Chapter Two: Archangel Michael

As I left Lucifer’s chambers, I couldn’t shake the ominous feeling that washed over me. No matter how Swarovsky, any of the other parentals and elders, or I tried to intervene, Lucifer seemed to grow more insolent over time. It was like he wasn't thinking about anyone but himself. There was his wife, Beryl, but even his love for her thrived only on how pleasing or useful she could be to him.

Prince Swarovsky’s screams grew loud and deafening as I neared the room where he was staying. I rushed down the corridor and burst open the door. My heart dropped into my stomach as I took in the scene.

Swarovsky was lying in bed clutching his enlarged abdomen in pain. In addition to his regular auras of golden and white light, there were hints rainbow and aurora colors around his belly, where the child had passed through. I had never seen this in any of the angel births. Swarovsky screamed again and groaned, reducing his cries when I approached.

“Easy now,” I rushed to his side. I tried to sooth him, placing a cold towel on his forehead to distract from his agony.

“Prince Michael,” he panted. “Is my son coming?”

I paused. “It’s going to be okay. He decided not to come see his sister. I’ll straighten him out later.”

“But…” Swarovsky cried out.

“Shhh,” I soothed. “Don’t worry about it. You’ve been through a lot and now you need to rest.” I looked at the sheets wrapped and bundled up around him in the bed. “Where is the princess?”

“It’s all my fault, Archangel,” Swarovsky whispered. “I failed you and I couldn’t teach Lucifer the ways of the angels. I’m so sorry.”

My eyes darted around the room, searching for the first daughter of Solaria. “It’s not your fault, Swarovsky.” I felt my heart rate increasing to a rapid thumping in my chest. “But please tell me what happened to the princess.”

“Sorry,” Prince Swarovsky breathed. “She is beside me, hiding beneath the blankets. I think she is trying to employ healing abilities.”

I lifted the crumpled blankets beside him to reveal a frightened newborn angel. She had a ring of light above her that shone with every color of the rainbow. A golden unicorn horn stood on top of her head. It sparkled as if it were made of thousands of clear diamonds. Though she was only an infant, her gleaming white hair already reached down to her feet. Her entire form glowed with a shimmering light that reflected rainbows.

As Swarovsky winced in pain, her tiny hands frantically kneaded at his stomach as if trying to fix something that was broken. It’s usually futile to use magical powers at such an early age, but her hands shone with bright green and gold light as she focused on trying to relieve his pain.

“Oh no, Sweetheart,” I reached out and took the shaking infant into my arms. “You won’t be able to help him properly at this point in your life. In any case, relieving pain isn’t the same as healing. I will take care of him and he will stop hurting when he is well.”

The child closed her eyes and enveloped herself in her wings, which gleamed as if their feathers were encrusted with starlight.

“It’s not good for an angel to use wings to cover herself. I think you’ll feel much more comfortable in a dress.” I cradled her in my right arm. With my free hand, I reached out and a long christening gown appeared on a small golden hanger. The dress was decorated with shining blue and gold bows. “Do you want to wear this?”

The princess gazed at the gown between the dovelike feathers of her wings. I thought I saw a hint of a smile as her eyes grew wide. I knew I had seen eyes like those before. They were the same shape as those of Lucifer’s wife, Queen Beryl of planet Azuria. Beryl’s eyes were colorful shades of emerald and verdant green. This child’s irises were crystal blue and rimmed with cerulean, but shone with gold in the places where they caught the most light.

“Wanna see a miracle?” I smiled playfully. The dress vanished from my hand and instantly she was wearing it.

The child slowly unwrapped her wings from around her body. Her brilliant white gown glimmered almost as much as her hair and skin.

“There we go,” I murmured. “That’s more comfortable, isn’t it?”

“Pretty!” she exclaimed as she looked at me. Her eyes brightened as she seemed to be staring into my soul.

“Yes, your gown is very pretty,” I agreed. “And you are a beautiful princess.”

“No!” She corrected. “Pretty! Pretty…Ar… Ar’angel!”

My face flushed as Swarovsky began to giggle until his stomach hurt and he cried out in pain. “No, darling,” I answered. “Men are not called pretty. They are handsome. Women and girls are beautiful. And things that look nice are pretty.” Her eyes became tearful. “Don’t cry.” I cradled her closer. “You didn’t know better. It’s okay.”

She grasped my cloak in her fists and clutched herself as close to me as she could. “I love you,” she cried. This time, her words were quite clear for an infant.

I felt incredibly warm. I just knew that my face was flushing with strange pink colors.

Swarovsky sat up in the bed, hoisting himself against the pillows. “Did she just say what I think she said?” No doubt, after Lucifer, he had believed he would never have a child who could truly love anyone.