Date with Destiny Collection: Angel Romance Series: Books 1 - 4 Page 11

  Zeph dropped his head to hide his reddening cheeks and his sly smile, then peeked at her from beneath his hair. “I was curious. I’d never seen you before, but I was almost positive you were a Celestia. Besides, you were staring at me, too.”

  Eve grinned and shrugged noncommittally. “Only because I caught you staring at me.” Zeph rolled his eyes. “And then, of course, I noticed how everyone at your table was glowing.”

  “Well, see, that’s the part that I don’t get. I’ve never heard of anyone whose gift is recognizing Celestia. It makes sense for me to have a unique gift, since I’m a double Divisa, but the fact that you have it too is just really strange. Why didn’t you inherit the gift of love from your father?”

  “You know a whole lot more about all that than me.” Eve shrugged. “Is there like an elder or somebody you could talk to?”

  Zeph’s eyes popped open, and he hopped up off the bed. “Yes! That’s exactly who we need to see! Dominion Connan needs to hear about this.”

  “Who’s he?”

  “He’s the Celestia who confirms everyone’s gifts when they’re babies. My parents took me to see him every quarter for years, hoping my gift would make an appearance, but every time he just told them to be patient. After a few years, they quit taking me to him. Dominion knows everything about Celestia. We have to go see him!”

  Zeph’s excitement was contagious, and Eve climbed off the bed and took his outstretched hands. Zeph squeezed her fingers then wrapped their arms around her waist and leaned in for a kiss. “Eve, you’re amazing, you know that?”

  “I didn’t do anything!” Eve chuckled, amused by his fervor.

  “You did everything, Eve.” Zeph’s voice dropped to a hoarse murmur, and he lifted his hand to stroke her cheek. “You approached me when I was too shy to talk to you, you believed in me when I told you all these crazy things, you helped me discover my gifting. I can’t figure out why someone as special as you would even like me.”

  Eve’s eyes traced the lines of his face, lingering on his most prominent features — the tan skin smoothed over his sharp jawline, the full lips that hid his brilliant smile. Her eyes dropped to the firm muscles just beginning to morph his body from boy to man.

  “You don’t see yourself the way I see you, Zeph, and I guess I can understand why. You’ve spent your whole life trying to be something you’re not, trying to make other people happy, but you’re good enough just the way you are! You’re cute…” Eve winked, and warm honey drizzled down Zeph’s body and pooled in his belly.

  “You’re kind, and funny, and gentle. You make me feel…. desirable, despite my geekiness. You shared your secrets with me when you thought they could help me, even though you knew I would think you were crazy. You helped me find my father! Those, and a million other reasons, are why I want to be with you.”

  “Eve.” Zeph stared into her peridot eyes, ignoring the adorable freckles dotting her cheeks and the silky red hair tickling his fingers.

  Eve gulped and nodded, falling deep into the Caribbean blue water of his mesmerizing eyes.

  “Maybe it’s too soon to say this, but… I love you.”

  Eve blinked as a single tear dripped down her pale pink cheek. Before Zeph could wipe it away, she closed her eyes and leaned in, her soft, warm lips waiting for him to complete the kiss. He pulled her closer till every inch of them was touching and sealed their bodies with his lips. Passion flared between them as they touched and tasted, experimenting, every sensation a virgin experience. Zeph was careful not to let his hands roam too close to places they shouldn’t touch, but with every taste it was harder to remember why, and his fingers itched to stroke her bare skin.

  Finally, Eve pulled away and broke the spell, red-faced and gasping.

  “I’m sorry!” Zeph immediately apologized, wiping the moisture from his lips and smoothing his hair nervously.

  Eve smiled but dropped her eyes and tucked her hair behind her ears. “It’s all right.”

  She smoothed her dress then reached out to take his hand. “I love you too, Zeph.”

  Her voice was a whisper, but her words spoke so loudly they blocked out every other sound. He just stared at her for a few seconds, memorizing everything about the moment. When the silence got awkward, Zeph shook his head and gave a lazy smile that set loose a flock of doves fluttering in Eve’s belly.

  “Eve, I want to take you to meet Dominion. Would that be okay? I want to tell him our theory.”

  Eve sat down on the edge of the bed, and Zeph sat next to her. “Sure, I guess. Should I be scared of him?”

  Zeph chuckled. “No, he’s nice. He’s like, a hundred years old or something, but he’s pretty cool for an old guy. Most people are probably a little intimidated by him since he’s the leader of the Eastern US Celestia, but I’ve spent a lot of time with him over the years, so to me he’s just like, an uncle or something. I can’t wait to see what he makes of all this.” Zeph’s eyes sparkled with excitement, and Eve thought it made him look adorable.

  “So when can we meet him?”

  “Well, he’s coming to Indy this weekend to perform the quarterly ceremony, so maybe we can schedule a meeting then? Maybe Friday night or Saturday?”

  “Either sounds fine. So what’s this ceremony about?”

  Eve pulled her legs up on the bed and sat Indian-style, and Zeph copied her, their knees touching. Zeph smirked, remembering how exciting that same bit of contact was the first time he came here. Not even in his wildest dreams did he ever expect to be making out with her such a short time later.

  “It’s where we celebrate all the stages of life: birth, first miracle, marriage, death. It’s exciting if you’re in it, kinda boring if you’re not. You know, you could go with me this weekend! I mean, you are a Celestia.”

  Eve’s eyes grew wide and glassy with fright, and her smile disintegrated. “I don’t think I belong there.”

  “Yes you do, Eve. You’re as much a part of us as anyone, you just didn’t know it. Besides, how happy would your dad be to have you by his side?”

  “He goes to these?”

  “Of course. Every Celestia goes to them. It’s just like going to church on Sunday, only once a quarter we have a baby dedication or a wedding or something.”

  Zeph could still see the hesitation etched on Eve’s face. “I’ve never been to any of those either! I don’t know, Zeph, what if everybody stares at me?”

  “Well, yeah, there’s probably no way around that. But I’ll be right there with you, and Day will too, and my parents and Charisse. You belong in this world, Eve. And Celestia are truly the nicest people ever. Everyone will be thrilled to meet you. And I would be the happiest guy there, with you by my side.”

  Eve saw the hopefulness shining in Zeph’s eyes and couldn’t bear the thought of disappointing him. She could be brave, she decided. It was no worse than competing in Mathletes. There she was on the stage, under a spotlight, trying to answer complicated equations. Here she’d just be sitting in the audience, watching a ceremony.

  Taking a deep breath, she steeled herself and replied. “Okay, Zeph, I’ll go with you. But please don’t let me embarrass myself!”

  Zeph threw back his head in an enthusiastic chuckle. “I’m the outcast, remember? Having a gorgeous new Celestia with me will bring my status up a notch. And I’m sure Day will be glowing like a lightbulb with pride.”

  “Don’t you think he’ll be embarrassed for people to find out he had a child when he wasn’t married?” Eve’s concern for her father wilted her face.

  Zeph shrugged and twitched his lips. “I’m sure there will be talk, but Celestia try not to be too judgmental. We all make mistakes. Besides, everyone’s been talking about him for years already, wondering why he never married. If things work out with your mom, everyone will be happy for him.”

  A sudden thought crossed Eve’s mind and pinched her face in confusion. “How does that work, when a Celestia falls in love with a human?”

  Zeph smiled, followi
ng her train of thought. “They get married, and the human gets let in on all things Celestia. Maybe soon your mom will be invited to the ceremonies, too. Maybe she’ll be in one!”

  The thought tickled the corners of Eve’s mind. What if her mother fell back in love and married her father? It was a distinct possibility, the way they had been looking at each other — all doe-eyed and flustered like adolescents. She smiled to herself, warmed by the idea. She would be leaving for college next year; wouldn’t it be great to know her father was here to take care of her mother? She wished she had more time to get to know him, though. All her life she’d wished for a father and now that she’d found him, she was practically grown.

  “Oh, hey, Wings is starting!” Zeph exclaimed, jumping up to switch on the TV.

  Eve shook her head to clear out the fantasies. “Who needs a show about angels, I have a real-live angel right here in my room!”

  Chapter 16

  Eve stared nervously out the window as Zeph drove them to the Celestia headquarters, but the houses and cars whizzing by in a blur made the scene look more like the smudged paint on an artist’s palette than the finished art. She’d never spent much time on this side of Indianapolis, so she tried to focus on the unfamiliar scenery passing by instead of the lump of anxiety curdling in her belly, but the blurry rush of color was making her nauseous.

  What if this Dominion guy rejected them? Sure, she knew now that her father was a Celestia, but she was still having trouble wrapping her head around the idea that she was. She didn’t feel like an angel; she still felt like an insecure teenage girl. And what did all of it mean, anyway? What was she supposed to do with this apparently very rare talent?

  “Don’t worry; everything’s going to be fine, Eve.” Zeph squeezed her hand and offered one of his jaunty smiles. He wasn’t nervous at all, just excited.

  Eve looked down at her best dress and hoped it was okay. She had no idea what to wear to a meeting with the head Celestia. Zeph was in tan slacks and his typical oxford shirt, but he’d added a pale blue sweater that highlighted the aqua color of his eyes. His happiness made him look incredibly handsome.

  The Celestia headquarters turned out to be a large, plain-looking church set back on a wide parcel of land shaded by mature oaks and maples. The brown brick exterior was attractive but unassuming, and Eve noticed no signs announcing the nature of the facility. Zeph drove straight through the empty parking lot and pulled in to a spot at the front.

  Only one other car was parked there — an old but well-maintained Buick Skylark. Eve giggled at the absurdity. Angels drove Buicks? She would’ve at least expected a Cadillac.

  The front door was unlocked, and Zeph led the way through the dark, empty building to Dominion Connan’s office, a room that sat empty most of the time as the head angel traveled week to week from one congregation to another, performing the Celestia ceremonies.

  His study was nothing like her father’s modern office. Rich burgundy wallpaper above polished walnut wainscoting, tufted leather armchairs, and an oriental rug made the room look like a classic library, but the feeling Eve got was the same — warmth and welcome. A desk lamp lent a cozy glow, and the room smelled like Old Spice cologne and butterscotch candy.

  Behind the large desk sat a man so old Eve wondered how he could possibly be alive, but as soon as he saw Zeph, his eyes lit up and his face split in a genial smile.

  “My favorite boy, Zephaniah! How are you, young man?” Dominion jumped from his chair and embraced Zeph, clapping him on the back, spry and enthusiastic.

  Eve startled at the incongruous actions. His tiny, hunched body looked like it ought to collapse under the weight of his clothing, but instead he seemed as peppy as a teenager. He wore pale blue jeans, two sizes too big and held up to his chest by suspenders, and a flannel shirt faded by a decade of washing. Half a dozen white hairs sprung from his age-spotted head. Eve immediately relaxed in his presence.

  “And who is this lovely young lady?”

  “Hi Dominion, it’s nice to see you. This is my girlfriend, Eve Jones.” Zeph smiled and wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her towards the elder.

  “I see you’ve finally found her.” Dominion nodded, and Zeph and Eve exchanged confused glances.

  “What do you mean, Dominion?”

  “She’s the one, isn’t she? I’ve been dying to meet you!” Dominion cackled at some private joke, tottered off-balance, and plopped back into his chair.

  “You knew about Eve?” Zeph asked, wrinkling his brow and taking a seat across from him. Eve followed suit. Dominion nodded eagerly. “So you knew that she’s a Celestia?”

  “Well, I do now! Isn’t it obvious? I mean look at her! The face of an angel!”

  Eve blushed and glanced at Zeph, whose face was twisted in confusion.

  “Which of your parents is a Celestia, Eve? Your mother or your father?”

  “My father is Amadeus Cera, sir. We just found out about each other.”

  Dominion slapped the desk in excitement. “Your destiny has finally arrived, Zephaniah, and mine too! How exciting! You’ll both be at the ceremony on Sunday, right? Of course, what am I saying? It’s D day!”

  “Dominion, I don’t understand. What destiny? Do you finally recognize my gift? Because that’s what I wanted to talk to you about.”

  Dominion nodded emphatically, his rheumy eyes wide in his wrinkled face. “Oh, I’ve always seen it, but now you’re finally ready for it. Or, ready to get ready for it, anyway.”

  “Get ready for what?”

  “To take your place. Don’t worry; all will be revealed in due time.” He dismissed the myriad of questions with a wave of his gnarled hand.

  Up till then, Eve had been quiet, but she came here for answers, and Dominion’s replies were making her more confused than ever. She decided to speak up.

  “Dominion Connan, what about me? Zeph thinks we have the same… ability.”

  “Indeed, why else would you be here?” His smile was kind and patronizing at the same time.

  “Well, I was wondering, what are we supposed to do with this ability? I don’t really know that much about being a Celestia.”

  Dominion nodded again, his large head bobbing. “Your training will begin immediately. Now, if you don’t mind, I’m going to celebrate with a nap.”

  The old man rose from his desk and opened the door, waving them off with a smile. The teens stood to their feet in confusion, and Zeph opened his mouth to object, but the old man scurried them out the door and down the hall, turning back towards his office only when he was sure they were on their way.

  “Is he always that… inscrutable?” Eve asked as soon as the door to the church closed behind them. The sun was shining, and the encounter seemed even more bizarre in the bright light of the outside world. Eve felt like Alice emerging from Wonderland.

  Zeph was stunned, first by the strangeness of the meeting, but also by the way the golden sunlight bounced off Eve’s hair and face, sparkling prisms reflecting off each surface the light touched. As she moved her head, the rays danced like rainbow sunbeams.

  He was too dazzled to speak for a moment. Finally, he caught his breath. “I have no idea what just happened in there. It was like he was talking in riddles! Usually he just says something like, ‘Your time will come; be patient.’ I’ve never seen him act so strange! Maybe he’s finally starting to show his age.”

  “How old is he, anyway? He looks ancient, but he’s still so… energetic.”

  “I think he’s like, 120.”

  Eve’s mouth dropped open. “No way! Are Celestia immortal?”

  Zeph chuckled and lifted her gaping jaw with his finger. “No, but we are immune to most sickness, so we usually live long lives and die of old age.”

  Eve tilted her head, considering. That could explain why she’d never fallen victim to the colds and viruses that plagued the rest of her family.

  “I still don’t understand how he knew about me. My own father didn’t even know I exi
sted until a few days ago.”

  Zeph shrugged. “I’m not sure he knew about you; it was more like he recognized you as a Celestia. Kind of like I did.”

  Eve narrowed her eyes in contemplation. “Didn’t you say he’s the one who announces people’s gifts?”

  “Yeah, when babies are born he confirms their gifts and announces their names to the congregation.”

  “So he can recognize gifts, like you and I can. And he can recognize Celestia.”

  It was Zeph’s turn to drop his jaw as he realized what Eve was saying. “You think Dominion has the same gift as we do?”

  “What gift did you think he had?”

  Zeph shook his head, trying to make sense of this revelation. “I guess I never really thought about it; he’s just always been the Dominion.”

  “So how did he get to be the Dominion? And who takes his place when he dies?”

  Chapter 17

  Eve’s questions thrummed through Zeph’s mind the rest of the night and woke him up first thing in the morning. What did Dominion mean when he said today was D day? And what was all that talk about training? Zeph was starting to get a little nervous.

  It didn’t help that he had an uncomfortable conversation with his parents he absolutely couldn’t put off any longer. After they dismissed his claim that he could recognize Celestia, he hadn’t said another word to them about Eve. When she showed him the picture of Amadeus Cera and said he was her father, Zeph knew his parents wouldn’t like the idea of them confronting him, so he’d kept quiet, pretending he and Eve had a date that day, and not a life-changing appointment. When he’d returned that night, no one had even bothered to ask him how his day went, and he took that as a sign that he should stay quiet.

  After that, he kept meaning to tell them, but something always came up and it never seemed like the right time. Now he realized that the conversation was going to be even worse because he had avoided it for so long. But there was no more delaying. Eve was planning to accompany him to the ceremony today, and he certainly didn’t want his parents to find out about it in front of everybody.