Don't Read in the Closet: Volume Four (85 page)

him to leave this house tonight. He’s already committed an act of

foolishness because I wasn’t paying close enough attention. As I

cannot keep you apart, you are welcome to come over tomorrow to sit

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and talk with him. Learn what each of you enjoys and what you do

not. As I was not informed in advance of this arrangement, he is

forbidden to leave. I think it’s best if you leave now.”

Devon had to admire the other angel. He didn’t like what he had

to say, but at least he cared about Anson and wanted to keep him safe.

“Anson, say goodbye to your guest and see him out.”

“None of this is his fault, Gordon,” Devon said, walking down the

hall.

“I don’t care who’s at fault. He knows the rules and he

overstepped them. You both did. What sort of angel are you that

you’d give in so easily to your desires?” Gordon stopped Devon from

following behind Anson. “Anson needs someone strong, someone

who takes control, someone who can direct him, or he’ll be lost. I see

from your expression you didn’t know that of Anson. Did your

trainers tell you nothing about your mate?”

“I know as much as I need to. He’s been chosen as my mate,

which is all that matters.”

Gordon exhaled and looked at Devon as if he were talking to a

child who only half listened to anything that was said. “The written

law demands a learning period. Do you think yourself above Gagda’s

laws? Anson was entrusted to me to protect and until I’m told

differently, that is what I shall do. Now get out of my home.”

All Devon heard were the words strong, control, direct, and

nothing more. His little angel was a treasure. Oh yes, this would work

out nicely. And why hadn’t he known this? He’d watched Anson for

years, yet never noticed it. The Gagda certainly knew what he was

doing. “I understand. I’ll take my leave. Please, bid him a good

evening. I’ll see myself out.”

Anson peeked out the door to see his mate’s retreating back. It

wasn’t fair. He should be at his side, not be kept indoors. They had a

date and dates were allowed for potential mates, and Devon was his

mate; that much he knew. The kisses had sealed that.

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“Anson, here, now.”

Anson inhaled sharply and slowly went to where Gordon stood in

the living area. He kept his eyes on his feet to keep Gordon from

seeing how disappointed he was.

“What do you have to say for yourself and your behavior?”

“He’s my mate. I didn’t think it was wrong to kiss him.”

“Oh, little one, it is not wrong to want kiss your mate, but you

know the laws. My concern here is that Devon does not share your

feelings, nor does he view your mating in the same way you do. He

will hurt you and I cannot allow that. Could you not feel that inside?”

“No. I felt sparks and that’s all that matters.”

Gordon looked up at the ceiling in an effort to keep his cool.

Yelling at Anson never turned out well. “Anson, don’t you

understand? He must love you as you love him; there must be balance.

If he does not return that emotion in equal measure, you will perish.

You know this. Yet…”

“We’ve only just met! There has been no time for love, but I’m

sure it’ll come. We just need to spend time together.”

“And therein lies the problem. You kissed him. Time now has

new meaning.”

“Yeah, so?”

“You said you felt it in your heart?”

“Yes, I felt it throughout my body.”

“Blood of the heart.”

Anson looked at him in shocked acknowledgment. His mouth fell

open, then closed and opened again. “I didn’t even think of that. Oh,

St. Peter’s shoes, Gordon, what have I done?”

Gordon nodded and looked at his charge. “If he does not open his

heart to love you…” He left the rest unsaid. “He cannot be forced to

say it or feel it. He has woken your submissive desires, as any mate

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would have, and if he does not take his role seriously, you will suffer

the effects. This is the true test, Anson, given to each of us by Gagda.

Devon knows the rules, as you do. Now let’s hope he comes through.”

Anson paled and sat down in front of Gordon, his legs tucked

under him, his head on Gordon’s knee. “What if he can’t?”

Gordon wrapped him in his arms, as if to protect Anson from the

ugly, awful thoughts. “He will. There is some time yet for him to

realize what has been set in motion.”

“I don’t have long, if the process has started.”

Gordon nodded and rested his chin on Anson’s head. “I’ll be right

here for you. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

“Not even you can save me if he does not love me in return. I was

wrong to make him kiss me. I should have remembered that lesson. It

was the one that left an impression on me the most, yet I forgot

everything when he touched me. I looked at him and knew he was to

be my future. I felt it in my heart. I lost myself in his presence and

suddenly, nothing was more important to me than feeling his arms

around me, kissing me breathless. That’s when I felt my whole self

ignite. It is unlike anything I have ever felt.” After a long moment,

Anson finally asked the one question to which he was uncertain he

wanted the answer. “How long do I have before I start shutting

down?”

Gordon closed his eyes. “Just days, Anson. But let’s not give up

hope. You must have faith he’ll remember his lessons and come to

terms with his part in this. Though I feel as if I’ve failed you, and I

don’t know what to do or how to fix it. For that, I’m scared.”

“You did not fail me. I failed you. You’ve shown me nothing but

kindness and patience. Then I do this. I take full responsibility. For

now, please, don’t tell anyone, Gordon. Let’s see if he comes around

first.”

“And if he doesn’t?”

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“Gagda will take me. There’s nothing that can be done. It is his

written order, and I should have remembered that.”

“Our Gagda will not let you go, not so easily. You’re too special,

too precious and rare. While I do not know what he’ll do, I truly don’t

believe he’ll end your life just like that. For now, let’s hope your mate

wakes up and realizes what he’s done. He needs to make this right.”

“Where is he, Gordon?”

Gordon stood at the front door searching Devon’s eyes,

disappointed to see nothing more showed there than he’d seen the day

before. Perhaps the angel was truly an idiot. “He’s doing his assigned

duties and can’t be disturbed at this time. You are welcome to wait

until he’s done.”

“I’d like that.”

Gordon led him to the kitchen and set a kettle on the stove. “Care

for some tea?”

“That would be nice. Thank you.”

Gordon went about getting mugs from the cupboard, as well as a

couple of tea bags, and set them on a tray alongside the cream and

sugar. “What, may I ask, is your interest in Anson, other than the mate

bond?”

“I find him interesting and funny. Why are you so against this?”

“I am not against it. Entirely.” Gordon sat quietly and waited until

the teakettle started to whistle, then turned off the stove. “Anson is

different than most angels, though, and until you understand what that

means, you’ll not get the opportunity to be alone with him. I know

what you’ll do.”

“And what is that?”

Devon carried the tray to the table and set it down. “You’ll have

him on his hands and knees, taking his virginity. And you’ll have no

clear idea what to do afterward. You really have no idea how special

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he is, and I will not allow you to put him in that situation. You have a

lot to learn about this mating business. Healer you may be, but a

committed mate you will not be; not until you are able to see beyond

your own selfish needs. He does not deserve ill treatment. He needs

all of you, not just a part. Do you not feel different this morning than

you did the night before?”

Devon regarded the angel with half interest. He felt like he’d

tripped and fallen into a Domhan soap opera. “I feel fine. What does

that have to do with it?”

Gordon sipped his tea, looking at Devon over the rim of the cup.

“If you cannot tell, it is not for me to say. How long do you spend

away from your house when you’re doing the Gagda’s bidding?”

“As long as I want. I have nothing worth coming back for.”

“Not even now?”

“I have a mate I’m to look after now. He will be well cared for. He

will not want for anything. He’s to be the prince to our house. What

more could one want?”

“Well, Devon, if you must ask me that, you clearly are not ready

to mate with him.”

“I didn’t realize we had a choice in the matter. I was ordered to

locate him and I did. He’s lovely and full of energy. I’m not sorry I

was ordered to find him, but I am sorry to have met you.”

“The feeling is entirely mutual. However, as he is my charge and

you are his mate, we will get along for him. Period. But Devon, one

word of caution. Do. Not. Hurt. Him.”

“No, that’s four words. And why would I do that?”

“You won’t do it on purpose, but you will do it. Mark my words:

when
you do, the consequences will be devastating.”

“You’re an Overseer angel, aren’t you?”

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Gordon gave a slight nod of his head. “Anson needs all of his

mate, not just a portion to be doled out as you see fit. Remember

that.”

“Devon?”

Both Devon and Gordon turned their heads to see Anson standing

in the kitchen doorway. He looked from one to the other, and smiled.

“I just took a memory picture, my mate and my best friend in the

same room, and no loud voices. I could get used to this. What are you

talking about?”

“It’s nothing, Anson. Devon and I were just getting to know each

other. Are you done with your chores?”

“Yes, Gordon.”

Gordon smiled. “Very good, then, how about some time out? How

about it, Devon? Care to accompany us?”

“Oh, yes!” Anson said, bouncing in place. “I’ll just go shower and

we can go.” He looked at Devon and smiled. “I’m glad you’re here. If

Gordon wasn’t, I’d kiss you to welcome you.”

Gordon groaned and finished off his tea. “Behave and get washed.

I’m thinking we’ll fly out to the falls.”

Anson beamed. The falls were his favorite. He loved to dive off

the highest peak and glide down, using his wings to control the

landing. “I’ll be right out.” Anson took his leave without a backward

glance.

“He’s like a child,” Gordon said, looking at the empty doorway,

“yet he’s so much more than that.”

“He’s anything but a child,” Devon said, looking back over his

shoulder.

“What do you know of submissive angels?” Gordon asked Devon.

“That they are incredibly rare, very susceptible to hurt, they love

with all they are…”

Don’t Read in the Closet – volume four 517

Gordon nodded. “They do. Anson is all submissive. He needs

direction all the time. He needs guidance, praise, a protector, and

someone who can love him with all his heart; he needs not only

discipline but complete devotion.”

“My mate is a sub? I was told he had the tendencies, but no one

really knew for sure. Are you certain?”

“I’ve taken care of him for more years than I can number. He’s

completely submissive and needs a strong mate to make and keep him

happy. In return, he will give himself heart and soul to his mate. Are

you ready for that?”

His mate was a rare submissive angel. Devon knew now why he

had been ordered to take care with Anson. Submissive angels were

created once every few hundred years. Angels were directors, leaders,

and safe keepers, not submissives; yet his little angel was just that. His