Bound by Love Read Free

dozen or more feathers had been ripped out of his flesh.
    Bel rushed to his side and crouched at his feet. With a comforting hand on Eden's knee and another brushing back tangled locks of hair, he asked, "Who did this?"
    Eden's lower lip trembled until he sucked it between his teeth. He shook his head and refused to look at Bel.
    "Talk to me, my light. Let me be your strength, as you have been for me so often."
    Eden turned his hand palm up and Bel gasped at the ruined flesh.
    "Andaras," Bel hissed. Only his father would claim his angel with a summoning rune carved into the skin.
    Eden nodded. His lip broke free from his teeth, swollen from the effort of restraining his emotions. A sob shook his thin chest and then another chased through his body. His torn wings trembled and drooped, stuck between their full beauty and a neat indiscreet place along Eden's back.
    "I won't let him. He can't have you."
    "It's too late. He's marked me and…" Fat tears fell from his eyes. "He saw the ring you gave me. I'm sorry. I took it, Bel, because I wanted to…" He took a deep breath but sobbed out the exhale. "He has it. He said you don't own me until you put it on my finger." His shimmering eyes shifted up to meet Bel's gaze at last. "I know you didn't mean it that way, Bel. That's why I had it. I was ready to wear it, but the magic didn't work."
    "Because I didn't put it on you," Bel finished. "I know." Bel covered both of Eden's hands with his own, touching lightly to avoid causing more pain to Eden's injuries. "I didn't mean it as ownership, Eden. I wanted to protect you."
    "I know." Eden huffed out an exasperated sob. "I knew then, too, but I wasn't ready to be that important to someone. I… fucked it up."
    Bel laughed, but despite his hope of calming the angel, he heard the tension in his own voice. "Did my innocent angel just swear?"
    Eden's eyes reflected anger and pain, but shadows of amusement flickered in the background. "He said if you don't return to your duties as his son, he'd come for me. Bel, it's okay. I know how much you hate what he made you do. All angels are taught to endure suffering and I will go when he calls me."
    "Oh, fuck no." Eden winced at Bel's words, making the demon laugh. "You said it first," Bel said. He sobered and shook his head. "You're not going with him. There is no way in Hell you're leaving me."
    Bel stood. Eden's eyes widened. He knew the answer before he asked the question. "Where are you going?"
    "I'm going to get my ring back. He had no right to take it. Or you."
    Eden shook his head. "No. No, don't, Bel. He'll hurt you. He'll make you return to his side." The angel shot to his feet, his ruined wings trembling. "That's if you're lucky. It's impossible for even full demons to find their way out of Hell without permission."
    Pulling the angel into his arms, Bel nuzzled his warm neck. "I'll find a way."
    Eden trembled in his arms. "Don't. Please."
    "Shh…" Bel brushed his lips over Eden's. "I'll come back to you. Remember, you're my guiding light, Eden. I'll find my way back to you, always."

Chapter Four
     
    After Bel left, Eden sank back into the kitchen chair, folded his arms on the table, and sobbed into his hands. His wings curved around him, shrouding him in his misery. He did not move until the dawn slipped past the thin white curtains guarding the window over the kitchen sink.
    When the sun became too bright and cheery, Eden rose to his feet, shaky, scared, and empty. He dragged himself up the narrow staircase at the back of the house, the tips of his wings dusting each step. He took a long shower, dwelling on Bel fighting for him in the depths of Hell. Bel had always said Eden's light and strength helped him find his human half and live a life they both enjoyed, but Eden thought he exaggerated, using sweet talk, as the mortals called it, to convey his love. Now, faced with the possibility of Bel's eternal damnation, Eden found the strength to give his lover the faith that only angels