Chapter 47: Return to the Dominion

A few days later…

“Today, we’re once again practicing the divine art of the kiss.”

Grace tried not to squirm as Venus paced in front of the small group of angels gathered in the Love Sister training hall. The room was warm and dimly lit, cushions scattered across the floor in a way that suggested both comfort and purpose.

After the battle at Oakridge and their triumphant return to the Dominion, Grace had hoped for a break. Maybe a week off. Time to process killing a Primal Demon, a fallen angel, and oh, a bunch of corrupted villagers.

Instead, here she was, back in Love Sister class, trying to pay attention while Venus described the spiritual importance of making out.

“The kiss is not merely physical,” Venus continued, her voice dropping to a seductive purr. “It’s an exchange of divine energy, a mingling of essences that elevates both parties.”

Grace nodded along, hoping she looked attentive rather than terrified.

Venus smiled, her golden eyes scanning the room before stopping on Grace.

“Perhaps a demonstration is in order. Grace, come here, darling.”

[Oh no.]

Grace stood reluctantly, aware of the other angels watching with interest. She approached Venus, who gestured to another angel standing beside her.

“This is Lilith, one of our most experienced Love Sisters.” Venus introduced a tall angel with flowing red hair and a smile that made Grace’s knees weak. “She’ll be demonstrating the technique I just described.”

[Double oh no.]

“Hello, little one,” Lilith said, her voice like silk sliding over bare skin. “Venus tells me you’re quite talented with your tongue.”

“I, um, I wouldn’t say—”

Lilith laughed and stepped closer.

“So modest. Shall we begin?”

Before Grace could formulate a response that wasn’t just incoherent stammering, Lilith’s hands were cupping her face. The taller angel leaned down, bringing their faces close together.

“Relax,” Lilith whispered. “Let me lead.”

Their lips met.

Grace had been kissed before a few times now. In this class, Mara in the village square, Alia during “spontaneous training sessions.” But this was different. Lilith’s lips were impossibly soft, moving against hers with skill that made Grace’s thoughts scatter like leaves in a strong wind.

When Lilith’s tongue slipped into her mouth, Grace actually felt her legs give way. Lilith’s arm wrapped around her waist, supporting her as the kiss deepened. Golden light sparked where their mouths connected, divine energy flowing between them that she wondered if anyone else could see or if this was just another “chosen one” thing.

By the time Lilith pulled away, Grace was clinging to her like a drowning woman to driftwood, her face flushed and her breathing ragged.

“And that,” Venus announced to the class, “is how we share divine blessing through the kiss.”

Grace staggered back to her cushion, her head spinning. The other angels were looking at her with expressions ranging from amusement to envy.

“Your turn,” Venus said to the class. “Pair up and practice. Remember, it’s about how the other person is feeling, emotionally, not just physical pleasure.”

As the other angels paired off, Grace sat dazed on her cushion, her lips still tingling. Venus approached, crouching down beside her.

“You did well,” she said, patting Grace’s knee. “Your energy flow is impressive for one so new.”

“T-thanks,” Grace managed.

Venus smiled.

“Take a break if you need it. You’ve earned some rest after your mission.”

Grace nodded gratefully and slipped out of the training hall while the other angels were distracted. The cool air of the Dominion’s hallways helped clear her head as she wandered aimlessly, still feeling the ghost of Lilith’s kiss.

[Is this really what I’m going to be doing all day? Fight demons and make out? Geez…]

Her meandering path took her to a less familiar section of the Dominion. The hallways here were quieter, the light more subdued. As she turned a corner, Grace spotted a familiar rainbow-winged figure kneeling in an alcove.

Celestia, the Archangel, had her eyes closed, her hands clasped in front of her. A small flame burned in a dish before her. She was speaking in a language Grace didn’t understand, the words flowing like music.

Grace froze, not wanting to interrupt. She took a step back, intending to slip away, but her foot caught on the edge of a stone tile, making a soft scraping sound.

Celestia’s eyes opened immediately.

“Grace.”

“I’m sorry,” Grace said quickly. “I didn’t mean to disturb you.”

“You didn’t.” Celestia smiled, gesturing for Grace to approach. “Come, join me.”

Grace hesitantly moved closer.

“What are you doing?”

“A ritual,” Celestia replied. “One I perform whenever an angel dies permanently.”

A cold feeling settled in Grace’s stomach.

“An angel died?”

“Indeed.” Celestia’s smile turned sad. “The one you killed at Oakridge.”

Grace’s breath caught.

“Oh.”

“She had a name,” Celestia continued, her voice gentle. “Camilla. Before she fell, she was a Sister of Compassion.”

“I didn’t…” Grace swallowed. “I didn’t know angels could fall like that. Become that corrupted.”

“It’s rare,” Celestia said. “But possible. The path to corruption is often paved with good intentions. Camilla believed she was helping, finding new ways to heal. She didn’t realize the corruption was changing her until it was too late.”

Grace knelt beside Celestia, staring at the small flame.

“Should I… should I say something? For the ritual?”

“If you wish. Though I’ve already spoken for her soul.”

“Even though she was corrupted? Even though she was hurting people?”

Celestia nodded.

“Even so. She was still an angel, still a creation of Eternia, as we all are, directly or indirectly. Her path went wrong, but we honor what she was, not what she became.”

Grace thought about this for a moment.

“Will all the Veil end up like her? Corrupted?”

“Not necessarily. The Veil walk a dangerous path, studying sin rather than fighting it. Some believe they can control it, use it. Most maintain their balance.” Celestia’s rainbow wings shifted slightly. “But there’s always a risk. Power is seductive, especially power that seems to offer shortcuts.”

“Camilla was working with a Primal Demon,” Grace said. “They seemed… organized.”

Celestia’s expression darkened momentarily.

“Yes, I saw that in your report. That is concerning. Primals don’t typically cooperate with anyone, not even each other.”

They sat in silence for a moment, watching the flame dance.

“You did what was necessary,” Celestia said finally. “Don’t doubt that. But it’s good that you question, that you care. It shows you haven’t lost your Compassion amid your growing Bravery.”

“How do you balance them?” Grace asked. “The three Virtues, I mean. Sometimes, it feels like they contradict each other.”

Celestia smiled.

“That’s the eternal question, isn’t it? Bravery without Compassion can quickly become cruelty. Compassion without Bravery can quickly become weakness. And Love… well, Love is what makes the other two matter to begin with.”

She reached out, pulling Grace into a gentle embrace. It felt unexpectedly maternal, warm and safe in a way Grace hadn’t experienced since before her parents died.

“A lot of people’s hopes rest on your shoulders, little one,” Celestia said. “But you don’t have to carry them alone.”

Grace leaned into the embrace, surprised at how comforting it felt. For a moment, she wasn’t the angel who could kill demons permanently, or Eternia’s special creation. She was just Grace, being held by someone who seemed to understand the weight she carried.

The moment was shattered by a commotion in the hallway.

“I SWEAR I saw her come this way!”

“Check that corridor!”

“GRAAAACE! WHERE ARE YOU?”

Grace pulled back from Celestia, eyes wide.

“What the—”

Celestia laughed.

“Ah, your admirers have found you.”

“Oh no.”

“Indeed, word of your feat at Oakridge has spread quickly. Killing a Primal Demon? Incredible.”

A group of angels rounded the corner, their faces lighting up when they spotted Grace.

“THERE SHE IS!”

“Grace! Grace! Can you tell us about the Primal?”

“Is it true you flew through the air like a divine spear?”

“Can you teach me that move?”

Grace scrambled to her feet, backing away from the approaching crowd.

“I should, um, I should go.”

Celestia’s eyes twinkled with amusement.

“Indeed you should. Best of luck, Grace Lightsinger.”

Grace turned and bolted down the nearest hallway, the pack of enthusiastic angels hot on her heels.

Behind her, she could hear Celestia’s laughter mixing with the shouts of her pursuers.

Just another day in the afterlife.

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