Annabella had only opened up to one man since her husband had died centuries before, only to have her heart shattered. Adriel had waited since the dawn of time for his one true mate to arrive. Now the Angel and the Grigori are trying to come to grips with the reality that they've been thrown into with one another. Unfortunately, they won't get much time to do it as someone from Anna's past desperately needs her help, and she never turns down a friend.
“Mate?” Her voice barely more than a whisper, Anna had to ask. She had to make sure she was not misunderstanding.
Adriel gently nodded, not dropping his eyes from hers. Annabella felt her heart speed and her lungs seemed suddenly unable to draw air. She felt her head spin a bit, the reality of the situation setting in hard and fast. For a second her eyes dropped to the center of his chest, where her hands were now splayed. At the moment, everything about him was affecting her more than she had anticipated him doing so in the beginning, let alone than she wished it did. Setting aside the fact he was Abriella’s father, he was gorgeous and she was finding him far more muscled than she had anticipated judging based solely on his profile in his suit.
When their eyes once again met, her breath and voice stuttered as she tried to put her thoughts into words. “So, I’ll be your first…” Each word was enunciated and came out slowly as she still tried to make sure she expressed herself clearly. Every implication from what she had learned of anglic relationships over the centuries tumbled through her mind and she was failing to grasp them soundly.
Was that really what she was worried about? Adriel’s jaw clenched hearing the words come out and the seeming hesitancy of them. His pride and, if he was honest, heart were more than a little bit wounded that her mind first went to sex and his inexperience. His voice held an edge, no matter how hard he tried to keep it out, “worried that you will not be satisfied due to my lack of experience, Bella?”
The sexual attraction and magnetism between them was strong, and it was all he could do not to ravish her on the table upon which she was sitting, yet that she was concerned about his experience struck at something within him that hurt in a way he could not express. Rarely did he feel vulnerable in any way, but at the moment he felt completely defenseless before her. His jaw tensed more, and he fought snapping. He had wanted to claim her there and then, but she worried that he would leave her wanting greater pleasure then he could provide? Angels did not copulate before they found their mate; but that did not mean he had not provided pleasure in other ways, and would not ensure that she was completely sated when he was through with her. That she would doubt him, and it would be her primary concern; that bothered him. He wanted a mate focused on more than the physical, but it seemed he had been granted otherwise by his father.
“First relationship.” Anna clarified, a bit taken aback and unsure of what else to say, after feeling like she had just been slapped by his reaction. Although she supposed the other was true as well, she was not about to state that from the way he had just spoken to her. She had seen the hurt on his face, and heard it in his voice. She was actually hurt herself now that he had thought she was referring to sex. It had been the last thing on her mind. How could he think she meant that? Relationships were complicated and sometimes messy; it seemed that communication was starting off that way for them in this one.
As soon as Anna spoke, and Adriel realized his mistake, his eyes closed and his head fell forward a bit. Obviously he was trying to process things as she was, and the heightened sexual tension between them, that had been building since their first meeting, was not helping. “I am sorry, my Bella.” He swallowed, unsure what else to say. Curse Div, curse Stennis, curse…fuck…he didn’t know. Maybe he should curse himself for jumping to conclusions after seeing how well that had worked out over the years for Cruz and Abriella. His mind, his body, and his heart seemed to be warring with one another on how to handle everything. This had to be one of the most unique situations when it came to angelic matehood, and nothing had prepared him for it.
Anna brought one of her hands to his cheek to gently caress it, the soft stubble tickling against her soft palm. “Adriel, I’m more worried about disappointing you.” She sighed heavily, now trying to be more careful with her wording and her nerves rising ever higher. “Being your first at everything…it’s a bit overwhelming. I did not mean to hurt you. I’m sorry if my hesitation in being able to put my thoughts together gave you the wrong impression. I’m just overwhelmed with everything, but that’s not a bad thing.” Now it was her thumb that swept slow and soft over his cheekbone as her voice mirrored that softness. She had been in his place more than once; she knew the blow to the ego and the heart. Worse, she had been in the place he thought he’d been in, where she had been a disappointment to someone else, someone who didn’t necessarily care that it caused her an ache.
Her touch almost caused a greater ache in his chest than his realization that he had been an ass to assume and not let her finish her sentence. If Annabella had reacted with anger or hurt, he would have understood and he deserved her reproach; instead she had been understanding and was worried herself. Adriel felt that it was he who did not deserve this female as his mate. His anger, which was indeed legendary amongst the Heavens and Hells, was something he now feared would hurt her and potentially drive her away. If he lost her…the ache in his chest caused him to breathe in sharply. He and Div would talk later.
“I am sorry, Bella. I have a temper, one which I have never had reason to contain nor restrict. I did not mean to offend or hurt you. I promise to do better in the future.” Slowly Adriel’s eyes opened and his head rose to look at her face. “You could not disappoint me.” Softly he kissed her, keeping his eyes on hers, feeling drawn into their cerulean depths and drowning within.
Gently he lowered his hands to her ass and lifted her off of the table. He had an idea, and it required getting in a totally different position than the one they currently were in. Her legs had still been wrapped around him, which helped as he carried her over to a large couch that was a short distance away. “I think we both got wrapped up in the feelings, emotions, and desires, mia bella. How disappointed would you be if we spent the rest of the afternoon,” one hand left her ass and slowly made its way up to the middle of her back, “just talking and becoming more comfortable with one another? Maybe avoiding more miscommunications?” He held her to him, trying to convey he didn’t want to let her go yet, but they obviously were both trying to grapple with this sudden shift in all they knew.
Anna’s hand was still on the side of Adriel’s face and again her thumb caressed his cheekbone, her head tipping to the side as she did. “Horribly…that is if there aren’t snacks and wine included in this snuggling on the couch.” Her lips curved up in a smile as she leaned into him. The passion that had overtaken them previously was waning, and that while the attraction had not lessened, now she wanted to know the man in a way that was far more deep and intimate than carnally. “A girl must have sustenance if she is to bare her soul to her mate, you know.” She was trying to lighten the mood a little. Truly, she wanted the wine more than anything.
When Adriel reached the couch, Annabella finally released her legs from around his waist. Her feet were only on the floor for a brief moment, however. As Adriel sat, he pulled her down with him so that she sat across his lap. Her ass on one thigh, her thighs were perpendicular across the other, with her shoulder tucked under one of his, and her head resting atop his shoulder. By the time they were settled, she was securely wrapped in his arms once more, and it was a toss up which was more pleased at the current situation.
One arm wrapped around her back with his hand on her hip, the other cradling her with his hand buried deep in her golden, silken hair, Adriel’s hold was gentle, yet possessive. How his daughter had found his mate and then matched them up without realizing it confused him, till he realized that Div had assisted her in pairing everyone up. It was true that his father worked in mysterious ways, but sometimes it would be nice if the being gave a heads up when he was about to upend your life. A soft kiss was placed on Anna’s forehead. She was his treasure and for her, he would learn not to explode as much as he had for the entirety of his existence. At least he would learn to temper his anger towards and at her, if not towards others entirely.
“I cannot promise to be a perfect mate. I shall try. There will be failures, but know that you are treasured regardless.” His hold tightened momentarily. “Tomorrow should be more relaxed. What do you think of spending the day together? We can go anywhere you want, or just stay here in Imperium and I can show you around. There are many nice places here on the Palace grounds.” A slow and soft kiss was placed on her forehead, and he inhaled the scent of her perfume as it mixed with her innate scent.
“I tend to snap to judgements and say things without thinking, so we both have things to work on, Addy.” Anna gave him a sheepish smile. Judging from everyone’s reaction at breakfast, she had a feeling that they’d all had run-ins with Adriel’s temper. She hoped not to, at least nothing worse than what had happened today.
Another kiss was placed on her forehead, then Adriel brought his forehead to hers. There was something in his eyes that made her feel that no matter what fights or disagreements that they had, it would end up okay. “Spending the day together sounds great, but how about we stay down here for a while? At least till we figure each other out a little more?” Annabella gave him a small smile, which was rewarded with one of his own and a very soft kiss. She was coming to like both from him exceptionally.
One taste and he knew he would not be letting her go. A groan echoed into their kiss, she was the sweetest ambrosia and a contact high in one. The hand on her lower back slid down onto her ass to press her even harder against him, the other hand tightening his grip on her hair. She would be HIS. He would not take her to his bed now, although he was certain that she would have let him. He would even not take her that night. Soon, and when he did, it would be for eternity. He now knew.
Kissing Anna had been a choice that Adriel had been happy to make, but once he’d started, stopping was going to be another matter. The female called to a part of his soul which until that moment had remained untapped. A siren’s song that he was helpless to resist, not that he wanted to in the least.
He groaned deep, a rumbling one in his chest even, but Anna softly moaned at their kiss. She was almost putty in the male’s arms at that point. His tightening hold on her made her hands on his shirt tighten into a fists around the soft and expensive fabric. She pulled back against him, which elicited another groan mixed with a growl and she found herself lifted quickly off the floor by just the hand that had been on her ass, but had slid lower to be under it. Without thought, her long, shapely legs wrapped around his waist as he carried her to somewhere.
It seemed like only a few steps and she felt something firm under her ass that he sat her on and his hand that had been carrying her joined his other one in her hair. Their kiss broke and he gently pulled her back slightly from him. Their eyes met and she fought to slow both her pulse and her breath. Her legs were still around him and she wasn’t releasing him, but then again he wasn’t seeming to want to be released.
“You are a dangerous temptation, mia piccola bellezza.” His voice hoarse, his forehead was almost touching hers. AdrieL’s voice wasn't reproachful, instead it was filled with a desire his expression fully mirrored. He was having to keep his hands in those golden strands of silk to keep her pulled back lest he get lost in another kiss with her again. A Grigori. Of all the beings to have in his arms, wrapping herself around him the way he wanted to wrap her up in him, this was not what he could have anticipated.
Suddenly Anna felt unsure of what was transpiring between them. The undeniable attraction, the growing passion, the connection that seemed to transcend logic all had been pushed aside when his lips met hers, but he now was bringing that forward. She knew his words were not a rejection, she could tell from his whole demeanor that he was fighting with himself the same way that she was internally warring, and that scared her a little.
“I may be dangerous, Adriel, but you scare me a little.” Her voice was soft, a little hoarse as well. At the same time that her hands were slowly releasing his shirt, her teeth caught the corner of her lower lip while she looked up at him through lowered lashes.
Their foreheads came together with the softest of touches and Adriel could have sworn there was an actual spark that passed between them. Not one like static electricity, but one of a soul deep connection being established. “There should be nothing about me that scares you, mia bella.” One hand left her hair, coming forward to cup the side of her face and hold it tenderly. “Unless it is the same thing that makes you so dangerous to me. What is between us is unexpected and strong, as well as unexpected. Angels mate only once….” He let the statement hang there and saw the gentle movement of her throat as she swallowed. He’d been right about what she had meant. “I promise to be most gentle with your heart, my dear one.” His thumb swept over her cheek, his expression softening and his eyes tender as he took her in. HIS female. HIS Grigori. HIS.
After the last year, she had wanted to run from anything feeling like it could lead to a relationship; instead she was sitting there looking into the eyes of a man that had just told in no uncertain terms that she was his mate. That alone should terrify her. Instead that almost calmed Anna. First, it meant that what she was feeling wasn’t insanity. Second, she knew how most beings were with their mates.
“Mate?” Her voice barely more than a whisper, Anna had to ask. She had to make sure she was not misunderstanding.
Abriella's Father and her good friend....the couple that surprised everyone else...could they end up surprising each other?
After there had been some discussion with Thenasus and Gail about meeting up for dinner later if they did not end up getting together with Delilah and Talon, and possibly even all six of them meeting up, Anna and Adriel decided to head off on their own for a little while to get to know one another after the morning’s excitement. Thenasus was going to show Gail to hers and possibly a small tour of the areas of the Palace she wanted to see. Everyone agreed that they were going to definitely avoid whatever had gone on in the garden. With what had been explained, the gardens could wait for another day, there were plenty of other areas of the Palace that could be enjoyed in the mean time.
Annabella had her hand in the crook of Adriel’s elbow as they walked at a leisurely pace down the elegant hallways towards the set of rooms that would be her private sanctuary for the foreseeable future. Adriel had asked what she’d like to do after getting situated in her suite, but she still wasn’t sure. She was honestly still coming to grips with everything that had happened that morning, both all of the introductions and then the commotion. She felt bad for Yael and her reaction to the first angel she’d been near since her horrific experience of being under Gabriel’s control, but knew that Adriel had done nothing wrong to cause her reaction. It may have been a few centuries prior, but she still remembered her own overwhelming fear after her family had been attacked by whatever the creatures had been. Fear could make you react in ways you could not control, and at times could not even understand. She had Jean Pierre and Armaund to guide and help her those many years ago, hopefully Yael would be able to feel up to joining all the women again soon with Leandre and Deacon’s help. She knew that they were all concerned about her, even with both Abriella and Deacon’s assurances that she was in good hands with Leandre. She might not know Deacon, but Annabella trusted Abriella implicitly.
Finding out that Abriella’s cousin had been attacked, even if they were in no danger, made her concerned for her friends. Certainly whatever happened would not go unchallenged by the Horsemen and their friends. In some respects, she was used to the threat of danger. One did not live in a supernaturally charged city such as New Orleans for over 275 years and not deal with conflict; however she’d never had the threats that she knew that Abriella faced from the Princes.
“You seem tense, Annabella.” Adriel’s voice cut through her thoughts and had her attention returning to him. A soft smile forming on her lips as she looked at the handsome angel that would be keeping her company and showing her around Imperium.
“This morning has just been eventful and somewhat overwhelming. I guess I’m just coming to terms with it all. Sorry, I did not mean to be rude, Adriel. Sometimes I get a little lost in my own thoughts. Hazard of my job for the last 300 years I guess.” Her shoulders rose towards her ears briefly as her smile turned sheepish. He had been nothing but sweet and kind since they were introduced, and here she was ignoring him.
“Bella, darling, there is nothing to apologize for. Your friend was most distressed and so shortly after having arrived in this new place, then to have the uproar with the arrival of Kaylin and Asher, it would upset anyone. Everything you know has changed. It is understandable that you would not be feeling like the ground is once again solid under your feet.” Adriel reached over and gently patted her hand on his arm, leaving his hand atop it and gently squeezing. The female still seemed deeply troubled though, and that concerned him. He knew there had been a lot of changes thrown at all of them since they came to Imperium; but Bella was to be his focus, so he intended to find out what the problem was.
“If you are too overwhelmed this evening, it would be understood if you did not wish to have company or to just be with Gail. I can explain to Thenasus. We can ensure that you ladies have everything you need and leave you alone” While he rather looked forward to seeing the shapely blonde in whatever finery his daughter had left for her in her suite, he also did not want to push. “I can arrange for dinner to be brought to your suite if you wish to be alone. Something simple and quiet will be easily arranged for you, mia bella. Comfort food, a taste of home even?” He hoped that she would want to stay in with him and not wish to join others. Wine, candles, and a fine dinner on the balcony of one of their suites would be perfect. He wished to get to know the beauty on his arm on a much deeper level, and do so without prying ears and eyes.
No one had ever called her Bella, always Anna. That Adriel was different than anyone before was an understatement, and his choice in the way he shortened her name just seemed to underscore that fact. She liked it though. “No, I will be fine. Sometimes I just get a little all up in my head and ahead of things. I tend to over analyze things, that is what has made me good at my job, and I was good at it.” She was obviously proud of what she had done with the Triad in New Orleans, but she still gave him a bit of a sheepish smile before continuing. “I guess I’m also still trying to figure out what my place here will be. It’s not like there will be much call for what I’ve been doing for the last 275 years. I’m sure the others are feeling the same way, so I’m not alone.” She looked over at Adriel and tipped her head. Abriella had told her that Adriel already had things to share and show her.
“Bella, darling, you’ve been here one day.” He chuckled and smiled warmly at her. “Imperium is different than Earth, but there is no reason to fear that you will be useless or bored. Take some time to relax, regroup, and decide better what it is that you want and how you want to do it. Also, do not think you are limited to this realm only.” Now he winked at her with a sly smirk forming on his lips. Oh, the surprises that he had for her, but was not ready to reveal. “You are not alone, nor do you have to figure it out immediately. I promise you that things may not be as different as they seem at first.” His hand atop hers tightened and he drew them to a stop to the side of the hallway they were in. They were alone, so he was in no fear of anyone overhearing them or interrupting.
“There is much that can be done here and elsewhere that you have not even begun to be exposed to, and that is what I am to show you.” Adriel turned to face Annabella, taking his fingers and running them lightly under her chin to tip her head up to look at him. The arm she had been clasping now encircled her waist to hold her close to him. “I promise that you shall neither be bored, nor feel useless. If you start to feel that way, I insist that you tell me immediately.” While there was still a smile upon his lips, there was a seriousness within his eyes. He did not wish her ever to feel that she did not fit in or was not wanted and needed. “And I will keep your skills sharp for whatever you choose to do in the future. We have rules and laws here, as well as what is allowed topside by the residents. Often we do have to do investigation, I could use some assistance. A beautiful assistant would not be such a bad thing.” The back of his fingers ran along her jaw as he gave her a wink and raised his brows. What was it about this blonde that was capturing his interest so? She had captivated him since he had first laid eyes upon her, even with the disturbance that had taken place due to no one having warned the poor Nephilim ahead of time of his arrival.
Anna felt her stomach do a small flop at his touch and the intense look in those dark eyes. They drew her in and held her. After her previous romantic encounter with a man she thought she knew and had trusted more than she had Jean Pierre and Armaund even, she was not sure if she was deluding herself that there was interest there; but she felt that there was, and it was returned. He was intriguing, dark for an angel in both his mannerisms and skin tone, and there was a sense that beneath his calm exterior lay much danger if provoked. Why that drew her to him even more, she was not sure. Still healing from her disaster of a relationship with Massa, she felt a mess when it came to any male, even an angel.
Swallowing, she hid all of her insecurities behind a well crafted mask of a smile, one she had presented to the world many times over her long life. “Then, I will put my trust in you, Adriel, and we’ll see what trouble you can get me into, or out of.” Now her smile held an amused lilt to it, almost a smirk. She moved a step closer to him, her hand moving around his bicep that she’d been holding onto, to stay resting atop his upper arm. Her head tipped down slightly so her blue eyes were now looking up into his darker ones through lowered lashes, a flirt that was practiced. “I’m looking forward to seeing what you have in store for me. It does sound like my previous experience could be a use here and that is reassuring.” Mask in place, she could be what was expected of her, what she had always been, as a wall of steel and titanium slowly rose around her heart once more. Trust no one and no one could hurt you.
“I promise, dear Bella, that all of it will be quite painless.” A lock of her golden hair twirled around his finger. “Possibly even enjoyable. It all depends on you, and how much you are open to.” Adriel let his thumb sweep her cheekbone. He would not press nor rush a thing with her, but the attraction and draw between them was undeniable. There was little doubt within his mind that by the end of the evening, his lips would be on hers and she would be within his arms. Not something he would apologize for or turn down, any man who would could be considered certifiable.
Whatever it was that was drawing her and he together, there was more to it than simple animalistic attraction. Adriel knew from his long years upon the Earth and Heavenly Realm that when such things came into play, it was best to follow where they led rather than to fight against them. When they led to such a beautiful creature as the one before him, he had no intention of fighting it. He was actually going to enjoy seeing where it led and exploring it with her, if she was as open as he was.
What was he doing to her? Or was it even him at all? She wasn’t sure, but there was part of her that believed that it wasn’t and that he was being pulled by the same thing that was pulling her. She still was erecting walls and hiding behind the mask she had created early on as part of the Triad, but she felt a growing war within herself. “Well, I trust you, Adriel, so I’d say I’m pretty open to anything.” Her lips curved in a sassy smirk when she saw his eyes darken in reaction to her words. Anna’s eyes dropped briefly to take in his broad and muscular chest, framed perfectly by the cut of his dress shirt. When her eyes again met his, they too had darkened. She couldn’t deny that the male in front of her was one that any female would be blessed to have paying her the kind of attention that he currently was to her. As long as she protected herself, she might as well be able to enjoy herself some.
One moment they were in the hallway, the next they were in the opulent drawing room of the suite of rooms that was his within the new wing of the Palace. Things were speeding and heating up between the two of them, and Adriel not only wanted privacy but to get out of the hallway. Brushing her hair away from her ear, Adriel leaned forward and spoke low with his lips brushing softly against the shell of her ear. “My Bella, if touching is what you wish, you are free to.” The backs of his fingers slowly stroked down her neck, and the soft gaspish intake of air he got in response hardened him instantly. Oh, there was definitely something special about the female in his arms, and he would determine very soon what that was.
HIS Bella, why did that almost make her knees feel weak? When was the last time a male had? Had Massa? It was hard to remember with how things had ended. And the brush of his fingers over her skin, leaving an almost tingling path in their wake, those started an ache for him that she didn’t understand. She was not an easy woman, yet just a few hours after meeting Adriel she was drawn to him like she had not been to another. Even as she fought against it, fought to throw up every defense, she felt them falling even without him trying to get through them. She was afraid of this happening, but did not know how to keep fighting. When Anna’s eyes closed as her head tipped back, she could picture an erotic scene between them, and it excited her more than made her nervous. She was completely confused.
“And do you want me to?” Now her voice was the one that was low and husky as Anna spoke close to Adriel’s ear. Her fingers already at the V of the top button of his shirt, letting her index finger slowly caress his tanned skin. It was warm and far softer than she had expected. She wondered what the rest of his muscular chest was like, and the twitch of one pec told her that she was having an effect on him.
The Angel’s lips curved into a devilish smirk. “Have I stopped you?” He hadn’t and he had no intention of it. He would not rush her, pressure her, or do anything to cause her to do something she wasn’t comfortable with; but he also was not going to do one thing to stop what was transpiring between them either. The slender, blonde female in his arms was exciting all of his senses. It had been eons since another had done anything remotely similar to Adriel, and he was not in any hurry for the moment to end.
“We have hours before we must be in the company of others, how those are filled is up to you, mia Bella.” His arm tightened around her to pull her fully flush against his body now. There was no way she could miss his reaction to her and their current situation. That was what Adriel wanted. Whatever was to happen between them, he wanted there to be no misconceptions or miscommunications. He was old enough to know the blonde female was a treasure and he intended to be the one to keep it.
The top button that had been done up on his shirt was freed by nimble fingers on one of her hands as Anna leaned into his embrace, the soft curves of her body molding against the hard planes of his chiseled muscles. He was hard, everywhere. There did not seem to be one inch of him that was not muscle and that awoke every womanly part of her and caused a deep desire that was quite foreign to her, a desire that caused her head to swim and her heart to pound. At the same time she ached to feel more of him in a much more intimate sense. She wasn’t sure if she was ready to go below the belt, but she knew that she wanted that shirt gone and to feel her skin against his. From the hardness against the soft curve of her stomach, she didn’t think he’d have any problem with that.
“I think…” Anna drew her words out slow and sensual as she brought her other hand up to play with the buttons on his fine dress shirt. “I think we should get to know each other better.” Her head tipped to the side, her blonde hair spilling over one shoulder as a sensual smirk formed on her lips, her blue eyes looking up into his dark ones with an expression of desire and honesty combined.
“I do like the sound of that.” His smirk matched her own now. Adriel could feel her pulse racing under his thumb as he gently ran it down her slender and elegant neck. “I promise to be as much of a gentleman as you desire of me to be, mia Bella.” His fingers found purchase on the back of her neck and his lips brushed hers. Their eyes didn’t close but he could feel her breath stutter with the contact between them. “My little Grigori, you are most desired but safe in my arms.” His fingers slid up into her hair and he claimed her mouth in a deep and sensual kiss, his tongue sweeping in for his first taste of her.
One taste and he knew he would not be letting her go. A groan echoed into their kiss, she was the sweetest ambrosia and a contact high in one. The hand on her lower back slid down onto her ass to press her even harder against him, the other hand tightening his grip on her hair. She would be HIS. He would not take her to his bed now, although he was certain that she would have let him. He would even not take her that night. Soon, and when he did, it would be for eternity. He now knew.
The Casket Girls of New Orleans & Birth of an Immortal
October 1735 - New Orleans, LA
Annabella Maria Elizabeth LeFebvre stepped off of the ship and onto the gangplank. The trip from France finally over. She and the other women on the vessel were embarking on a new life in New Orleans and the Louisiana territory, one that none of them were quite sure of. They had been contracted to be brides of the merchants and trappers in the French colony. Some were happy about this, many were not. Annabella Marie was a little different than the others, she had been sent for a specific gentleman rather than to be inspected and selected like she was some form of chattel.
They were called Casket Girls for their luggage. Depending on who you ask, their bags were anywhere from the size of a modern overnight bag to that of a steamer trunk, and then some claim they were the same height as the women. They were “filles à la cassette” (women with suitcases). “Cassette” morphed in time to “casquette” and then with the retelling of the story “casket” in English. Paranormal fiction and folklorists have also not helped the case of the poor women conscribed to come to the mosquito ridden Louisiana shores and marry the men that the Catholic Church were sure to turn to lechery if upstanding French women were not sent over. They have turned the contents of their luggage from petticoats and dresses into vampires and all other manner of creature. They have romanticized what was most certainly one of the least romantic experiences for a woman of the time. But it was one that Annabella LaFebvre was conscripted to by her family to try to gain status, and as a woman of the time, she had little choice but to go.
Within a week of landing on the shores of New Orleans, Annabella had married Etienne Fahey, a French-Irish nobleman and wealthy merchant. Her station was elevated from what she had in France, but it was not what she had expected. New Orleans was not what you see today, but was a grouping of houses that expanded out from Fort St. Charles. There was no French Quarter or Garden District. Those would not come for some time.
While Etienne was wealthy by the standards of the area and their home was larger than most, it was far from the estates of France, or what the area would hold in the future. In addition to this, Annabella’s husband was often gone for weeks and months at a time acquiring the goods he would sell to the plantations and other cities within the territory. During these times, she was left alone to tend the home and raise their eventual children. Etienne and Annabella would have 8 children, only 4 surviving infancy.
After 10 years is when the attack came in the night. Even to this day, Annabella could not say what or who it was that slaughtered her family. She could say that she fought with every fiber of her being to defend those she loved, but at the end of the night she was the only one breathing as dawn’s light crested the trees along the banks of the Mississippi. It was then she saw Jean Pierre and Armaund. They offered her a different kind of life, an immortal one, and a chance to keep what had just happened to her family from happening to others. She took it.
In the following almost 400 years, New Orleans has changed a lot and Annabella has been there through it all. Now owning an apartment in the French Quarter, a stately home in the Garden District, a plantation along River Road, and a home in Baton Rouge as well, she hunts and keeps those things in line that “go bump in the night”. Able to search memories and pull out even the most buried of them, her gifts often help other immortals around the globe who do the same kind of work she does.
Annabella was trained personally by Jean Pierre and his husband Armaund. They helped her through the ritual with the Voodoo Queen and adapting to an immortal life and the powers that she had newly acquired. Through the years, they became friends, then even closer to becoming family. She calls them her big brothers, all of the rest of her family long lost to history. Unlike the family that sent her to a foreign land to marry a man who neither loved her nor had ever met her, they have looked out for her over the years and helped her many times. In turn, she has done the same and they now have developed a bond and rapport of true siblings, sometimes to the chagrin of other immortals that they work together with
Through the years, Annabella Marie has never had another serious relationship. This is not because of some respect for Etienne. She never truly loved him, but did love her children. It is rather because she has never met a man who she was attracted to and respected enough to engage in a relationship with. She had a loveless marriage once, and she will never go through that again. This doesn’t mean, however, that she has been celibate. She makes no apologies for how she lives her life and asks no one’s approval. She may have been given no choice in her early life, but she will live her life now on her terms.
Sassy, sarcastic, self assured, and not afraid of anything, Anna has never been a wilting flower. For just over 275 years she was part of the Triad that kept New Orleans safe from all that went “bump in the night”. Those in the preternatural realm that thought to come to HER city and cause problems soon learned that they had made a grave mistake, and it was often the last one that they made. There are few creatures that she hasn’t faced down at one time or another, and she does not fear those which she hasn’t. What made her decided to take a respite from the city was not the growing number of altercations there, but a grave wound to the heart. The male she believed to be her one true mate was unable to accept that he was meant to be mated, and the rejection of a mating was something that wounded her more than she had anticipated. One to never need anyone, it was something that she had a hard time getting over. When Brie offered her an invitation to Imperium, she accepted with the thought that maybe a change of atmosphere was just what she needed to get her head back on straight. However, it put her right in the path of a dark angel that is going to turn everything she’s ever thought on its ear, and maybe that’s not a bad thing.
An angel. But, is he? He resides in the Heavenly realm with Div, but has long known to hold a darkness within him an an anger that is unlike any other angel. His anger is legendary, wings of angels ripped off with impunity and without punishment. There is something about him that is different, but none have been able to discern what that is. Soon that will come to light, but what that will do to everyone is yet to be seen.
Adriel - From the moment I saw her across a room, I was captivated. Like iron to the strongest magnet I’ve been drawn. She shall be mine, of this I vow. Whatever it takes, whatever she demands, I shall do.
Feathers & Fire @adrielandanna - Tumblr Blog | Tumgag
