Theft of Thine Heart

Chapter Forty Seven

"So I missed a lot huh?" Abel chuckled abashed as he rubbed his cheek.

Said silver haired priest sat up on his hospital bed in his private room within the Londinium hospital. Although he had nothing physically wrong with him as any wounds he had received in his battle with Cain, had healed quickly, but his energy had been so low they had refused to let him leave for at least a few days. In that time the City appeared to be picking itself back up again so much so that it wouldn't be long before Esther's coronation. Perhaps this was why she had hidden away in his room for a moments peace although outside his room stood several palace guards who were her escorts. Still he had been happy to see her and likewise as she had practically thrown herself at him upon opening the door, hugging him tightly before angrily berating him with tears in her defiant eyes.

"Although I'm honoured to be visited by the Queen herself!"

Esther shot him a look before she cast her eyes elsewhere a little abashed, "yes well, I'm not Queen quite yet…"

His eyes softened as he looked over his young companion who suddenly had a whole lot of weight added to her shoulders, but she bore it with such strength that made her almost glow. There was no doubt in his mind that Esther was the light that Albion and the world sorely needed.

"I'm just glad everything worked out," Esther continued with a warm smile, "not that I still entirely understand how you came back to us Father Nightroad, it really was a miracle from God!"

Abel almost laughed, shaking his head instead with a small chuckle, "I believe God had a helping hand this time."

Not long after he had woken in the hospital his memories had returned, having been swirling through his mind whilst he had been unconscious. Abel remembered what had happened in the Ghetto, how Rain had been injured and he had lashed out only to be swallowed by darkness. There was no doubt in his mind that this was when his head had been unceremoniously removed from his neck. And he had found himself in a daunting darkness that had claimed him entirely, robbing him of thought until a hand had reached out to him. He had recognised that long fingered hand along with the many bangles that had adorned the wrist of said hand. Lilith had been stood over him, smiling gently down on him with a light that felt almost like the sun, behind her. In the darkness he had heard her call to him, tell him that this was not the end, before grasping his hand and pulling him upwards.

The next thing he had known he was alive once more with the Crusnik burning inside of him. For a brief moment he had felt sorrow at leaving Lilith behind once more however the first thing he glimpsed had been the woman who had stolen his heart.

"Father?"

Blinking, Abel adjusted his glasses and raised his eyes once more to meet Esther's, "where is Rain?" he queried.

She hadn't been to see him yet which worried him, and not only that left him feeling a little cold inside when he had woken to not find her beside him. After their time apart Abel did not want to be apart from her ever again. He needed her at his side, her hand in his, her familiar scent around him, her beautiful grey eyes smiling up at him.

As if seeing his inner turmoil, Esther let out a sigh before smiling and patting his clasped hands.

"Rain wanted to be here more than anyone but she's become a bit of a celebrity," she admitted with a small grimace, "everyone knows about her being a Methuselah."

Abel's eyes widened and he made to throw off his blanket and escape the hospital until an arm appeared catching him by the throat like a steel bar and causing him to tumble back.

"Ack!" he yelled, grasping at his throat with tears in his eyes, "what was that for?!"

"Father Tres!" Esther exclaimed in relief as she stood up, not at all bothered by Abel's spluttering on the bed, "I'm glad you're here!"

The cool gaze of the android priest washed over the two, "affirmative Esther Blanchett, I am here to escort you and Father Nightroad to the Coronation."

Finally recovering but still massaging his throat gingerly, Abel looked between the two almost hurt, "h-hey! I can't just be dragged around like a sack of potatoes!" before he sobered once more, "you still didn't explain where Rain is, is she okay?"

Before Esther could reply Tres cut in with his deadpan expression, "Sister O'Neil will be at the Coronation, we must depart in 0.26 minutes or we will be late."

Given little choice he was barely given time to throw on his Londinium clothes loaned to him by the hospital, before he was being thrown into a car the flew down the streets. Abel watched the city pass as they drove by noticing repairs on going to several buildings, but most importantly he noted smiles. Things appeared to have picked up, spirits lifted with the oncoming ceremony nothing like how he had left it. And yet where was Rain? Tres had said she would be at the Coronation however there was no sign of her even as they pulled up to the Palace. Walking through the luxurious hallways he felt a little out of place until he was bundled through a side doorway, bidding good luck to Esther who awaited to be summoned. Next thing he knew he was stood amongst a huge gathering in the high ceilinged hall. Rows of pews lined either side and he instantly recognised the familiar Cardinal of the AX. She smiled at him and lightly inclined her head to him to which he reciprocated with a warm smile of his own. After all he did owe his life to her. Spotting a priest waving at him, Abel scooted over to the far side where the AX had gathered, even Leon who looked even more out of place than Abel did. William beamed over at Abel before clapping a hand to his shoulder.

"Good to see you up, old boy! Wouldn't want to miss the crowning of our little Esther of course."

"I don't think I got much of a choice," he admitted wearily before looking around once more.

Unsurprisingly, the gathering of priests knew where his mind strayed. Before he could open his mouth to ask the question Hugue spoke.

"She will come."

Blinking dumbfounded, Abel moved his mouth open and closed before sighing and admitting defeat. No one was willing to say anything so he would just have to wait.

As the ceremony began and Esther was called in, everyone rose from their seats. At the head of the ceremony stood Pope Alessandro who smiled warmly at the soon-to-be Queen as she walked up the long aisle with her head held high. Words were spoken, prayers were given and oaths were made all passing in a blur to Abel who felt almost washed away in the moment as the golden crown was lowered onto Esther's head. Gone was the young, fiery nun who had hung to his side, instead stood a steadfast and confident woman, a Queen who overlooked them all without so much as a flicker of fear.

"As my first act as Queen of Albion," Esther spoke clearly, addressing everyone in the hall and those outside as the coronation was projected to the walls of the palace for all to see, "I propose to bring peace between Terran and Methuselah!" a great many murmurs began to rise however Esther's voice cut through them all, "for this reason I have asked my good friend and often, my saviour, Sister Rain O'Neil to reach out to the Empire."

No sooner had she finished speaking had the great doors at the end of the hall, opened letting light flood in. Abel's eyes instantly fell on her, scrutinising as if expecting some sort of injury but there was none. His breath caught in his throat at the sight of her stood with all eyes on her, but her back was straight and her shining grey eyes strong. Her long blue hair was pulled back in a loose plait, held by one of his ribbons, and she was dressed in dark priest clothing but for the long dark blue coat that flew out behind her as she strode down the aisle. It looked like it belonged to the Methuselah Empire. At her hip hung her father's sword but wrapped around it's hilt was an AX silver cross that swung with her movement. She looked stunning to him and all Abel wanted to do was reach out to her.

"Isn't that the saviour of Albion?" Abel heard someone whisper from the seats before him.

"A Methuselah who fought against the enemy of the world."

"She saved the Queen too."

"I have returned," Rain suddenly spoke up, her cool voice washing over them all and silencing the whispers as she bowed lightly, "with word from the Empire."

She gestured backwards with her hand to reveal a smaller person behind her, almost swallowed by the huge white and green lace Empire regal clothing. Abel's jaw dropped to see Seth stood there with a smile on her face. Clearly many people were also shocked to note another Methuselah stood there and it didn't take a genius to put two and two together as to who she was.

"I present the Empress of the Empire," Rain continued, "Empress Augusta."

Seth lightly curtsied before heading towards Esther, said newly made Queen smiling warmly at her old friend.

"Empress Augusta," Esther acknowledged with an incline of her head also, "I am grateful that you accepted by invitation."
Obviously a great many people were suddenly very uncomfortable in the audience, shifting in their seats and looking unsure. It was one thing to have the saviour of Albion amongst them, and another for the Empress of the Empire to be there herself! Abel could see Francesco in the audience look like he was about to explode. Only the threat of War kept his tongue silent but there was no doubt that there would be repercussions for Esther's choice. Yet the red headed woman did not look phased, and neither did Rain or Seth for that matter. It seemed like the three of them had already plotted this between them! Abel sighed, those three were certainly a force to be reckoned with when together.

"I am here to accept your offer of peace, Queen of Albion," Seth announced, "for too long our countries have been apart and it is time that we began to mend our ties."

"This is preposterous!" someone finally yelled, jumping up from his seat, red in the face from anger or humiliation, Abel wasn't sure.

Neither of the three women looked surprised and it was enough to make said man blanche, wincing as if he had been lashed with their gazes. Stepping forward, Rain held out a hand to the man.

"Why is this preposterous? Why should we not want peace between the races?"

Bristling, the man stuttered, "M-Methuselah are…"

"Are what? She queried, raising an eyebrow, "monsters?" she had obviously hit the nail on the head as he flinched, but to everyone's surprise she merely sighed.

"The enemy of the world is gone," Rain began, her eyes addressing all that were gathered, "the last of the Orden are scattered like dust in the wind with no way to regain themselves. The world has won this battle that many did not even know had begun. Many, many lives were lost because of this battle, both Terran and Methuselah, friends and family, innocents and those who believed they were doing what was right," Rain closed her eyes for a moment before walking down the aisle towards Esther once more, "the enemy of the world is gone, and now is the time to rebuild. To begin anew bonds of friendship that should have never been broken. Methuselah and Terran alike, both love, both hate, both bleed and both cry. Each have families and those that they care for, and each share this planet that we call home. It is time we set aside differences and instead share in the similarities. Opinions can take time to change and grudges and prejudices even longer so, but given time we can make this world a great place once more," she spun around to address the whole hall once more, her eyes locking with Abel's finally bringing a small smile to her face, "the enemy of the world gave us one favour by bringing us all together. Let us step forward not backwards."

Things moved quickly from that moment, the words of a Methuselah in the service of the Vatican seeming to strike many amongst the palace. Esther had finished the ceremony with a promise of friendship and that even though it would take time, friendship between the Empire and Albion would grow. It would begin with trade just like any other country, sharing of resources and emissaries that would take place in each country. No one expected it to be easy, but with the words of the three women that stood before all of Albion, everyone knew that this would be the future.

Reporters huddled for a chance to interview the Empress of the Empire to which Seth surprisingly abided with, with way too much vigour. Abel suspected she was excited to be in the news and causing a stir. Likewise both Esther and Rain were almost accosted by the vultures from the news and journals until royal guards finally began to disperse them. It was only then that Rain noticed Abel still stood there, dressed in his simple Albion civilian clothing looking a little sheepish. Despite the last hour Rain let her shoulders sag before she strode towards him, people parting like the tide around her. A couple of the AX agents glanced their way before quickly turning away as if having seen nothing.

"Y-You sounded amazing Rain," Abel finally spoke as she walked towards him only to notice she wasn't slowing down, "R-Rain?"

Without warning she threw her arms around his neck, pulling herself closer to him and holding on tight. Abel stumbled a little by the sudden move, wrapping his arms around her as he hurried to stabilise himself.

"I missed you, you damn idiot," the quiet mutter made its way up from his chest making him chuckle, tightening his hold on her.

"I missed you too."

She quickly looked up, a look of worry in her pale grey eyes, "I'm sorry I wasn't there when you woke up. Esther needed me to go to the Empire and speak with Seth, I did ask if it could be someone else but there wasn't really anyone else to-"

Rain's rambling was silenced as soft lips captured hers, stealing her words and very breath from her. It took only a second for her to melt into his embrace, clutching at his shoulder.

"I was worried," Abel spoke softly as he parted from her lips, his bright blue eyes meeting hers with such warmth that she felt her heart swell in her chest.

Her lips twitched with a smile, "sorry, suddenly becoming the saviour of Albion made me popular," before she nestled into his neck, not even caring if anyone saw them, "don't you ever leave me again, Abel Nightroad."

Likewise Abel held her tighter, vaguely aware of eyes on them but he couldn't care less. Nothing mattered anymore other than the woman in his arms. He had completely his mission, he had saved the world from the Orden and together, they had destroyed the enemy of the world. The only thing he wanted now was to stay by her side for as long as she would have him.

"I will be with you forever, my Rain."