The Chains of Heaven ~ Part 1

Her mother was an Angel, fallen from grace, who wished to be as one of them, human. To live among those that He had chosen as the object of his love. She cast out all the pleasures and joys of Heaven to experience the world of man.

But innocence has a way of being ripped from those that would call themselves such and she was thrust into a realm of terror when she was discovered by a demon from the underworld who forced her to his will. Now, as she is ripe with his child, she begs for the life of her unborn. Through no fault of its own, this child is the product of both purity and evil, to be cast out of any world it would be born to. Her mother begs Him for guidance and she is given a choice, her life forfeit, she must chose to allow her child to live as a mortal on Earth, where it could succumb to the damned ways of its sire or become a servant of the Angels in Heaven, purified of the evil in its blood.

Though uncertain of subjecting her child to an immortal life of servitude, she refuses to allow it to suffer through a life in the world of men. Her fear of what could transpire makes her decision and the babe, a daughter, is taken from her arms as her life force fades forever. She names the tiny child Rose, for her favorite memory while on Earth was the time spent in the flower gardens near her home. As she passes on, she begs for her child to find the peace that she could not.

Rose spends her infancy and childhood with others that are in the service of the Angels. These individuals are for one reason or another barred from entering Heaven but undeserving of the tortures of Hell. Some committed crimes on Earth and for that their penalty is slavery, others are fallen Angels stripped of their wings they are no longer considered part of their brethren but servants for whatever sin they had committed. They are not cruel or mean in nature, as this would not be allowed in the Halls of Heaven, they are sorry for their faults and grateful to Him for allowing their existence instead of casting them into the fires Below.

When old enough, Rose begins her servitude in the kitchens helping with daily meals and cleaning. As she nears adulthood, the others jested at her small size for she was shorter then any of them save the children. She blossomed into an exceptionally beautiful young woman that bore a strong resemblance to her petite mother. Her mahogany brown hair was long with a natural wave to it, growing well past the small of her back. She kept the lengths braided and wrapped up around her head in the resemblance of a crown, for though she enjoyed the beauty of her hair it was forever getting in her way when she allowed it down. Her eyes, some said were the product of her father's blood, at times they were a deep green, shining and bright, other times when her mood was low their emerald color would dim to a shade almost grey, still striking in their appearance but slightly unsettling. It was the only trait that she carried of her sire and for that she was grateful. She knew the reason behind her servitude and felt blessed to have been given a place in the Halls and worked diligently to show her gratitude.

Up until this time she saw very little of those she served, her only interaction with the Angels themselves was at meals when she would serve them. They were kind but took little interest in the servants around them. Rose preferred it this way, her fear of males made her almost mute and frozen if they spoke to her. Many did notice the little servant as she was strikingly beautiful, carrying on about her chores with a dainty, feminine air that intrigued the virile Angels. Knowing that her mother had been forced to the will of a powerful male drowned out all thoughts of reason when she was in their presence. On the occasion that they did talk to her she would begin to shake, holding her eyes downcast away from their stare and her lower lip would tremble with such force that she would bite down on it to stop its quaking. Most stopped trying to speak to her, as they lost patience with her fear of them. All but one, Michael, who was kind, with his quiet manner he would soothe her fears enough to get her to speak to him. He had no other desires toward the little one other then to try to help her out of her paralyzing fright and show her that she had nothing to fear from him.

Rose looked forward to seeing Michael at meals and would try to serve him before the others. It was at one of these meals that Gabriel first realized her presence and was immediately taken with the petite beauty. The shear size of Gabriel was enough to send Rose running to the kitchens away from his gaze. His immense form dwarfed many of his brethren, and to her he seemed an invincible giant, capable of felling her with one powerful blow. Michael tried to warn Gabriel that he would have to tread softly with the little female if he wished to gain her trust, as he had done. But an Angel such a Gabriel was determined to have Rose on his own terms and scoffed his friend’s advice.

One morning while walking toward the bath house to wash, Gabriel spotted Rose leaving the kitchens with her arms full of clean linens. His face split into a wide grin as he realized that she was headed to the same place he was. It was known to the servants that their aid would be needed to help the Angels when they bathed; as their wings were so large in expanse it wasn't possible for them to reach their entire surface. Normally, there were servants already in the bath house for such a reason but Gabriel was determined to have Rose bathe him.

As if sensing his presence behind her, Rose turned to look down the hallway and he heard her quick intake of breath as she saw him. He watched as her emerald eyes took in the broad expanse of his bare chest and traveled across the distance of his massive shoulders. The immense size of his wings cast shadows along the hallway as he walked, and he wore only a long wrap of red linen around his body that rested dangerously low on his wide hips. He had to stifle a laugh as her beautiful eyes widened even more when she realized that she was staring. Increasing her speed, Rose practically ran the remaining distance, enlarging the space between them, to the end of the hall where she ducked into the great room that made up the bath house. Gabriel smiled again as he caught up to his quarry and sent her running again to the other end of the room.

Steam rose from the half dozen deep pools that spotted the floor of the bath house. Hot water was plumbed in from the outside to fill the pools, their depths allowing most to submerge up to their shoulders to allow their great bodies and wings to soak.

Gabriel motioned to the head of servants in the bath house and she came over to him quickly, bowing to his greatness. As she raised her eyes to his, he spoke low so only she could here his command.

"The little one, Rose," he gestured to the girl folding linens across the way, "I would have her assist me today." Gabriel's eyebrow raised in question, as the servant in front of him hesitated to answer him.

"My lord, we have plenty of servants who would be pleased to bathe you. Rose isn't accustomed to working in here, and she would be very afraid to do as you ask. Perhaps I could get Millisand or Rachael to aid you?" She looked up, searching Gabriel's eyes for agreement as the women she suggested were more then equipped to handle the powerful male.

Gabriel's left wing twitched in irritation as he spoke. "As I said, I will have Rose bathe me today. Send her to me." The woman bowed again to him and backed away. She turned and headed toward the little female across the room, her steps hesitant.

Keeping one eye on the servant, he walked over to one of the warm pools and unwrapped the length of cloth from around his hips. He let the material drop to the floor and stepped into the deep water, allowing the heat to sink into his powerful muscles, easing their tension. He sat down along the wall of the pool where a bench had been formed underwater that allowed the water to his lap at his waist and looked up toward where Rose was. He saw the look of utter fright on her face as her eyes traveled over the room to him. Watching her swallow her fear and nod once to the other woman, her eyes never left him. Slowly she made her way over to him and he could see that she was fighting an urge to flee from the room and the task commanded of her.

Finally she came to a stop on the other side of the pool, her eyes downcast as she bit hard on her lip to stop its quivering. Gabriel sat there for a moment pleased with her compliance so far. He gazed at her with barely concealed lust. "Remove your dress, little one. You'll have to come in to help me properly." Gabriel ordered her and his eyebrow raised again as her green eyes flew to his in fear.

He didn't speak again, just waited for her to do his bidding. Finally after a long moment, Rose reached up to the bodice of her dress, jerked the tie open, and worked the laces until they were loose enough to pull the material over her head. Her entire body trembled violently as she removed the clothing and stood in her shift clutching the dress to her small body. Never had she shown herself to a male and every bit of her being was screaming to run away from the frighteningly powerful male before her, but she had been raised to obey and as much as she feared him, that emotion was nothing compared to her terror over what would await her if she disobeyed.

"Put the dress aside and come down into the water." Gabriel ordered patiently. Rose moved to the side of the pool and hesitantly laid her dress over a bench, and then as if steeling herself, she took in a deep breath and turned back to where he awaited her. As she made her way back to the lip of the pool, he gave himself free rein to take in her form. His eyes drifted lazily upward as he admired her shapely, slim legs. Her upper thighs disappeared under the thin material of her shift and he let his gaze rise to her curved hips and slender waist. The shift had a low neckline and gave him a glimpse of the soft roundness of the tops of her small breasts. Her shoulders and arms were toned and because her hair was braided up he could see the delicate column of her neck, her skin smooth and so enticingly soft looking. Gabriel thoroughly enjoyed assessing her as Rose slowly made her way down the steps into the warm water until her feet touched the expanse of concrete around the edge of the pool where he sat. When she finally waded her way around to him, her body trembled so fiercely that she feared her knees would give way. Stopping just short of him, she refused to raise her eyes to his, and Gabriel's mouth lifted in a half smile at her fearful courage. He slid off the bench and dipped low into the relaxing warm water to let it soak the feathers of his wings and then stood up turning his back to her, allowing her to wash him. He waited a moment but when he didn't feel her hands on him he turned slightly to look at where she stood frozen in place. Her shoulders rounded forward and she had her arms crossed over her chest defensively. She still had her teeth buried in her lush full lower lip as she trembled from his nearness.

Gabriel leaned to the side, where at the pool's edge sat a basket of soaps and clean wash rags. Picking up one of each he handed them to her, "It's a simple task, little one. Just soap up the rag and wash my wings." He said it softly but sternly, and waited until she took the items from him. Looking down at her hands as their fingers met, he was amazed at how small they were compared to his own powerful ones. An image of her wrapping those dainty fingers around his hardness came sharply to his mind and he instantly stirred under the water. He turned quickly so she wouldn't see her effect on him physically and gave her his back again. This time he felt her gentle hands on his right wing as she softly scrubbed the feathers of dirt. Neither spoke as she cleaned him, he simply stood and enjoyed the feel of her on him. As she began to scrub his other side, they both heard footsteps approach and Gabriel looked up to see Michael walking towards the pool.

Stopping at the edge, Michael shook his blond head in disapproval at Gabriel, a severe frown on his handsome face. "Have a care, my friend." Michael said in warning as he gestured at Rose. She refused to meet his eyes as he looked from Gabriel to her then back again. When Gabriel said nothing, Michael turned and continued to an unoccupied pool to bathe.

When Rose had finished bathing his wings, Gabriel dipped back down into the water to rinse then offered her his back again, "While you're there, little one, you might as well finish the job and scrub my back for me." He smiled his command to her but she didn't see it nor hear the light humor in his voice. After hesitating a moment, Rose shook herself of her fear and resumed her duty. As she began to scrub the tanned skin of his back she couldn't help but notice his immense size and broad expanse of his powerful shoulders, it made her tremble to think of what he could do if angered. She worked her way to one side and Gabriel allowed his wings to lift from his back enough to allow her to clean the skin underneath them. Making her way back across his shoulder she felt a kink in his neck under the rag as she worked the soap into his skin.

Gabriel felt her stop and as he turned to see what she was about he felt her small fingers run over his skin. Lightly at first, then increasing in pressure, Rose massaged the tight spot trying to work it free. Letting his head fall to the side, Gabriel leaned back into her touch and moaned in sheer pleasure as she worked the tight muscle. She stopped when she felt him moving towards her and he begged her not to stop, "Please, little one, that spot always gives me trouble, it feels wonderful to have it rubbed out." Rose continued until she could feel the tightness give way and he visibly relaxed. She then picked the rag back up and finished scrubbing the smooth skin of his back.

Again when she finished, Gabriel dipped in to rinse the soap, and when he came back up, he flicked the excess water from his wings, spraying the surrounding area and soaking her in the process. She squeaked in surprise as the water splashed her and then she looked down in horrified shock to see the light fabric of her shift soak up the water and cling to her skin. Her nipples, hardened by the warm water and the cold air in the great room, pushed out under the wet fabric. Rose slowly raised her eyes to see Gabriel turn in the water toward her, and froze as he closed the small distance between their bodies. Putting her hands up in an attempt to ward him off, her fingers grazed against his hard chest and she jerked them back away from him. He kept coming at her until she was pinned between him and the lip of the pool. Keeping his piercing blue stare locked onto her, Gabriel slowly wrapped his hands about her slim waist, his fingers overlapping around her and he brought her trembling body up against his powerful form. He felt her hands on his arms as she tried to push away from him, but he refused to let go of her.

"Don't be afraid of me, sweet little Rose, I won't hurt you. You have no idea how utterly enticing you are." Gabriel spoke softly, his lips coming closer to hers. Her hands met his chest again and he felt the tension in her as he took in her fragile beauty. Her eyes had turned from the sharp emerald he normally saw to a soft hazel, almost grey and he wondered at the change. The lashes that rimmed them were long and full, spiky from the water he'd shook at her. Gabriel strongly desired to pull the pins out of her hair so he could see the mahogany lengths in all their glory. He could only imagine how she looked with her hair down and flowing around her petite form. Her mouth had a subtle pout to it, with her full lower lip sticking out temptingly for him to suck on. Letting his hungry gaze drop, he watched as her small breasts rose up and down in agitation at his nearness. Her nipples still peaked against the fabric of her shift and he had to tear his eyes upward before he let his mouth take over his exploration. He kept her anchored to his own much larger body with one hand, while he let the other travel upwards where his thumb grazed lightly over her cheek. She flinched back from his gentle touch, and a soft whimper came out of her mouth. Gabriel brushed his fingers across her face and around to the back of her neck. Holding her gently, he pulled her face towards his own, eager to taste her sweet lush lips when he saw the single tear leave her eye and travel down her cheek to land on his hand.

Any thought he had of seducing her, left him in a rush when he saw that one lone tear. He realized the extreme extent of her fear of him and let her go instantly. Gabriel stepped back, freeing her from his embrace, "Go, you are free to leave me." He said it in a strained voice, and it seemed to Rose as if he were fighting with his decision to let her leave. She hesitated for a heartbeat then leapt out of the pool. Grabbing her dress, she didn't bother to put it back on, holding the material to her chest she ran from the bath house as if she too had been blessed with an angel's wings. Gabriel watched her go then exited the pool. He wrapped a linen towel around his wide hips he stood there a moment to gather his thoughts. Hearing a chuckle from behind him, he scowled then looked back to see Michael shaking his head at him.

"I told you, my friend, to have a care with little Rose." Michael chided him. Glaring at Michael, Gabriel stalked out of the bath house, his temper barely held in check.

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Rose ran out the door of the bathhouse and headed to the kitchens. Before she entered the doorway, she slipped the dress back over her head and did her best to wipe the tears from her eyes. The kitchen help would be able to see that she had been crying but hopefully they wouldn’t pry as to the reason she was upset. She kept her head low and resumed her chores, finishing out the remainder of the day with her heart pumping wildly in her chest. Every now and then, she would remember his massive hands wrapped around her waist pulling her against his powerful body and she would tremble hard until she could shake the image from her mind.

During the evening meal, Gabriel looked for the little servant girl but she stayed out of sight. He was still burning hard for her and couldn’t get the feel of her slim body up against his own out of his mind, her beautiful pink mouth so temptingly close. She was afraid of him, that he knew, but he was determined to prove to her that he wouldn’t harm her. In fact, all he desired to do was show her the pleasures he could give her. Gabriel wanted to hear his name tear from her sweet lips as he brought her to her peak, over and over again. He wanted to claim her for his own and let no other male touch her.

Later in the night, Rose was asleep in the female servants’ chambers. Her cot lay at the end of the room in the corner, farthest away from the door. She felt safer there, surrounded by the other women. She lay on her side, facing the wall and did not see him approach. A female gasp brought her out of a light sleep and she blinked a few times in the semi-darkness to figure out just what had awakened her. It was then that she felt the rough woolen blanket that covered her slowly sliding down her body. She turned to see who was trying to disturb her rest and as her eyes adjusted to the dimness of the low burning candles, she saw him standing at the foot of her bed with her blanket gripped hard in his hand. Sucking in her breath from shock, her mouth dropped as she looked up at his face.

Gabriel’s jaw was clenched tight, his full lips set in a tense, grim line, and his deep blue eyes all but glowed as he stared down at her. He wore only a pair of light colored linen pants, tied at his waist they emphasized the hard slabs of muscle that made up his abdomen. His deep chest rose and fell as he breathed heavily, trying to curb his lust, as he took in her disheveled appearance. It was the first time he had seen her mass of hair let down and the soft curls lay all about her, with some locks drifting down to frame her beautiful face. She wore nothing but the same shift that she had bathed him in and he felt the impact of his desire for her hit him hard in his groin.

She lay frozen in fear, there was nowhere for her to go, for Gabriel was blocking her only way out of the room. It was then that he stepped closer, and leaned down over her. Rose whimpered as she felt his big arms underneath her body and then he was lifting her against him. He spoke no words as he looked down at her and she could do nothing but stare back at him, a plea in her eyes as she trembled violently against him. Gabriel turned and took her from the chamber, past the other servants who stared aghast at his actions, carrying her through the darkened hallways to his own quarters. Still staring up at him as he looked ahead to where he was going, Rose knew that there was no escaping him this time, he meant to have her and there was nothing that she could do to stop it. Tears slipped down her cheeks as her thoughts ran wild through her head. Would it be as terrible as she imagined it to be? Would it hurt, like so many had said? She was going to suffer the same as her mother had, to be forced to the will of another, to be made to submit because she was weaker than him.

Before she could make sense of all the emotions running through her, Gabriel had entered a doorway and she knew that it was his room. He placed her on his wide bed, and then before she could react he had grasped the hem of her shift and pulled it over her head leaving her naked to his hungry stare. Rose instantly covered her breasts with her arms, hunching her body forward to try to hide from him. She closed her eyes tightly afraid of what he would do next, when she felt the bed dip behind her. Gabriel wrapped one impossibly hard arm around her waist and pulled her back against his muscular chest. He brushed the hair away from her smooth back then laid a soft kiss on her shoulder. Her body quaked fiercely as his lips touched her skin and she whimpered.

“Easy, my sweet little Rose, you have nothing to fear from me.” As he spoke, he grazed his lips up her neck and kissed her again behind her ear. Her breath came out in shaky half sobs, as she felt his free hand travel down her arm then he grasped her wrist to pull it from her chest.

Just as Gabriel was about to move her arm down, the door to his chamber burst open and in walked a very angry Michael. The handsome blond Angel didn’t stop until he was standing over Gabriel, his hands sitting on his hips and his great wings flared out behind him with barely concealed aggression. Rose blushed hard under his piercing stare, very aware of just how naked and vulnerable she was. It was then that Michael moved, grabbing her shift that had been carelessly thrown to the floor, he ripped the petite girl from Gabriel’s grasp and she cried out in fear of him. He spoke to her softly as he placed the shift over her head, covering her nakedness. Gabriel, who was frozen in shock at his friend’s boldness, could only sit and watch as the object of his intense desire was taken from him. Michael finally looked over at him, anger still seething in his glare. “This is not the way you go about things, Gabriel. Can’t you see that she’s terrified of you?”

Michael scooped Rose up into his powerful embrace and looked down at her tearful face. She had her eyes closed and her teeth were again buried in her full lower lip as she tried to stop to sobs from falling from her mouth. Her arms were crossed protectively over her chest and Michael tightened his grip on her, holding her close to his heart, hoping to give her some comfort. He turned away from Gabriel and strode from the room, leaving the other Angel stupefied on his bed.

As he returned her to the servants’ quarters, the other women again looked up, confused to see another male returning Rose to her room. He laid her down gently then covered her with the blanket at the foot of the bed. She turned to her side and curled up into a tiny ball, her tears falling freely from her tightly clenched eyes. Michael smoothed his big hand down her silken hair and then rose quietly and left the room.

Over the next few days, Gabriel tried very unsuccessfully to be alone with Rose. He would come for her in the dead of night and carry her off to his chambers. Yet every time he took the petite servant girl from her bed, Michael was always there to thwart his efforts and bring her back to her room. Finally Michael tired of having to force his way into Gabriel’s quarters and decided to meet the Angel in the hallway as he was on his way to, again, bring her to his private chamber.

As Gabriel left his door one late night, Michael stepped in his path, “Gabriel, my friend, you can’t keep doing this to that poor girl. She is a delicate, fragile little creature and I fear you are causing her irreparable damage. You must stop this.”

Gabriel sucked in his breath in frustration, “What business is this of yours anyway? Do you desire the girl yourself, is that why you take her from me?” He glared at Michael demanding that he answer.

“No, my friend, I do not desire the little one, but I do feel responsible for her well being. You see, I knew her mother, very well you could say, before she fell to the world of men. I promised her before she faded that I would watch over her child. I doubt you know the story behind Rose’s creation but I assure you that if you did, you would go easier with her.” Michael explained keeping his voice soft. He then continued his story and told Gabriel about Rose’s mother and the horror that befell her. When he was finished, Gabriel looked away, ashamed of his actions and his selfish desires to have the little servant.

“I am a fool. I thought she was afraid of me simply because she was a maiden. I had no knowledge of her mother or what had happened to her when she conceived Rose.” Gabriel’s shoulders dropped, his wings hanging limply from his back.

Michael laid a strong hand on his big friend’s arm, “She is afraid of you because of both her innocence and her mother’s tragedy. You are a great and powerful male who could, if you desired, take her by force. Not only is she a servant that must obey but she is so small that there is no way she could stop you from doing what you wished to her. Which is the reason why that I’ve been telling you all along to go gently with her.”

Looking at his handsome blond friend, Gabriel’s blue eyes burned brightly, “I still cannot deny my desire for Rose. It is more then just lust, Michael. I wish to claim her for my own. I want her to lie with me and stay beside me, always. My only thoughts lately are of her. I can’t sleep, nor eat. She’s consuming me. Since I’ve discovered her sweet face, I have longed to hear my name flow from her beautiful lips. As I have yet to hear her speak at all. She belongs with me, I only wish to please and care for her.” His eyes dropped to the floor, dejected and disappointed that he had caused Rose such fear of him.

Gabriel’s eyes leapt back up to Michael as the Angel suddenly barked out an amused laugh. “Well, why didn’t you say that before? If I had known that you felt the way you did, I wouldn’t have done my best to thwart you, again and again! All right, Gabriel, go to her. I will not interfere this time, but as I have warned before, please go gently with her.” Michael clapped the bigger Angel on the shoulder a final time then turned and left him dumbfounded in the dark hallway.

He tried to collect his thoughts, and then realized that this was his night to claim her. Michael not only gave him crucial advice about Rose, but he also gave Gabriel his blessing. Wasting no more time thinking of it, Gabriel strode down the hall to the servants quarters to bring his little one back with him where she belonged.

He silently made his way, once again, toward Rose. She was awake, as if waiting for him to come to her as he had over the past few nights. Her hands were clenched into the brown woolen blanket that lay over her, the only barrier between the powerful male slowly stalking toward her and her trembling body. This time he didn’t wait, or hesitate, he simply pulled the rough cover down away from her and lifted her into the great strength of his embrace. As he did so, the long silken lengths of her hair grazed up his arm and he had to fight to draw breath into his lungs. Holding her tightly against him, he strode out of the servant’s quarters and into the hallway toward his private room. The other women in the room shook their heads at the amount of times they had seen the powerful Angel take little Rose away, but they figured like every time before, Michael would safely return her. They did not realize that this night was very different.

As he had before, Gabriel gently place his precious burden on his bed and Rose instantly wrapped her arms about her, waiting to feel his massive hands pull her shift away from her quivering body. When he didn’t touch her, she peeked out of the protective fall of her mahogany waves to see him kneel before her. Confused as to why he would take such a submissive position with her she turned her head towards him, her delicate eyebrows drawn together as she frowned at him.

Gabriel had to fight not to lean up and kiss the pout from her soft lips. Instead he put his hands up in front of him in supplication and spoke softly, “I hope that you can forgive my aggression, I have never wanted a female as much as I desire you. You are with me every waking moment and in every dream as I try to sleep. Please don’t be afraid of me, I understand now the depths of your fear and how you must view any male that comes near you, but you must know that I could never forcefully take you or harm you in any way. My actions are those of a stubborn male who refused to see anything but his own selfish need. If you would let me but hold you this night, I promise I will not attempt anything but to wrap you in my arms and feel you sleep beside me.”

He rose from where he knelt on the floor and sat beside her on the bed, she kept her arms wrapped tightly about her body, fear still shaking her as she looked up at him, uncertainty in her deep emerald eyes. Seeing that he may have a chance to hold her, Gabriel’s deep voice spoke again, “I know that you have found safety in Michael’s arms when he has carried you away from me. Is it possible for you to believe that I am capable of the same comfort? Will you not let me show you how gentle I can be?”

Taking a chance, he brought his larger body closer to her much smaller form and slowly slid his arm around to pull her towards him. As he leaned nearer to her, his deep blue gaze locked onto her frightened emerald green eyes and he watched them begin to fade to a light grey. It was then that he realized the connection between her eyes and her level of fear. If he was correct in his assumption, then at this moment she was very afraid of him.

Gabriel pulled her even closer to him and let his hand softly caress the lengths of her hair. She tensed at his touch but didn’t move away. Bringing his other arm across in front of her, he wrapped her in his embrace and brought her down to lie on the bed beside him, Rose whimpered softly at his actions. He paused to soothe his hand over her hair again then turned her onto her side with her back to him. He then lay down behind her, wrapping his massive arms about her slim frame. Pulling her as close to his chest as he could, he tucked her head under his chin, snugly fitting her into the cage of his body.

Rose’s body was rigid against him, her breath coming in quick gasps as she waited for his next move. Gabriel just held her against him and continued to run his large fingers through her silken hair, soothing her fears. She wondered about this gentle change in him, that now he wasn't overwhelming her senses, making her fear him. She was amazed that she could feel safe in his incredibly powerful arms that she thought before could do nothing but harm her. It seemed as though hours had passed and he still just held her tenderly in his arms. Her eyelids became heavy and she fought to keep them open, but his gentle caress on her hair was too much and she drifted into sleep.

As he played with the mass of wavy lengths, he felt her begin to relax against him. It was subtle but her body softened, eventually her breathing became more even and Gabriel realized that she had fallen asleep in his arms. Pulling a blanket from the end of the bed, he covered her then brought one of his great wings over them both to envelope her in his protective embrace. Her body snuggled into his seeking his warmth as she slept and he felt as though he had conquered all of the underworld to have gained her fragile trust enough that she was comfortable sleeping in his bed.