you know a place that I may stay for a night or two?" That simple question marked the beginning of her fate. She could scarcely believe he was speaking to her for few rarely did. She lived on the edge of the village alone on the farm her parents had once worked. Most ignored her, as she didn't fit in. She had taught her self to read and write something no other girl in the village could do and her beauty was the stuff of fairy tales. Her skin was a flawless cream unmarred by the sun no matter how many hours she spent in her fields. Her eyes a fiery luminescent green that flashed with untried passion. Her mouth was full lipped and naturally the color of fresh poppies, but her hair was the sole feature that bothered the villagers. Her hair was thick and luxuriant falling past her hips in soft waves, but the color was a startling red, a red as deep and vibrant as a cardinal's plumage an unnatural color the villagers whispered about whenever they saw her. In a voice as clear as a bell she called back to him, " Yes milord the inn is just past the center of town, they should have a room available for you." He nodded his head and continued past her farm into the village. She sighed and went back to pulling up the vegetable from her garden for her dinner. The acrid smell of smoke broke her reverie and she was scared to open her eyes, for fear of panicking and giving them the satisfaction of hearing her scream. Through the crackling of the fire she heard their accusations ringing in her ears. "Witch! Whore! Sorceress!" but the only one that hurt was "Where is your demon lover now?" She retreated to her memories of her time with him, with her love. He was laughing a wonderfully musical sound and smiling that amazing smile of his. He had come strolling by her farm again, and was laughing as she tried, very unsuccessfully, to pull up the roots of a tree that she had chopped down but was starting to grow again. "If you think it is that easy and funny to see me doing this", she growled at him, "you do it." She couldn't believe it when he stepped over her fence and whispered in her ear "It would be my pleasure to help such a beautiful damsel in distress." He took his jacket off, stripped his shirt off and handed them to her in a neatly folded pile. "Be a good girl and hold these," he said smirking. Before she could respond he leaned over and grabbed the stump with both hands. His back muscles rippled and glistened under the sun as he tensed up and pulled the stump up in one swift move. She was amazed by how easily he wrenched the roots from the ground and couldn't help but stare at his naked back. He turned to her and raised in eyebrows and nodded to the stump he still held in a query as to what he should do with it. Mesmerized by his bare chest with it's sprinkling of hair that drifted down below his belt, she merely pointed to a spot by the corner of her cabin. His eyes were full of laughter as he if he knew what she was thinking. Her cheeks quickly flushed the color of fresh rose blooms and her eyes searched the pristine whiteness of his shirt. "Thank you, Mr..." She called to him, "I am afraid you still haven't told me your name, sir. Nor have I told you mine." He laughed a wonderful rumbling sound and called back to her, " Bida, Bida, Bida", he shook his head, " really I thought you would have known me when you saw me. Oh well, I suppose I shall have to tell you again. My name is Samael Troian." She looked puzzled; as if she could half remember a dream where she had known this man. His name rang in her ears a distant memory. "Samael... Samael," she murmured to herself, liking the way it rolled off her tongue. She turned to look at the road leading to the village and sighed. "So, Mr. Troian, I thought you said you only needed a room for a night or two? When will you be moving on?" she started to ask Samael, when it hit her that he had called her by her name. "How did you know my name!" she spun around on her heels to face him. Bida's face turned to a mask of surprise as she realized that Samael was gone and she was no longer holding his clothes. She turned and stared hard down the empty road that lead to her sleepy little village before bolting past the hole were the stump had been to the corner of her quaint cabin and then past it into the field were her only cow grazed peacefully undisturbed by anyone. She stopped and surveyed her land straining her eyes towards the woods at the edge of her property, but nowhere was there any sign that anyone had been with her only moments before. Slowly she walked back to where the tree stump should have been and saw instead of the stump she expected a bouquet of flowers. Bida shook her head staring at the flowers in disbelief before bending over and gathering the flowers up in her arms. Carefully as if she expected them to disappear, she deeply breathed in their perfume and suddenly her mind flashed with wicked images of herself and Samael doing things she had never thought she would do. The flowers fell to the ground. Bida gasped and violently shook her head desperate to clear the wanton thoughts and images that danced through her mind. Gulping deep breaths of air, she finally calmed herself. "Bida," she scolded herself, "what on earth has come over you?? There is work to be done and you are standing around like a girl in love. Foolish, foolish girl. He hasn't even shown an interest in you, and he is leaving. You are never going to see him again and surely he will not think of you once he is gone." Sighing so deeply her chest shook, she went inside her cabin to start on evening chores. She had only just finished her sewing when she heard yells from the village. She rushed out the door and turned to look at the village. Thick plumes of black smoke rose from the center of it, creating a pillar of dense flame tinged smog. She heard the crackle of fire all around her and felt intense heat on her skin. Wait where was she? Then the realization that she was alone in the fire hit her full force. She shook as she tried to suppress her despair. Never had she felt so alone. "Samael" became her mantra as she turned to her memories again. There was a loud rapping on her door that woke her with a start. "Bida? Bida!" she heard a voice calling her name. Slowly she rose and went to the door. "Bida!" the voice was louder and the cadence familiar to her ears. "Please Bida, open the door." She watched as her hand opened the door, as she looked up her emerald eyes met Samael's mesmerizing dark ones. "The inn burned down and no one will let me stay in their home. Everything I had was in that inn, I can't pay you, but I will work for you and keep you safe." he said quietly. "Samael", Bida's voice was very sleepy. "I thought you were only passing through...why don't you just leave?" Absent-mindedly her hand rubbed her eyes, her mouth opening in a huge yawn, her pink tongue curling like a kitten's. "Well, come in, I am not going to stand here with the door open all night", her voice still thick with sleep, " I suppose I can help you out especially with harvest just around the corner, but you are going to have to pull your weight around here, and I don't have another bedroom so you will either have to sleep up in the loft or out here. I barely bring in enough during harvest to feed myself so don't expect huge meals. If there is anything else, I'll tell you in the morning...then you can answer my questions." She turned and softly padded back to her room, the light from the fireplace throwing sparks off her hair, and quietly she closed the door to her room. Bida slept unusually late that morning, her dreams having troubled her usually peaceful sleep. She was being to worry about herself, she had dreamed about Samael all night wicked dreams that made her want to sleep the rest of the day away, safely cocooned in her fantasies. A wonderful aroma wafted under her door and teased her nose. She breathed as deeply as she could and tried to sort the odors apart. There was the sweet yeast smell of fresh baked bread...a crisp tantalizing hint of rabbit...the strong, pungent odor of eggs...and a lighter delicate scent that she could for the life of her place, a familiar comforting smell. Carelessly she pushed a wayward lock of her hair behind her ear as a look of pure confusion marred her delicate features. "Now who in all the hells is in my house?"' she muttered under her breathe before remembering Samael's late night visit. She rose from the bed and stretched her arms over her head, before dropping her modest nightshirt to the ground. Carefully she combed the thick mane of hair that hung down her back, before suddenly aware of Samael's presence in her home and her naked form a blush quickly colored her perfect snowy skin as she snatched a dress from her small closet to cover her body. The room was empty when she cautiously opened the door of her bedroom to the main room, but on her small writing table laid her small bound book of writings opened as if someone had been reading it and a tray with a delicious meal on it. Bida was troubled as she looked around the room for any sign besides the tray that Samael was still there. "Silly girl of course he isn't here... he has probably already left.", she chided herself when she realized her chest was tight with disappointment. At that exact moment, she heard a yelp from outside her little cottage. Bida rushed out to see what had made such a pitiful sound. Holding his shin and muttering curses under his breath, Samael lay in a very undignified heap. Bida tried not to laugh, but a giggle escaped her lips. Samael turned his head toward the sound and glared at her. "Oh you think this is amusing, do you? ", he growled. "And after I made you breakfast," he mock sniffled," I really would have expected some concern instead of mockery." Bida dropped to her knees beside him and put a finger to his lips, "Hush all that silliness this instant, of course I am concerned. As a matter of fact I was scared some poor animal was out here hurt what with that pitiful sounding noise you made." Samael looked shocked. "Pitiful sounding? Pitiful sounding!" he roared. He started to stand ready to storm off and instead collapsed again. "Here, let me help you." Bida's voice brimming with concern, "Let's get you in the house where I can see what you have done to yourself" Gingerly he rose once again and started to fall when Bida braced him against herself. Slowly they made their way inside before Bida helped him sit beside the hearth. She tore his pant leg away from his shin and exposed a nasty gash. Silently she went outside and gather a few herbs from her garden and a bucket of water from a spring nearby. When she returned inside she stoked the dying embers in her fireplace and pour the water into a pot before placing the pot over the revived fire. She tore the hem of her dress into strips, before placing in them in the pot with the water. Bida went to her small bookcase and got down a mortar and pestle that had belonged to her mother and started grinding the herbs together to create a poultice. Samael watched her eyes shining with intensity, following her every move, a smile playing on his lips. "What are you smiling at? ", Bida asked testily. "And how exactly did you manage to cut your leg like that? This is going to sting." Carefully she pulled a strip of cloth from the water and pressed it to the cut, before thoroughly scrubbing the gaping wound. Samael gritted his teeth and hissed, "You are making it hurt on purpose, wench." Bida pursed her lips together and reached for a fresh strip. "You'll live, now are you going to answer my questions?" she replied. Again she scrubbed the wound. Finally she surveyed the now clean cut. It wasn't as bad as she thought it was, it was very deep nearly nicking the bone but clean edged and only about three inches long. Her deft fingers applied the poultice to several strips of cloth that she had rung out, and then carefully bandaged his leg. "This is going to have to be changed twice a day but the herbs I used should have it healed in a week or so. Now, I want answers." she said in even measured tones. "As you command oh wise and beautiful healer", Samael mockingly replied. "I was going to go start to bring in the grain from your field and I cut myself of that damnable scythe blade you have. Why isn't there a handle on it? You could have hurt yourself on it." his voice shifting to a more concerned pitch. "If you must know I can't afford a new one and the towns people and I avoid each other so taking it to market to have it fixed is out of the question. Now why are you staying here? When I first saw you a week ago you said you only needed a room for a night or two. Are you serious about working for me? Where are you to sleep? And what in all hells am I supposed to do about the scandal this is going to cause? " Bida's voice started to raise irritated by the smirk on Samael's face. "Bida," he chided gently, " You really must learn to control your temper." Exaggeratedly he sighed, "Yes I am serious about working for you in exchange for a roof over my head and food in my belly, "Bida's gaze fell on his flat stomach, seeing this Samael's eyebrow raised," I am staying longer because I have found what I search for and need time to get it, I'll sleep just as I did last night curled on the hearth like a pup, and do you really care about the scandal? If you do, you could always just marry me." as he finished he caught her gaze. "Now what are you staring at little one?" he chuckled. "I wasn't staring at anything! My mother taught me to look at someone when they are speaking to you. And I am 22 I hardly can be called little one any more than you can." she turned her nose up in defiance. Samael's deep rumbling laugh was the most beautiful sound she ever heard," I am older than you think. Your mother was a very wise woman, but you were staring. And I don't have the time to argue with you, I have a harvest to bring in, eat your breakfast before it grows even colder, then start my lunch." He turned and walked out the door back toward her small golden field stopping to pick up the blade. "It's my house," she muttered under her breath," who does he think he is telling me to cook his lunch? And ordering me to eat my breakfast! Da never even did that." Grumbling she found herself seated at her writing table tasting the meal he had prepared for her. Even cold it was the most delicious meal she had ever tasted. The rabbit was tender and seasoned to perfection with just the subtlest gamy taste; the bread was incredibly sweet, cinnamony with just the slightest hint of anise. The egg was rich and satisfying. Contentedly she sighed when she was done before rising to wash the dishes. Suddenly the ground she was standing on shifted panicked she opened her eyes and saw blue, green, yellow, and red dancing in front of her. She tried to move but her arms were firmly bound to her side and her legs were tied to something behind her, she gasped for air only to breathe in suffocating smoke. Then she remembered. The villagers had found her in Samael's arms in the Source pool, they had torn them apart, Samael tried to throw them off but there was a man... a priest chanting something in...Latin...Samael was roaring deafening them all...he was reaching for her, calling her name. Then she passed out; in her mind she was retreating again to avoid the horrible reality. Samael was smiling at her. Bida smiled at how beautiful he was, the way his dimples deepened when he saw her smile. She got lost in the depth of his eyes exploring them searching out his soul. "Bida," he laughed, " you were saying?" "Oh, yes, well," she shook her head, giggling at her foolishness," thank you. Never have I had such a plentiful harvest, we really must go to town to sell some of this before it just rots and is wasted. How on earth did you bring in so much? I know I only cultivated a few acres." He rubbed the back of his head ruffling his hair in that adorable absentminded way that made her heart melt. "I just kept going back after I bundled what I had cut and there was always more." Bida laughed, a sound of silver bells, "Well are you going to help me load this cart or not?" Quickly he started hefting sacks of husked grain into the cart, before picking up the handles to push it. Bida stared at his back for a moment admiring his broad shoulders and narrow hips, before stepping next to him. "Alright," she said tossing her head and holding it high," let's go face the village." Slowly in comfortable silence they walked down the lane and into the center of town where the market was set up. She went from stall to stall her face lighting up at the dresses and jewelry they had, in spite of being snubbed. Finally she found a grain merchant. Samael's face kept flashing from a gentle amusement at her amazement to an unreadable mask every time she was ignored. The grain merchant was effectively ignoring her until Samael's deep rumbling voice drowned out everyone else's in the market, "Sir, I know you do not mean to ignore this woman who is trying to conduct business with you. So, kind sir, I am sure you will address her immediately correct?" "I, ahh, didn't see you there madam, how may I be of service?" the merchant's nasally voice was nervous, as his glance darted back and forth between Bida and Samael. "I have half a dozen 20 pound bags of grain I wish to sell, and I expect a fair price" Bida crossed her arms in front of her chest. "How is it that you have acquired over a 100 pounds of grain to sell whilst most people barely have enough to feed their families?" the merchant wetted his thin lips and stared at Samael, who glared at him with a murderous gaze. "Never mind, but since there is so little grain I shall have to give you more than a fair price lest you go to another town and sell it there." The merchant quickly took a pouch heavy with silver and gold coins and tossed it to Bida. "That is more than anyone else would give you, and most would demand to know whence your grain came." Samael took the pouch gently from Bida and carefully weighed it in his hands, " The little weasel speaks the truth, come Bida, let's leave." As they started back towards her cabin all eyes were on her and as they faded from sight the market came alive with gossip. "Bida, I need to go back to the village for a few things, stay here please, do you need anything? " Samael quietly asked when they got to her gate. Mutely Bida nodded her head, as Samael turned to leave she called after him "Could you buy a mutton bone for supper?" Angel, Angel Burning Bright Several hours later, Bida sat nervously reading her mother's journal trying desperately to concentrate on the words. Finally she heard Samael's voice calling her, she rushed outside to greet him, but he wasn't there. Puzzled she stood outside a moment longer before spotting him trudging towards her with a heavy pack on his back. "What on earth do you have in that pack?", she called to Samael, "What took you so long? I missed you." Her cheeks flamed as she realized what she had just said. Samael rushed up to her, grabbed her round her waist, and spun her around while holding her close. "You missed me, did you?" he rasped in her ear, sending shivers down her spine. Gently he set her back on her feet, "Let's go inside, I have something for you." Reluctantly, Bida stepped away from him clearly disappointed to break contact with his warm firm body. Once they were inside, Samael took Bida's hand and gently guided her to a chair by the fire. "Close your eyes," his voice barely audible. Obediently Bida not only squeezed her eyes shut tightly but covered them with her delicate hands. Samael wave a hand in front of her face to satisfy himself that she had done as he asked. He stood there staring at her beauty in the firelight, totally captivated. Her lips were moist and slightly parted, the fire reflected off her skin a soft golden color, while the light danced in her hair making it shimmer with a thousand shades of red. He watched her lips slowly open and heard her voice with it's soft melody. "Samael, are you going to give me something or just stare at me all night?" her voice rang with gentle laughter. Samael shook his head and knelt to rummage through his pack. He pulled out a bundle of red cloth, a small clear bottle, and a smallish bundle of plain coarse cloth. Carefully he shook out the dress, held it up in front of Bida's seated form, and excitedly he said, "Bida, open your eyes." Slowly she opened her eyes. "Oh, Samael," she cried breathlessly," It is beautiful!" She had never before seen a dress that matched the color of her hair so perfectly. She started to rise to hug him when Samael gently place a hand on her shoulder and pushed her back down in her seat. "What's wrong?" Bida asked concerned that she had offended him in some way. Samael laughed, a deep rumbling laugh, "Silly girl, nothing is wrong I just have more to give you." Bida's eyes grew round as saucers when he held out the delicate glass bottle. "What is this? It is simply gorgeous." Bida held the bottle gingerly as if she were afraid she would break it. Samael's eyes twinkled with laughter as he reached over, took the top off the bottle, and raised it to her nose. Bida closed her eyes and breathed deeply the delicate smell that was coming from the bottle. It was familiar somehow, intensely familiar, a memory half forgotten, buried under years of pain and loneliness. It was her mother's perfume, but how, her mother had always made her own. Her eyes flew open and she stared at Samael long and hard. "Where did you buy this? " she demanded her voice thick with emotions. Samael looked at her closely then calmly said, "In Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, you know the little village we just left? At the market...where I got the dress. Why?" "It is... was my mother's perfume." her voice falling flat as she put her mother in the past tense. "No one in the village would know the combination of flowers and herbs, I don't even know it." Samael shrugged "When I smelled it I thought of you. I am sorry if I unsettled you. " Bida shook her head her eyes brimming with tears, "I just never expected to smell that again." She wiped her hand under either eye, and sniffled. "I am sorry, Thank you." she said her voice muffled. Samael looked at the last thing he had pulled from the pack, and tried to decide whether he should give it to her or not. Finally he placed the coarse little bundle on her lap. Carefully she unwrapped the coarse burlap before gasping in awe at its contents. Laying against the scratchy fabric in her lap, were the two most beautiful hair combs she had ever seen. She held one up and stared at in quiet amazement. It was tortoiseshell and carved with the most intricate design she had ever seen. The longer she looked the more things she saw in the delicate carvings, there was a rose and a funny little star with a circle around it, there even looked like there was a long skinny snake-like dragon circling everything. Her eyes started to cross and she closed them and rubbed them. When she opened them again all she could see was a delicate design, there were no other images. She carefully placed them on the floor next to her chair before launching herself at Samael in a fierce embrace. Lightly he squeezed her back as she tightened her embrace. His mouth was right next to her ear as he whispered, "Go try them on for me?" She loosened her grip on him and scurried to her room with the dress and the combs. Quickly she stripped out of her plain dress and slipped into the scarlet one. It fit her like a glove, hugging her ample chest skimming her stomach and flowing over her hips, the neckline plunged daringly low revealing the creamy tops of her pert globes and the entirety of the top was off her shoulders showing her graceful neck and shoulders. She carefully started to groom her thick mane before gently twisting back two thick ropes of hair and securing them with the delicate combs. Shyly she pushed open her door and stepped out, Samael was gazing in to the fire when he turned and stared at her. She could feel his eyes travel over her body, hungrily taking in every inch of her. Samael visibly trembled and exhaled shakily. "Bida, you are the most beautiful vision I have ever seen in all of creation." his voice was tight with desire. Bida looked to the floor and her cheeks bloomed with a rose flush. Silently with quick long strides Samael crossed the room, and drew Bida close to him. Her breath became shallow and sharp; Samael gently cupped her chin between his thumb and forefinger and tilted her face up to his. She closed her eyes and parted her lips, hoping in he heart that he would finally kiss her. "Bida," his rich voice invaded her ears, "open your eyes." Slowly she fluttered her eyes open, "Samael", she began her voice choked with lust, "please, Samael." A look of anguish crossed his face as he shook his head. "Not yet, Bida," his smooth voice strained," There is still so much that you... do not remember; don't know...that you just can't see. In time my darling, you will see everything, you will know, you will remember, then we can be together the way we are meant to be. I will have no falsehoods, no regrets between us." Samael's shoulders sank as if the weight of the world rested on them, he sighed, a heart wrenching sound, and he stepped back from Bida, examining her face with intense scrutiny. Nodding to himself, he broke into a grin that reminded Bida of a wolf's lolling smile. Confused by his sudden shift in attitude and troubled, puzzled by his words, Bida slowly began to back away further from Samael. Laughter erupted from Samael, a warm rich sound, and suddenly he bowed deeply before Bida. "I promise I won't hurt you, I would never hurt you. But my dearest Bida, you are so beautiful that I must humbly request a dance." he rose from the bow with eyes twinkling. Bida wrinkled her nose and quirked her sensual mouth, before cautiously opening it. " Samael...are you feeling alright? Are you hearing things? There is no music to dance to." Samael could barely contain his amusement "Bida, music is all around us, everything has a rhythm, everywhere there is a song! Just open your soul to it and close your eyes, you will hear. Truly hear for the first time in many years." "Oh really? Well, oh wise one, tell me then how do you open your soul, to use your lovely words." Bida's words had a slightly acidic edge to them. Samael shook his head, "I suppose when you put childhood aside, you forget how to do the simplest things. Here let me help you remember." He closed the distance between them effortlessly and covered her eyes with his large callused palms. "Now forget everything...let your mind go blank. Cast off all your worries and cares." A deafening silence filled the room and Samael lowered his hands to Bida's waist, pulling her close as he wrapped an arm around her waist. Bida's face held a look of rapture as she heard the first strains of the most ethereal music she had ever heard. Samael studied her face memorizing the way it lit up with joy when she realized she could hear the music. Slowly they began to sway together to the airy music. Bida brought her arms up around Samael's neck, her hands playing in the silky inky mass of curls, her fingers twisting a single perfect curl around them. They started to dance around the room, the music building in tempo, faster and faster they went. Suddenly Bida heard Samael's velvet voice whispering in her ear, "Open your eyes my dearest." Bida opened her eyes slowly and winced as a brilliant golden light pervaded her senses. As her eyes adjusted she looked around her and saw several couples dancing as closely entwined as she and Samael were. The men were all tall, taller than any other men she had ever seen, and they were all breathtakingly handsome, though to her biased eye Samael was more handsome than anyone in the room. Their hair was every shade of blond, brown, and red. Their skin dazzling with a gleam of gold no matter what the tone. Everyone was spinning and twirling dancing not only with their partners but with every other couple on the dance floor. As Samael whirled and twirled her about, Bida felt free. Not since before the death of her parents had she felt so free. Samael spun her out as the unearthly music reached a crescendo, her hair flew around her and she threw back her head as a laugh of pure joy fell from her lips. Samael stared at how amazingly beautiful Bida looked in the golden light with her hair streaming in every direction from her face like rays from the sun, the color catching the light and reflecting it in varying shades of red. Her lips gleamed and he could see the candy pink of her tongue. She looked so free, so open, so perfect. She woke the next morning in her bed wearing an old nightgown with modest cuffs and collar. Her head felt funny and she was thoroughly confused. The last thing she could remember was Samael twirling her around in a room. A golden light filled room with other couples and they were all dancing. The music was ethereal, high-toned and fast paced, constantly rising to a higher speed and a higher note before crashing to a sensual low drum. Sighing, she shook her head. "Bida, it was just a dream, that's all." she chided herself. She rose from bed and peeked into the other room, sneaking a glance at Samael sprawled on his stomach in front of the fireplace. She just studied him wanting to remember every detail of his visage. She loved the way his mouth curved slightly in his sleep, the masculine line of his back, the way his hair fell in soft cascades like an inky waterfall over his shoulders and neck. Oddly he had a blanket over him that Bida had never seen. It looked soft a pitch black with gilded edging through out it, the longer Bida looked at it, it seemed to separate, almost as if it were made out of feathers. Bida shook her head and giggled to herself, "Feathers? Silly girl it is just a blanket, he probably bought it at the market in Fontaine-de-Vaucluse yesterday." When she glanced back over where Samael lay, he was gone. Bida opened her door curious as to where he disappeared. She slowly surveyed the room, eyes passing over her meager furniture, searching for the magnificent man that had lain in front of the dying embers only moments before. "Where in all the hells did he go?" she said under her breath. She stepped out of her room to try to get a better view of the room. Suddenly someone grabbed her from behind and lifted her off her feet. She tensed visibly before realizing it was Samael's muscular arms holding her against his broad chest. Bida relaxed into him, "Mmm, this feels nice, Samael. Did you sleep well? " Samael set Bida down and spun her around to face him, his eyes searched her face, "Bida how long were you spying on me?" His face was unreadable and his voice controlled and flat. "What did you see? Why were you spying on me?" Bida's features flashed with confusion, "I wasn't spying on you! In case you forgot this is my house, I was just looking at you. I didn't want to wake you up if you were still asleep. And why were you still asleep? You are always up before I am." Bida returned his hard gaze. "Bida, I am entitled to sleep just like anyone else and I do know that this is your house, but the fact remains, you were spying on me. It wasn't about you not wanting to wake me, you were watching me sleep...that is spying. Why Bida? " Samael's voice was tired. "I wasn't..." Bida began. "Never mind," Samael interrupted throwing his hands, "Obviously this is getting us nowhere." He leaned over her and whispered hoarsely in her ear a few words in some language Bida couldn't place. Bida's eyes fluttered open and she gasped in alarm. "What am I doing in here and in my night gown? Samael?" Her eyes betrayed how startled she felt. Desperately she sought out Samael before realizing that she was safely ensconced in his strong arms, held tightly against his firm chest. Bida's cheeks started to color subtly as she noticed that Samael wasn't wearing a shirt and she was only wearing a nightdress. "Samael?" Bida's voice barely above a whisper. "Hmmm, yes Bida?" She felt his voice rumble deep in his chest. Shivers went down her spin leaving goose bumps everywhere. He looked down at her, loving how innocent she looked, reveling in the feeling of her body against his. "Samael, how did I get here?" she sounded thoroughly puzzled. His eyes sparkled with amusement "Well my dear, first your mother and father met and fell in love, then..." "I meant out here in your arms! I know about how babies are created," Bida shook her head, pursing her lips, trying to look dismayed at what he had almost said. Samael couldn't contain his amusement and against his best attempts at restraint, laughed as he set her on the chair in front of the fireplace. Bida's eyes flashed fiery anger and narrowed as she watched Samael laugh at her. "Well if you are quite done would you mind answering my question?" her voice pure ice dripping with venom. Samael wiped away the tears with the back of one golden brown hand running the other through his tousled hair trying desperately to regain his composure. He dissolved into another laughing fit. Gasping for air, Samael doubled over before finally regaining some semblance of composure. As he inhaled a deep breath to throw off the residual amusement, Bida glared at Samael with daggers in her clear green eyes. "Why does it seem I am a constant source of amusement for you? You act as if I am some sort of imbecile half the time and the rest of it you are staring at me like you are going to attack me. Never mind how I got out here I am going to my room." Bida turned and stormed from the room. Slamming the door to her room, Bida collapsed in tears on the floor against her door. 'Why does he always act like that? Why does he act like he cares one minute and laugh at me the next?' Bida's thoughts were making her head hurt and sobs shook her body. There was a gentle knocking on her door. "Go away," Bida cried into her arms. Samael was insistent. "Bida", he gently coaxed, "My dearest, please open the door. I am sorry. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings, but you were just so cute with your chin stuck out and your eyes so full of fire. I don't think you are an imbecile at all. You are one of the most intelligent people I have ever known, you know more than even you let yourself be aware of. I... I...oh never mind, please open the door, I want to see your face when I talk to you. There are important things I need to tell you and I refuse to do it till you open this door." She could hear him tapping his foot on the other side of the door. "Go do your work, the animals need to be feed and I am sure you have more important things to do than tapping your foot on the other side of my door." Bida called through the door. "I am warning you, Bida. You are trying my patience, open the blasted door before I tear it off its hinges." Samael sounded angrier than Bida had ever heard him. Trembling Bida rose to her feet and backed away from her door towards her bed, she called to him "Samael, you are scaring me. Please just go away." Bida's eyes widened as she heard wood cracking from the other side of the door. Samael came into view as he threw the now useless door behind him. Bida tried to back away, but fell onto the unmade bed. Lightning fast, Samael was standing over her with a predatory gleam in his eye. "Now, " as he leaned over her, bringing his face close to hers, "are you going to listen to me?" Before either of them knew what they were doing, their lips met in a tentative kiss. Bida pulled her head back and stared deep into the abyss of Samael's. His eyes were clouded with lust, burning with unnatural fire, turned from a deep brown to burnished bronze. She gasped when he wrapped his hands roughly in her hair and pulled her mouth back to his kissing her fiercely. His teeth grazed her lips as he sought to taste her sweet mouth. Running his tongue over her lips, she slowly parted them and tasted him for the first time. Samael's grip on her hair tightened as he crushed her mouth against his in a feral kiss. Nipping and exploring each other's mouths they got more passionate. Bida broke off the kiss shaking, burning with desire, and inhaled as deeply as she could desperate for air. Samael's' hair created a veil around both of them as it fell over his trembling shoulders. His mouth was just as swollen as Bida's from the ferocity of their first kiss, licking his lips he could still taste her. He brought his mouth down to plunder her again she nipped his lips. As Bida swirled her tongue around his, she taste a slight coppery flavor tingeing his spicy masculine taste. She moaned softly into his mouth as one of his hands tugged her hair and the other franticly attempted to undo the buttons on her nightgown. Jolts of pleasure came from her body as the fabric of the nightgown brushed against her tender flesh. Quivering she tentatively reached up to caress Samael's cheek. It was hot and rough with the beginnings of a beard, her other hand snaked around his neck, twisting and twirling curls around her delicate fingers. Bida arched her body up into Samael's, pulling his head closer and kissing harder. Samael grabbed her shoulders and forced her down into the bed. Roughly, he grabbed the front of her nightgown in both hands and tore it open down the front. Hungrily he gazed at the exposed creamy skin, his teeth grazed her shoulder leaving an angry red welt. Samael's hands lightly ran over Bida's soft stomach, watching the goose bumps raise on her sensitive skin, he slowly caressed her sensitive buds before lowering his mouth to suckle lightly. Bida flushed a light pink, undulated under Samael's gentle ministrations to her untried body and whimpered softly in pleasure. The more Bida whimpered and writhed, the harder Samael sucked and swirled his tongue, nipping teasingly until Bida's whimpers grew to moans that were filled with desperation for release from the sweet agony that Samael had been building. Her body was burning with desire, aching for his touch, every nerve in her body had been set aflame by Samael's skillful mouth. Slowly, Samael started to work his way across her chest, kissing softly in the sweet valley between her creamy mounds; his fingers quickly replaced the spot his tongue had left unattended. Suddenly he squeezed her sensitive flesh, rolling it between his fingers eliciting a low throaty moan from Bida. She squeezed her thighs together, and arched up, holding Samael's face between her cool hands; she guided his face back to hers and slowly explored his mouth with hers. The kiss deepened, growing sweeter by the moment, conveying all the tenderness they felt for each other. Samael gathered Bida in his arms and rained kisses down on every inch of her face and shoulders. Bida's finger gently traced the curve of Samael's neck before kissing everywhere her finger had touched. Gently, Bida nipped and sucked on the tender spot right above his collarbone, before nibbling along his collarbone, Samael shivered as Bida's soft mouth worked on his shoulder. She worked her way to his earlobe, tenderly playing with his nerve-ridden lobe. Samael moaned deep in his throat and scratched drawing thin lines of crimson to mar the perfect cream skin of Bida's back. One delicate hand caressed his rough cheek as the other drifted down across his chest before resting on his stomach playing with the swirl of hair that led lower. She could feel his muscles contract under her fingers as she started to kiss down his neck to his chest; her lips gently massaged and lit fire to the cool bronze silk of his skin. Softly she swirled her tongue over his small dark nipples, feeling them hardened into little pebbles. Samael hissed through his teeth at the overwhelming sensation of Bida's mouth. Her hands slid down the firm ripples of his stomach, toying with his tuft or dark hair before letting her hands drop to his cloth covered thigh. As she ran a finger over one strong thigh, Samael tensed. Angel, Angel Burning Bright Slowly Bida massaged his thighs through his pants, pulling her mouth away from his skin she whispered hoarsely into the curve of his ear. "Samael my dearest why are you still wearing these?" Her deft fingers moved to the button at the top of his pants before Samael caught both of her wrists in the palm of his big hand. He wagged a finger in front of her, "No, my darling, not yet, I want to make sure you remember this for the rest of your life. " Firmly he pushed Bida flat on her back deep into her mattress. "Put your hands above your head and don't move them." his voice was very compelling as she felt herself grab her wrists with the opposite hand. Samael ran a hand over her eyes and whispered in a deep rumbling voice. "Close your eyes and trust me, Bida." Bida squeezed her eyes shut a smile playing on her lips. Samael surveyed the beauty laid out before him, before reaching down and ripping the rest of her nightgown off her body. Shivers ran down Bida's spine as the cool air touched every part of her body. Samael stared at her without touching for what felt like forever to Bida, before she felt a tiny burst of hot air over one of her puckered buds. She arced up searching for his warm mouth. Whimpering she twisted her body seeking contact with any part of her tormentor. With a touch as light as a feather Samael traced the arch of her instep, then she felt a subtle caress on one of her pale globes. For a long time she felt light touches allover her body, before Samael lower his mouth and kissed right above her heated flower. Bida's gasp was music to his ears and spurred him on. One long graceful finger trace figure eights from one hip to the other carefully avoiding where Bida craved it the most. She raised her hips, desperately seeking some relief from this exquisite torture. Samael laughed a deep, velvety sound that resonated through the room. "So impatient, little one?" he questioned, as he slowly ran his hand from her slender swan-like neck down the expanse of her ivory skin, barely grazing her sensitive buds before lightly brushing over her soft sprinkling of red down. Bida shivered and writhed under his hand. "Please Samael? Please? ", Her voice was thick with desire, "I need you." "In time my love, in time", he lowered his mouth and exhaled a hot blast of air over her flower. Samael held Bida's hips tightly as he gently kissed the top of her sweet petals. Bida gasped and tried to sit up, only to have Samael growl and hold her down. Tenderly he started to probe her heated glistening flower. Samael snaked his tongue over her sensitive petals eliciting throaty moans from Bida. He lapped softly at her while slowly letting his hands trail up her body to her sensitive buds. His fingers roughly twirled and pulled on her sensitive buds as he gently nibbled on her most sensitive part. Bida gasped and cried out his name as waves of pleasure wracked her petite frame. Her hands flew to the back of his head as she undulated under his ministrations. The more she moaned and moved the more Samael lapped and nibbled. Tangling her fingers in his thick hair, she screamed his name before going limp under him. Samael licked hard twice more before raising his face from between her tender thighs. Samael dropped a trail of kisses up to her sweet relaxed face. Her full lips were barely parted as her breath came in uneven gasps. He gathered her in his arms and kissed her closed eyes. Samael felt her breath start to even out and saw her thick long lashes flutter against her cheeks. "What just happened?" Bida asked a little breathlessly as she snuggled deep into his embrace. Samael cupped her face and kissed her tenderly before giving her a dazzling smile. "That, my darling, was your first taste of pleasure." It hurt. Why did it hurt so badly? Tears were streaming down Bida's cheeks, but they evaporated before they fell from her face. The heat was getting to be unbearable; her lips were cracking from the burning heat. They parted slightly as another tremor of pain wracked her petite frame, "Samael" she croaked. Again her body violently reacted to the pain that was burning in her lungs as she desperately sought fresh air, but inhaled embers. Her head hit the post behind her and she descended into darkness. Into her memories. She threw her mother's journal across the room barely missing Samael. "You rotten bastard. How dare you? How dare you? What gives you the right to decide what I should know?" Bida's voice was growing hoarse from having yelled at Samael for the last hour. Her rage was growing burning bright in her eyes as her house became destroyed. She had thrown everything she could get her hands on at Samael and so far he had managed to avoid every single thing, which only enraged her even more. Bida hissed through grated teeth, "Hold still damn you." Samael shook his head, "Bida, you can't damn one who is eternally damned. What are you damning me for anyway?" "You know perfectly well what I am damning you for." eerie calmness had replaced the rage," Did you think I was stupid? Did you think you would just keep me as your plaything? Did last night mean nothing to you? " Her body shook as she thought about the way he had touched her, how he had held her. In her mind she was reliving every caress, every kiss. "You actually made me care about you" her voice quivered, she laughed bitterly," Or at least you made me care about the man you were pretending to be." She had finally made herself say it. Samael paled visibly at Bida's words, suddenly everything became clear for him. She had finally read her mother's journal and pieced together everything. Bida stared at his face as if she could read his thoughts. "That's right," her voice tight, low and venomous, "Fool me once and shame on you fool me twice shame on me. I should have known you weren't natural. You knew my name without me telling you, you took me dancing in some other realm, you made me forget whatever you wanted me to, I have gaps in my memories ever since you showed up here. You created the grain from my harvest, I bet you even burned down the inn just to get into my home, into my heart. I should have known, but fool I was besot with love for you or did you manipulate that too? What am I demon? Some offering for powers you gave my mother? Some sacrifice she made to your dark lord? Are you here to collect on her old debts?" "Bida, you have it all wrong. Listen to me please? Bida, I love you, please give me chance" Samael quietly begged her. She turned her back to him "Get out of my house and my life" was her only response. She heard him move and turned to see if he had really gone. Bida was staring at his chest. "I told you to get out!" she screamed hysterically as she pounded his chest with her small fists. Samael caught both wrists in one hand and looked down at her, chocolate eyes pleading with her. "Please Bida, if you feel for me a fraction of what I feel for you please listen" hoarsely he begged Bida, eyes shining with... were those tears? Bida was taken aback; she hadn't expected this demon to be able to cry. Slowly she made the sign of the cross in front of her causing Samael to laugh, a sad sound without any mirth in it. "So you haven't figured it all out have you? Your mother summoned me at your birth to watch over you and make sure you were safe because she had seen her own death in the stars the night you were born. You were neither payment for powers or an offering, she loved you more than life it self and wanted to be assured that you would not be harmed in this life. I am neither man nor demon. I am one of the bene Eholim, a Watcher, Grigori, and Son of God; there are many titles that Christianity has assigned to my kind. We were sent by God to watch over and guide humans from the dawn of time. We were made as neither human nor holiest angel; we were the tenth choir of heaven, until we fell from grace. We educated man in things that displeased God, writing, healing, geography, smithing, and we fell in love with humans and took wives for ourselves among the Daughters of Adam. God cast us out of heaven, though I know not why. He made us to be more like humans than angels, He told us to help the humans; He left us on Earth instead of having us in heaven beside him. He taught us to love and when we did He threw us out of His light." he was staring at Bida's face intently searching for some sign that she understood what he had said, for any inclination that she wished him to continue. Desperate to not leave her, to have her open her heart to him once more he continued, "Bida, I loved you for a long time and it tore at my heart to see how you were treated simply because of who your mother was and how different you are, how incredibly special you are. The villagers loved your mother until she couldn't give them what they wanted. They grew greedy, as humans tend to do and wished your mother to create bountiful harvests and decimate the neighboring villages harvests that they might sell their grain and line their pockets with gold. Faracy was a good woman with a good heart and she refused them. For years they waited to exact their revenge, harboring the hatred in their hearts till it consumed them and they killed your mother in the woods when you were but a child of 12 summers. They told your father wolves had done it and he was heart broken, slowly he wasted away despite your every effort. Do you remember any of this Bida? Look deep in your heart and you will see I do not lie. How could I ever lie to the one I would die for? " Confusion danced in emerald eyes slowly melting to terror. Scarlet lips quivered as heart-breaking words tumbled over them, " I tried to help him, I read everything mother had left, all of her books, I did everything they said to do. But. But it wasn't enough. I wasn't enough, I wasn't good enough. He died because I couldn't help him." Samael tentatively reached out and stroked her hair while trying to soothe her. "It wasn't your fault, you did everything you could but nothing would have helped him. Without your mother he didn't want to live, he couldn't see how much he was hurting you so consumed with grief he was. " Sobs shook Bida's tiny frame, tears streamed down smooth cheeks streaking the creamy perfection. Samael held her in his arms, petting her hair as she relived all the horror and anguish she had suppressed for so long. They sat there intertwined on the floor, Samael's hand stroking her soft hair. Slowly he rocked her, until she grew still. Sniffling Bida looked up at Samael, green eyes shining and flashing her tortured soul. "Why didn't you tell me? Why didn't you come to me sooner? Why did you make me fall in love with you? Why, damnit, why?" anguish undisguised flooded her voice. Samael kissed her forehead impulsively. Bida flew up and back in one fluid movement backing away and blinking at Samael, fear and anger intermingling in her eyes like a cornered rabbit's. Slowly approaching Bida like a scared wounded deer Samael made his way towards her. Softly he began to try to calm her with his voice, "Bida, I love you, it's all right, I wasn't going to hurt you, I had to kiss you, you looked so lost and alone, I just wanted to comfort you. I won't hurt you. Please, Bida, believe me" She blinked in disbelief as she listened to his rumbling velvety voice waver. 'Demons can't feel can they?' she thought full of doubt. Tiredly Samael rubbed his temple and closed his eyes, "I told you I am not a demon, would you please quit calling me that?" Bida's eyes doubled in surprise when he answered her question. Warily she sized him up, "What are you?" Wearily Samael's rich brown eyes met viridian ones, "Bida, my heart, I have already explained to you what I am, though none of it matters because I live only for you. I love you, Bida, and if my presence disturbs you I will fade from your sight. I will watch you from afar and keep you safe as I always have. But I will never leave you. I am bound to you by your mother, but even more strongly by love. Just tell me what you want me to do; I live but to love you. I want to make you happy." His voice tense and flooded with emotions laid bare in Bida's seashell ears. Her heart wrenched in her chest as she heard the raw emotion Samael's smooth voice was wrought with. Doubts started to swirl in her mind causing her to pause and wonder if Samael was sincere or a master thespian. Her doubts gnawed at her resolve to be rid of this demon. Shyly she glanced at Samael through veiled eyes and saw the pained expression on his handsome countance. She felt pangs of guilt for causing him such obvious pain and wondered anew if he really was a demon. "Please," Samael's voice cracked with anguish, " I can't take you calling me a demon anymore. No one matters to me but you. I care not what others think of me, but please don't call me a demon again." Bida's eyes flew up to meet Samael's shining ones. Tears filled his dark eyes shining like stars from the heavens; instinctively Bida reached out and caressed his cheek. Holding his cheek in her palm she felt the warmth of the man she loved, the roughness of the stubble scratched lightly against her soft skin. She closed her eyes and relished the contact with Samael. She could feel hot tears dropping on her hand leaving scalding trails that quickly chilled in the cool air. Slowly Bida opened her eyes and falteringly raised her gaze to Samael's gentle face. His sooty lashes rested on his cheek whilst a seemingly unstoppable flow of tears came from them, but his strong mouth curved into a bittersweet smile. Bida's heart was stricken with the thought that she had ever called this man a demon and her heart wrenched at the aspect of losing him. "Whether this will damn me or not in God's eyes and bar me forever from rejoining my beloved mother and father in His eternal garden of Heaven, I love you. I love you so that nothing matters to me and surely I would die if I lost you as surely as a flower wilts when hidden from the sun and water. I only ask of you one small thing." She paused her glowing emerald eyes searching his face for any glimmer of his willingness to appease her one wish. Faintly she felt a light scratching against her palm as Samael softly nodded his head. So softly that it came as nothing more than a whisper she heard his voice give his assent. "Please, show me your true self? Show me what God made you to look like." Slowly Samael stepped back and glanced at Bida tentatively as if afraid she would disappear before his very eyes. His eyes drifted shut as his chest rose with a deep breath. Samael lowered his head so that his long hair hid his face and he drew himself up to his full height. Carefully he crossed his arms across his now massive chest and Bida gasped as she saw wings sprout from his back and unfurl to their full glory. Samael raised his head but refused to open his eyes for fear of what he might see in Bida's. Sharply Bida breathed in before stepping forward to gently finger one black gilded feather. "You are beautiful," she finally breathed. Samael blinked in disbelief as Bida touched his feathers again before shivering in delight as she traced his wing's base with a finger. Bida marveled at the softness of his feathers while fingering the edge of one. She stepped back and let her eyes drink in this vision of masculine beauty in front of her. Samael closed his eyes again and saw himself through her eyes. He stood a full 7 feet tall, long and lean but muscular. His wings were folded behind his back but nevertheless brushed the ceiling. His feathers were gleaming ebony shining with the same gleam as his unbound hair that fell in long waves to his waist. The edges finely defined as if gilded with pure gold. They are imposing, those wings of his, but also intriguing and strangely they excite her. His head was lowered and hi face obscured by the inky flow of his hair. As Samael opened his eyes, he felt Bida tentatively cup his face in her palm. He stared back in to the emerald depths of her eyes and saw her love and acceptance shining like a beacon of light offering him the hope that things would be fine. Samael gathered Bida's petite frame in his arms and pulled her to his chest before crushing her mouth with his. Bida gasped and shivered as Samael ruthlessly plunder her mouth with his tongue, probing every recess. Samael savored her ambrosial taste and the slight weight against his chest as he held her. Bida tangled her fingers in his jet hair and pulled his mouth harder against hers. Samael shifted her so that he was holding her against the length of him, kissing her roughly before lightly depositing her on her feet in front of him. Bida's head was swimming as her breath came in ragged gasps. Jade eyes flashing passion hungrily devoured every inch of Samael's bronze skin whilst fine finger hands flew over every ripple and ridge of his sinewy muscles, Samael's burnt umber eyes narrowed in pleasure as he relished every second of her touch. Bida circled Samael like a wolf circling its prey. Samael look very much like a satiated pussycat as Bida explored his shoulders and back, gently she traced the base of his inky wings where they joined his muscular back. As her finger deftly stroked the strong corded muscles she marveled at the shining soft feathers that made up his wings. Bida dropped quick light kisses between his wings, making him shiver uncontrollably. She fingered one of his stiff feathers and bit the nape of his neck hard claiming him as her own. Samael growled, whirled around, pulled flame red hair to the side revealing perfect porcelain skin. He wound her hair around his hand in a thick coil and tugged her head forward before biting her soft skin marring the smooth whiteness with an angry red welt. Through gritted teeth he growled in her ear, " Now we belong to each other, just as you claimed me for yourself, I have claimed you as mine." Shivers rolled down Bida's spine, as she felt the rasp of his breath in her ear. "Now it hardly seems far that you retain all of your clothes whilst I am laid vulnerable unclothed before your hungry eyes." he whispered to her as he spun her around so she was facing him. In one swift movement he grabbed the front of her dress in either hand and tore it off her milky skin. Slowly Samael's eyes drank in every curve and detail of Bida. She could feel his eyes traveling over her body as if they were his hands and she was amazed at her body's ever growing response to him. Brazenly she stared him in the eye before slowly pivoting on the ball of her tiny foot and turning around so he could see her ever asset. Bida sensed Samael reaching for her and nimbly escaped his touch. Verdant eyes sparkling with laughter Bida wagged a finger slowly at Samael. "Who said you could touch? " she asked teasingly. Suddenly Samael closed the distance between them, capturing Bida's hands in the process and holding them above her head; he growled to her "Impudent wench! You are mine and I will touch you whenever I damn well want to." Savagely he caught her mouth in a bruising kiss, nipping at her lips and her darting tongue, griping her wrists in one hand he grabbed her shimmering hair in the other and pulled it, tilting her head back to plunder her mouth. Bida felt as if she were on fire, desire filled her tiny frame from top to bottom. Finally Samael broke the kiss to whisper hoarsely, " And don't you ever forget it." Samael bit her lush bottom lip, suckling on it like a kitten might it's mother. "Keep you hands above your head, Bida. " Samael commanded as he released her lip. His mouth trailed nips and kisses down her neck. Bida's breath was coming in shaky moans and whimpers as Samael's mouth worked it's magic on her tender flesh and her eyes closed as he started to kiss and suck on her earlobe. Shivering with pleasure as he kissed her neck she barely felt his strong hands skimming lightly over her body.