I am humbled, grateful, and honored beyond words by today’s events.
I was still recovering from my ordeal, albeit only in the company of Brid. The urgency having passed, the other Healers and Persuasions returned to their regular duties. Brid received special dispensation from her seniors to stay with me, and I was grateful for her presence.
Neither of us was surprised when Danit and Zezette came to join us—they and others among my seniors had come to see me before. But we were very astonished when Zezette was followed by none other than Anteros.
“Elder!” Both Brid and I sprang to alertness, shocked to be in the ancient’s presence.
Anteros smiled, shifting his wings. “It is good to see you with such energy, Asa’el. We have been worried.” He spoke very softly, but in every word was the force of his power, a form of love so fierce and deep that one could almost taste it in the air.
“You honor me,” I said, because I could say nothing else.
Anteros looked to Brid. “Do you reckon him well recovered, young Healer?”
Brid was rapt, staring at his face. “Yes, Elder. Asa’el’s energies have been restored. He is as newly made.”
“Then you have done well,” he said, and Brid glowed. Anteros’ gaze returned to me, and though a moment before I could not look away from his eyes, now I found it almost impossible to meet them. “And yet you have not asked to return to the surface. This is inconsistent with the stubbornness and independence I have heard so much about. Will you tell me why you hesitate?”
Since I could not look at his face, I counted his wings—two, and two, and two. I could not lie to a Dominion, but this truth was hard to admit. “Because I am afraid, Elder.”
“So I thought.” There was rue in his voice, but also understanding, and it made me able to look at his face and see him smiling. “Believe it or not, Asa’el, this has happened before, and not always with a happy result. Cupids are especially susceptible to this mistake, for we learn to love our charges too well to part from them.” He looked at Zezette, and I could not read his expression—was it pain? Shame? She hid her face with her fifth wing, murmuring something I could not hear. “That is why,” Anteros went on, looking back at me, “I have been watching you closely, and lucky I was, so that I could come for you when you needed me.”
Absorbed in wondering about the exchange between him and Zezette, I at first missed the full import of his words. It was only when Brid gasped softly that I realized what he had said. “You came for me, Elder?” I asked. “You yourself?”
“Of course, Asa’el,” he said, and there was such fondness and affection in his gaze that for a moment I, too, had to hide my face, feeling utterly unworthy. One of his wings nudged aside my own, and he came closer. “You bring pride to me, and to our Wonderful Majesty. We could not let the shadows take you.”
Just as we do not think of the danger on Earth, nor do we usually realize that the Counselor and his great Father take notice of us. But the good truth is just as real as the bad one: they know us, each and every one, and they love us dearly.
“I have been told,” Anteros continued, “that the Father-King says that you will be needed in the time to come.”
I have had to confirm with Brid that those words really were said—I still cannot quite believe that I did not imagine them.
“Then I will happily continue my work,” I said, forgetting in that moment that there was such a thing as fear.
Anteros smiled—no doubt he recognized that in me. “You will not do it without greater strength,” he told me. “I have come to give you what you need to continue your work. It is unorthodox, but I believe necessary, and well-deserved. With pride, Asa’el, we your seniors would like to present you with your third wing.”
I could hardly breathe. Not even one year into my tenure as a Cupid, and I was to be raised to the rank of Principality. It is unheard of.
“I am unworthy,” I protested.
“We are all unworthy,” Anteros answered simply, “but gifts are given to us nevertheless.” He spread his hands, and between them was a light that blazed with power. “Will you accept it, and continue your work?”
How could I do anything but accept?
So now I am here, restored to greater strength than ever before, basking in the glory of my seniors’ blessings and approval, and under the notice of the King of Heaven. It seems strange to me that I should be so rewarded for sheer stubbornness, but if they have seen fit to acknowledge me thus, I must be doing something right.
Joy so great must be shared, but now that I have done so, there is work to be done. I will of course inform all of you of the results of my efforts when I return.