State of an Angel

Prologue: The End of Heaven

As with the everlasting story of Adam and Eve told in Anglo-Christian Bibles as well as many holy texts throughout the centuries, the war in Heaven was told as well to one human, who gained sainthood from his deeds of writing it down in a tome. A tome that would forever be sought after by men across the earth ranging from every religion, race and creed. None would escape its possession, and soon in the modern age of men, that tome would become a Bible of its own. Although theology will debate it, great leaders would dismiss and men themselves would believe it never truly existed or were the workings of a madman, the tome itself would remain concealed within God’s earth to one day be told.

Of course, the war in Heaven was only the beginnings of the changes within God’s realm. Soon, humans would rule the earth, angels would protect them and the fallen ones would wage a war on the very soil of Adam and Eve’s precious Garden of Eden. But humans would never truly understand or come to know the secret world of heaven, the heavenly hosts, the sentinels of Hell, and the one who is called Sataniel. Not truly, glimpses they would catch late at night, when despair, loneliness and hopelessness crept into the souls of God’s chosen children would be their only mirrors to the world.

To humans, religion has very special purposes in their lives and knowing the entire truth could confuse the young ones. So God in his infinite wisdom decided it best to continue the teachings of those age-old bibles. The stories told truth and that truth would reach the gates of Heaven, but what the Bible and other texts from the mouth of God did not explain was the hidden world of the angels. Names were given, deeds fulfilled and singing proceeded of those Angelic souls throughout all the stories. However, the true state of an angel was very different from what those ever questioning humans believed and if the truth were ever spoken it would defy what religion has always taught. That would be chaos...

The hierarchy of angels has been explained through human research many times, creating a myriad of chains of commands from God to the fallen ones. Names, deeds, expectations all thought-out and said to bring the human world a sense of order. However, the reality of Heaven’s Hierarchy is much simpler than believed by the young ones. In Heaven God breathed four long breaths and the first four angels were created governing over the four points of the earth. From the South came forth Sataniel, from the North came forth Gabriella, the East brought Cripton and the West sprung Rampel. Four angels to reside in watch over God’s green earth, a haven of beauty and tranquil settings, babbling brooks and the sweetest of all flowers laid out among trees and animals of all shapes and sizes. Beautiful creatures living upon the land that heaven created.

Secrets from humans began on this day, for to every angel, just as with every human, a soul mate is created. Never is their one without the other and no angel is truly completed without their second self, without the other part of their soul. As with humans, angels spend years and centuries searching for their soul mates. For some it comes upon them quickly, others it is a long journey, but either way, it is something an angel is always aware of and forever strives to achieve perfection with their soul mate in God’s love and compassion. It is a simple concept to an angel, for as God chose to never leave his children on earth alone, neither would his angels be without companionship, without the feeling of complete love. A love that complements His love of each of them but gives a meaning and reasoning to their lives. The first four angels countered each other, Sataniel to Gabriella and Cripton to Rampel, blissful and contented in Heaven as on earth. The way God meant it to be.

The end of Heaven’s Bliss began with the beginning of mankind. When God created Adam and Eve and bestowed upon them the eternal bliss of the angels, it was Sataniel who was jealous first. Pounding the ground and calling to God. God answered his prayers, but the response fell upon deaf ears. Sataniel turned from the His voice and from the protection and love of Heaven, falling to the earth for all eternity, ripping a hole in heaven that would never be sealed until a warrior came along with the faith of all humanity.

God wept for Sataniel, who took with him Cripton, the East angel and left behind their own soul mates to suffer the consequences of one who’s heart and soul were broken and bleeding. Gabriella and Rampel screamed into God’s ears and he wept for them as well. It was in this that the beginning of the end did commence.

Chapter One: The Day God Made

Gabriel was only one of the seven Princes, the seven protectors of Heaven and Earth. The others stood about in a glen of beauty where mist covered the ground in the early morning hours of the earth day and sweet smelling lilacs trickled down a path to a waterfall cascading over a mountain. Michael, the third in order of the Princes spoke first, as he often did. He was tall, not as Gabriel, but carried himself with air and grace about him, handsome were his features as with all the Princes, striking with creamy brown hair and violet eyes. He wore a determined crease across his brow. Set in from years of deep thought, something Michael was very good at.

"Gabriel, we are to fight him now, are we not," the loud, determined voice of Michael’s broke the serene silence in the glen. The other Princes looked towards Michael and Gabriel as they stood a few feet from each other. A moment of silence stilled the air as Gabriel looked at his comrade. A smile escaped his lips and he laughed.

"Always has been about the fighting with you, Michael. Be still and be strong, the fight will come," Gabriel said with a gaiety about him. Gabriel always possessed a secret pleasure it seemed. "Today, we await someone far more interesting than Sataniel." Gabriel smirked.

The Princes began to ask questions about this someone, almost all at the same time. The flaxen blond Nathaniel asked who, while John and Peter, both darker skinned and carrying locks of light brown hair asked when. Zechariah with the striking red hair and big brown eyes joined into the conversation asking how could he help. Gabriel walked a distance away from them, not ignoring them, only contemplating the last of the seven, his true brother, given to him by God to protect, individually and as a part of the Heavenly Hosts. Gabriel has took a great pleasure in playing the role of the older brother, to the younger who was named Andrew. That was whom Gabriel’s attention was now paid.

Andrew had walked away from the group and sat on a tree stump a few yards away. Gabriel smiled towards him and continued walking to him.

"Are you not curious, brother?" Gabriel asked, still with a hint of humor about his voice. Andrew turned to look at him. His green eyes were not shining with the light he had come to have within them. His brow was creased in deep thought, which again was unlike him. Andrew was as handsome as the other Princes, tall, strong and striking in his features. He carried an air of dignity, but with an overwhelming compassion that could encompass the entire world. Even Gabriel had been known to let go of anger within his brother’s presence. Possessing shoulder length, soft shady brown hair and eyes a light shade of green, Andrew held a perfect balance of calm, gentleness and quiet strength that no other Prince matched.

"Don’t take it to heart, Andrew, every one of us must endure," Gabriel said, still smiling a bit. He was amused by his brother’s emotions at the moment. He often chided him about this moment and he was certain Andrew would take to his task as with all of his tasks with great vigor and excitement, for even though, he looked concerned, his eyes always gave away his emotion and Andrew was more scared than concerned. Scared was a new emotion for the Prince. The Princes had seen terrifying sights of hideous and dark, demons emerging from the pits of Hell. They had fought their counterparts, the Sentinels of Hell, they had gone against Sataniel himself and seen every horror imaginable in Heaven and Earth, but here sat, his younger brother, afraid of something so little. He did amuse Gabriel and he had to laugh out loud.

"Come, Andrew, you should be yelling from the mountain and blessing God in the highest. This is the day God made and it is your day, brother. From sun up to sun down, he has crowned this day for you," Gabriel said, patting Andrew on the shoulder, "so go meet her already and don’t tell me that you are scared about this. I know you too well, you have been planning this day for an eternity. It has arrived, here it is and there she awaits."

"Perhaps just waiting a few days would be best, I do not wish to scare her either," Andrew said in a soft, pleasant voice, which had caused more than one woman to swooning.

"You will get no rest until you lay eyes upon her," Gabriel continued, "you will continue to wonder and concern yourself with details, better left alone."

"It is not always wise to meet them right away. This is the only chance I am given to meet her and give a good expression," Andrew explained. "I would not want that meeting to be rushed or to be left to carelessness."

"A good expression!" Gabriel laughed. "Andrew she’s your soul mate, you don’t need an expression, just your soul. She will love you she has no choice. That’s the point of it all."

"Maybe it was never intended to be like that. Humans do not treat their soul mates like that," Andrew said, standing up and walking away from Gabriel. A touch of unspoken anger held in his eyes.

"That is true, but you’re not a human, may I remind you," said Gabriel. "Just meet her," he called out again as Andrew walked into the deeper woods and disappeared from Gabriel’s view. "Just meet her! And stop worrying!!" He laughed a bit and shook his head, looking a bit towards heaven. "This should be interesting, father." He smiled and turned back to the group of Princes awaiting him.

Andrew did not find amusement in what he was about to do, nor did he find it comforting that his brother was taking it so lightly. This was a moment, he himself had waited for ever since he could remember. His soul mate, his one true love, his other self, and the second part of his soul. The thought was exciting, enthralling, enrapturing and completely terrifying all at the same time and the emotions were running very deep for the two thousand-year-old Prince. He trusted God with all his heart and spirit, but his soul was his alone, and now, he would be sharing it and his entire existence with her.

Now, an angel possessed of angelic spirit and an earthly female form, had been created from God’s own breath to be cherished and nurtured, taken under his wing for protection, for understanding and for training in the most difficult of all honors bestowed upon angels. She had been chosen for a heavy burden on her young life and it had been placed in his own hands to help her through it. That weight, that responsibility may have been heavy for an angel to carry, even a Prince, but that was not what troubled Andrew on this day. It was she, the very essence and existence of her. He was to love her, and her love him in return and that thought, or rather the thought of making that love an everlasting one, terrified him. He knew love of a brother, love of God, love of the world, love of friends and kin, but the love of a woman was unknown to him. He had many female companions, both angel and human, he thought upon them fondly, but never with the eyes of love, never did they touch his soul, never did they...

His thoughts ceased as he looked at the crystallized opening in front of him. Humans passed by without knowledge of this place he stood in. It was invisible in all human existence, just another patch of trees in a wood, but this was a gateway into the Haven, into the invisible world of the angels, heaven and God. However, when Andrew walked through it on this clear, brisk day, it would be into the human world where she awaited him. He took a deep breath and let it out, slowly. He walked forward as the opening rippled for a moment then stilled again as if he hadn’t parted it at all. A few more steps brought him to a dirt path and a few more long strides took him out of the deep woods and onto a make shift road. It was this road that would lead him to her, he could feel her presence and with each step she became more real to him.

Although Andrew walked carefree down the path, the passerby would never notice the deep thoughts he was thinking. He always knew she would be a perfect match for himself, he knew she would be giving, caring, loving and true. He knew she would be beautiful to him, inside and out. He knew their souls would find one other across mountains, countries and worlds forever. He knew how important it was to have a soul mate and to cherish and love her, he understand the complexity of being another’s soul mate. He had seen it often with his fellow Princes and of course, his brother, Gabriel and his soul mate, Penelope, the leader of the Hearts, a name used for Prince’s soul mates. He knew and he understood all of it, but those thoughts alone did not stop the anxiousness he felt in his heart or the fluttering in his stomach. These qualities were and had been present since the sun rose on this day. What was troubling him was not the nature of having a soul mate, it was far more confusing than that. What would he say to her? How could he make her know that he would protect her, love her, cherish her, be everything to her that she needed. How could he make her understand that he was not contented with just a soul mate as his brothers were? That he wanted, that he needed more from her. That he was willing and even wanted to have her demand more of him.

This was something Andrew had considered for years after knowing he would have a soul mate. It was clear to him that his path and hers would be difficult and challenging, but he knew the rewards would be worth every moment of doubt, turmoil and frustration. He knew that and he had to make her understand that as well. It was what he was, from the moment of his creation as it was meant to be and always will be for eternity.

More knowledge of his existence and his purpose in this world plagued him on the walk. He knew, as all Princes did, that when each Prince was created an aspect of humanity was placed upon them, into their very essence and existence. It coursed through them as much as breath did. To Andrew that aspect seemed to engulf him at times, and too often, put him in troublesome situations with other angels, even his brother. Now, that very aspect, that very existence of his life was being called upon. He was to give it to another, to share it with her. To become a perfect partnership of love, for love was his aspect, his piece of humanity. It was his purpose, his place to protect it, to cherish it, to fight for it, to live for it and if necessary to die for it. Every Prince felt the same about their aspect, even if it was never truly discussed among them. It was known. It was this knowledge that didn’t make any of this moment any easier for the Prince. In fact, if he did speak about it, he would say it was the most difficult journey he ever had the pleasure of taking. For love had always been mixed with a sweet sense of pleasure for Andrew. To love, to be loved, to give love, but just as with everything dark sides of that human piece could seep into his soul, his heart, his spirit, as with all angels and those dark places can confuse and beguile even the strongest.

Andrew continued walking closer to a small village not far away from the path he was on. The night air had crept in on his walk and now the harshness of the human world blew around him. Up ahead in the distance he saw a fire burning, people were crowded around it for warmth and comfort. A figure with a hooded cloak was shivering, the back was placed to him of this figure and he could see nothing but the cloak wrapped around it. He walked towards the figure and took another deep breath.

"Camille," Andrew said, soft, but loud enough for several people to turn their heads and look at the stranger. The figure turned to him and smiled. A glowing beautiful smile that for years and centuries to come, he would never forget.

"I knew you would come when the darkness did," she said, sweetly. Her voice was soft, but held excitement and her smile never seemed to cease. Expect for one moment, when she quickly went on her knees in reverence to him. "Forgive me," she said, fear quickly apparent in her voice.

"No," Andrew answered and just as quickly held her arm bringing her up off the ground to look at him. Her eyes darted back and forth, confused about his answer, perhaps, she thought, he would not forgive me for my foolish mistake. Andrew reached down and picked up her chin. He smiled at her. "You shall never bow to me. We are equals, we are as one." The words were spoken with firmness, but his hand gently touched her cheek, causing her to smile once again.

"You are him, yes," she asked, in a small unsure voice that resonated through his very soul.

"My name is Andrew. It is my pleasure to finally meet you." His voice was soft and low, his hair caught flecks of light from the fire, illuminating his fair skin and green eyes.

Camille looked up at him, towering over her almost one whole foot and tilted her head a bit.

"You are very nice to look at," she said and then quickly added, "That did not offend you, did it?"

He smiled and touched her long strawberry blonde curls that fell down her back and shoulders. He moved them slightly in his hand, staring at his motion.

"You are beautiful," he answered after a silent moment. "More beautiful than I could have ever imagined."

"You imagined me?" She asked quickly, curiosity taking her over and the compliment was lost in her questioning eyes.

"Yes, for many years," he answered and then reached out his hand. She looked down and then back to him. "We should get out of the cold. You may not realize it but you are shivering." She looked strangely at him for a moment and then smiled again. "Would you like to take my hand, Camille? It is your choice." He smiled at her and held her eyes. Within a moment, she took his hand and they were walking away from the fire to the other side of the village. A small hut stood, make shift roof and small entrance door. He opened it for her and motioned for her to go inside. She put her head down and let go of his hand. He smiled at her fear for a moment and stepped inside.

"Can I ask you a curiosity, Andrew?" She said, suddenly, causing Andrew to hold back a laugh from her wording. She looked at him, a serious expression taking over her sweet face, he was curious himself now, how she could change emotions so quickly in her eyes and face.

"Yes," he answered. "It is referred to here as a question, but I rather like your way of speaking," he smiled. Her expression didn’t waver, she only nodded her head at him. He thought for a moment that he might have offended her.

"Question? Thank you. Where are all the others as myself going to stop shivering?" She asked the question simply, but her eyes held confusion. Andrew resisted an urge to touch her face again. He knew she would be young, confused and knowing only what was needed of her existence, but he had not expected such a question of compassion for humans. It touched his heart and moved him in a way he had not felt since he had been home in heaven.

Andrew smiled a bit and took her hand sitting them both down next to the fire that was burning within the hut. She sat across from him. Her cloak was around her shoulders. A simple white dress covered her petite frame from shoulders to feet. Her feet were bare, her face was glowing in the firelight. He held onto her hand and sat with one knee raised looking at her.

"There are called humans, Camille. They live here." Her eyes lit up quickly. He shook his head. "No, not here in this house. They live here on this world called Earth. They are protected by the Father and by the angels."

"And this world, Earth, will take stop them from shivering?" She questioned, innocently. He started to answer her when she suddenly broke from her stare at him and her eyes darted back and forth. "Earth is where humans live, the chosen children of the Father."

"Yes," he said, smiling. "May I ask what else you know about yourself, Camille?"

"I am an angel created by God and sent to..." she paused and thought, "Earth to meet you," she smiled quickly at him. "My purpose is unknown, but will be revealed in God’s time. I am to learn from you what you will teach me." She stopped and looked back at him, her eyes searching for approval.

"Do you know of us?" He asked, quietly. She nodded quickly.

"Yes, we are soul mates. We can feel each other’s souls across time. That is why I can feel your arms around me even though you sit over there. I could feel you before you came to me at the fire." Andrew was listening to her words, but he was feeling her soul. It was overwhelming the emotions that came flooding to him wave after wave and for the first time in his two thousand-year-old life, he felt complete love and encompassing desire for this small beautiful red-haired curious angel who sat peacefully across from him. Andrew couldn’t resist any longer, he reached out to her, touching her face gently and leaning towards her, slowly. She looked at him the entire time until he pressed his lips against hers and softly kissed her. Love washed over them both in that moment and for the Prince and his Heart, their souls mingled and met for the first time, fulfilling them and lifting them up to Heaven and the Father.

Andrew slowly broke the kiss not wanting to frighten her with such a bold move, but he was taken in by her in a way that engulfed his senses and his sensibilities. It was the next moment that truly shocked him and would continue to surprise him for years and centuries to come. As quickly as he had stopped the kiss, she reached over and pulled her back to him, kissing him again. Passion, desire, love and a complete sense of perfection washed over them, coming in like waves breaking across the rocks. It overwhelmed Andrew, he had never been the receiver of such powerful feelings. He tried to find a calm within his soul, but Camille was holding nothing inside, flowing one soul into the other, one kiss into the next. He felt himself lose control, he embraced her and pulled her closer to him, the sweetness of her scent surrounded his senses while her soul reached to his, filling it with desire and love. Suddenly, through the mist of passion and the softness of her lips he felt her let go. She slipped into an unconsciousness state. Her soul called to him, but her eyes completely closed and her breathing calmed. He looked at her fallen in his arms, peacefully sleeping. He smiled and took a deep breath, letting it out slowly as his own senses returned to him.

He pulled her into him and rocked her gently, praying quietly to his Father for the day, the sun, and the moments and for entrusting this angel into his hands. The father answered back with a soft whisper into his ear and a shooting star in the sky that led to a brilliant burst of light over the small hut where they laid.

Chapter Two: Cami

"Perhaps a problem arose in the village and he was called on by the Father," Michael suggested, giving excuses for his friend. He knew how important finding his soul mate was to Andrew and he was so glad for his friend, he didn’t want Gabriel or any one to ruin a happy moment for him with unnecessary concern or anger.

"It is possible," Michael’s Heart, Grace, chimed in. She, too, was a good friend to Andrew and often spoke to him about finding his soul mate someday. She, of all in the Haven, knew of Andrew’s plan for him and his Heart and she knew it would take more than a few days to accomplish his task, if it were achievable at all. No angel had ever done it before and even Grace, with her calming nature and soft-spoken words of wisdom, was very unsure of that fact.

"He has wandered long enough," Gabriel said, again demand present in his voice. He turned to his own Heart, Penelope. She was raven-haired with crystal blue eyes, standing only inches shorter than Gabriel. She commanded a presence as well, she was the leader of the Hearts and took her job and purpose most seriously. A job she had worked on since she came to the Haven and to Gabriel many, many centuries before. "Find her, Penny, reach out and find her. Bring her here," he said and moved closer to her.

"I have tried, Gabriel. I have reached out to her, she does not respond," Penny said, an English accent, she always possessed making her speech stand out with firmness and resolve.

"I know you can do this, Penny. You are her leader, you can make her hear you," Gabriel spoke with hope in his voice, his own aspect of humanity. It ran through Penny’s soul and caused her to smile at him.

"I shall try again," she said. He smiled at her and looked back to the others. "All the hearts will go with Penny and help her in this task. We have other matters to discuss," he said, looking at Michael for a moment. The hearts, obediently followed Penny away from the Princes.

The procession was a beautiful one, if a human looked upon it. Striking blond haired Grace followed Penny at her heel, walking with an air of dignity about her. She always possessed the accent of England with a soft-spoken voice to accompany it. A perfect vision of an angel for painters to be inspired by in years to come. Behind her followed Dina, Zechariah’s Heart. She was smaller than Grace and Penny in height, but possessed a pensive mind of law and reason complimented by her outer appearance of beautiful long straight hair of brown, pinned up behind her head most of the time and soft features. Victoria, Peter’s Heart, followed close to Dina. Victoria’s features were soft and flowing, including her locks of blond hair that fell to her shoulders and outlined her face. She possessed a tenderness and sweetness about her, often quiet in a group, but always thinking. Trailing behind all of them was Isabel, Nathaniel’s Heart. She skipped along in playfulness as they walked to a glen nearby with a stream. Isabel possessed raven black hair and black eyes that brought out her striking facial features, high cheekbones, narrow chin and rounded lips. She always had a delight to speak of and often would find games to play in the Haven including archery, one of her favorites.

The other hearts, excluding Penny, would never speak upon it much, but they would often seek out Isabel when the day was long and their Princes were busy. Isabel provided entertainment and fun, most of which was lacking in the Haven for a long time. Work was necessary and expected, but too often, the Hearts and their Princes, if truth be told, were longing for some new excitement. Isabel offered that, much to her own quiet, reserved and very shy Prince, Nathaniel’s confusion and embarrassment.

After the procession commenced and they sat at the quiet stream. Each taking a different place, some on stumps, patiently waiting, others on the ground, enjoying the sun streaming through the trees and Isabel twirling around a tree.

"We have a very important task set upon us and we must meet it with an equal sense of responsibility," Penny started, standing in front of them all. She sighed for a moment, "Isabel please sit down and join us."

"I can hear you. We have an important task set upon us and we must..."

"Isabel, sit down!" Penny said, loudly and firmly. Isabel let go of the tree trunk and plopped herself on the ground quickly. "Thank you."

There was a moment of silence in the small glen. Only the stream could be heard. Penny was calmly closing her eyes, while the other Hearts did the same. A calmness took over the glen. A small white rabbit came out of his hole in the ground, a few more animals residing there stopped their work and listened. It was peaceful and the soft, light winds could be heard around them. The rabbit moved slowly towards Isabel nuzzling its nose against her arm. She smiled and opened her eyes looking down at the little creature.

"Hello," she said, sweetly, causing the rabbit to jump onto her lap and Penny to open her eyes.

"Isabel," Penny sighed. "We are looking for Andrew’s soul mate, not the rabbit’s."

"He is lonely," Isabel said, petting the creature. "Let him reside here for a moment."

"If it is the wish of the rabbit," Penny answered. "Please remain still," she said, looking from the rabbit to Isabel. Isabel nodded and placed her finger to her lips for the rabbit to remain quiet as well.

Penny closed her eyes, the other Hearts had been listening to the conversation, but had remained focused throughout it. No wanting to incur Penny’s disappointment as Isabel enjoyed so much.

Hours pasted by in a matter of moments it felt to the small group. The rabbit now sleeping calmly in Isabel’s lap suddenly jumped off as Isabel laughed and stood up. Each Heart looked at her.

"I felt her, she reached out to me," she said, laughing again. "She has a sweet soul, unfocused and confusing," she quickly ran up to Penny, "but sweet and loving."

"Lead us to here," Penny said, her voice indicated annoyance, but she smiled a tight smile towards Isabel. "Very good, Isabel." The Hearts all smiled and stood up following Isabel, Penny trailed behind this time.

"She is very happy," Isabel started speaking with Grace who was walking with her. "Do you think she will like to do archery? She seems to be someone who would, but you can never truly tell these things about other angels."

"I am only certain of one thing, Isabel," Grace said, smiling at her. Isabel turned and looked at Grace. "You will show her the game."

"Yes, I believe I shall," Isabel said, smiling back. Grace put a soft hand on hers for a moment. "You have a beautiful gift, Isabel and Andrew’s Heart shall be fortunate to call you a friend as I do." Isabel smiled and walked a few steps ahead.

"Wait," Isabel said, quickly and stopped walking. "We must go back."

"Why?" Penny asked coming up to where Isabel stood. "Is there danger there?"

"No," Isabel was looking away from Penny, sensing feelings and thoughts from elsewhere. "No, Andrew does not want us there." She stated and then skipped away back towards the glen. Penny caught her arm and stopped her antics.

"What did he do?" Penny said firmly. "And tell me all."

Isabel looked down and then back to Penny, smiling. "He gave me a feeling that he loved us and thanked us for our concern, but he would rather we waited for them to return. That’s it." She said and started to turn, and then quickly turned back to Penny. "Her soul is very...." she searched for a word to describe the feelings she had felt from Camille. "Loving." She smiled and added, "like Andrew." She bounced off towards the stream again, Grace smiled after her and walked up to Penny.

"It shall be nice to have another Heart," Victoria said, quietly as she passed Grace and Penny. Penny gave her a look. Grace smiled at her.

"Once John finds his Heart, we shall be complete," Dina added and followed behind Victoria. Dina often would state facts, instead of opinions, although to most of the Hearts they knew she had opinions.

"We should honor his wishes," Grace said, waiting for Penny’s response, she knew would be at the very least unpleased with Andrew’s message.

"It will not work as he wants," Penny stated, defeating the Prince already in her own mind. "It was not intended to be like this."

"We do not know what the Father had intended for Andrew and his Heart. We can only wait and let it be revealed in time," Grace smiled and touched her hand. "Penelope a change always occurs when another gift is bestowed upon us. Let us embrace the change and embrace her." Grace’s speech was determined and soft, like her, but Penny was already thinking about how to explain this to Gabriel. "The Father has sent us a new angel and a new friend. Let us be joyous in his gift and be happy for Andrew. He has waited for many years."

"Yes," Penny said, walking away from Grace and the group. She had to return and report to Gabriel of what had transpired.

"Grace," Victoria said, quietly, almost a whisper. Grace moved a step closer to her to hear her next words. "What will it be like?" Anticipation and fear held in her soft voice.

Grace smiled at Victoria and looked towards the stream in front of them. "Unlike anything we have ever seen, Victoria." She turned to her.

"Perhaps wondrous?" Victoria questioned. Grace took her hand and smiled a reassuring smile.

"Yes, perhaps."

Andrew came outside of the small hut and squinted at the blazing sun above his head, adjusting his eyes to the brightness of the world. He had lived in this village with Camille for almost a month, a short time for himself and her, but to the Princes and the Hearts who awaited them, impatience was overtaking calmness. Andrew felt it as he always did, an eternal connection of their own. It was different from his soul mate, but it was apparent and Gabriel, in particular, was very clear about his message to him.

"Good morning," Andrew said as Camille had exited the hut and stood in front of him leaning back to him. He placed his arms around her and held her close, placing his head on the top of hers.

"I had a dream," she said, quietly, not wanting to disturb the serene calm of the moment.

"What about?" He said, quietly, a small smile on his lips. He knew all about her dream.

"I think they were angels. They were calling to me, I felt, somehow," she said, slowly, trying to describe the dream to herself as much as to him, "they wanted me to follow them." She turned in his arms as he loosened the hold on her and looked into her face. "I felt like I knew them. Is that not strange?"

"No," Andrew answered simply, he touched her face softly, smiled at her and moved a step away, walking towards a small lake to their right. He knelt down and splashed some water on his face. The sun was beating down on the world today and already the heat was heavy on him. Camille followed him and sat down next to him.

"Explain, please," she said, looking at him. He turned to her, his hair a bit tousled and wet from the water he had splashed on it. The sun beamed through the patch of trees behind Camille, illuminating her. He smiled and leaned down, kissing her. She feel into the moment, as she had done many times in the past days with him. She had learned much about the world, him and soul mates. He had even given her a nickname, as he called it, Cami. She liked it. She liked this world, Earth and she liked Andrew. She grew closer and closer to his touches, his caresses, his kisses every moment. She could feel what he felt and he felt so many wonderful things, Camille could not seem to understand nor did he explain them all.

However, that did not change her feelings upon him. He was a mystery, a wonder, an excitement and most of all, she seemed to be the only thing that mattered to him. He was patient with her endless curiosity about the world and herself and him. He was understanding with her. He was compassionate to the world around him and especially to the humans who lived here. She had seen him save a man from a cart that toppled on him. She had seen him give a smile to a child who was crying and give comfort when a woman had lost a child. She had seen the humans react to him with smiles and warm hugs, humans who were strangers’ just moments earlier. Through it all, she had experienced so much and she was grateful for every glorious day they spent together. She had never been in Heaven, never felt the glory of the angels in the highest, but he told her about it and she had felt the Father’s love, she always felt that. She knew of faith, hope, love, charity and all the aspects of each of the seven Princes. He even explained his own feelings, he had told her he wanted her to experience everything she wanted and he did not want to keep any feelings secret or hidden from each other. She felt and experienced much of those feelings with him. Joy, happiness, excitement were just a few of what he had given her. There was passion, desire and love that flowed endlessly through them and those feelings were discussed as well. He was as open with his feelings as he was with the stories he had to tell. Stories which included Sataniel and the beginnings of Hell. The Haven where the Princes and the Hearts lived and of heaven and the Angelic Choir which could be heard across each mountain top and through each valley, resonating over the Earth like a blanket. She only had to listen is what he had said. The Father was everywhere and his angels could always hear him when they needed to.

Slowly, from day to day, Camille had a sense of understanding and the impulsive kisses she had felt from an instinct within her soul led to her heart where she longed for them. She longed for his arms around her, for his voice, his soft touches. Her heart and soul were calling to him when she slept, when she was awake and his called to hers with comfort and love. Feelings, which gave her understanding to the look upon his face now, she knew he was thinking of how to explain the dream to her.

"A dream is something humans experience during sleep. Although angels do sleep every eight days or so, dreams are more of messages and less of wishes," he paused and gave her a look, she had always become accustomed to. He was waiting to see understanding in her eyes.

"Humans wish for what they cannot have when they are awake," she stated simply.

"That is one way of explaining it, but dreams are much more to humans than just wishes. They are desires, ambitions, and sometimes some humans receive messages in them as well, like we do. Prophets received messages from God in dreams often and angels who read prophecies also receive, sometimes, messages in a dream form." Andrew reached out and took her hand, gently in his. "You received what is called a vision."

"Vision?" Camille questioned.

"A vision is a message," he said and smiled at her. "You have many angels awaiting your arrival and I have kept you here with me far too long. We must return to the Haven on this day. The vision you received last night was those angels calling you."

Camille looked at him for a long moment and then sat up excitedly. "You received a vision, also."

"Yes, I did."

"You did not sleep last night?" She questioned. He tilted his head a bit and smiled towards her, standing up and taking her with him.

"True, but my visions are simply a communication. It will be the same for you after a time. You will receive them when you are awake."

"Who were you speaking with?" Camille asked, quickly.

"My brother," he answered back. "We must go. Have you learned what you wished to know of this world, Cami?"

"Oh no, I have much to still learn." She said, quickly. He smiled at her and kissed her sweetly on the lips.

"As we all do," he answered and they started walking away from the hut.

"You know everything there is to know about this world. You are very...."

"No, Cami, believe me, I have much to learn," Andrew cut her off, stopping and looking at her.

"What do you not know?" She asked, curiosity in her eyes.

"For one thing, I am just learning how to be a soul mate and I believe, I shall have many lessons to learn from you along the way, Cami," he said, smiling at her and continued walking. She thought for a moment as she walked beside him. She would teach him. This had no occurred to her. She was the new angel, she was the inexperienced one. He was older, wiser, more knowledgeable and certainly more knowing of the world than she was.

Andrew could feel the trepidation in her as they walked. He knew she was debating his statement, he smiled to himself. She would understand in time and he wanted to experience every moment of that time with her, to see her learn, watch her form ideas, help her grow and experience all of life on Earth and in the Haven. To fill her senses with sights and sounds that brought joy to her soft green eyes and a smile to her lips. Through her, he had already seen the world in a different way and change was good, he had always believed that. Only with change was there hope for a better understanding of all that they were, all that they could be and all that the Father wanted to give them.

"Do not worry, Cami, you will know when it is time," he leaned down to her ear. "Just keep listening."

She nodded her head and they continued walking to the woods.

"Andrew," she said, softly as they stopped before the opening into the Haven. He turned to her, awaiting her words. She looked down for a moment. He lifted her chin to meet his eyes. His eyes held softness and encouragement for her to continue. "Are you pleased with me?"

"Why do you ask that?"

"I...would like," she started slowly, "you to be pleased with me."

He looked at her and spoke for the first time completely from his heart.

"I love you, Camille. I was pleased with you from the first moment we met. I don’t want to be pleased or displeased with you. I want to love you. If you would allow me that and allow yourself the chance to see what you want, I would be grateful." He smiled and touched her cheek.

"When will I know what I want?" She asked, softly.

"Your heart will tell you," he answered back. "I promise, it will tell you the truth if you listen."

She smiled at him and motioned for him to lean down. He did and she kissed him.

"I promise, I will listen," she said, softly into his ear. He smiled to himself.

She took his hand and they walked through the gateway to the Haven together.

Chapter Three: Haven Awaits

He had called to him again last night, communicating on a level most angels could not achieve. A dreamlike state while still being completely awakes. To say it was a conversation would be untruthful, it was more of a feeling. Feelings were how they always had communicated. Since Andrew was created and sent to him they had an instant communication through their souls and their minds. It was stronger than the other Princes were, it was more sincere and certainly more real than anything Gabriel had experienced before his brother set foot in the Haven.

He had experienced soul communication with his Heart, Penny for many years before, but what Andrew and he had surpassed that somehow. Together or apart, they knew what the other wanted, what they needed and what experiences emotional they were encountering. Over the past month, Gabriel could feel nothing of that connection. It was still there, he could his brother, but deep down he hadn’t been responding to Gabriel. He hadn’t reached out and called back to him. For a while, Gabriel even thought his brother was in trouble in the human world, that a Sentinel had found him or worse, he had been attacked. But as the days past by, the sense he was feeling from Andrew came to him clearly, it was calm, happiness, joy and bliss. And it was clear, after Penny explained about the Heart’s encounter with Andrew that he had no intention of being called back until he was ready. Or more likely, his soul mate was. Gabriel was not having a good feeling about any of it. He had a grave responsibility placed on all of them and Andrew would need to be here, with a clear mind and soul.

"Hello, brother," Andrew said, striding across the glen towards Gabriel. He was smiling and walking hand in hand with Camille. She kept up with his strides, even though Gabriel could tell it took many steps for his one. She was small, he said to himself as they drew closer.

"Andrew, you have stayed away for a long time," Gabriel stated and looked over him for a moment. His next gaze was on the small red haired angel next to him. Gabriel’s face broke into a smile, "and it looks like you had a good reason." Gabriel moved a step towards Cami causing her to move a step towards Andrew.

"Jumpy little one, aren’t you?" Gabriel said, still smiling at the young angel. "I must say you are most beautiful. I do not believe I have seen a more beautiful Heart yet."

Cami inched one step closer to Andrew almost seeming to disappear into him. He looked down at her and smiled.

"Camille, this is Gabriel, my brother and the leader of the Princes," Andrew stated. Immediately, Cami was on her knees and bowing her head to Gabriel. Gabriel looked at Andrew for a moment.

"She is obedient," he smiled towards his brother, "why am I not surprised?" He attempted to make a joke, but Andrew’s look told him something different.

"She can do whatever she wishes. I have told her not to bow to me, that we are equals. However, if she wishes to bow to you that is her choice," Andrew said simply.

"I like the bowing unlike my brother here," Gabriel said to Camille, still on the ground. "I have always felt that tradition should remain. It is important to keep order, especially when everything in the human world seems in chaos." A few more moments passed by and Andrew’s look became angry as Gabriel sat down on a tree stump.

"I am not pleased with this, Gabriel," Andrew said finally. He turned to Camille and started to help her up.

"Let her stay," Gabriel said with a commanding presence in his voice. "All of the Hearts could use some discipline." Andrew didn’t see his smile as he turned away. "Who better to teach them that then a new angel?"

Andrew shook his head and outstretched his hand for Cami to take it. She obeyed and stood up.

"You see," Gabriel laughed, "even the Princes do not obey commands."

"Blind obedience is better left for righteous and true commanders, Gabriel." Andrew threw back at him. Gabriel used to be annoyed with his brother’s defiance of his leadership, but over the past two thousand years has more or less gotten used to his comments and demands. It was clear to Gabriel early on in Andrew’s creation that he would be a thorn in his side. It was what the Father had wanted and Gabriel may defy most of his surrounding world and the people in it, but not God. That was where Gabriel always knew where his place was. Often in blind obedience, whether Gabriel liked it or not.

"So, tell me, young angel, where lies heaven’s greatest reward?" He paused, Cami looked towards Andrew for a moment.

"I do not know, Prince Gabriel," she said, quietly, but with a tone of respect towards him. She looked at him when answering the question, but bowed her head again when she was done. He smiled. A pattern she continued with Gabriel through his several minutes of overwhelming questions presented to the newest angel of the Haven.

"What does God want of us? Where does Heaven end and Hell begin? What sins do demons prey on in the human world? What must humans do to achieve complete love from God? Where does God see us? Why was Hell allowed to be created? What are the names of the four angels of the wind? What is original sin? How can we serve the Creator of us all better? When will the humans aspire to greatness?" Cami continued answering each question as the ones before with an air of respect and a complete lack of any knowledge to truthfully answer any one of the questioned he posed. At the end of the onslaught, Gabriel laughed, she looked down, confusion apparent in her eyes.

"Yes, she’s a good soul mate for you, Andrew. The father certainly knows his children. An angel who knows nothing expect God and you. An angel who can have every opinion molded and shaped onto her from you. An angel with the soul of devotion and the mind of curiosity enough, but not too much, to question the world and to ultimately look to you for the answers. Yes, she is perfection, are you not, Camille?"

"I would not know, Prince Gabriel." She answered. "I can only hope to be perfect in Anataniel’s eyes."

"And what about his soul? Do you intend on saving that as well?" Gabriel questioned.

"A soul cannot be saved unless it has been lost. Anataniel’s soul is not lost. I know it is intertwined with mine," she said, simply and without emotion.

"Is it now? How much else of Anataniel’s has intertwined with yours, young angel?" Gabriel smiled a knowing smile towards Andrew.

"That’s enough, Gabriel," Andrew jumped in-between his brother and his soul mate in an instant.

"It’s good to be with Andrew, Camille, I must say. He is the best protector of all. Never faltering and always, always completely right in his arguments, truthful in his never-ending morality, compassionate towards others and understanding of the human world and how it works." Gabriel sat back down on the tree stump with his leg up on the bank of the river.

"Gabriel enjoys mocking others at times. It is his own unique way of letting you know he is your friend," Andrew said, taking Cami’s hand. "I’m taking Cami to meet the others, are you coming along?"

"You go ahead, I think I’ll stay here and gain some reflection on these day’s events." Gabriel smiled towards Camille. She let go of Andrew’s hand and bowed in front of Gabriel.

"Good Prince Gabriel, I believe you are good, I believe you are righteous, I believe you are one with God. There is much I do not understand in the world, or this Haven. I am but a fortnight old and have not the experience or the blessing of God as you do. To that end, if you may have advice of which I seek, may I come upon you and humbly ask for your assistance?" She bowed her head in reverence and Gabriel took a moment throwing a quick look at Andrew, who stood smiling at his brother’s speechlessness. Andrew knew how much it took for Gabriel to be off balanced in his thoughts. It was a great accomplishment to be done by an angel who had existed for exactly 31 days.

"Yes, Camille, you may," Gabriel said, touching her head, gently. "If I have knowledge you seek, I insist you come to me, however," he brought her chin up to look at him, "you must be aware all things cannot be revealed when it is wanted of an angel."

"I am aware of that, Prince Gabriel." Cami said, smiling at him. Gabriel let go of her chin and he motioned for her to stand up. "Thank you, Prince Gabriel, it has been an honor I shall not forget, to have met you on this day."

Gabriel stood up and quickly embraced Cami. She fell into it, giving him a warmth and security, Gabriel had not felt in years from his own soul mate. After a few more moments, Andrew stepped forward, politely, ending the scene.

"Gabriel..." He said, softly, but with determination in his voice. Gabriel finally nodded at his brother and let go of Cami, who immediately walked back to Andrew.

"Is that what she feels like always, Andrew?" Gabriel said, part in astonishment and part in admiration of the newest Heart.

"That is what love feels like," Andrew answered and took Cami’s hand, walking away from the glen.

Gabriel smiled after them and thought once more about the red-haired, petite, beautiful soul mate of his brother’s and silently thanked God for his blessings on that day.

"Andrew," Michael said, cheerfully in his English accent. He strided across the landscape and met Andrew and Cami as they approached. His soul mate, Grace, a picture perfect example of her namesake, stood next to him. How she had reached them all so quickly was puzzling to Cami who hadn’t seen her in the moment before Michael approached.

"Good day, Michael. I have someone very special for all of you to meet," Andrew proclaimed joyously. Grace and Michael smiled at Cami, she smiled back for an instant. "This is my savior, Camille," Cami looked up at him quickly, expressing confusion with his words. "And my Heart," he added, quieter to her. She smiled. "Cami, this is Michael and his Heart, Grace." Cami immediately went on her knees, Andrew shook his head. "She is extremely...

"Camille," Michael said, taking her hand and helping her up. "Thank you for your overwhelming welcome, however, you need not bow to us, we are your servants as well as God’s." Cami looked down, Michael looked towards Andrew for a moment and then quickly back to Cami, "it was a very sweet gesture, none the less and one that I always

return." Michael bowed his head to her and kissed her on the forehead. Cami smiled, brightly and looked at Andrew for a moment.

"Thank you, Michael," Andrew said, nodding at him. Michael returned the gesture.

"Well, dearest Camille, I must say, your presence was anxiously awaited among many of us here," Grace began and took Cami’s hand from Michael’s encasing it in her own. "The Hearts knew you were coming, we could feel you, of course, but when was the great question. We should have known Andrew would steal you away for himself for a time." As she spoke, she moved Cami away from Michael and Andrew. Within a matters of moments and steps, Cami stopped walking. Grace looked at her, confused.

"I would like to walk with Anataniel, if you would not mind, Grace," she said, quietly, but there was an air of confidence in her voice. Grace perplexed for a moment and then quickly smiled at her.

"Of course, dearest. You go right ahead." Cami smiled and nodded her head towards Grace, moving back to Andrew and intertwining her arm around his. Andrew and Michael had been talking themselves since Grace had taken Cami, but he placed his hand over hers when he felt her next to him.

"The matters of the human world include simple things that are basic to all," Andrew started speaking with Michael again. There had been barely a pause in the conversation when Cami had approached. Grace smiled towards the angel and walked beside her as the four of them went further towards the path leading to the other Princes and Hearts.

Grace continued to speak to Cami about the other Princes and their Hearts as Michael and Andrew discussed helping humans in the village where Andrew and Cami had stayed recently.

"A rebuilding process could begin, but you know as well as I that Gabriel will not allow us to simply exist there, so that we might gain the trust of the villagers. And without their trust, we will never be able to help them," Michael said intently. "You have tried Andrew on more than one occasion to help and often they misjudge you. Have you forgotten the village with the dam that needed fixing. I have not. Nor should I for quite some time."

"That was a complete misunderstanding and even if we never were able to help them rebuild the dam," Andrew started.

"Because we were almost burned at a stake if I recall."

"They did repair the dam and no harm came to the village when the waters rose," Andrew finished.

"Your absolute reasoning is frightening at times, Andrew," Michael said, half-jokingly, half-seriously. "You have a great compassion for the human plight, Andrew, but that will not always been seen by them. I have asked you before and I shall continue to do so be careful of your own heart in giving it to others. Help yes, defend, yes, but do not become. The human world is filled with fragility and harshness you have yet to see. I trust humans will not forgive you even if God does."

"I have seen enough of pain, Michael. War on Earth does not differ from the Wars we fought in Heaven," Andrew said, his voice serious and with purpose. Grace stopped speaking and both her and Cami turned to him. "War is pain and the pain of it may prepare us for what we are to do in centuries to come, but it does not vanish when the war ceases. It never will. Humans feel this also. The loss of a child, a husband, a dream, these are as real to them as God is to us." He paused for a moment and continued.

"We will not do God’s work until we are a part of the plan. Until we embrace humans as our own kin and work with them in a world created for both of us." Andrew stopped speaking and breathed heavily for a moment. Cami kissed his hand, tenderly. He turned and looked down on her, smiling up at him. He smiled back, genuinely letting go of his troubled soul, giving it over to her. The exchange was not lost on the other two angels standing with them.

Michael slapped him on the shoulder, "she is good for you, Andrew," he said, smiling and looking over at Cami. "You remember, Camille, that he needs help, too." Cami nodded at Michael and smiled. "No matter how much he wants to save the world."

"Here they are, finally," Penny said, coming out from behind a row of thorn bushes and walking to them. Isabel, Victoria and Dina came up on the sides of the four, while Peter and Zechariah fell behind with Nathaniel still standing next to a large weeping willow tree in the center of the huge open field.

"Hello, Penelope," Andrew said and turned to Camille. "This is Camille." Everyone moved in for a closer look, while Cami put her head down. Andrew introduced them one by one. "Isabel is Nathaniel’s Heart. He is the one by the tree." Cami bowed her head respectfully towards Nathaniel, taking Michael’s words about bowing to heart.

"She learns quickly," Michael whispered to Andrew.

"And understands extremely well for her youth," Grace added.

"This is Victoria, she is Peter’s Heart." Cami exchanged a respectful bow of the head again to Peter and Victoria. Victoria giggled a little. "This is Dina, Zechariah’s Heart." Cami repeated the exchange of the previous princes with Zechariah while Dina thoroughly looked her over, almost analysis at a moment’s notice and making a final determination which all led to a polite smile and nod back towards Cami.

"And this is Penelope, the leader of the Hearts and soul mate to Gabriel." This announcement caused Cami to look at Penny for a moment and then bow on her knees to her.

"Maybe I should have mentioned Hearts did not need bowing either," Michael said, part-smiling at Andrew.

"She will find her own way," he said back to Michael.

"Thank you, Camille, it is a pleasure to see such youth that holds respect for the old ways," Penny said, pleasantly.

"I hope that I will be worthy of your teachings," Cami said and then quickly added, "Andrew has taught me the prayers." Andrew took a moment to look at her now, she had started calling him Andrew and not Anataniel. That was a welcoming sign for the Prince. The formality could be put away and he hoped their journey together would begin in earnest.

"Has he now?" Penny said, not hiding her displeasure with a Prince teaching the Heart’s prayers. "And I wonder how well you learned, perhaps we should go over them."

"Not today," Isabel jumped in quickly. "Today is the seventh day and today we feast, we thank God for our newest friend," she smiled quickly at Cami, "and we dance." She jumped around in a fashion that could be considered dancing, if it was wild and out of control, which to anyone who knows Isabel would be two words to describe her. At her continued dancing, Nathaniel finally, began the long walk towards the others. As he approached, Isabel stopped dancing and looked at him.

"We are honored to meet you, Camille," Nathaniel said in a voice that was reserved, but very pleasant. "We hope that you will be honored to know us as well." He added and then nodded his head to Cami and Andrew, before walking away from the group again. Isabel quickly turned to Cami and ran up to her, taking her hand.

"Do not worry about Nathaniel, he is very shy towards strangers," she said, leading her away from the group. "As a matter of fact, he is shy towards everyone, most of the time, but you will get used to him. I did." She laughed a bit and then pulled on Cami’s hand to follow. Cami stopped and looked back at Andrew.

"You go ahead, Cami, I will be here," he said, pleasantly. She looked at him for a moment as he engaged in a conversation with Zechariah and Michael.

"Andrew has seen this place, so he will not mind, come on," she said, quickly, jerking Cami away from Andrew’s sights for the first time since they met. Cami’s heart was racing, but she calmed herself as a wave of pure love ran over her. She opened herself to feel it completely and smiled to herself as Andrew’s love reached her.

"Where are we going, Isabel?" Cami finally questioned after a brutal running that never seemed to have an end in sight. Just when Isabel would stop for a brief moment, she would remember a new way to this unknown place they were heading and again she would pull Cami forward along with her on the path to an uncertain end.

"Here we are," Isabel said, finally stopping the fast pace they had been running at. Cami caught her breath in her throat and realized she liked running. It was very exhilarating and she liked the warm breeze against her back as they rounded corner after corner. She silently thought she has to run to places more often. She was excited to end the journey, but filled with anticipation for what she was about to see. The place Isabel had brought her that sun-filled afternoon did not disappoint the young angel.

"Look," Isabel said as she pulled by a long, large branch of striking green to reveal the most wondrous sights Cami had set her eyes on to that moment. Lush, green rolling hill toppled over with the most amazing flowers of colors. Purple hues mixed with golden staffs climbing over the hill inviting anyone to take a look. As Cami and Isabel traveled through the beautiful flowers and plants, at the bottom of the hill, Cami could see as far as the eye stretched a visionary playground. Tan sculptured valleys, hidden wide-mouthed caves, lakes of the crystal clear water and trees that towered and engulfed the entire plains with a vivid green hue protecting the sacred place from the rains and winds of the blue sky above it.

"What is this place?" Cami asked more in wonderment and not in looking for an actual answer. But Isabel gave her one, one Cami would never forget.

"The Garden," Isabel simply replied, but their was a hint of mischief in her voice perhaps echoing a dreamy air about it. "Now, I know when you tell Andrew about this place he will be upset with me, but I had to see your reaction. I have been waiting a long time."

"Why will he be upset with you?" Cami asked, genuinely.

Isabel smiled and moved her long, brown, straight hair to one side of her face before plopping down on the lush green grass overlooking the valley. She motioned for Cami to sit down as well. Cami did and awaited the answer to her question. Isabel closed her eyes lingering in a moment, years before when Andrew had showed her the Garden. She smiled at the memory before turning back to Cami.

"Now, we can really see it," she said, not answering her question at the moment. Cami looked at her confused, were they not looking at it right now?

"Really see it?" She questioned. Isabel laughed.

"We can not go down the hill, not yet." She said, still smiling. "You see, Camille," she stopped her story and looked directly at Cami. "Can I call you Cami, also, like Andrew does? You weren’t mind would you? Oh, it would be wonderful to have a friend with a name so exciting as Cami. It says so much about an angel, their name I mean. Like my name."

"I like your name. Isabel it is very strong," Cami said, smiling. "And I think anyone who would be so kind as to call me their friend should call me Cami." Isabel reached out, unexpectedly to Cami and hugged her.

"Thank you, Cami," She sat back and crossed her legs. Her long flowing green dress covering her as it melted into the green grassy hill. "Now, the story of the Garden, where should I begin?"

"I would say you had better begin by not beginning," A male voice was heard on the other side of the branches. Isabel stood up quickly and pulled Cami up, both bolting back through the branches and into a tall, tanned skinned, handsome man with light brown locks curling around his neck. He looked down at Isabel, who stood a few inches taller than Cami but many inches shorter than him.

"The name is John and I would assume from Isabel’s joyous, if not a bit impudent nature towards the Garden you are either Andrew’s soul mate or mine." He smiled at Cami and she immediately liked him. He had a pleasant smile, one of a friendly outgoing nature. She took to it instantly. He carried himself with an air of grace and confidence like Andrew and his eyes were striking like Andrew’s, but they sparkled somehow with a delightful whimsical nature that captured his audience at that moment.

"I am Camille," Cami stated and bowed her head in reverence to another Prince. "It is a pleasure to meet you Prince John."

"Just call me John, anything other than that, Camille, will make me older than these hills and I am not ready for that...yet. I haven’t even been introduced to my soul mate and I haven’t heard much word about it either, so until then I will remain young and impressionable." He took her hand and she looked up at him. "You are beautiful example of God’s work these days." He said, smiling and letting go of her hands. "Andrew must be very pleased."

"I hope so," she said, quietly. John bent down a bit to look at her directly.

"Don’t you doubt that one, Camille. I have known Andrew since he was created and the one thing he never ceased praying for was you. He is very pleased you are here...and so am I. As a matter of fact, all of us are. Isn’t that correct, Isabel?"

"Yes, we are." She said, quickly adding looking at John, "and I wasn’t going to tell her everything about the Garden."

"You told her it was the Garden, isn’t that enough, Izzy?" John said, half-smiling to her. "Don’t worry about it, all of us are susceptible to temptation. However, this one is Andrew’s story and his plan." Isabel nodded at him.

"Why is the Garden such a secret?" Cami asked as they walked away from the Garden an its splendor.

"You’ll see," John said, smiling at Isabel and then turning to Cami. "You are going to love it," he added, leaning down to Cami’s ear.

"I think it is the most beautiful place I have ever seen," Cami answered.

"That’s what you think now," John started and then smiled quickly, "wait until Andrew brings you back. Then you’ll see true beauty." He winked at Cami and then changed subjects completely. "So, enough said about that. What about you, Camille? Where did Andrew find you?"

"We have never had a Heart found in the human world before. All of us were placed right here in the Haven or before that in Heaven." Isabel added. "You are a mystery, Cami."

"No, I am not." Cami said, quickly. "I told Andrew all about the day I had before he met me. He knows everything about me." She took a tone of being offended and quickly trying to explain herself.

"What are you so worried about?" John said, laughing a bit. "Andrew not loving you? You, making a mistake?"

"Yes. I am worried that I have done something wrong, that perhaps, I did not listen well to his lessons, that..." Cami was cut off by John and Isabel laughing. She looked up at them.

"Don’t worry, Andrew loves you and he cherishes you. He will not lose that, he has made his entire existence about love, about loving, and about you." Isabel finished, smiling at her. "And I saw him back at the glen. He can hardly take his eyes off of you."

"That I can see and I wasn’t there," John said, laughing. "Let me tell you something, that Andrew told me when I asked him about soul mates years ago. None of these other Princes will even think this way, much less profess it to the world. He said to me, a soul mate is not just an angel God creates to make a perfect union. A soul mate is a person, living, breathing, needing and wanting an existence in this world. She is the other part of you, the part that cannot hide, that cannot run away, the part that is the true essence of your being from beginning to end. She is your one true love, your best friend, your companion, your savior and your salvation. Soul mates were created out of love to be loving to one another and that love can change the world it lives it and create a world you never knew could exist." Cami and Isabel looked at John for a moment.

"He said that?" Isabel questioned. "That is incredible."

"He told me that the first day we met," Cami said, smiling. "I think it is beautiful."

"Yep, you’re definitely his," John said, smiling. "Thank the Father, because if I had to hear about how great this soul mate of his was going to be one more time, I think I would have to impale myself on his sword to quench the fear of failing miserably with my own one day." Everyone stopped walking and stood there for a moment, until they all broke out in laughter.

"You better not ever let Michael hear that," Isabel said giving John a sideways glance, "he might strike you down for envy." She laughed, Cami smiled a bit, but did not understand completely the tone of conversation buzzing around her.

"You wait, Isabel, until Andrew has completely uprooted this little Haven with Cami here until everyone including you, my dear, will be feeling the same way." John said, carefree, but with a truth behind it, he wasn’t even aware of.

"Andrew has always uprooted this place, ever since I could remember," Isabel added, "I don’t think any of us thought when he found Camille it would be any different."

"Don’t be so sure about that, Izzy?" John said, looking at her. "There are some who thought things would change."

"Things have changed. Just the pure essence of their love is different in this world," Isabel turned to Cami quickly. "And that’s a good thing, Cami, believe me."

"That’s not necessarily what they thought would change," John added, slyly.

"What did this person think would change, John?" Cami asked, innocently.

"Nope, not my place. I have said far too much already on this journey," John said. "You ask Andrew those tough questions they are out of my realm of knowledge. You see, Cami, I’m one of those that is contented sitting back and watching what occurs. Andrew is one of those that makes things occur. Don’t worry, Andrew will have an answer." He smiled down at Cami. "He always does."

Chapter Four: Sacrament

As to the rest of her days, Isabel and her spent many afternoons together speaking on everything they could think of, while Andrew and Cami spent most of the evenings speaking on everything Cami had never dreamed about. Andrew had a great gift for story telling and he would often recap his day with this method of speaking. Cami was intrigued with the stories of the human world outside the Haven and although she wanted desperately to hear the stories of Andrew, Michael, Gabriel and John, who often ventured there, she never told Andrew of this. She was scared he would want her to come with them as he had asked in the first few weeks of the Haven. She couldn’t go and she wouldn’t be able to explain to him why. It was a feeling she had, a feeling of reverence, a complete sense of being humbled by the humans. They were God’s Chosen Children and soon, as David, an angel prophet that lived now in the Haven, had spoke of a savior of the Humans would be arriving. He would be the Son of God and he would lead his people out of bondage yet again, like Moses thousands of years before.

The Savior was to be announced by Gabriel and he wasn’t speaking much these days about the events that were soon to unfold. Gabriel was often fighting with Penny. Their fights were become a matter of often discussion among the Hearts when Penny was not with them. The other point of discussion was Andrew and she, that occurred when she was there. Isabel, Dina and even, Grace would question her about their relationship. A relationship that seemed to be the envy of many of the Princes and their Hearts even though, they seemed at the same time confused by it all. Cami didn’t speak much on it, she would say Andrew would know the answer or tell them to ask him for his own feelings about things. She felt awkward to speak for him, since he had proven time and again, he could speak for himself.