Caliope was holding the thin translucent fabric between her fingers and smiling, her cheeks were red. Amra cupped her chin up and held it as he leaned close to kiss her lips. Her heart pounded fast and hard, and she tasted his kiss with a new found meaning "Now I want to hear your answer... I need to hear it from your own lips, my Asteria..."

She blushed even more and nodded; realizing her mouth was dry she gasped and finally whispered a firm "Yes..." and he kissed her with passion. He moved a finger over her hand and dragged the thin fabric as magnet towards her finger, he moved it in a circle and the fabric found its way to wrap around and it formed a knot. As simple as that, the fabric glowed and she felt her heart beat faster "You are all I want, you make me complete..."

The magic ring was as thin and soft as water , but it was firm and the knot seemed impossible to break, it had a low glow but it was a true beauty beyond any mortal jewel. Caliope could not stop looking at it. He smiled watching at her enchanted by the new present "Now my love, rest... our trip still holds necessary meetings and arrangements to make for the future."

She chuckled and perked a brow amused, looking at him "You expect me to sleep after such a present? I wont be able to sleep in days!"

He smiled at her gently, and caressed her face slowly, making her blush and leaned her head on his hand "I need you resting, its the only way I can rest... I worry, you know..."

She sighed and smiled, shaking her head as she chuckled one more time before leaning on the bed next to him. Surprisingly, she yawned, finally giving up and falling asleep.

Elaine was pacing and when Amra walked in, she finally stopped. Pronab was leaning against the wall and he broke his pose as well. Amra walked straight to Pronab and once he stood in front of him, he embraced him. Pronab stood still, the action itself took him by surprise and he did not know how to react. After a few seconds, he finally let him go "I can't judge you for your past, but only your present. I trust you. Our father has his trust in you. Now it is time for you to let your past go."

"I wish it was that easy..."

"Nothing is ever easy for those of your nature... you tend to think too much on consequences, and that in part is how we have you as an important part in our ranks, you think as we don't... and that is invaluable..."

"I do not like uncertainties, and it was predicted much more for me... I don't want more, I want this war to be over, I want peace and routine..."

"No one wants this war... I wish Michael was here to help, he has experience in the three wars... but we want you to feel we trust in you, so at least, trust in us."

He nodded and finally smiled slightly, making Elaine hug him tight.

Hours later, Caliope woke up and found Amra sitting on a chair near her. He had his eyes closed and seemed resting. She slowly laid her head back on the pillow and smiled watching him and her magical ring over and over. After a while, he opened his eyes and smiled at her "You look beautiful."

She chuckled "You are biased."

"Let me remember what that means, then I will reply to you."

Caliope laughed "It means you love me, so you will always say I am beautiful even if I am not... you are inclined to be always on my side."

"Ok then..."

"Ok?"

"Yes, I am biased."

Caliope laughed and sat on the bed as he got up and walked next to her. He offered her his hand "Lets go to meet the General, he has mourned enough the loss of his second in command already."

Caliope took a shower first, and after that she put new clothes on, when she finally joined the group, Amra looked immutable, she would have to still get used to seeing him like that; a force on its own. They all congregated in a different room of the same building, and before anyone spoke, Amra took Caliope's chair and pulled it closer to him.

Basil started the meeting "Thank you all for joining Us today. And thank you Elaine for giving me a day off."

"My pleasure Basil, it was a memorable event after all."

Caliope frowned, and then heard Amra in her mind 'Yes, you slept many hours, and over all, nothing much happened... dont worry...' She sighed and nodded, she leaned her head against his arm and continued to listen to Basil talk.

"So I got in touch with the other Generals and we are aware of the meeting in a couple of weeks. As of now there is only one big question to answer. Are we preparing for a possible battle war?"

"Yes... we can not pretend the circumstances are not that important. Because they are... and we have to be ready for the worst outcome."

"I was afraid you would say that... I am not like my fellow Generals, I would prefer peace over war, but if it must happen, I will fight for our cause until I cease to exist."

"My dear General, it won't come to that... my friend."

"I really hope it doesn't, Elaine."

Amra interrupted them "It will not..."

Basil smiled and looked at him "Hearing you say that makes me more confident about it Amrafel, and I know you do not want war just as me..."

Amra nodded as he put an arm around Caliope's shoulder, making her smile and lean closer. After a few more words, the meeting was over. They programed another trip around the facilities and then a day off for them to spend as they wished.

When Caliope looked up in the big sky dome, she tried to figure out if it was really afternoon or night. She was aware that a couple of hours had passed, but she was not really sure what time of day was below all that fake sky.

"I find it fascinating how they created a village here and everyone seems to live happily." Elaine was admiring the dome.

Pronab shook his head "Angels were not meant to hide in order to live."

"If we want humans to survive and live without our interference, that is what we should do... they seem happy here."

The woman nodded "They are all happy, and they enjoy taking some time away from war. Outside nothing is certain... Basil wanted to create a haven below earth as sanctuary for our kind."

Pronab frowned "I would not be happy for a long time here, I need fresh air from time to time."

The woman chuckled "Everyone here is welcome to go outside whenever they want to..."

Pronab nodded and smiled, then continued to look around as the women showed them the side gardens, replica of the main one they saw at the entrance. Amra walked besides them, in silence most of the time.

"What time of the day is it? it feels like it is never late here..." Caliope finally asked, her curiosity was too strong.

"It is only ten past seven, but we enjoy our sky more like this, as a soft afternoon." the woman replied to her kindly.

"I am still half human, I am used to seeing the night and darkness to show me it is late and I should sleep..." Caliope admitted smiling.

"Are you tired? do you want to go back to sleep?" Amra was now concerned. He couldn't help feeling as if he was not protecting her enough.

"I was just curious, so I asked... but soon I will need my bed." she chuckled and squeezed his hand. Amra smiled at her and quickly lifted her up in his arms, she gasped and blushed, and all the others laughed.

Elaine stepped aside as she started to laugh at Caliope's reaction "You should remember who you say those things my dear."

"I am going to take her to rest, we will see you all tomorrow."

Everyone said their good night wishes at them both as Amra walked to the house; they crossed paths with a couple of Angels who looked at them and smiled. Caliope felt a bit embarrassed and blushed more, trying to hide her face on his neck. Once inside the house, he laid her on the bed and smiled at her. She squealed "Quit spoiling me already!" chuckling non stop.

Amra smiled and leaned down to kiss her softly. He then started to walk outside the room and she erased that smile from her face "You are leaving?"

"I don't want you distracted, I prefer you sleeping and resting..."

"Distracted? I want to lay next to you."

"and... I..." he hesitated and seemed to have a hard time finding the words to express himself and she sat on the bed quickly, looking at him now worried "You are doing a good job scaring me. What is happening?"

"Nothing really."

"Can you please come sit with me?"

He nodded and slowly walked back next to her, and moving a bit sideways he sat in front of her. She quickly took his hands in hers and smiled "Talk to me, please?"

"I don't want to interfere in your sleep, my love."

"I thought you already learned to control that, is all ok?"

He seemed hesitant and she found that a bit strange. She squeezed his hands and he smiled at her "You promised to be honest with me, always..."

He sighed "I want to do more than sleep when I am near you..."

She blushed deeply at his confession, and giggled softly. He lowered his head and she smiled widely, feeling breathless at such simple human reactions coming from him "Let me tell you something... you don't need to ask permission for it... you don't need to schedule anything... I really... I really want to be with you too... it is just that, we women are better at hiding it."

He chuckled and leaned to kiss her softly. She returned the kiss with a bigger intensity and he quickly pushed away any self control he was practicing. He pulled her towards him firmly with an arm, as his lips locked around hers. She gasped and digged her fingers on his back tangling her tongue with his. It was more than just desire, it was need for the other. When they both laid naked on the bed, he felt her reply in every single form of love it was known to him. She closed her eyes and left herself go; her hands touched every part of him, exploring his shape and form, caressing his most sensitive spots. He found new ways of pleasure in her and she broke down in tears of joy when he took the time to touch her as he wanted to touch her from so long ago. He growled lowly, biting her shoulder as he sank into her, and she whimpered breathlessly when she felt his manhood throb and arouse her even more from inside. Briefly, she wondered why she held back from enjoying his touch more often. When they both collapsed gasping for air, he whispered to her "every time... it just gets more intense... and I am getting too addicted to you, my Asteria... I just want you more and more..." She smiled, snuggled in his arms and kissed him, closing her eyes to give in, worn out and tired.

When Caliope started to open her eyes, she found Amra standing naked in front of the bathroom door. He turned around to smile at her and walked back to bed "I am very proud of us..."

"You are? why?" she smiled at him while she stretched her arms and rubbed her eyes.

"It is morning, we did not sleep more than just enough." She chuckled and pulled him closer to her in a hug. He caressed her face and leaned more to kiss her lips softly. Once they finally got up, Elaine and Pronab were both waiting for them at the door. Pronab chuckled as both walked out, and winked at Caliope with a smirk "What happened?" she asked curiously.

"Nothing... its just... well, haven't seen you wake in the morning this early in a while..."

Elaine elbowed Pronab and he chuckled more, Caliope blushed and started laughing, making all of them laugh as well.

Once they reached one of the interior gardens, Basil was waiting for them with a big picnic set. They all enjoyed their day hearing some music played by some of the Angels, sang in some language Caliope could not understand, but she could feel. Her skin was filled with goosebumps when the tones of the song changed. She was fascinated how they could manipulate emotions with their voices. Guitars were modified to emit the softest yet strong melodies, while other string instruments played together. Basil was smiling proudly as the Angels were showing some of their talents to the visitors.