Chapter 5

In every rose garden there are thorns.

The palisade looked like a colorful jewel in a sea of sparkling sand. The most dominant characteristics of the Moroccan Palace was the large, intimidating archways and beautiful blue and gold domes. I later learned we had enchanting courtyards, sprawling gardens. The use of ornaments to decorate the exterior of the building made me crane my neck to marvel at it’s beauty. The geometric patterns in the design of the palace in Marrakech was awe inspiring. I found the Moroccans usage Islamic calligraphy as decoration as instead of pictures quite interesting. But as we progressed deeper into the palace it became more and more modern. This was the first room the renovators had completed. This oversized bedroom nearly expanding the entire width of the east side of the palace.

Rachida had planned her hideaway the first day she heard they were being thrown out. So she heard the ’movers’ were coming the next day so she left as if gone and stole away back inside through the back way; through the gardens and hid. Earlier the household chief of staff stiffed her, the woman handed her a check card for five million and told her to get out. But she explained she was due two million more and she was determined to get her money. So what he was bringing his wife here? Perhaps he would like to explain to his wife why he owes her two million dollars. Surviving off of old, stale couscous for the past two weeks she had had worse, much worse. At least it was cool and comfortable here on this carpet. She didn’t risk sleeping in the bed for he might pops in the middle of the night. With him you can never be too careful. Fade at first, she heard cheerful clamoring, a woman’s voice headed her way. They were here. She had rehearsed this for two damn weeks. She was cramped, sore and pissed off. She needed her money. She didn’t have time for his connerie.

Shortly before Ana reached the closet the exotic beauty steps out wearing a flowing gold and silver Moroccan dress. Ashton hid his surprise very well asking, “Madame, couldn’t you be down stairs helping with the house arrangements for your mistress?” This infuriated Rachida further. She cussed him in Moroccan. He twisted his fist behind Ana’s back to silence her. The choke felt like a throat filled of sand. She began gagging and going to her knees. Ana ran to assist her off the floor but her dislike refuse to allow her to let Ana aid her, she pushed her aside as she grasped and clawed her throat for air. His icy glare told her he intended to kill. She had seen him kill this way before.

“Miss, let me help you.” Ana plead instructing Ashton to go get a glass of water from the stand across the room as she patted the woman’s back. He squeezed harder. Rachida eyes rolled back in her head.

“Honey, hurry up. I don’t know why she’s choking harder,” Ana cried, urging him to bring the water faster. He reluctantly handed her the glass, she encouraged the woman to drink. She continued to softly rub and slapped the woman on the back and she choked up damp sand, it slop into her lap and the Arabian seatee. Ana kept on slapping the wheezing woman’s back, her holiness was canceling his deed and he knew it. While he made a half-assed attempt in calling the in-house doctor. From near the phone he glacially eyed Rachida as he projected into her mind. “If you tell her, she’ll leave and there will be nothing standing between you and death.”

Rachida cautiously side-eyed him over Ana’s head wondering how can someone be so loving one day so and cruel the next? She knew he was a murderous bastard but never thought he would turn on her so violently. All the evenings they had such romantic walks and dinners in the garden, all the galas they had attended, all the lavish jewelry he had given her apparently meant nothing at all to him. Now it was her turn to feel sorry for Ana. She knew this nice woman didn’t know who he is nor the his capabilities for cruelty. While Ana was still bent consoling the convulsing woman the chief of household teleports into the closet and quickly cleans Rachida’s mess. She knows she’ll be the next one face his wrath. But no one knew she was still here. She peacefully drove her hovercraft away promising never to return.

“Who are you and why were you hiding?” Ana softly asked. Regaining her compose and reminding herself this was the woman who changed her life. She can’t go back home and will have to down grade her living standards ten folds. Rachida despised the pity. This was once her home. It had been her home for the past seven years. Rabat helped Rachida off the stiff seatee and escorted her to the infirmary all the while cussing her in a hushed tone. Ashton had gone to the liquor cart to wait for Ana’s questions. This was turning out to be a helluva honeymoon. His former life is biting him in the ass at every turn. He isn’t sure about killing humans is the reason any are still alive. But shall any cause Ana to walk he will then have no more reason not to kill them. What in the hell did they want from him? He handsomely paid all of them for their years of service so why can’t they just go away and spend the money and leave him alone?

“Ashton..who was she? I’m no fool. She’s not an employee,” Ana asked standing directly behind him with her arms crossed as she impatiently tapped her foot.

“I don’t know what she said but the angry gesture told me she knows you personally.”

Ashton mellifluous turns around having distinguished the fire in his eyes, “Honey, a disgruntled employee I fired a few weeks ago.” He semi-lied omitting the type of employment. “She has a very eccentric personality and I was making over my personnel. Don’t worry about her she’ll find new employment.”

His answer didn’t explain the dirt. She had heard of magic and sorcery causing that affect. “Honey, if that was the full expense of your involvement why did you try to kill her?”

“Honey, there’s magic everywhere. I can’t believe you think I did that to her. Why would I do such a thing?” His voice was edgy and yet soft.

I knew he was lying. “I don’t know---why don’t you tell me?”

Doing petulance battle with my ego has always been a preoccupation. It’s the classic battle revealed in all myths, tales of war and strife. It’s a battle that has extended even to the angels. For this marriage to survive my ego, my dragon must be slain, the evil of the despot of it must be toppled. I’m aware it grows stronger when I’m under attack or anger. What I need to do is turn aside gently, knowing that egotistical and egoistic ways are not the means to stop her from asking questions I do not wish to answer. Her foot tapping is self-evident. And right now my young marriage depends on convincing her that woman meant nothing to me.

He looks deeply and sincerely in her dark amber eyes, she looks up searching his face for lies. God! He hates lying to her. While his back to Ana was turned he telepathically informed Rabat to make Rachida says she was his personal assistant not his lover and had been fired over two weeks ago. When Ana stormed out the room to find Rachida he instructed a staff member to walk with her for this place was so huge she would get lost.

I pushed the tall ornamented double doors open. This was my house so I can push open any door I felt like pushing open. The door swing soundlessly open like I had said a magic word. Why were they redoing the seemingly entire place? “I know you’re his lover. I know you waited for him in hope I’d be so distorted upon learning this I’d run out in all that hot sand sobbing. But guess what? I’m not. I wasn’t married to him then. He was free to do whatever he liked. But now I’m. But if I ever catch you near him again. I’ll make you very sorry. Now get the hell out of my house before I lose my temper,” I said as the tall Moroccan beauty smirked, happy I figured it out. But the smirk soon turned to fear I couldn’t tell what those behind me was doing but from her facial expression they were threatening her. I turned quickly and yelled at them to stop that. I left it to security to escort her out and told the woman who led me to this older part of the palace. When I arrived back in our section I flew into him in a rage I didn’t know was there. All the anger I felt about Thad cheating rose in my bosom. Hitting him with my fists was having no effect. It was like history was repeating itself. I was sorry the moment I slapped him. I saw the surprise and pain in his eyes.

“Baby, I’m sorry,” I said quietly. He walked around me and strides across the room and out the door. That was our first fight and it was over a woman. I wondered how many more were there. I had seen how women drool over him. It was hard to miss. By dinner he was still missing. I took it in the garden. The only Moroccan dish I was familiar with is couscous, the old national delicacy. Beef is the most commonly eaten red meat here which was served in a tagine with a wide selection of vegetables. Chicken is also very commonly used in tagines, or roasted. My mind was on whether or not Ashton had gone to Rachida Khlifi when a male voice asked may he join me? I looked up into the kind brown eyes of a man about late forties to early fifties but it was hard to tell nowadays for people lived much longer than five hundred years ago. His black hair was sprinkle with gray strands and so was his beard.

“What’s your name?”

“Aganju,” he replied. “You don’t remember me from your wedding?”

I shook my head. I remember some people but there was about five hundred or more people in that massive ballroom. The dark ombre orange attires he was wearing fitted in well with the surrounding. Many of the flowers were the same color. “

Where’s your handsome groom? Don’t tell me there’s trouble in paradise so soon after heartfelt vows?” He curiously asked in a tone slightly laced with sarcasm. I knew then he was an immortal. I thought he was too handsome to be human. All immortals don’t have jeweled eyes like Ashton. Many look just like us. I then noticed the huge gold bands on his arms and the brown gemstone amulet around his neck.

“In the house. He could be out here in a moment or two.” I lied. The man slowly smiled a handsome smile revealing to me he already knew where Ashton was; it was I who didn’t. He reached over and placed his well formed hand on top of mine’s I snatched it back.

“Are all these sons of God horny toads?” I thinks to myself. "Well, according to the ancient texts__they are."

“It’s not wise to leave much a beautiful woman alone.” He said smooth, very smooth as he slid his chair closer to me placing his arm on the back of the scroll wrought iron chair. I rolled my eyes in a full arch. When my eyes were refocused Aganju was on the patio floor and Ashton standing over him dripping wet. His fists started pounding him as if he intend to make him a part of the mosaic patterned design. Aganju quickly disappeared in the midst of the pounding.

“Where have you been? You smell like kelp?” I watched the staff dried his hair with soft plush towels as if this normal. I batted them away and told him to dry himself off.

“Baby, those are your employees, they aren’t interested in me,” he said taking the towels and drying himself. The dry heat outside seems to be doing the rest.

“Yeah, that’s the same lie you and Rachida Khlifi just tried to purport.” I stabbed a piece of chicken at the mention of the woman’s name. “You’re so exquisitely beauteous when you’re angry.”

“Ashton Cargill or whatever your name is. Don’t fuck with me right now,” I said narrowing and rolling my eyes side ways at him.

“Well, when would you like me to fuck with you,” he laughed. I quickly threw the plate at his laughing face but missed. He ducked and the couscous laden fine china landed in the rosebush.

“If you must know...I went to kick some sea-ass.” He coaxed me into his lap and began singing an ancient love ballad to calm me down. I had to accept my man was a great Ballard. I mentally recited the definition of a Ballard-- a very handsome man; yes, he’s very handsome; I giggled softly at that attribution. Has a great love for the finer things of life. Very romantic, likes to drink and is down to party. Very loyal to his female counterpart and is very patriotic; Well, I don’t know about the patriotic part, he doesn’t seem loyal to any nation. A man who will protect his loved ones by any means necessary. After analyzing him I wondered why was I surprised so many women found him attractive. I, too found him very sexy and attractive but I’m not waiting in a closet for him.

“You aren’t singing your way out of the doghouse,” I said snuggling closer to him.

“I know,” he replied and continued to sing.

************************

Oliviel was once one of the princes among the Archangels. Now as a prince of hell he tempts men with cruelty and mercilessness toward the poor and defenseless. He wondered how could he tempt Azazael’s mind back into cruelty. Azazael was never an angel but a direct son of God, just as himself. Created from God’s own Breath as humans were. All direct children are a personal part of Him unless the created beings. That’s one of the reasons he hates them so. Most did nothing while in heaven but walked around as if they owned it. Oliviel remembers how proud the young Azazael was when he finally grew his wings and became old enough to enter Michael’s School of combat. He remembers how Father used to come watch him train and fight. How Michael used to praise his skills. How Azazael used to show off when he knew Father was watching. But with his fall he lost much of his powers just as Azazael did. But he sense Azazael regaining a lot of his power through that saint he married. Why else would he marry a mortal who will soon be dust as the sand he stands upon. Father would’ve never allowed him to wed one of His Handmaids, so what’s damn special about that streak headed motherfucker?

From the Terrene realm he watched the family of three boards the sleek black and silver hoverjet and shoot into the air like a star. As he watched the jet disappear into the clouds his anger simmers and boils over. Oh, he’ll find a way to get to him and bring him low. The arrogant little bastard. Heaven allowing his marriage to a mortal is proof Father still loves him. This is proof that it’s true, he’s Father’s Esau, as Esau was to Issac. Twenty five hundred years ago Father readily accepted Azazael redemption rather than send him back to hell. Of course he rejected the offered. With his decline Michael took away more of his powers and locked the door. But the deal was unfair, it meant bowing down to Father again. He likes ruling his own realm without having to worry about all the overtures and principles of things. Oliviel kicked up a mighty dust storm and sent it into the air over the palace to force Azazael to come back and defend his property. The storm darken the sky and rained pale sand and dust over the city but he had no idea the palace was equipped with a glass shield to protect it from such storms until he saw it rise over all Azazael’s property.

“What the hell are you doing?” Aganju asked angrily. This was his territory and he didn’t appreciate Olivieil being here messing things up.

“What does it look like I’m doing?” The former heavenly prince quipped not bothering to stop. Aganju brutally tackled him. Having never been hell confined he was now Oliviel’s equal. He wrestled his former angelic brother to the ground. The brothers tussle created a mega dust storm blackening out the sun, causing the temperature to plunge to above freezing.

“These are my people. I’ll not have you hurting them just because you’re pissed at Azazael.”

“Why could you care? Didn’t Azazael just beat you and one of your servant named Rachida Khlifi?” Oliviel grunted trying to break Aganju’s hold on his arms.

“Yes, but why could the others suffer because Rachida disobeyed me. I told her to get out of that palace before he returned.” Oliviel stopped twisting and observed Aganju’s black eye against the smooth dark bronze skin he had clothed himself in.

His laughter echoed through desert like a giant hyena. “He raked you over like hot coals,” Oliviel laughed. “Aren’t you angry? Bro. Aganju... leave these Adamites to fend for themselves—besides it’s the angels’ jobs to look after them not yours and come join our revenge pact before Azazael become too powerful again.” The two brothers looked around at the faces of all the angry angels glowering at them for making their subjects sick, awaiting a signal from up above to attack these two. Others were above in the sky using their wings to sweep away the airborne dust allowing the blistering sun back in.

“See, there’re your subjects’ angels, all huffed, puffed and ready to fight. Regardless of how benevolence you’re to them Father will never give them to you.” Aganju’s feelings was injured. He felt Azazael reacted too hastily for he and Azazael had always gotten along well. He even attended their wedding. Azazael cared nothing for his’ nor his subject’s feelings. So yes, he would join the pact to teach Azazael how to treat others. Oliviel smiled a divinely beautiful smile for he got what he came for. One of Azazael’s few immortal friends. He wrapped his arm around his younger brother shoulder taking him back to his city in hell. *************************

One bulb of the Chantilly chandelier flickered on a small circular lighting fixture in the center of a luxurious furnished room. On the opposite sides of the table in the luxury hotel room sat a black haired gypsy woman and a platinum blonde-haired, forty-seven-year-old woman. With the dark red fingertips of her right hand, the gypsy traced the life lines of Dawn’s right palm. "What do you see?" Dawn asked.

"I see that you with an unusual child. A little boy," the dark haired said. She retraced the same line to be sure of what she sees. "But you’ll have no more children. I see you suffers from unrequited love."

Dawn smiled slightly with relief. She was proud of her unborn son and definitely didn’t want anymore; one child was certainly enough. She loved the boy, but she doubted she would ever feel maternal enough to be a good mother. Both Dawn and unborn son were fortunate; Dawn’s older sister Dusk was very maternal, and was overjoyed when Dawn agreed to placed the baby in her care with a deposit of ten million. Dawn was confident that Dusk would educate and raise this child as her own.

Growing impatient Dawn asked, "What else do you see?"

"I see many things," the fortune teller replied. "You’re separated, recently from the man you loves. But he never loved you as you loved him. I see deeper into your past I see an ex-boyfriend who dearly loved you, and would’ve done anything for you, but he was unable to provide the material things you desire. You left him for the man who didn’t love you. I see you sometimes missed the intensity of your ex-boyfriend’s devotion. But yours is a wandering heart, and you still haven’t found who you are looking for. You want in the man you’ve spend many years with but he wants another. He has married another."

"That’s pretty much accurate," Dawn agreed. "You’ve touched the hand of great wealth, he is a man of great celebrity. He... is now in the arms of another woman, but you feel he’ll somehow lead you to the man you are destined to love."

Dawn couldn’t stifle the chill that came over her. One of her friends had told her about the uncanny accuracy of this old seer, but she had called the woman with serious doubts about the woman’s alleged abilities.

Dawn’s had touched the hand of greatness, over twenty years ago, on April 18, 2463. That night, the great mogul Ashton Cargill, and his then live-in companion, came to his Honolulu resort on one of the first stops of their around the world tour for the leisure of traveling. Cargill stopped in Honolulu because of a minor disgruntlement of the resort’s regular employees. She had been working as a substitute for two month while the others was strike. Famous people came through there all the time. This was her first time meeting the sultry Carol Caldwell. She wasn’t interested in the union business. She was interested in the handsome owner. When she brought him a 1944 Mai Tyler and he winked at her. She believed she has been in love with him since. That night at the resort was a Spanish theme everyone was surprised to see their boss dressed in a gaucho costume and his companion Easely, wearing Spanish attire, danced the tango. After each show, he called the audience’s attention to her beauty, and exclaimed how easy it would be for a man to fall in with her lovely face.

Later that evening under huge daylight spotlights he danced with her in the beautiful Hawaiian Gardens and told her he wanted her, he wanted her to be his’. Under the light of the Hawaiian moon they danced and chatted about nothing. The huge garden arena was filled with hundreds of wealthy spectators as she and Ashton danced flawlessly. When the dance was over Dawn was stunned to learn that the great mogul had meant what he said on the lawn and invited her to his room. His companion left them alone. She was so excited she could hardly breathe when she arrived upstairs of the place she had only seen from afar while working down on the beach in a perfect fitting bikini. The man with the beautiful eyes bowed and kissed her hand before presenting her with a diamond necklace. Dawn stared deep into Ashton Cargill’s strange mesmerizing eyes as he congratulated her on her dancing. Strange as it was, he was her fantasy man. Drinking her drink she told herself that her life would forever be linked in some way with this dark, mysterious man. After they made sweet and wild love he made her offer she couldn’t resist. To leave her crappy job and travel the world with him. She had forgotten her boyfriend who she believe she loved but after making love to this great lover he and all other men in her life paled in comparison. Like millions of women across world, she had dreamed of being romanced in by such a man in this surrounding but her dreams were becoming a reality. But later that day her mother and plain sister Dusk said that the reality of romance never measured up to its image in her heart and mind. Still, Dawn insisted upon injecting herself into the life of this mysterious and intriguing man at every opportunity. She considered herself a free spirit, a sexually-liberated woman. Billy wanted to settle down and get married but that wasn’t her thing. She left the next day with him and his entourage decked in the finest money could buy. For weeks whenever she found herself in Ashton’s arms, he made her feel it was she who had chosen him, and she who decided how long she would be held. The day before dawn she told Billy she was leaving. He cried and begged her not to leave. When she begun packing with a guard in the doorway of their small living room he started cursing and calling her names. But what did he expect? She had never lacked male companionship. Since her early days as a teenager, young and old men alike did a double take when she walked down the street. She was beautiful and sophisticated, and quickly learned the art of seduction and its rewards. She was eighteen when she met William Edward Palmer whose father owned a small struggling construction company. From the day she said she would be his girlfriend after a few dates she knew she had made a mistake. She felt designated for much more but it was not one she suffered long over. For three years, she was the worthy, solitary recipient of Bill’s love, but she knew a few other lovers during their relationship. In hope of meeting the man of her dreams is why she took the job as a beach waitress. Of all the men she met none of them were as unselfishly giving as Bill, but she wasn’t blind to his virtues. Instead, she kept looking for the man who could offer her the mystique of romance, power wealth and fame that rich and famous always enjoyed.. She couldn’t see herself growing old and bored with the demanding, glamourless roles of wife and mother as her own mother had done. In the past three years, she had been in and out of several relationships with affluent men, with nothing more to show for it.

"I see a man," the gypsy said. Dawn’s mind returned to the speaker across the table. "This man have an intensity in his eyes that you’ll know instantly he isn’t of this world. He is quiet a distinguished man, and he will never love you as you have only been loved once before. But unlike before, you will love him the same in return."

To test the woman’s accuracy for she growing tired of this hack telling her Ashton doesn’t love her and never did."Can you describe him for me? What does he look like?" Dawn asked sycophantically.

"He has bejeweled eyes, deep dark gold not human blonde hair with lots of other dark hairs mixture in, coasting downward on both sides in great curls and waves. A very beautiful man but not a kind man. He’ve no physical errors, he’s asymmetrical perfect in form. You’ll meet him again."

Dawn had all she could take of this woman’s gloom and doom. "When will I meet this man again?" Dawn impatiently asked.

"Soon. Very soon. You’ll passed by him and his wife in a fine hotel in Paris."

Feeling hopeful "What else do you see?" Dawn asked. "Tell me of our lives together."

The seer sighed, she knew what this woman wanted to hear. She has occasionally omitted information but she made a rule to never lie to her client."You won’t spend the passionate evening together as your heart desire.. There’ll be some sort of disruption between him and you, but I cannot see what it is. You’ll...” The woman grew silent, and a look of great sadness passed over her face.

"Wrap this shit up, go on. Tell me exactly what you see." Dawn demanded.

Releasing Dawn’s hand the seer says, "I’m afraid there are sometimes limits to how far I can see. This is all I can tell you. Do not meet him.”

The middle aged woman rose from her chair, pulled the lacy curtain off the light fixture hanging from the ceiling, and returned to the table to retrieve her crystal ball. Angrily Dawn opened her designer purse, pulled out five one thousand dollar bills, and handed them to the gypsy. "Thank for nothing. You didn’t tell me nothing I didn’t already know. You’re a fraud. Go on and get the hell outta here." Dawn said.

As her client walked out the door to let herself out, the woman forced a smile on her tired face and said, "I wish you well." You will need it, for the sake of your beautiful child stay away from his wife. She is more dangerous than appears.” The woman had seen more than she was willing to tell, she but looked into Azazael stormy eyes. She didn’t wish to make an enemy of this immortal. She had decided long ago that there were certain things which only prophets and God should know. *************************

Venus, the ancient Roman goddess of love has been the inspiration and muse for poetry, art and love down through the ages. Her only rivalry was her beautiful older, cousin/sister Aphrodite. More feared Aphrodite than loved her. Venus knew Aphrodite was undisputed champion of romantic love. All who dared to challenge her from Helen of Troy to Cleopatra of Egypt, lose miserably. Even Jason’s Medea lost the battle of love and charm with her. Secretly, there was one queen who won but Aphrodite have cleverly concealed this knowledge from the curious minds of men. The Queen of Ethiopia, Sheba won the undying love of the wise King Solomon whereas she and Aphrodite lost but where is Sheba now? Nothing but dust and busted bones. While Aphrodite is still around.

To mortal her parentage is another mystery. She knows which is her actual father of the twin brothers Jupiter and Zeus. So she’s happy to refer to them both as father. That way she get extra goodies and favors. Her real mother is Hera’s twin sister Juno. So all works well in parentage of her dysfunctional family but whose family is normal? None that she have seen. Adamites love to stress and boast normalcy but their families are equally as screwed up but they just don’t know it.

"That bastard Azazael wouldn’t marry me! I know I’m far more beautiful than she!" Venus ranted to her son Cupid. She and Aphrodite merged to create him as to why his looks are superior to even Apollo.

"Mother, why could you care who that old coot marries?" Cupid asked, who looks as how he’s often delineated in human literature and art. He isn’t a chubby cheeked baby with wings and a bow and arrow. He’s a sinfully handsome man none can resist. That was her plan when she and Aphrodite made him with Ares and Mars. They wanted him loving but capable of defending himself if needed. It was she who gave birth to him not Aphrodite, "Because after his anointment he is one of the few of our kind still able to maintain his human form without nourishment and dwell among men. The Crucifixion stripped us of that ability. It separated us from mortals forever. Remember?? Our followers belief is now what gives us substance. Christianity killed out the worship of the old gods. Only those powerful like Orsis, Isis, Hera, Freda, Ra, Odin and Zeus are substantial now without their followers’ aid. I’m not on that level, I’m a second generation goddess and you, a third generation god. Azazael is a first generational like Zeus. "

"AGAIN, Why could you care?" Cupid demanded to know. “You eats well, you’re still very beautiful, your followers adore you. So why could you care what Azazael do? Don’t tell me you’re in love with him. I know better.”

Venus sighed heavily, "Infantile son, had he given himself totally to me I would gained enough substance to walk among men for many more eons in a human form just as he has been doing. I’d still be worshiped daily as the goddess I am. I’d have been able to give you greater substance too. As of now the veil still separates us and I can only adorn flesh for a few years before it dissipate. His wife doesn’t need his substance she was born with it!"

Cupid knew very well his mother exaggeration in things and paid her no mind. She said things like this every time something ire or displeased her. Her physical body was fine. She disappeared when her followers’ admiration annoyed her. Her sighing could be exasperating. All the gods and goddess have spoiled her because of her great beauty. "How do you know he even loves her__it could be just infatuation."

"How do I know?!" Venus echoed. "I was invited by a loyal subject to the wedding party and for hours he totally ignored me. He merely glanced my way and nodded. No hug, no peck on the cheek, no nothing. It was like we was never been long time lovers. As he watched the child lead his mortal bride to him his eyes were filled with love and admiration for her. He never looked at me like that. When the ceremony was completed I couldn’t the stand the radiance of the two of them together. It hurt so I left. My substance was dissolving and he didn’t care, nobody cared. " Venus sobs.

Seeing his mother’s real pain Cupid put aside the sarcasm and rush to her side. "I care." He said wiping away her tears. "But why didn’t you confront him through out the evening. You knew it was wedding party. By the gods! You’re Venus, a goddess, she was merely clay!"

Drying her eyes on the silk handkerchief her son gave her, "You know how rude Azazael is, had I said anything he would’ve made war and everyone would’ve been thrown out. Just to think all the years I neglected my subjects for him all because he wanted to constantly make love and he only thanked me with a glance and a nod!" Venus brawls on Cupid’s broad’s shoulder.

Raising her golden head, "Plus no one thought he would go through with it. He have left hundreds of women at the altar waiting for him to show up. He said he would never again marry. It’s too much of a headache. That lying slum! I’m gifted in love just as that daughter of Eve. All of Eve’s daughters makes me sick. Just as Eve stole Adam from me, her whorish daughter stole Azazael from me. Mother like daughter! No more will I play nice. Those bitches don’t!"

Cupid hated to remind his mother of the obvious but saw he had no choice, "Mother, her gift of love is pure and powerful, yours’ is gift of love is taunted and perverted." He said suddenly losing interested in the woman, Azazael and the whole conversation but maintains a faux interest. "Remember you’ll still be around when she is dust. So let him have his little fun with her. He’ll be back and then you can extract your revenge."

Venus laughed hysterically, "Eros, how dare you take her side?! If it’s pure it won’t be pure for long not with him. And did you forgot they don’t die anymore and stay dead the way they used to. Now death is only a passage to heaven and there they’re alive and well. You forgot the Grand Plan that defeated us giving them immortality. And if that wasn’t enough GrandFather is still showing favoritism with Uncle Adam’s brats. Nothing is too good for them. They cries, He rushes to kiss the boo-boo, to see what mess they’ve gotten themselves into. He even cursed Lucifer and killed His Son for them! Whats so special about them?! They can’t do anything but cry and be evil."

Cupid chuckled at his mother’s pointing out the obvious facts about human. But suddenly remembered his plans for the days to come; to shoot a few hundred people and send them on a lifelong destructive path of unhealthy love says as he stretch and yawns.

"That’s why I don’t interfere once I shoot one. I step back and let their own craziness, believing it to be love be their own demise. Let it run it course and you could do the same." He disappears leaving his mother to her own device.

***************************

Mr. and Mrs. Cargill had turned his quarters into a honeymoon suite. After the hiccup in Morocco everyday was blissful. "Honey, let’s go on a really long honeymoon. One that will never end,” Ashton suggested, he suspected the reason she haven’t mentioned a lavish one is fear of the darkside attacks. But he want her to know he’ll protect her in the outside world as well.

"What cities would you like to visit? Make a list of them. Your desire is my command."

Fifteen minutes later she hands him a list with three cities scratched off: Paris (Ah, the city of romantic love.). Venice (Ah, another romantic city.) It didn’t turn out too well. So she had already made a list. Cairo (He had no idea what was her reason for wanting to see Cairo.) Milan ( He smiled inward, a shopping mecca of the world.) Johannesburg (He assumed her African heritage has something to do with her curious about this city.) London (He decided he would let her tell him why?) Hong Kong (Again, he would let her tell him why? He knew of much more erotic places but this was her honeymoon too. Finally last but not least was Bethlehem and Jerusalem (Of course, he could’ve known they’d be on her list, she’s a saint married to one of the biggest of sinners.) He chuckled at her choices.

"What’s so funny?" She asked smiling.

"Nothing." He amused, hiding his smile."You’re aware I said honeymoon_right? Not church service."

"Yeah, there’s something funny. You don’t like my choices?"

"I don’t care where we’re as long as you’re with me. But correct me if I’m wrong. For I maybe, but my interpretation of this list is you plan to romance me over and over, screw my brains out, spend up my money and then take me to church to teach my dumbass something." He said bursting out laughing. She snatched the list from him and hit him with it.

"You know you ain’t right, don’t ya?" She struggled not to laugh, glancing away from him trying to keep from laughing at his silliness.

"So, I’ve been told," he retorted teasing her. Growing serious again he reminds her."Whenever you’re ready we can visit the other palaces. There are some castles converted into modern living quarters."

"We’ll have to arrange for Bea’s nannies and teachers." She reminds him. "Oh, I see the mistress of the empire is learning very quickly," he says cradling her in his arms, he tilted her head to look directly in her dark amber eyes. "Please don’t ever leave me. I can’t live without you. You’ve brought a dark soul back into light and love."

Her curiosity shows on her face. She asked "Ashton, where is all this coming from? I thought we were talking about a honeymoon, an around the world adventure?" She searched his handsome face for clues.

"The truth is, I kinda pressured you into marrying me. I figured when the novelty and thrill of the honeymoon, travel wears off you’ll grow bored and leave." He confessed. Omitting the real reason is promised to reveal his real name to her in Paris. He feared she would grab Bea and run like hell. She turns to fully face him and reaches up and lovingly cups his face with her hand. "Darling, you didn’t force nor pressure me. I made up my own mind to marry you. The only person who can drive me away from you is you," she emphasized her point by softly poking his chest with her index finger. He hugs her deeply and lovingly, compressing her beautiful form to mode into his his own he whispered "What have I done to be so blessed?" She hugs him back equally as furious, wondering the same thing? Out of the blue she suddenly remembers contraception. She felt a little silly just now remembering perhaps she needed some protection if they were going to travel around the world. She haven’t had to think of any nor used any in eight years.

"Oh well," she relaxes, telling herself it’s far too late to worry about that now. She voiced her concern to him fearing it might dampen his mood or make him wonder did she deliberately forget to make sure she got billions out of him shall they split up?

"That’s what I meant when I asked you if you were sure if this was what you wanted to do? I’d had been willing to wait until you obtain proper birth control or call the house doctor in to prescribe something. I’m not saying it wouldn’t have been hard but it wouldn’t had killed me to wait."

All kinds of privileges like having an in-house doctor was taking some getting used to. She forgot they had one. Where she’s from you had to get up, get dressed and go to the doctor. Not roll over and call him or her downstairs or where ever their office is and they come visit you.

"Yeah, right!" She quipped. "Liar!" and smiled knowingly at him.

"Ok, okay, Okay!" He laughed at her charge. "It was killing me to wait. I couldn’t get you upstairs fast enough. When I was next door to you in Jasper it took all my reservation to keep from tearing down your door and not behave like a neanderthal," he said laughing, but admitted.

"Yeah, I kinda sensed that when you invited us to breakfast," she skillfully informed him. He raised his smooth, well shaped eyebrows at her and asked "What hasn’t been hidden from you? I see you’re very observance. I thought I was being a smooth operator that morning? Besides aren’t you saints supposed to be naive pertaining that kind of wisdom?!" He asked in pretentious coy.

"Oh you were a smooth operator that morning and the next days following, had me on pins and needles all day. Wondering what you were up to? Maybe saints are a little gullible about life and love but I’m still a woman and all men are the same." She said playfully patting his face and laughs.

"How many men do you know in this manner?" He asked in a tone she wasn’t sure if she didn’t detect a hint of anger in his voice. Or if it was even safe to answer the question.

"Oh, only Thad."

"Well darling, Thad doesn’t constitutes as all men," he said a little surly. She changed the subject to something nonthreatening. She just learning he has a mile long jealous streak. She hope it isn’t insanely jealous as she’ve known a few married friends to have to deal with. She learned that it wasn’t always what happens to us in life that dictate our lives but whether we have the fortified strength needed to move on. And that is what she resolved to do was, move on and learn to enjoy life. She had to learn to enjoy what was a natural gift to humans. Joy. As now considered one of the Cargills, everyone now called Bea a Cargill, Bea Cargill no matter how many times she told them her name was Breanna Wyett.

While on a worldwide tour of family fun and romance many in hell, on earth and worlds unseen and in-between plotted the small family’s demolish. The dishevelment of their union. Nanny #1, the oldest of the three nannies accompanied the family to famous sites around the City of Romantic Love, exploring the history and culture. Ana divided her time between her husband and daughter. The daytime belonged to Bea and shopping and sightseeing, occasionally Ashton joined them like when they visited the Versailles and such, but not amusement parks and kiddie courts. A Parisian nanny was brought in to help her Italian counterpart. The mother and daughter invited the ladies along their shopping trips to Paris famous store such as Louis Vuitton, Dior, Marc Jacob, Chanel which was Fannie’s favorite and Dior and many of others. She had scores of items shipped to America for her mother, sister and nieces. Ashton was as famous here as in L.A. Every where they went and everywhere they dined someone introduced themselves to Ana. Ashton was very affluent in Parisian French and was constantly translating what other’s said. The nights belonged to she and Ashton alone, they were filled with romance dinners, dancing and small social events. At these events she collected even more donations for her social causes than at her wedding party. So far at the Parisian events she had collected forty million. Which dispatched world-wide to charity organization dealing with poverty, women and children. From her own funds she sends her mother 100 million and a long explanation so her mother won’t think she robbed a bank. Afterall charity begins at home. She didn’t tell her mother she had remarried. She had sent one hundred thousand earlier which she didn’t know wasn’t spent on her mother but Helena said she placed in a rainy day account for her children education future. She didn’t bark at it, she instructed her mother to invite Mother Harris to go live with her and they get a place of their own. She arranged the funds so that only Fannie could receive it. She felt it was imperative to do this for her mother’s best interest. She trusted her sister but not her brother-in-law who had considerable influence over her sister. She didn’t visit home in fear that whatever was outside the Cargill estate in L.A. would follow her there and harm her family. She would rather not see them and know they’re alive, than give in to her yearning to see them and get them killed. Plus she was now the richest woman in the world, she was afraid someone would kidnap one of her family members for ransom. She was aware of Ashton having sent each member of her family five hundred thousand as an anonymous donor to smooth the path in meeting him when she decided to take him home. The fact that he wasn’t any known human race he sensed maybe a problem for his in-laws. When the money arrived Helen and Jack refused to let her not answer. Both demanded to know how she got her paws on such large amount? She told them she won the lottery.

"That horrible woman from Atlanta is here," Helena says in her ear through the phone as a clerk is showing her a silk designer scarf. She nods telling the woman to put it with their packages.

"She’s been sitting with mom for the past few days." Helena grunts informing her of Mother Harris arrival. Unbeknownst to Ana, Fannie gives her other three children a million each. All of suddenly Dave loves his mother-in-law so much he builds an expansion on her end of his house to include a bedroom, bath and kitchen for Mother Harris. At least she is now able to help her family as never before. At least cops wasn’t at the door demanding to know her whereabouts. The commotion in the store made her stopped listening to Helena to see who the guards was keeping back. It’s an unknown man waving a paper at her. In a fake accented English, “Your bills follows you where ever you go. I’ll take a check card but you’re paying me what you owe. How dare you try to deadbeat me with millions!” .

“I’m sorry, but I do not know you nor what you’re referring to.” Ana said placing her hand over the receiver for this was the last time Helena needed to hear. The guards nearest the door stronghandled the man outside, shovel him in a hovercraft and was airborne in minutes. The silence men said nothing.

“Your boss lady is a saint. She isn’t going to let you kill me,” the man taunted in perfect English and smirked as he climbed on the seat. The guards remained silent.

Believing they intended to let him go after a grievous ass kicking as they alit in an older section of Paris among ancient ruin of houses. He relaxed but was surprised to see who came from around the old wooden house. Azazel.

“What do you want with my wife?” Azazel said grabbing his shirt, yanking the man to him. The man was warned by Boris and Gianna shall he talk his entire family would be eliminated. Gianna may show mercy but he knew Boris wouldn’t. The man refused to answer his question so they scanned the microchip inside him learning his name. The man was Philadelphia Lawyer named Jordan. An ultracompetent lawyer who knows the ins and outs of legal technicalities; also, a shrewdly unscrupulous lawyer. What purveyors of shit or sultans of slime any wish to call them? They’re called third-party debt buyers. He’s well known for harassing those who are least able to pay and gaining default judgments. But today his luck runs out. Ashton pushed him to the ground and nods to his employees who shot him several times leaving him holely and dead. He was making an example. If Ana owed anyone they had better come at her the right way. He wasn’t having any of the snake in the grass business as usual. Those days was over.

*****************

I knew what was coming next when at the top of the Eiffel Tower he kissed me long and hard and suggested we head back to our room. Tonight marked our full two months wedding anniversary. While making love and celebrating with wine and good cheer. I wanted to ask the question he keep putting off. I believed I knew but didn’t want to admit even to myself that I knew his name. I was a little heady after a night of drinking wine, reading love poems, slow dancing, receiving another expensive jewelry set so when the phone rung I had a hard time rolling off him to answer. A concierge service of Chanel was calling to inform me a new outfit had arrived and wanted to know if I was interested. Of course I was interested!

"We will sent it over right away," the woman politely but professionally said.

"That way you can try it on in the privacy of your own home." I looked at my husband grinning and said, "No, I ’ll come in to try it on."

"Aw, c’mon baby, I’ll behave and let you try the dresses on in peace." Ashton pleaded and grinned larger at me while slapping my bottom in a playful manner. I knew what grin meant I would only have the suit on for maybe 5 minutes.

"No you won’t. I can barely get dressed in the morning without you pulling everything off again," I reminded him in an equally playful tone. "Hey, you’re who chose Paris," he said shrugging his shoulders. "So did you expect with all this amour in the air and you making more?"

"So this is all my fault?" I asked.

"Yes, of course it’s your fault. Never allure a man to Paris and expect him to behave," he said wrestling me back down to the bed, I hits him with a pillow telling him to behave himself. Wiggles out his grip laughing, I grabs my clothing and pull them on running for the door.

"We’ll be waiting for you when you get back." He yells at my retreating back. I turned and blows him a kiss and pulls the door shut before he teleports in front of me to stop me from shopping. In the hall I realized I must look a fright so I ducked in a bedroom across the hall and use it’s bathroom to freshen up and rake the snags out my hair before going to get Bea and her entourage. We are in the Cargill Parisian Hotel but the top floor belongs to him, I meant us. At Chanel, Ana is unaware she has been watched by someone with a score to settle with her and Ashton. Earlier security had spotted two people across the street known to them. In the store a tall blonde stand next to Bea commenting on the selection off Chanel Caviar handbags and accessories. But when Ana walks over covering the short distance the woman seemed to bristle at her. Ana wonders what’s her problem?

"You know, I used to shop here all the time until my man dumped me to marry some homely, unattractive woman." The tall blonde commented.

"I’m sorry to hear that." Ana replied indifferently, wondering why was this stranger telling her this. Ana was totally unaware this woman had once hired a hit man to kill and had now hired someone to watch her since she accidentally learned of their arrival in Paris three days ago. This was their second week in Paris and the stranger learned she was here by seeing her and Ashton together on the Plaza of the Arc de Triomphe.

A security guard steps between she and the woman and steer her toward the ties. "Mrs. Cargill, I think Mr. Cargill would like these fashionable silk ties." The man said as thus implied cheerfulness hurt his face. Ana grabbed a few thanking him for a male’s opinion. The look the woman kept casting her way wasn’t friendly nor indifferent but downright hostile. Ana scans her; she wasn’t a satanist, she detected no connects to Ashton so what was this woman’s beef with her? She saw the woman sported a slight a baby bump and wondered was it his’? For this hate was personal. A suddenly, direful rationalization hits, she rushed and married this man without knowing much about his background. He probably has girlfriends and wives all over the world. His wealth and looks attracts throngs of women. She saw how many cat’s claws popped out at the L. A. party when he introduced her. She wonders how many of those women has he slept with. Some concealed their distaste and with feeling of superior to her while others wore it openly. Some worn the looks so plain on their face that said, "How dare he chooses you?! You’re black woman!"

One woman had the audacity to ask her. "What formula of witchcraft you used to enchant him?" Of course she got away from the woman and moved onto another guest. So maybe this woman was one of his old girlfriends. So was ’she’ the homely woman this woman’s boyfriend married?! They made their purchases and left the store. She was a little surprised to see the privacy panel between she and the driver down. It was a different driver. She knew this one pretty well. He was the chief of security.

"Mrs. Cargill." Sewell said politely looking at her in the backseat via the crystal clear rearview mirror. "Yes?" She replied curiously. "May I speak to you, freely?"

"Yes, of course," I said wondering what other choice did I have for I saw he intended to say what was on his mind. I saw his steel gray eyes in the mirror as they seriously met my own.

"Mr. Cargill is an extremely wealthy and important man and many may not approve of his choice of a bride. Many have tried to enchant or entice him but failed. Please do not let people such as that woman in the boutique disturb you. Enjoy your husband and honeymoon. Mr. Cargill loves you and you alone."

"Thanks for the advice but she didn’t disturb me, I already assumed someone of his caliber; a man of his standing had many female admirers."

"Mr. Cargill is a very fortunate man to find a wife wise enough to understand that." Sewelll says meeting her eyes for the first time with a slight smile and she sees they’re similar to Ashton’s except his appears to made of amethyst. She noticed they had changed colors as he calmed down. He raises the privacy panel and end the conversation with her leaving she and Bea alone in the huge limo. Her nannies was in the one behind. As soon as it raised and he was positive Ana couldn’t hear what’s said upfront he called his boss.

"Mr. Cargill, Dawn and a son of Van named Nordris showed up in Mrs. Cargill presence. We saw to it they revealed nothing disturbing nor damaging to her." Sewell said.

"Damnit!" Ashton hissed. "What bullshit did Dawn say?"

"Something about her man leaving her to marry another woman and how she used to frequent this boutique." Ashton knew Ana was clever enough to solve the equation regardless of how Dawn phrased it. This constant interference was pissing him off. When he was evil incarnated in a god he didn’t have interference from everything and everyone. Now that he was trying to straighten up and do right; assholes are coming out the woodwork. He thought he had talked some sense into Dawn but apparently she wasn’t listening.

"Hmm, ok__keep Ana and Bea away for an hour or so. Take them on an in-depth tour of the city. Drive her by Notre Dame. That will hold her attention. I’ve a house call to make," his eyes had turned from sparkling topaz to expensive gleaming sapphires.

*****************

Dawn fumbled with the keys to open the door to her new Parisian apartment as she balanced her packages in one hand and the keys in the other. For nearly 30 years someone else did all this for her. Open the door for her. It was trying to have to do this yourself now. Servants are expensive so she felt needed to reserve her 30 million, (yeah Ashton ambled her severance pay up to 30 million) until she land another rich daddy. Maybe 500 years ago 30 million lasted a lifetime but at today’s cost of living she didn’t expect it to last beyond 10-15 years. Some of the other girls been complaining that rich men steer clear of them not knowing if Ashton Cargill will wants her back and no one wants to get on his bad side. That damn fucker is ruining her life even when he is nowhere to be found except on the streets openly smooching his wife! She spotted them on the plaza the other day french kissing like it was going out of style.

Her new place off of Dauphine St was at least her own. It wasn’t too shabby but it wasn’t a luxuriant Parisian castle either. She paid a cool five million for it. She brought it because of the location, she had to place herself in position to snare another rich lover, who had to be at least a multimillion. The location was frequented by a lot of the novice rich. She was forty-eight but looked thirty. Ashton had spend a fortune maintaining her beauty. So when the storm is old news she is confident she will hook up with someone else. But she knew her chances right now were slim for she was pregnant. She saw why he wasn’t thrilled about her pregnancy. That woman already has a child by him. That girl she spoke with had his eyes. So he been cheating on her long time. Dawn wished hadn’t listened to Nordris and that P.I., who didn’t show up again about showing Mrs. Cargill how beautiful she was, to make the plain woman feel self-conscious. That bitch didn’t feel self-conscious at all. She’s as arrogant as Ashton. She long ago suspected Ashton was into the black woman thing from the way he treated Shula and Raylee. But she never thought he would marry one. Mrs. Ashton Cargill was beautiful if one was into the black women thingy. With that big ass kid she can’t be much younger than me. That’s just like a damn man; abort his own child while raise somebody else’s! Wait a minute. That’s his kid. That’s why he was so hot on her trail all these years. Dawn was in deep thought and putting away her purchases, so she didn’t see Ashton until she turned on the light.

"Ashton what are you doing here? Couldn’t you be home with your damn ancient Egyptian Nefertiti looking wife?" Dawn lashed out as she continued to put away her purchases.

"I heard about your little charade." He said calmly.

"Oh, so Sewell told you? All I did was say hello to your precious little queen and princess. Is that a crime? The streets are free. You don’t own them." She cried getting madder by the moments. “Were I suppose to cutesy them and say “Your Majesty?”

"Dawn, what did I tell you two months ago?"

"Stay the hell away from your damn wife," Dawn snapped.

"Dawn, why didn’t you listen?" He asked a little harsher. Dawn remains silent but glare at him with hands on her hips. "Damnit! Dawn, I’m talking to you? Why didn’t you listen? Why did you do what I specifically told you not to?"

"Because I love you and that woman tore us apart. I wasn’t looking for her, she just happened to be in the same store I visits." Dawn said tearfully.

"Aw c’mon Dawn we both knows you have never loved me, you loved the money and the lifestyle." He chuckled a nasty laugh.

"Our night in Hawaii meant nothing to you? Don’t you remember how romantic it was? Besides how am I supposed to live off the pennies you threw my way for the rest of my life?" She asked angrily.

"People lives on a whole lot less." Ashton quipped with bland equanimity.

"We should’ve stayed the way we were and your wife would’ve never known. Men cheats on wives everyday and the wife never finds out. But no, not you! You had to make a grandstand of fidelity. What are you going to do when baby daddy come calling? Oh! He will come now that baby is shitting money." Dawn screamed at him. "The worse of this is you aborted your own child to raise another man’s child. I’m pregnant with your bastard and you don’t want it. Don’t care! I’m not having an abortion. Fuck you! Get the hell out of my house!"

"I came to teach you a lesson," he says moving swiftly, grabbing her under her arm and takes her through world unknown to her, exiting among the Aboriginals in the Australian outback. "People lives here." He says nonchalantly as he release her.

"This place is so primitive fucking dinosaurs are probably still damn roaming around here!" She screamed, stomps her foot and kicks dirt at him. He shouts so loudly birds fled from the nearby trees in flocks so large they darken the sky.

"If I hadn’t changed, and believe me__I’ve changed more than you know. You would be dead by now."

Dawn walked up close and smiled devilishly up at him. "You do care about me, don’t you?" He uses his power to pull her to himself and squeeze her neck. "Dawn, why do you insist on testing me when I’m fighting very hard not to kill you. Of course I care what happens to you. I’m not totally a monster without feelings. Which is why I’m telling you for the final time to leave me alone. I can not give you the love you want from me. My heart has always belonged to her and always will. Go make a life for yourself and your child and forget you ever knew me."

He release her, she rubs her neck. In an instant he’s gone. She’s badly shaken. He has never choked her that hard. She has never seen him with so much rage directed toward her, something really kept him from killing her this time. At least she finally made him admit that he loved her. She looks around wondering how will she survive in this wilderness? Where are the people? The houses? She sees no one. She is now thirsty. All that screaming in this arid climate poached her throat. She looks around for water, she finally noticed the men who had been watching her and Ashton’s entire showdown. She tries talking to them but they looked perplexed at her. There’s a language barrier. And she guess two people appearing out of thin air in front of superstitious people wasn’t aiding her cause. The men in common clothing stares at her, her way of arrival she feels isn’t aiding her plight. Then several of the women approached her curious about her garments. She push them away, screamed at them to leave her alone and they does just that. They walks away leaving her to figure out for herself what she wish to do. Realizing they understood her she finally she gets up out of the hot dusty ground and follow them; coming to full realization these are the only humans around. Little does she knows these people have known who Azazael was as early as 10,000 B.C. so they wasn’t startled as she believed they were. They simply just didn’t care. She wasn’t the first woman he wanted to get rid but cared enough about not to kill he has dumped on their steps.

********************

Knowing Nordbris will be harder to track down than Dawn, Ashton returns to the nuptial suite to await his wife. He is seriously considering taking his family to the isolated Castle in the French Alps to get them away from his past. But decides what he has in storage for Nordbris will be a lot worse than what he did to Dawn. He quickly showers and adorns clothing, throwing the worn ones, including the shoe down the garbage shoot. He isn’t sure how good of a detective his new wife is but suspect she must be damn good to have evaded capture by Vonderbilt and escape demons all these years. He also erase his spiritual trail for safe measure. His Rolex 700 ST tells him he have been gone for eighty-three minutes. So they could be returning shortly. The amount of compassion he showed Dawn, it bothered him a lot how lenient he was with her. He thought about the Emperor Constantine who burnt his second wife alive whom he thought was having an affair with his oldest son whom he poisoned.

"Hope I don’t get that insane and why am I thinking about weird shit that happened 3,000 years ago. I hope I never have a son named for that nut," reasoning out how he plan to tell Ana his heavenly name. He hopes his wife’s gift doesn’t weaken him to the point that he shows too much compassion and mercy to deadly enemies. Nah, he didn’t think it would, even God’s love was unable to extinguish all the hellish notions out of him, extinguish the urge to harm anyone who do him an injustice and some cases hadn’t done anything to him. He did it simply because he felt like it. He hoped Ana never saw that side of him. She respects him now even if she isn’t in love with him, which he think she is, she unaware, whispers she love him when they make love. But is afraid to openly tell him. He think Bea’s father hurt her so badly she’s afraid to take that chance again. At least now she respects him but if she finds out what he’s genuine capable of he might lose her respect. He was seated for only a few seconds at the huge mahogany desk in his private office; to peruse business reports when when Ana opened the door with Sewell and Kortas carrying her packages.

"I’ll be back shortly," she said to him as he looked up at them. She went next door to help Bea try on her new purchases.

"Kortas did you find Nordbris?” Ashton asked once Ana was out of earshot. "Yes sir Mr. Cargill, here’s the address." Kortas said handing Ashton a slip of paper.

"Was he aware he was being following?" Ashton asked knowing Nordris is part Henya, or wolf or some sort of extinct canine and his animalistic instinct serves him well.

"No Sir." Kortas ensured his boss. He had put his best tracker out to find the man across the streets.

**********************************

A mid-noon snack was awaiting ’Miss Bea’ left for her by nanny #2 as Bea calls them. The woman excused herself and left them alone. "Honey, how do you like Paris?" Ana asked maternally searching to learn if Bea felt neglected since she and Ashton was spending so much time alone.

"It’s ok, it’s named for Paris, the king or prince of Troy. I don’t ’member which one he was, he and his brother was fighting over this woman named Aunta Helena" Bea said joking about her aunt. Ana didn’t mean to scan so deeply but sometime children don’t vocalize how they really feels. "Mom! Stop that!" Bea cried taking a bite out of her ham and cheese sandwich. At this moment she looked like Thad when he was pissed at her.

"Stop what, honey?" Ana asked innocently. She hadn’t realized she plucked so deeply.

"Scanning to see am I okay. I’m fine, mom. Stopping worrying about me all the time. I’m more mature than most kids my ages, that’s why seven year olds bore me."

Ana sighed heavily "Yes, I know. You had to grow up way too fast and have seen far too much" Bea stops eating, peeks at mom’s sad face; she pat Ana arm, twinkly says with mischief in her eyes."But look at it this way! We’ve had some wild adventures!" .

Ana smiled meekly and say. "Yes, we did." Taking on the adult role in their conversation Bea advises. "Mom, I want you to stop feeling bad about marrying Ash, you deserves to be happy too. You deserves a normal life too. If he make you happy and can give you all these things___ain’t nuthing wrong with that. A person don’t have to be down and out all the time with their ass dragging the ground as I quote grandma would say. In pain and suffering all the time to be a good person. I don’t know who came up with that malarkey but they need to stuff it back in their piehole."

Ana was so surprised she didn’t lecture Bea on the repetition of her granny’s words. She looks at her beautiful child and wry smiled "When did you get to be an expert on life and love. I thought you were 7 not 60?"

"Mom!" Bea cried slightly aggravated. "That’s what I been trying to tell you. I’m not a baby anymore." Her voice soften. "Mom, you didn’t raise no fool, besides I read, check issues on ISPAN, watch television, and I’ve known all my life our life wasn’t normal. So the little bit of normalcy we’re enjoying now, cherish it and stop worrying about me every five minutes. I’m not kidding I want a little sister. I don’t want a little snotnosed brother."

"If didn’t know when you were born I would swear you 80 years old." Ana teases Bea. "But I ain’t. I’m six. No, I’m seven. Mom you making me forget how old I’m." Bea giggles. "Mom, I know all about where babies come from. When will I get my little sister? Oh yes, mommy Nanny 2 will be back shortly, Nanny 3 has a niece here in Paris I asked her to bring her to visit tomorrow, is that ok with you?" "Yes, but how old is this niece?" "She’s ten." Bea replied. "Her name is Dauphine, like the street here. I chatted with her by chip this morning." Ana wasn’t completely thrilled for a lot of ten year olds today are what 13 and 14 year olds was 500 years ago. But she didn’t want to quench Bea’s attempt to make friends. Perhaps if the girl is mature beyond her years she will decide Bea is too young to associate with and doesn’t return. Ana knows Bea is actually about 10 or 11 mentally. She stay and wait with Bea for her guest. When the nanny and her niece entered, Ana mind was put to ease. Dauphine was a normal 10 year whom Bea will probably give nightmares with her stories about her life on the open road. Watching the girls run to play with some of Bea’s toys, "That’s fine dear. Mommy will see you later, okay." Ana said calling Bea back to her, forgetting not to kiss her forehead in front of her new friend. The woman ensured her Bea would be fine. Bea was absolved in a conversation with her new friend and waves good bye at her mom. Ana stood at the door a few moments and shouldn’t figure out what about Bea gesture just now reminded her of Ashton. Maybe she is adopting her stepdad’s personality.

******************************

Rejoining Ashton in their room he seemed to be preoccupied with something serious. Ana place her packages in the closet, "What’s the matter, honey?" He glance quickly as though he just realized she was back. "Oh, nothing, dear." He lied. "Just business." "Well, office hours are over. It’s dinnertime and I want to take a stroll to Norte Dame afterward." Not really listening nor interested he asked. "What do you want for dinner?" "Regular food. I don’t want anything I can’t pronounce nor know what it is." Ashton laughed at his wife’s southern USA dialect coming through in her speech. He handed her a cup of African Red Bush tea. "It will help you to relax until dinner." He calls downstairs for a Kobe steak, baked Idaho potatoes with cheese and clive topping, side mushroom sauce for the steak dipping, white bread rolls__no wheat or rye rolls, she’s American, they aren’t really big on wheat bread. He tried to get her to eat many foreign breads but she said they’re so hard you could beat somebody with them. He topped the dinner off with a side salad, nothing fancy and apple juice. Again a traditional American beverage. He smiled when he remembered the Cordon Bleu chef didn’t know how to prepare grits to suit her. "Honey, how about lets’ go to the castle in the French Alps?" He asked out of the blue in hope of avoiding any more of his harem members who still maybe residing in Paris. "What’s up there? I don’t particular like mountains." Oh yes, he had forgotten she did tell him she wasn’t a mountain momma or something like that. He tried to explain to her a mountain momma wasn’t a person. It was the mountain itself. Anyway she didn’t care which it was she decided she wasn’t it. They finished dinner, made love and got dressed and Kortas drove them in one of the antique sleek, long black Lincoln Towncar within a block of the Cathedral of Our Lady, better known as Notre Dame. Ashton steps out and gently helps Ana onto the sidewalk, they leisurely strolled toward the plaza of the medieval church. "Do you think they’ll let us in at this hour?" She asked looking around seeing the plaza was sparse of pedestrians. "I’m sure they will," he replied. He had called days ago about making a late evening donation to ensure Ana had access when she wanted to go. But he wasn’t sure had he shed enough of his old self to enter a holy place. He guess there was no time like the present to find out. The stately old church’s sextons and attendants seemed to automatically knows Ana. He wondered how? She took his hand and felt a current shoot through his body. He believes she felt it too. But she led them on to the placid statue of Mary, Our Lady of Grace. She stood and stared for a few minutes. "That’s not how she looks." Ana said softly. When the others saw Ana glowing, they crowded around. She pulls him through the small crowd ad walks toward the huge image of Jesus on the Cross. The most revered symbol in Christendom. "I can never see his Face." She commented still holding his hand as a dark robed priest approached them from the left. "Saint, what’s your name?" He asked her mildly in French but somehow she understood him without translation. "Ana’ She replied. He smiled peacefully at her name. "You were named for the mother of Our Lady, the Grandmother of the Savior." When approached Ashton he looked at him curiously and frowned and said. "Only angels have jewelry for eyes." Ana looked up at Ashton his eyes were sparkling like precious gems. "This is my husband." Ana said introducing Ashton to the priest who took a few steps backward. "Angels are forbidden to marry daughters of men. Didn’t you know that young lady?" The elderly priest asked her sternly in English. "No, I didn’t." Ana replied feeling terrible for lying to a priest. "I do not understand how can you still aglow being married to a fallen angel." "I’m not an angel. Never were." Ashton whispered to the priest so other’s couldn’t hear him. The man looks up and the realization flashed across his saintly, weathered face. "I’ve been a priest for forty-seven years and I’ve never seen a couple like you two. If you aren’t a fallen angel then are a...." "A what?" Ana asked anxiously grabbing the sleeve of his robe. "Never mind. I see what you are now." He said looking at her in awe and wonderment. She looked down and the mulitgemstone breastplate was covering her militia white tunic and gleaming as if in response to the image on the cross. She heard a nun say something in French, the only segment she understood was ’Joan de Arc.’ Since the priest could speak English she begged him. "Please don’t tell others what you’ve seen here. The darkside followers pursue and persecute me relentlessly. If they learn I was here aglowing, as you say, they’ll come and cause you all much grief. I didn’t come to cause you all trouble. I came to pray and give you all this for your humanity work." She beseech the man holding his hands as she placed a check for 20 million in his palm. Turning to the nun, she asked Ashton to translate what she was saying. "Yes, I’m like the Maiden of Orleans. But you can’t tell anybody." The woman grabbed Ana and kissed both cheeks. The priest regrabbed Ana’s hands and said" Saint Ana, your secret is safe with us. I now know you married this man to protect you from the darkside and its followers. But he has a very darkside, Be careful, he broke a law to wed you." Ashton down at her sorrowful and looked away. Seeing her husband so sad she had to speak up, "This not that’s what Jesus hung on the Cross for? Forgiveness of transgression?!" Ana asked. The priest looked at two of them and smiled and said "Yes, Jesus and your husband both loves you very much and thanks you all for the blessing." He quickly turns and walks away. By now Ashton’s clothing had changed to a long flowing white attire with a gold embellish on the shoulder and chest, tied at the waist with a broad golden sash, his hair was cascading down his back in waves and curls of dark gold mixed with black. Ana grabbed his hand and led him out. She could see how he might be mistaken for an angel. She have seen his hair change several times when they made love. The first time was their wedding night. But by morning it had changed back to its’ accustomed shorter fashionable cut. The moment they exited he had changed back and so had she. She had to ask him now what was he? There was no more prolonging the issue. They walked hand in hand under the ancient fluorescent lights casting has yellowish glow on them both, they moved slowly back to the car in silence. He broke it saying. "The priest was right on all accounts; I do have a darkside which I hope you never see. But I do, truly love you very much and don’t mind the full reason you married me. I know that may had been the reason in the beginning but I’ve heard you say you loved me in the height of our lovemaking." But Ana continued to walk in silence. "This silence is killing me." Ashton cried. "Tell me what’s on your mind don’t force me to pull it out you!" She stop and face him, "You’re right I do love you. I didn’t know how to tell you. The last time I told someone I loved him, I ended up getting hurt really bad. You know, when I married Bea’s father I was happy on the wedding night. He had never seen me glow that bright, he had seen glimpse of it but not like it was that night. I don’t think he ever got used to. He once asked me not to do that, it’s creepy. I don’t think he realized it hurt my feelings. Once I had been out to battle and when I came back I didn’t realize the armor was still on. He woke me up tapping on it. He asked me never to do this shit in public, let this be our secret. So I know what’s like to try and hide spiritual things from your spouse. It never works. It’s either they can deal with it or they can’t." He knew she was telling him she knows more than he think she does and to come clean as to who he really is because it will eventually come out. It always does. Now that he knows she love him, he can’t reveal his heavenly name. That priest knew what his given name is why he warned Ana to watch her back around him. "Did you fully understand then what you were?" He asked. "No, not really. I had no one to teach me anything about spiritual things. All my knowledge of spirituality was intrinsic. All I knew were I could meet someone for the first time and they would develop a murderous hatred for me and wanted me dead. Things had been attacking me all my life and no one could answer why? Some said I was cursed. Some said someone had promised me to the devil years ago. But I could have told him what I did know before we married." "Had he ever seen any other part of you glow?" Ashton asked carefully. "No, just my eyes and a soft glow over my face." "Sounds to me he was very insensitive to your uniqueness. It wouldn’t had matter had you told him beforehand or not. It’s the mind set he brought into the marriage that made him react like such a cad. I can’t promise you we’ll never argue or fight about stupid shit. But I can promise you I’ll never intentionally break your heart because I don’t want to lose you. This Thad was too immature to realize what he had. Although, you haven’t told me but I can strongly say his infidelity caused you a lot of pain." She shrugged her shoulders. "Maybe." She replied. "Why aren’t you two together? Did something happen to him?" Ashton already knew the story but needed to hear it from her to learn if she was still in love with the man. This is something they never talked about. Bea’s other half. She chuckled a sad, bitter laugh. "Yeah, a lot happened. We aren’t together mainly because of the satanists and his cheating. And secondary he was sent to prison. He divorced me while in prison." The solar power florescence lights of the streets of Paris illuminated her face, to him she looked like an angel. She definitely had the heart of one. "Do you believe I’ll do any of those things?" "I don’t know__will you? At least I didn’t freak you out on our wedding night." He chuckled. "No, love, I’ll do my best never to do any of those things, I’ve been around long enough to know your true value. No, you didn’t freak me out. In this case it was I who was wondering if you would run for the hills when I started to change." She had to admit the change was fascinating and beautiful to watch. "I’ve never seen the clothing change thing before with you but I have seen the complexion and hair change nearly every time we make love. No, it doesn’t bother me. I’m used to strange phenmones." They were out alone no one listening he felt it was an excellent time to ask her about Bea. "I don’t know how to say this but have we met before and slept together? I mean Bea has some of my essence but she is not my biological daughter. She’s more like my spiritual daughter." He said waiting for her to slap him for clearly indicating she cheated on her husband. Again she fell silence. She didn’t know how to answer that question. Was this the man from the closet??! She wondered. Whatever was blocking her memory—she wish it would stop. "I can’t explain that," she finally uneasily answered. "I don’t know why but you feels familiar to me, too. Like I already know you. I know reincarnation isn’t real so where do I know you from?" She left her surface thought opened to him so he asked. "The man from the closet, did you sleep with him? Yes, she did. And what in the hell was he doing in my closet?" She paused a few seconds wondering could she tell him all she remembers. "I don’t know what he was doing in the closet. I don’t think I slept with him." She said omitting the part about making love to the man in the dark and believing him to be Thad. "Honey, I think it was I, drunk and spiritually roaming and I do believe Bea has two fathers. So I think what happened is you thought I was your husband." She had read of such things from mythology but truthfully she thought those people were just tripping or trying to justify cheating. "This body I’m wearing didn’t sire her. Thad did but apparently shortly after conception I somehow found you. She may live longer than a regular person. She may at times act like me. My essence is what she has, the core of who I am." Knowing that priest knew who he really is, she frowned and asked "Just who are you? What’s your given name?" "In due time you will know. I wonder can you deal with it when that is made known to you." He said walking away a few steps. By now they had walked a block passed the car. He stops and turn to face her following him. "Ana, I knew I was taking a chance in marrying you knowing how you felt. I knew you agreed to this marriage only to get away from the hellhounds chasing you. Even thus you are like an aphrodisiac to me and I truly love you__I’m willing to give you an annulment without a fight and give you enough so you and Bea will be comfortable the rest of your life." He was looking out over the city’s lights not at her. She pondered what he was saying and cried. "Aw hell no! Buddy! Who the hell are you? You knew the only way to get me in bed with you was to marry me. And now you think you are gonna get the sex and run! Then you’ve another think coming! Hell, I maybe pregnant by now, all the screwing we been doing! You’re nuts if you think for one second you’re gonna run off and leave me with your brat to raise by myself while you go back to your playboy lifestyle." She walked swiftly up behind him and poked him in the back to make him look at her. She continued her banter, "If I’ve to change stinky-ass diapers and get up half-sleep tripping over shit to see about a baby__so will you! Nahhh! you ain’t getting out this that easy, all because I asked you what in the hell was your real name? You couldn’t thought about all that before you brought me to L.A. from Jasper!" People had started stopping and staring at them. He didn’t know her mouth could be so boisterous. "We in this together until the end!" She yelled at him. "I ain’t some woman you can fuck until you tired of her and then throw some money her way. I"m your wife damnit! Try me and I’ll fuck your ass up!" He stared at her in astonishment. It was hard to believe such loud, foul words was coming from such sweet lips. A male bystander yelled in the night in English "Man! You better run! She’s talking cutting your dick off while you sleep!" "OK, ok, Ok! Baby, calm down! I’m sorry I suggested that! I surrender!" Ashton said holding up his hand in mock surrender, laughing, he kissed her and picked her up and swirled her around. "That’s all I wanted to hear," he said kissing her in the middle of the streets. A female bystander yelled, "Girl, don’t let him off the hook that easy! Pretty boys think they slick!" With his arms around Ana, Ashton asked the small crowd. "Don’t you people have anything better to do than attend to my business?" They all looked at each other, shrugged their shoulders and replied,"No." He chuckled at her audience as he called them he led her back to the waiting car. He hadn’t forgotten he still had not told her his name. “Another name is Lord Cavanaugh. You can call me Lord Cavanaugh if you would like,” he mischievously grinned. “You are Lady Cavanagh.”

I didn’t dignify that statement with a reply, I simply open the car door and climbed in.

***************************

Having calmed down they headed to their next reservation for the evening. Ashton ordered the grandest of the small many yachts to be brought inland. The cruise on the Seine gave a view of the city that would’ve been difficult to see otherwise. Paris truly was a city of lights. Romance was in the air as blossoms are on a spring morning. They passed many lovers on bridges, the riverside parks, and lying on the grass staring at the stars. "One day I’d like take you into space." He said pointing out the different constellations. "Is there one named for you?" she asked snuggling closer to him and gazing up at the inky night sky. "No, not my real name. But there’s one for one of my alas. It’s called Draco." He pointed to the cluster of stars. Reading her surface thought he said, "Yes, it means Dragon but I’m not Lucifer." He chuckled, sipping wine as they watched the scenery pass by. "Baby, before I met you I had lost all my celestial glow. I’ve done some very dark things for various reasons." She knew not know which made her shiver, the damp cool air or his words. To lighten the mood she chirped. "We’ll have a darkside, even I’ve done somethings that would not be considered by conventional Christian standards Christ-like let alone worthy of a saint. I don’t know how a saint is supposed to feel but I certainly doesn’t feel like one." "Whatever you did, you did to protect the two of you." He corrected. "Maybe but it still was wrong." "It’s easy to judge right from wrong from the lap of luxury." "I agree," she nods, taking a sip from her wine glass. Looking at her under the bluish silvery late summer moonlight. She added beauty to nature rather the other way around. He breath in her natural fragrance, she smelt like a Rose of Sharon. "You know dear, it’s not wrong to kill someone trying to kill you," he carefully pointed out, letting her know he knows she has taken a life and that’s what she felt guilty about. Yes, she’s a saint. Only a saint would feel compassion for some fool forcing you to kill them. He was glad she had the courage to do it or she wouldn’t be here beside him. He knew satanists were a mean, cruel bunch. The lower their rank, the meaner they come. "How do you feel about that?" She asked as she leaned over on rail on her elbows looking down at the dark water trying to figure out how this boat was moving, she heard no engine or saw no propellers. She felt him when he moved behind her. "I don’t care what you’ve done. I don’t judge anyone actions but my own and often doesn’t judge my own very wisely. You did what you had to do." He said softly rubbing her back. He pushed her hair aside and begin softly nipping on her nape.