Angel's Blade: Power (Angel Series Book 1) Page 23

  Shalina smiled, “they should be doing this fine, and if they are sad, don’t worry about it. You’ll be returning soon,” she rubbed his back.

  Angel nodded, “did you have a funeral when you died?”

  Shalina gave a slight smile as she thought back to her funeral ceremony. All of her supporters came to watch as her body burned over the sea. That day she used just enough Verna to come out of the sword and take a look, which completely broke her heart.

  “Oh, I’m sorry,” Angel could see all of her mixed emotions form on her face.

  “No, your fine. I did have one,” she turned her head to look at him, “and it was beautiful. I’m happy I got the chance to watch it.”

  Angel laid back on the ground and looked up at the darkening sky. The stars were just trying to peek through the fading light, “you created those stars.”

  Shalina laid down with him, “yeah.”

  “You’re really amazing, you know that?” Angel said as his tired eyes began to shut.

  Shalina watched as he fell asleep and smiled, “thank you.”

  ***

  Angel swam down to the bottom of the blue lake and reached out to grasp his sword, but just as it has done many times, it denied his touch and threw him out of the water.

  He slammed down onto a large rock, and then rolled onto his back, “I’m done,” he said panting, “I’m done for today.”

  Shalina sat on the edge of the rock with her legs kicking in the water, “I was wondering when you’d give up.”

  Angel flicked water from his fingers onto her, “you’re so supportive,” he said sarcastically.

  Shalina laughed, “Well, it’s been about your tenth try today. We can try again tomorrow, once I get my strength back up.”

  Angel sat up and shook his wet curls, “you’ve been feeding me Verna for a week. I should be able to grab the sword by now!”

  “Wow, Angel. Are you really that desperate to leave me?”

  “No, not at all really. We just need to complete our mission. Who knows where Shalina may have gone by now?”

  “Well, they can’t be far. Besides, I can track her. We just have to get you back before Darrengiy gets to her.”

  Angel nodded. He wouldn’t let Darrengiy take her away this time. Especially not after learning that she could possibly die if he stole her Verna. She was Princess Shalina’s doppelganger, therefore she lived off of Verna as well. That brought up a question that Angel’s been wondering for a while, “Hey, why do you think Darrengiy waited so long to take her Verna away? I mean, he had years to do it.”

  Shalina shrugged, “Darrengiy’s a sensitive man. He may not have wanted to kill her, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he had fallen in love with her by now.”

  “So, if he doesn’t want to take her life, then how will he take her power then?”

  “That’s what you and I need to figure out,” she sighed, “but if he starts to get desperate, he will try to drain her, and that would make him ten times harder to kill.”

  The two of them sat there in silence for a moment, then Angel shrugged, “I’ll see if Tasa knows anything when I get back,” he scooted to the edge of the rock and dipped his legs in the lake, “I’m going to try one more time.”

  “You said that an hour ago,” Shalina laughed.

  Angel looked back over his shoulder and gave an innocent smile, then he dropped himself down under the water.

  Chapter 18: Shalina-Part 5

  One week earlier...

  Shalina sprint through the woods with Verenda right behind her. It was the fastest that she had ever run in her life, and even though she knew that they were far away from Angel, she couldn’t bring herself to stop running.

  “Shalina!” Verenda yelled as he reached out to stop her, “Shalina, stop!”

  Shalina didn’t listen to him, and continued on running. She didn’t even know what she was running from anymore. Herself, maybe? There was no one chasing her, and she was far out of reach from the Moorenofs, but she wouldn’t stop running. She couldn’t.

  “Shalina!” Verenda had finally got a hold of her arm and stopped her before she went tumbling down a steep hill, “we can stop now.”

  Shalina pulled away from him, not wanting to be touched. She had just killed a person, someone’s son, or someone’s friend. Angel’s life. She had just taken Angel’s life and regretted doing that more than ever. Even if he was the reason her family was gone, she never thought that she would actually kill him because of it. Then there was the look on his face when she had stabbed him, and she couldn’t understand why it hurt her so much to see him that way.

  “No! We have to go, they could still catch up,” Shalina said turning away.

  Verenda grabbed her arm again, “we are far enough Shalina,” he could tell that she was upset about Angel, and maybe still in shock.

  “Verenda, there’s no time,” She cried, “I just killed one of their friends. They’re probably coming after us right now.”

  Verenda sighed, “I don’t think that they are. Just try to calm down for a moment.”

  Shalina looked up at Verenda with tears in her eyes, “is it really that easy for you?”

  Verenda felt guilty for leaving her alone, but at the moment it seemed like the best idea. He knew that he was strong enough to distract them all, and that would’ve given Shalina time to run away and hide, but he didn’t think about Angel going after her.

  Verenda held her by her shoulders, “it didn’t used to be,” he said calmly, “but when you need to protect yourself, such things as killing can be necessary.”

  Shalina thought back to how she creeped up behind Angel with her sword and waited for the perfect chance to kill him. She wasn’t thinking about how she would feel about it at the time, and was only going off of her hate for him, “I don’t think that it was,” she shook her head.

  Verenda pulled her in close as she began to sob, “your alive, and here with me, so it was necessary,” he frowned at the thought of Angel being the reason that she was so upset. Her first kill will forever be engraved in her mind, and she’ll never forget it.

  A while after Shalina had stopped crying, they walked through the woods and were heading back for Verenda’s cabin. He figured that once they got back, he would be able to think more on where they would go from there.

  The two of them walked until the moon rose high into the sky, and decided to rest in a small cave for the night, so Verenda set up a fire and created one large pallet made of leaves and grass for them to sleep on.

  For a long time Shalina stared at the fire. She was watching it for so long that she made it a goal to make the fire go out. After everything she’s been through so far, she noticed that every now and then her Verna would kick into action, and wanted to teach herself to control it. If she could, then she would never have to kill anyone ever again, because she would only make it twice as hard for them to harm her.

  Verenda opened his eyes to see Shalina sitting up with her back to him, and most likely, was still thinking about Angel. He knew that it would be a while for her to let it go and forgive herself, but until then, he was going to do his best to make her happy.

  “Verenda?” Shalina lifted her head, sensing that Verenda was awake, “I want to leave here.”

  “We will tomorrow morning,” Verenda said as he sat up on one elbow, “we’re close to the cabin-”

  “No,” She sat there silently for a moment, “I mean Mooralshia,” she turned to look at him over her shoulder, “and I want you to come with me,” she was completely calm as she asked him, and it almost felt as if it were an order.

  Verenda frowned, but wasn’t going to object. There was too much going on in Mooralshia, and it was getting even more dangerous by the day. It wasn’t as if he couldn’t protect himself, but it was far too much for Shalina to handle, and he wasn’t going to leave her alone again, “I’ll go.”

  Shalina turned back around and stared back into the fire, “but how do you suppose we travel? To swit
ch through the worlds, you need to be extremely powerful in order to open up a portal, right?”

  Verenda reached up and touched her shoulder, “I’m looking at the most powerful woman in Vernasia.”

  Shalina rested her hand over his, “but I can’t control it yet.”

  “Then I’ll teach you,” Verenda said, “and once you’ve mastered it, then we could leave far away from here, and start a new life in a new world.”

  Shalina smiled with tears streaming down her cheeks, “I would like that,” she wiped her eyes, and then laid down next to Verenda.

  Verenda could feel his body growing hot, but enjoyed the feeling. He stared down into Shalina’s eyes, and knew at that very moment that he could let himself love again. He could let himself fall in love with Shalina, “I’ve never met anyone like you before.”

  Shalina could feel the mood in the cave begin to change, and was uncomfortable with it at first, but when Verenda rested his hand on her cheek and rubbed away another tear, a feeling that she’s been craving for grew in the pit of her stomach. Her heart raced as she gazed into his half demon eyes and she felt as if she couldn’t breathe, “what are we doing?” she whispered.

  Verenda’s thumb brushed over Shalina’s lips, “I don’t know,” he leaned down for a kiss, but stopped when Shalina put her hand to his chest.

  “Wait...”

  “What is it?”

  Shalina frowned in thought. Was this wrong? She and Darrengiy were supposed to be married, and it hasn’t even been that long since she’s been away, but were they ever going to be married? Darrengiy was never around, and when he was, it was brief. He left her alone in a large castle with no one but servants that were afraid to get close to her, and a friend that only had time to visit every once in a while. Did Darrengiy even love her like he said he did? Or was that to keep her from wondering so much?

  Shalina didn’t know what to think other than how there was a wonderful and mysterious man lying next to her, that she knew would risk his life for her well-being. He was a stranger, and yet a great friend that she gained feelings for.

  Shalina ran her fingers through his hair, “Nothing.”

  Verenda leaned down and kissed the first woman he’s ever felt anything for after Laren’s death. As he kissed her, he slowly moved his hand up her leg and grabbed at the soft flesh of her thigh.

  Shalina smiled and bit his bottom lip, then continued on kissing him. This was a new feeling that she’s never experience before. Not even with Darrengiy, and she was going to take full advantage of it.

  Verenda stretched his leg over Shalina and got on top of her, then he dug his head into her neck and kissed at her soft skin. He couldn’t believe how such an innocent woman could harbor this kind of aggression deep inside of her, and although she was nothing like Laren, he loved it.

  “I will follow you anywhere,” Verenda whispered. His black and gold wings emerged from his back as he leaned down for another kiss, “anywhere...”

  Morning had come back around, and the light beaming in on Shalina’s face awakened her. She squinted and covered her eyes, then was about to sit up when Verenda’s wing covered her body, and gently pushed her back down.

  Shalina smiled over at Verenda, who had been watching her sleep since he awakened, “good morning.”

  “Good morning,” Verenda said while still looking intensely at Shalina.

  “Is everything alright?” She had hoped that she didn’t do anything wrong last night since it was her first time being with a man.

  “Everything is fine,” Verenda answered. He leaned over and kissed her on the cheek, then got to his feet and pulled her up.

  Shalina brushed the grass from the pallet off of her, and then shook out the remaining grass from her hair, “so, we head back?”

  “Yeah,” Verenda walked to the exit of the cave and stood in the bright sun light. He was going to miss the Mooralshian nature, but was excited to start fresh in another dimension, “home isn’t far from here.”

  Shalina walked up to Verenda and touched his shoulder, “then let’s go. I have to start training somewhere.”

  Verenda had just remembered that he told her that he would teach her how to use her Verna. He sighed, wondering how he was going to do that if he couldn’t even fully control his own power.

  “Is something wrong?” Shalina asked.

  “No, not at all,” he smiled, then pulled Shalina in close and jumped high into the air. With one flap of his wings he flew forward over the trees and then kicked his legs out to land safely on the ground.

  Shalina stepped back and put her hair behind her ear, then she looked to her right and could see the cabin waiting for them a couple yards away, “I’m going to have to get used to you doing that.”

  Verenda chuckled, “I remember when I first learned how to do it. I never used to land on my feet,” he turned and started walking with her for the cabin.

  “Really?” Shalina laughed.

  “Yeah, I used to crash on my face, my side. One day I even knocked out one of these,” he pointed to one of his canine teeth, “luckily, our teeth grow back quickly.”

  “Our?” Shalina was puzzled. She didn’t actually know much about him except that he worked for Darrengiy.

  “Oh, I’m from Devenaska,” he gave a slight smile, “I was the eastern prince.”

  Shalina suddenly stopped walking, “you were a prince!?”

  Verenda turned around to face her and walked backwards, “sure was.”

  “But,” Shalina started walking again, “I don’t understand. Don’t you have your duties? Who will be the prince in your place?”

  Verenda kept up his fake smile, even though thinking of his home brought him nothing but sadness, “I’m pretty sure that my father found someone to replace me,” he turned around, “but remember when I said it’s not safe for me to go back?”

  Shalina thought back to the conversation they had about him and Darrengiy, and how Darrengiy was a dangerous man, and sighed, “Right, I forgot. Sorry about that.”

  “It’s okay,” Verenda reached back and took her hand. They walked the rest of the way to the cabin in silence.

  Once they got inside, Shalina sat down at the table and Verenda went through his cabinets to start packing up a small bag.

  “We’re leaving already?” Shalina asked.

  “Not just yet. I’d like to bathe,” Verenda said with a grin, “would you care to join me?”

  Shalina blushed and nodded, then followed him out to the lake behind the cabin, where they would be bathing together.

  Verenda no longer felt shy around Shalina after last night, and took his clothes off without hesitation. When he noticed how Shalina was still waiting behind him he turned around, causing her entire face to turn red. She definitely was no longer the aggressive woman from last night.

  Verenda smiled, showing a full set of beautiful teeth, then waved for her to follow him into the lake, “come on in woman,” once the water was up to his waist he turned around and faced her, “don’t be so shy now.”

  Shalina frowned, “I’m not being shy.”

  “Then get in!” Verenda challenged her with a slight grin.

  Shalina hesitated, but then slowly pulled her top from over her head, and bushed her bottoms off so that they would fall to the ground. She covered up her chest with her arms, and slowly eased her way into the cool water.

  Verenda watched her every step of the way with an almost childlike curiosity. How is it that she’s so different now, than she was last night? He thought it was cute how Shalina was still a little shy, which would be considered normal, since they just met.

  “I won’t bite,” Verenda said swimming over to her, “I promise.”

  Shalina dipped under the water to hide her chest, and for some reason felt so much safer that way, “I wouldn’t know with those sharp teeth of yours.”

  Verenda chuckled, “don’t worry. I would never hurt you.”

  Shalina stared blankly at him for a moment as
she got lost in his feline eyes, then snapped out of her trance, “so, how do you plan on getting me to control my Verna?”

  “Well, it took me a while to figure it out, but you know how you only seem to tap into it when you’re feeling emotional?”

  Shalina bit her lip, “yeah?” she had no idea where this was going.

  “Well, that’s how I’m going to teach you to use it, and I don’t think...” he looked behind her and saw the berries on a bush grow so quickly that they were dropping off into the water, “that’s going to be very hard.”

  “Ok,” Shalina folded her arms, “but one question?”

  Verenda turned his eyes back to her, “hmm?”

  “How did you get here?”

  Verenda thought back to that rainy day at the first kingdom. He was so upset that night that he was able to use all of his power to open up a portal, and come here, “same way you created that wind storm,” he answered, “I was angry.”

  “Ahhh,” Shalina nodded, “so, you plan on making me angry?”

  “Well, I don’t plan to,” Verenda laughed, “but if that works, then I don’t see a problem.”

  Shalina gave a slight smile, “so, show me something. Get me to use my Verna,” she stepped in close to him.

  Verenda looked down at her, and then touched her cheek with the back of his hand, “I told you, just a little emotion helps you use it.”

  Shalina felt butterflies in the pit of her stomach, and she began to feel hot all over, but nothing happened, “I don’t think this is working.”

  Verenda looked up and watched as the leaves fell off of the trees all around them, “I think it is...”

  Shalina looked up with him and her mouth dropped. The leaves on the trees were continuously growing, then falling off so that the next leaf could grow. A smile creeped up on her lips, “this is amazing,” she even saw leaves falling from the trees in piles further out, “this is me?”

  Verenda touched the tip of her chin with his thumb to give her another kiss, “Verna is life. It’s a very powerful force, and it’s yours,” he kissed her.