Fate's Pawn: Wishes Three

Chapter Eight: My Angel

“You’re an angel?” Granted angels didn’t normally have black wings, but there was no other explanation for what I was witnessing.

“A fallen one,” Guile replied with a grin. He pointed at the portal I had created. “You might want to turn that off, you’re giving them quite the show.”

I looked back over my shoulder and once more locked eyes with my would have been buyer. He was saying something but I couldn’t quite make it out. I’ll something you, was that get? A shiver ran through me again and with a single hand, I waved the portal away. I stared at my hand for a moment as it registered just how easy that spell had been.

“You like the power boost? How long has it been since you’ve had access to all of your powers?” Guile walked over to me his feathers ruffling as he did so.

I shook my head. Words were so hard to try to form right now. “I can’t remember any more. It’s been such a long time.” I turned my hands this way and that as I examined them. The power that flowed through me was more distinct than any I had felt in a long while. Not since the last time I had killed a very famous master had I had such freedoms. “Thank you, Guile. Maybe I’ve judged you too harshly. You were true to your words, you broke the seals.”

“Don’t forget who asked him to break the seals.” Dagon frowned at his friend. “We are grateful, but now that you’ve restored her power we should probably make plans to get back to my place.”

Guile chuckled. “Do you not trust that she’ll stay faithful to you if you guys stay here where it’s safe and sound? Are you already that intimidated by me?”

“No, but why put you in danger, my friend?” Dagon shook his head. “It’s better for us to return to my own home and prepare for what will come our way.”

“Maybe you should ask our Rosebud what she would like to do, instead of deciding for her.” Guile smirked. “I’m interested to hear her speak for herself.”

Both men turned to look at me and I resisted the urge to drop my focus on my feet. “I want to stay here, Dagon.”

He sighed and smiled at me. He turned back to Guile his eyes narrowing on the other. “So that settles it, we’ll be staying here as long as she wishes, but you should keep your distance. Just because you helped her now doesn’t mean that she owes you anything.”

Guile waved a hand. “Of course not, the only thing I’m owed is three wishes of my own, that’s all.” He tilted his head as he studied me. His eyes were glowing dots of ice. “What do you say, Rosebud, will you give me some wishes too? I mean real ones, I want to be your master so to speak until the wishes are made. I need them to stick.”

“Absolutely not,” Dagon interrupted. He was glaring at his friend again. I had to wonder just how strong of a relationship these two had to be at odds all the time. “There’s no reason for her to have to switch masters to answer your wishes.”

“Besides the fact that I don’t want my wishes to vanish when she leaves this place?” Guile shook his head. “No, Acacia, I need you to take me as your master while I make my wishes. Agree and I’ll give you anything that you like, I need your power to help me. It’s the only way I can get my family back, and I’ll do anything for them.” He chuckled. “I know it looks like I’m spoiled with all of the things I collect, but if I can have them back? I would give all of this away, I would live like a peasant because they are so much more important than any item I could buy.”

His shining eyes were not locked on Dagon but on me instead. There was no smirk on his lips, not even a smile had been left as he spoke his truth. Just a steady burning gaze as he waited for my words. I knew that Dagon didn’t want me to accept the offer, but Guile had done something for me I had never expected. I had to repay him in some small way and if the wishes could somehow bring him happiness once more, how could I say no? I nodded. “So it shall be, until you have made your three binding wishes, Gulliver I shall be your genie.” I turned and inclined my head to Dagon. There was a fire in his eyes, but it wasn’t directed at me. “I’m so sorry, Dagon.”

“You owe me no apologies, I don’t want to stress you out further, I just want you to know that if Guile does try anything that is beyond the pale that I will make him pay for it, he will suffer in agony eternally.”

The hatred that laced his words made me take a step back from him. The gentle stranger that I had learned to know and appreciate was hidden behind this veil of rage. “I don’t think he will.”

Dagon nodded once more his smile back in place. “Then there won’t be any problems. I’ll protect you from whatever I have to, and whoever I have to, Acacia. I only wish for your happiness and a chance to earn your love.”

“You don’t hold back do you?” Guile shook his head. “Don’t worry so much, old friend, I wouldn’t dream of hurting your precious genie. Just three small wishes from her wishes that won’t tax her full strength of course, and you can have her all to yourself once more.”

I wandered closer to Guile. I had the urge to reach out and touch his flawless black feathers, but I restrained myself from it. “So what is your first wish, Master?”

Dagon slammed the door shut behind him and I turned to go after him when Guile grabbed me by the shoulder. “No worries, Rosebud, he’ll calm down in time. He’s just jealous right now. I’ve known him forever and he can have a really nasty temper. Also, you don’t need to call me Master, you can continue calling me Guile, I like it when you do that.”

I sighed. I hated the thought of hurting Dagon but I had just sworn my services to another. I just hoped he could forgive me. “How does a fallen angel know someone like Dagon anyway?”

Guile laughed. “How do I know him? Well, this is embarrassing to admit to someone I have interest in, but he used to be my boss a long time ago.”

Someone he had interest in? Were all guys so forward around here? Dagon loved me and had already proved it to me, Guile was clearly interested in me though I didn’t know his intentions yet. “Fine then, Guile, what is your first wish? I can’t guarantee that they will succeed, I have had a rather long list of failures in my time as a genie.”

“Oh, I’m well aware. When Dagon asked for my help in finding you, I let him know all about your past. Or rather you could say I told him the best places where he could get the information on you. I wasn’t as interested in you before I met you, call me shallow if you like. But now? I am very invested in proving my worth to you.”

“I barely know either of you, I don’t understand why you are both being like this. What’s so special about me? Sure, I’m a genie but you’re an angel! You have your own amazing magic, why do you even need my help for anything? Can’t you just do whatever you need with your own magic?”

“No, what I need can’t be done with my magic.” Guile sighed and his wings slumped. “I’ve been cursed for past sins of mine, kept away from those I love most. I’m not sure how much power my wishes will take from you, so let’s start simple and work our way from there, agreed?”

The tears that shimmered in his crystal eyes trailed down his cheeks and he made no move to wipe them away. “Of course, but what happens if your first wish is so strong that it drains me completely? I want to always be there for Dagon.”

Guile’s chuckle returned. “Always for Dagon? Don’t tell him this, but I’m determined those words will change by the time we’re through. But let’s get started.” He took a deep breath as he paced back and forth. “What should I wish for first? I only have three so I must be smart, but I also must be very careful that nothing happens to you, Rosebud.” He paused in his trek and grinned. “I have it. Acacia, for my first wish I want you to bring back my brother. I wish for Eros to be returned to me here in my home, healthy in body, pure in spirit, and returned to his full power.”

The magic that flowed through me was familiar now the golden sparkles embracing me like a beloved friend. The power whirled around me before forming a shape beside me. It started off as a small ball of energy but quickly grew into the form of yet another man with wide wings. I collapsed to my knees as the wish took more and more of my energy to exert its full effects. I gasped as pain wracked my body, but then there was warmth around me, surrounding me and protecting me. Guile had taken a place behind me when I had fallen and his wings were wrapped around me in a desperate bid of protection.

The man opened a pair of golden eyes and the sparkles settled onto his skin turning solid as they did so. “Hang on, Rosebud, you’re almost there, take energy from me if you have to.”

I bit my lip. I didn’t know how to siphon power from another as Guile did. I clenched his hands for support as my body swayed with my upcoming exhaustion. Dagon would be upset if he saw me like this, but I didn’t care. Guile was right, I almost had brought his brother back, there was no way I’d stop now! I reached deep into myself and the connection I had with my lamp. Purple energy soon joined the golden and with a deep gasp the spell finished and I fell back against Guile. He wrapped me in his arms, picking me up off the ground as he did so. “I did it.”

Guile grinned down at me. “You did, Rosebud. You did it.” He shook his head as he stared down at me. The smirk from before was gone, now he stared at me his eyes wide and a smile on his lips. “You’ve made me so happy, I don’t know how we’ll manage the other wishes, but for now this is the best gift I have ever received. Thank you, and here, this is your reward for all your hard work.” He leaned down and his lips covered mine in a chaste kiss that caused my body to surge upward as his own energy flowed through me.

I gasped in reflex and his tongue plunged into my mouth as he conquered my lips with his. When it was over he pulled back a shy smile on his lips as I stared up at him. My hand was already pressing against my tender lips as I stared at this angel. All of the power I had consumed had been given back with his actions, I didn’t understand how this worked, and I wasn’t sure I wanted to. All I could think about was the pair of solemn eyes that stared at me through the door. I had been wrong in thinking that Dagon had left me to Guile and his own devices, my savior had, of course, stayed to watch to make sure I was okay. He had witnessed the soul-consuming kiss of Guile and his own eyes sparkled with an inner fire I didn’t know how I could ever handle.