On a hot summers night

Author: Az

Email: az.ombie[at]gmail.com

Homepage: http://www.forgottenjuliet.net

AN: I had such fun with this chapter. *smiles* Hell is a fun place to stay, I hope we have just as much fun in heaven.

WIP: 9/?

Betaed by;

Rating:

Disclaimer: Bernhard & Nurreal are Cali’s creations. The rest is mine!

Summary: Seth’s life take an unexpected turn, and so does Nurreal’s. And just what is Tristan up to?

Warnings:

Pairings:



Chapter 9 – The whispering chamber.



Seth walked them to the great doors of the whispering chamber. Suddenly he turned to embrace Godiva “Have courage in the love you feel for the young lord Nurreal, and pray it is returned” Godiva was baffled, and all he could say was ‘..eeeerrrr’



The doors opened and Seth drew a last long shuddering breath before he stepped inside the room. “My lord” he said, instantly kneeling, keeping his gaze on his hands on the floor “I bring Godiva, son of the fallen Thanatairan”



“At least the elf did as he was told” a soft voice said, Godiva stepped into the room, and for the first time laid eyes on Bernhard, he was indeed a creature designed to strike fear in all hearts, and his sickening blue hue of his skin and hair looked completely out of place in this room that looked most like a interrogation chamber.



“Kneel” Seth whispered with urgency. And Godiva did, he had never kneeled before someone before, it felt all strange, like something out of a movie.



“So you are Godiva” Bernhard said, smiling as Seth flinched when the giant doors were closed behind them, “I have heard of you, but of course I also know your family well, interesting bunch” Bernhard stopped few meters from the two kneeling figures “rise, both of you”



Seth rose shakily to his feet, pulling Godiva with him.



“You have some guts boy,” Bernhard said with a little smile “come charging here into my tower, my home. Demanding to see my son, I like that in a young man, initiative and guts” Godiva couldn\'t help but to frantically think of the times he had been scolded in school, where a compliment really isn’t a compliment. “But you Seth,” Bernhard suddenly roared “you disappoint me” Seth forced himself to be still, and clasped his trembling hands on his back, trying his hardest not to show his fear. “Did you really think you could hide something from me? ME?! That kind of obstacle behaviour I will not tolerate” Bernhard stepped up, so he was face to face with Seth “I have ears and eyes everywhere, Sethekiel. You should know that, what did you tell that boy? What lies did you comfort him with?” Bernhard smiled as Seth swallowed hard “speak!”



“I... I... told him I would ta...take him to Lord Nurreal, my lord” Seth croaked



“Really?” Bernhard said softly. He was about to say something more when a smaller door in the side opened and Nurreal along with Vishnu stepped into the room as well.



“My lord” Vishnu exclaimed and kneeled.



“Father” Nurreal said, looking over at where Bernhard stood, then annoyance blended into surprise on his face “Godiva?” he stepped over Vishnu that still kneeled, and stood beside his father “what...” more he didn’t have the chance to say before the back of Bernhard’s hand made impact with his face.



“You, you.. When will you ever learn to listen Nurreal?” Bernhard roared



Nurreal stepped backwards, and almost fell over Vishnu on the floor “my lord” he whispered with badly hidden anger, as he too kneeled in front of Bernhard.



“Now then” Bernhard said “first, Vishnu. I do not like that my commanders keep secrets like that, and even less that they share it with lesser beings” Bernhard took Seth’s arm and held it out, and a fine tattooed line over the wrist showed. “I think I shall take your pet” hearing the whimper from Seth, and seeing Vishnu pale Godiva struggled to stand still. “Now, now dear Vishnu, it is only until you can show me your undying loyalty and love once more. Prove yourself, and I shall give you back your little pet” Bernhard turned his head and looked at Seth “are you afraid Cherub Sethekiel?” he whispered



“Yes my lord” Seth whispered back, and Godiva could see tears form in the corners of the angel’s eyes.



Bernhard apparently found this amusing “you shall be assigned a room on the calamites floor, and Seth, when you return tonight, you better up your performance”



“Yes my lord” Seth whispered, closing his eyes willing his tears not to fall, he couldn\'t even look at Vishnu; they both knew they had taken a risk hiding Godiva.



“Off you go” Bernhard said waving Seth off with an move of his hand, Seth bowed and slowly walked to the doors that was opened for him, behind him he heard Bernhard say “take Seth here to Calamite Renii’s room, she wont need it no more” and as a warm but forceful hand grasped his wrist, Seth turned for a second, daring a look at Vishnu, before he was guided out on the corridor. Maybe death would have been more lenient than this, Seth thought to himself.



“You Vishnu, you were in the middle of a meeting, please be my guest and return to that,” Bernhard said with his back to the vampire. Vishnu bowed and mumbled, “Yes my lord” and left the room. They too had failed, keeping Tristan’s son safe.



Now Bernhard smiled at Godiva “what to do with you, I cant kill you, since some of your blood is celestial, you know what. Since I just got myself a fine specimen calamite today, al because of you, I do think I shall grant you your wish, and speak with my son, and then. Then I shall have you escorted to heavens borders, and those feathery jerks figure out what to do with you”



“Th...Thank you” Godiva blinked confused, not able to take in what happened here “my lord” he added.



“Such a good boy” Bernhard said and patted Godiva on the head. Turning to Nurreal he said “the escort will be ready for him at nightfall, you have until there, if you tire of him. Have him sent to me. Otherwise be sure he meets up with the soldiers at the gates of the tower at dusk”



“Yes father” Nurreal said



“And Nurreal, you and I are not finished talking about this” Bernhard said “come back here tomorrow noon” and with that Bernhard turned in a swirl of blue and swiftly left the room, leaving Godiva and Nurreal alone.



“By the pits Godiva!” Nurreal said, walking towards the cat hybrid “why did you do this?” Nurreal stopped in front of Godiva, who had begun to shake all over his body.



“I wanted to see you,” he whispered barely audible,



Nurreal suddenly wrapped his arms around the shaking youngster “that is the sweetest anyone ever did for me” he whispered, kissing Godiva’s cheek softly. “You risked your life for this? “



“Apparently” Godiva answered dryly “I must admit that I didn’t know that when I got the idea” he blushed a little at his own stupidity. “What of Seth and Vishnu, what will happen?”



“I don’t know” Nurreal said



“Do you think I can see them before I am sent away?” He asked



“Absolutely not” Nurreal said. But upon seeing Godiva’s large turquoise eyes well with tears Nurreal softened his tone “it is too dangerous, not even I am immune to my fathers wrath. Come, we can go to my private chambers, this place is depressing” Nurreal said, taking Godiva’s hand, entwining their fingers.



“The whispering chambers, what kind of room is that anyways?” Godiva asked as they left out through the smaller door in the side.



“My fathers torture chamber, amongst other things.” Nurreal said.



“I don’t get it, you father is he... Satan?” Godiva asked, receiving a hand clasped over his mouth and a stern hush.



“No” Nurreal whispered, “he will kill you for speaking the kings name, but Lucifer lay dormant, he will return, and when he does, my father goes back to being Baron of Teeheste” seeing Godiva’s puzzled expression Nurreal sighed “Teeheste is where I grew up, it is a province here in the cities, but even if I love my father, he is a power hungering creature, he will never be satisfied with being but a baron” Suddenly Nurreal stopped “here” he said, opening a door, and Godiva was amazed, the sheer size of Nurreal’s apartment was amazing, but it was decorated in colourful designs, and reminded Godiva most of all of something along with Aladdin’s cave. “Get out, all of you!” he commanded as they stepped inside, at first Godiva didn’t see anything, but then three slender elf looking creatures hurried past them and out the door. “Sorry about that” he said with an apologizing boyish grin.



“These were your... your..”



“Calamites, yes” Nurreal blushed. “So Godiva, are you hungry, thirsty? Anything?” the purple winged creature seemed so excited that Godiva didn’t have the heart to tell him he was actually nauseous.



“Well, all I had was a cup of coffee that Seth made me” he said.



“Ah, are you hungry then?” Nurreal said



“No, another cup of coffee would be fine” Godiva said, smiling. At first his smile had been forced, but as he saw Nurreal’s excitement he couldn\'t help it but to laugh.



They seated themselves in some large cushions, and Nurreal poured them coffee. “Godiva, I have a confession to make” Nurreal said, and blushed slightly “honestly, I have been thinking of you, I didn’t understand why, I am by nature incubi, I should not care whom I engaged any sexual act with, but feed of their life energy through lust. But you, you invaded my dreams, what kind of devilry is that?” Nurreal looked at Godiva and looked honest and confused.



“No devilry” Godiva whispered, “if it makes you feel better, I have not been able to do much other than to think of you, until I knew I had to come here to see you, see if you really.. “ Godiva blushed ferociously “wanted me” Nurreal’s sat agape, When the incubi didn’t answer, Godiva sighed, “I shouldn’t have come here, I messed up didn’t I?”



Nurreal seemed to be utterly confused, but suddenly moved over the cousins on all four like a giant cat, “you must be a witch,” he whispered. Taking Godiva’s hand and placing it over his heart, Godiva felt the incubi’s heart race, and smiled. “I don’t understand any of this” Nurreal said, “beauty and obsession I understand fine, but this...”



Godiva could have laughed if it were not for the almost terrified look in Nurreal’s eyes. He really didn’t understand this.

______________________________



Tristan could have sworn they had climbed these stairs for days, and now they were resting, the fallen sat with his back against the wall, “Harm” he whispered. “Adrian, is he still in..”



“He resides West of Eden” Harm said, turning his head and looked at his brother, “I know you didn’t ask me to, but I have kept an eye on him”



“Thanks” Tristan said.



“He is well known, even here” Harm said softly, he didn’t want to tell Tristan the truth; no good would come from it.



“Does he have a family of his own?” Tristan asked.



“No, he lives alone” Harm said “I visited him for about a decade ago, at least there he was still unwed” knowing Tristan’s next question he added “his mother still lives, she was allowed to remarry after you.. Uhm.. left, all was forgiven her of the celestial counsel, since this marriage of yours was fathers will, not hers, or yours”



“So she has another husband?” Tristan asked, smiling a little tired “I hope he is more a husband than I were”



“She married Ænideniel” Harm said, “He is a fine angel and a close friend of fathers”



“Ænideniel” Tristan spat “I guess that makes sense, that she should marry him, that damn harpy!”



“Tris, you weren’t there anymore, what should she do? She had a child to take care of” Harm argued, his voice had taken on a slightly scolding tone.



“s’pose not” Tristan mumbled. The fallen angel’s mouth was a thin line, remembering Ænideniel all too well, remembering his voice reciting his crimes, it seemed odd that he remembered at all, since he was trapped in the divine wheel. But then again, for the old friendship with his father, Ænideniel had also been the one to make the flea bargain happen. So he really shouldn’t be too upset with the cherub, after all he did save the rest of his family.



“Tris?” Harm whispered, “we should move”



“Yes” Tristan groaned and stood up with a winch, his feet hurt, his back hurt and most of all he had the mother of all headaches.

________________________________



Harm took his brothers hand and squeezed it “we are here”



Tristan looked up, and he saw what to him reminded him of old books, a picture of the gigantic harem of the city of Babylon. “Holy crap!” he gasped, “this is Bernhard’s?”



“Amongst others, yes. A section of this belongs to him” Harm chuckled “heaven in hell I suppose”



“Look, Harm” Tristan whispered, poking his brother in his side “that is Seth”



“You are right” Harm whispered, “what on earth is he doing here? I thought he belonged to Vishnu” he looked at Tristan who looked just as clueless as he.



Tristan took a deep breath and squeezed Harms hand before he let go, and walked directly towards Seth who was seated in a large red sofa, looking lost and out of place. “Seth?” Tristan said softly.



Seth looked up, but not before he saw the troubled turquoise eyes did he recognize Tristan. “Tris? Is it really you?”



“Yea” Tristan said with a crooked grin “look at you Seth, you grew to become quite the handsome cherub” Tristan smiled.



“Seth” Harm said, smiling down at him, seeing that the young cherub didn’t recognize him, “I am Harm, Tristan’s elder brother, remember me cousin?”



Seth smiled back “I didn’t recognize you Harm” he looked from the silver being to the ivory one, “I don’t know where Godiva is” he hung his head in shame “we all failed, Ol, Vishnu and I” taking a shuddering breath he continued “we really tried”



“Where are they, Ol and Vishnu?” Tristan asked.



“Ol is at his room, I can take you there, but Vishnu… I honestly don’t even know if he is alive” Seth said, feeling tears well up in his eyes, “I was sent off before Lord Bernhard dealt with him”



“What?” Harm gasped, “And Godiva was he there too?”



“The very reason we were all there, forgive me, but I don’t know if they even survived, sweet little Godiva and my beloved Vishnu, no one can tell me anything yet” Seth’s tears began to fall, smearing the dark make up someone had used great caution to apply.



“Don’t cry, cousin” Tristan said “come let us go to the elf, and you can tell me what happened” Seth nodded and wiped his tears, standing up leading the way through the narrow richly painted corridors, Harm and Tristan looked at each other, none of them knew what to make of all this.



Seth opened a door slowly, peeking inside “Ol? I have a guest for you” Tristan could hear the elf groan, and when the door opened up wide he saw Ol.



Tristan felt a deep scourge of bad conscience; he was the one who had condemned Ol to this existence in order to save Harm. It had taken years before they had executed the verdict, but they had. “Kitten” Tristan said smiling a little nervous smile.



Ol’s lip was still too swollen to smile, but instead he just flung himself around the silver cherubs neck “Tris” he whispered “my God it is really you”.



Harm felt a little unwelcome and stepped back, Seth’s hand stopped him as he grabbed a hold of his black tunic, “stay” Seth said and Harm nodded.





Later Ol and Seth had told the story of what they knew had happened to Godiva; Tristan rubbed his temples and hissed in frustration. “So the last time anyone saw my son was in a room together with Nurreal and Bernhard?” taking a deep breath he yelled Seth into his face “well that is just fucking great, look at me here Seth, I am wearing a huge fucking happy hat, aren’t I?” Tristan stood up and slammed his fist into the wall, a set of strong arms wrapped themselves around him, he had expected to hear Ol’s voice, but it was Harm.



“Shhh Tris, we will find him, I am sure Bernhard is not so stupid as to kill a creature of the divine” the angel of death whispered. Tristan whimpered. “Have faith brother” Harm whispered “He made it didn’t he? He set out to achieve the impossible, he wanted to see Nurreal, and he succeeded”



“That he did” Tristan said, turning in Harm’s embrace “is he fucking insane? What the fuck was he thinking? To march into the holiest of hell and claim its crown prince?”



“Something like that, yea” Harm said, frowning.



“There is no beating about the bush then, I should go speak with Bernhard in the morning” Tristan said, “at least I can try and barter on the behalf of my son”



Seth looked at him with large confused amber eyes “you have nothing to bargain with Tris” he said



“I do” the silver haired angel sighed.



“Don’t you fucking dare” Harm fumed “I refuse to let you go alone”



Tristan looked at Harm, at first with defiance in his eyes, but as he saw the determined face on his brother, he knew that Harm would follow him, kicking and screaming wouldn\'t help at all. “allright” Tristan said and smiled “you get it your way”



Seth stood up, “the sun is setting, and I should leave”



Ol looked at Seth and caressed the angel’s cheek “I am sure he will be lenient, but first, let me fix you up, at least he wont be upset that you have been crying”



“If you wish I shall see if I can find news of Vishnu” Harm said



“Thank you cousin” Seth said smiling sadly “that would mean a lot to me, my heart still don’t know if it should rejoice or weep”



“That is the least I can do, you deserve only happiness Seth” Harm hugged his cousin briefly “I hope I return with good news”



As Harm left, Tristan looked up at the elf and his cousin, “you look fatigued” Ol said, “lay down and sleep Tristan, I will wake you if any news should come.”



Tristan nodded and yawned, curling up on the top of the covers, he could hear Ol and Seth speak in the corner of the room in hushed voices, this pillow really smelled of the elf, Tristan smiled, he remembered this smell. Images of the slender elf trembling in ecstasy came to his mind, and a little sneaky smile came to his lips, they had indeed had fun once.



As Ol had finished Seth, and sent the terrified cherub on his way, he turned to look at the silver haired angel sleeping in his bed. Once he would have crawled on top of him, and kissed that tender spot at the base of his neck that made him purr, but Tristan no longer belonged to him, and sometimes the elf wondered if he ever had. It was strange seeing him without his tattoos; he looked different, more vulnerable somehow. Tristan rolled around in his sleep, and laid on his back smiling a little mysterious sensuous smile. Ol just stood and watched him, the Anima Sola, This damned brand was the embodiment mocking Ol with its very existence, the elf had never seen it before, but he had seen Seth’s. It looked different on Tristan though. Ol sighed this was the reason why he had never truly belonged to him; Tristan’s soul belonged to someone else, the lone soul in purgatory indeed. The tall elf stretched and yawned, he was worn to the bone, and he needed his healing sleep. Carefully he laid down in the far end of the bed and closed his eyes, with his eyes closed he could almost fool himself, hearing Tristan’s breathing, he could imagine the cherubs arms wrapping themselves around him, and a soft voice purr in his ear, words in a forgotten language that only Tristan would know what meant, but they sounded like a prayer.



-tbc-