Heat Rating: Fire

Content Warnings: GLBT-homoerotica, Happy for Now Ending (eight book series).

Angel and Demon must work together.

Sandalphon stared at him in shock. "I could never destroy a fellow angel yet you're suggesting we destroy your brethren."

Nybbas put his mug on the coffee table with a snap as his temper rose. "But you sat in judgement on one, didn't you? Your twin no less, not that I'm saying he didn't deserve it, I'm just pointing out you had a hand in it."

Sandalphon groaned. "I did. I deliberately stayed away from Raphael's trial but the only one who abstained at Metatron's was Nathaniel. We're no better than demons, are we?"

Nybbas took pity on him. "Whether you voted for or against would have made no difference. If Samael hadn't killed him and given us his soul we would have done the job ourselves."

"I wondered about that," Sandalphon said. "Why did the demons hate Metatron?"

"There were various reasons. Some hated him for forcing Lucifer and Samael to leave Heaven. They were far more dangerous to some of our plans when on more earthly planes. Others loathed him for his hypocrisy. He was the Archangel of Purity and he lied, cheated, pimped out his Cherubim and nearly destroyed a Legend. No wonder Arioch became complacent. Metatron was doing his work for him."

Sandalphon placed his empty mug on the table. "I've thought for some time we were descending from perfection into hypocrisy. I believe the Legends are unable to lie and most of the Archangels would never consider doing so, but my brother changed all that and brought about the Fall from Grace of all of us, not just the so-called Fallen."

Nybbas leaned forward. It was time to stop teasing the Archangel. "Sandalphon, believe me, I'm almost certain that everything played out the way it was meant to in order for the Balance to be restored in the right host. I don't think for one moment our work is over though. I just feel something isn't right in the arcane and that could easily impact on just about everything. But I would far rather kiss you than engage in such gloomy discussions."

Sandalphon jumped to his feet. "I don't think I'm ready for anything else, Nybbas. I should be going."

Nybbas shook his head. "Remember what I said to you. No further than you're prepared to go."

He rose to his feet and approached the angel in the same way he would approach a nervous horse. Sandalphon held still but Nybbas could see him shaking. "I promise."

He reached the anxious angel and drew him into his arms. Sandalphon gave a final shudder before returning the embrace. Nybbas leaned forward and kissed him.

Sandalphon returned the kiss with a little gasp that delighted Nybbas. He teased the angel's lips until they parted and allowed his tongue access to the warmth behind. He expected Sandalphon to start struggling but the angel seemed to like kissing. Emboldened he ran his hand up and down Sandalphon's back. Gasping the angel pulled away from the kiss. "Teach me, Nybbas. Show me what delights Nathaniel, Raphael and Gabriel so much."