Page 45 of Rejected Darkness

Talia laughs, a full belly laugh before settling down and answering me. “I never know what to expect when you ask me a question, it’s a breath of fresh Arabella, please never change. The fountain changes colors for several different reasons, it can be based on who you are there with, what is being talked about, or even how you are feeling. Pink usually means there is a bond or connection between those in the area.”

Well, I guess that explains why it was pink when I had breakfast with Phoenix. He’s my mate, so the fountain was telling us that. A small part of me wishes I had known that while we were sitting there, but looking back, I know I wouldn’t have accepted it and probably would have freaked out. I don’t appreciate that Rhys told me the way he did about Phoenix and me, but it was better, I suppose, than finding out from a magical fountain.

“That’s interesting,” I hedge, trying to figure out what to say next. I don’t want to tell her about Phoenix but now it makes me want to know more about if she knows about mate bonds between different species or sub-species. I need that answer. I want to know I’m not a freak or broken.

"Have you heard of mate bonds between different species or sub-species?" I hope my asking doesn't make her suspicious and that she just assumes it's the next logical thing to ask. If she were to question me further I'm not sure if I would tell her the truth. I still haven't completely accepted that Phoenix is my mate. If I tell her then that means I'm accepting of it, at least slightly. I'm also not sure how she would feel about it. It's clear her feelings toward the Fallen are completely different from the ones I grewup having ingrained in me but it's possible she only feels that way because she is responsible for both of us while here.

"Amongst different species? No," she shakes her head. "That I've never seen but I wouldn't say never. History has a way of rewriting itself by those who are in power. If they wanted something like that forgotten they could try to bury the information. What do you mean by sub-species? Like Fallen Angels and Angels?" She pauses and waits for me to nod before continuing. "I've seen it before. That isn't uncommon. Are Fallen Angels any different from Angels? No. We are all the same species. Fallen Angels are only considered 'fallen' because the Seraphim Council deemed it so, outcasting those who didn't conform to their mold."

I fall silent thinking about what she said. The world really is different from what I was taught. I think it would be cool if there were matings between the different species. Maybe then we would all get along much better than we do now. I also appreciate how calmly she is talking about this. By her answer, I can slightly tell how she falls when it comes to the fallen. She's acting like Angels and Fallen Angels are the same. Which in theory I suppose she is right. The Seraphim Council are the ones who told us who and what Fallen Angels are, so it only makes sense that we use that as our basis for saying we are different species when in reality, we are one and the same.

"Did that answer your question?" she asks softly without any sort of judgment. I appreciate that she doesn't ask the question I'm sure she wants to ask why I would ask this question. I don't think I'm ready to talk about it but I'm also not as scared about being a mate to Phoenix as I was before. At least I know while at RISE Academy we will be safe from prosecution.

"Yeah, it did. Thank you," I nod, trying to keep myself from getting lost in my thoughts. I really had no idea this was how my day would go. Talia is answering all my questions and not oncehas she asked me why I'm asking them. Whether she knows the answer or she's just allowing me to have the benefit of telling her myself I'm not sure. One day I'm sure I will come to her and trust her to know everything, but I don't think I'm there just yet.

"Do you have any other questions?" she asks keeping her eyes on the water in front of us.

Any other questions? Sure, I have a ton. What do I do about Warrick and Phoenix? Is my father going to find out about me having two mates? Is it possible to be a descendant of Lucifer? How close am I to leaving the academy? Though, that last one, I hope, is not any time soon. I would like to stay here a little longer. I've learned some things, but I can still learn so much more. I don't feel like a broken angel while here. I feel normal. I'm also really enjoying the freedom away from my father. This academy is starting to become a home for me. When I leave, I know that I'll be sad.

"Do you think the Seraphim Council has ever lied to us?" I turn to look at her and wait for her answer. I'm curious about it. I can't ask her straight out about my possible connection to Lucifer, but maybe if I word my questions the right way, she won't find it suspicious.

"HA!" she laughs loudly, grasping her stomach as she tries to compose herself. It takes a few seconds before she stops laughing and is able to talk again. All I could do was stare at her confused about why my question was so funny to her. Sure, my question sort of borders on treason but I didn't think it was funny. "They lie all the time to make the narrative fit their story. This whole school is a lie they created if you think about it. Do you really think half the students here need to work on themselves or their magic? No, Sweetie, they are here because their mate rejected them and in our world, if you are the one doing the rejecting then there is nothing wrong with you. Divine forbid that it's just because someone's personality clashes withthe other and they can't put their ego aside and see how great things could be if they tried." Her answer is filled with passion and a touch of I think hatred as she explained her answer. I'm honestly sort of afraid to say anything about it now.

"Uh, you sound like you're talking from experience," I hedge, being careful about my tone so it doesn't piss her off or upset her.

"How much do you know about me?" She questions, turning to face her whole body toward me. I can see how serious she is as she waits for me to answer. Whatever she's about to tell me is something that I don't think many people know.

"Basically nothing," I shrug. It's true. The school isn't talked about in Aeris and well no one here would talk about the Councilwoman who is in charge of all of us.

"That's what I figured," she nods, contemplating her next words. "I was just like you. Rejected during my mating ceremony and forced to attend the academy. My family was disappointed in me but I had always been a headstrong child so they expected there would be an issue in me finding my mate. It took three mating ceremonies before I even did. I hadn't known the angel personally who was my mate but I had seen him around and never heard anything bad about him. All the stories I had heard was that he was a super nice guy but was also very popular amongst the Angels in his age group."

"I know all about that," I mumble, thinking back to how Stark was one of the most popular guys in my class. However, he was a complete jackass in school already.

"We had about fifteen minutes to talk and get to know one another before it was decision time. During my time the ceremony was a little more private. The only people in attendance for our binding ceremony besides ourselves and Seraphim Malach were our families. After talking I wasconfident that he was going to say yes, but when the moment came he rejected me."

"Did he reject you for being too headstrong?" I can feel myself getting angry on her behalf. What is with male angels and thinking they are better than everyone around them? It's bullshit if you ask me.

"He hinted at it but didn't specifically say that was the reason. His excuse was that my family was beneath his. Not me, but my family," she laughs shaking her head. I'm glad she can laugh about it now but I would be pissed. "See I came from a family of Angels, whereas he was from a family of Dominions."

"But aren't you a Seraphim?" I'm confused about how she could be a Seraphim, but her family is Angels. I suppose it could be possible, but I had never heard of a power jump that much. Usually, it's just between Angels and Archangels.

"I am," she smiles proudly. "I was born extremely powerful. If it wasn't for the fact that I look exactly like my mother, I would be questioning if I was adopted. It's possible but extremely rare in circumstances like mine. It did always make me stand out through school, and my teachers were harder on me, expecting me to prove my level and powers more than if I was just an angel."

"Shm," I sigh. "That's a load of bullshit if I've ever heard any."

"I agree with you. Which is why I was determined when I took over at the school to make sure things were different here. I separated myself from the Seraphim Council and rarely do I ever answer to them. It took a while for others here to accept the changes I was making for Angels and Fallen Angels but my fellow council members have accepted those changes and even watched my students thrive in ways that some of them are lacking. I'm proud of the program and inclusion that I've built here." Her eyes shine with pride as she speaks and make me really believe in what she is saying.

"Did you ever find a second chance mate?" I noticed she skipped over that part of her story and I'm curious. If someone who has accomplished so much in her life as she has can find a new mate then it gives me faith that things will work out for me as well.

"Yes, I did," she smiles brightly. "Those two men are the loves of my life. They stay home with our twin sons while I work every day. We've had it rough but life has made it worth it."

Yes! That gives me hope. If she can have a second chance and thrive with it, then I can, too. "Will you tell me about them?" I'm curious to know who her mates are and what type of men she found for herself.

"I think we have some time," she winks before diving into her story. For the next half hour Talia tells me all about her mates and the struggles they had on their path to binding their souls. One of her mates is an Archangel and the other is a Fallen Angel. She explained how she hid her Fallen mate from the Seraphim Council until after she took over at the school and cut ties with them knowing that they would force her out if she were to admit they were mates. Although she was calmly talking about it I could still detect a small amount of anger over the situation that made me feel for her. Seeing that they were able to overcome the division between them gives me hope that there could be a chance for Phoenix and me but it also means never going back to Aeris. I would have to say goodbye to my family. Most of them I would be fine never seeing or speaking with again. My great-grandmother, however, wouldn't be able to say goodbye to her, that would break my heart.

Chapter 26

Arabella

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