Nine Lives

By: ChocolateEclar

Prologue

“Once you have flown, you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, there you long to return."

- Leonardo da Vinci

“Why don’t Mère have a Guardian Angel?” inquired a little girl with two auburn braids and adorned in a white nightgown.

“Why doesn’t Mère, Tonette,” corrected a tall man in an elegant suit and cape, both white and embroidered in swirling gold patterns. Behind him were two pure white wings made of silky feathers and wrapped in aureate ribbon. “Not everyone has one. Only those who need one have one watching over them,” he added.

“Really?”

“Oui, Tonette.”

“You’re the only person who calls me that, Monsieur Ambrose,” Antonette Celestine, the small child, stated, giggling slightly.

Ambrose nodded, smiling affectionately at the little girl. “Its just Ambrose, Tonette. No monsieur,” he reminded her.

“Bon,” replied Antonette drowsily. She was now leaning her head of red curls on Ambrose’s arm, her sapphire eyes winking out like tiny stars every once in awhile as her eyes opened and closed repeatedly.

“How did ya get your purdy wings, Mo-oops-Ambrose?” Antonette questioned after a few yawns.

“I lived eight good, wholesome lives before this one,” explained Ambrose as he had done several times before. “Then, when I was reborn I was granted these wings and the job of your Guardian Angel. You’re off to a good start, Cher. All you need is to continue being a good girl for several lives.”

“Really?”

“Oui,” answered Ambrose. “Now sleep, Précieux.”

Antonette nodded groggily, shutting her eyes and curling up next to her Guardian Angel who smiled and tucked her into her bed. He then went to the balcony looking out over Paris and peered out at the city that was covered in a dark blanket.

He could hear the sound of breaking glass and shouts coming from downstairs and crinkled his nose in repugnance. “Your mère is going to regret that,” whispered Ambrose to the slumbering Antonette. The youngster whimpered in her sleep causing her Guardian Angel to frown sadly.

He didn’t start or even turn when he heard an impressive female voice. “A sign of a future Guardian Angel is dream foresight you know,” she said.

“Eh, Adelina,” said Ambrose. Then he cocked his flaxen head towards the fellow Guardian.

“Ciao, Ambrose,” replied the older Angel. Both of them looked far younger than they really were and even Adelina, who was half a millennium Ambrose’s senior, had long jet-black tresses and a smooth, unwrinkled face. While he was adorned all in tradition flowing white, “Dela” was garnished in navy blue skirts and a matching navy top ornately trimmed in silver. Her broad sky blue wings were spread behind her and wrapped loosely in argentate ribbon. “You’re looking well,” Dela continued.

“As are you,” said Ambrose, giving the older Guardian Angel a little bow.

Dela smiled softly at her own former charge.

“Why have you come, Adelina?” Ambrose asked.

“Obadiah has called a meeting,” said Dela gravely, all placidness gone from her features.

“Hmm.”

“I’m sure your charge will be fine for a few hours, Ambrose,” whispered Dela knowingly. They both smirked at each other for a moment before settling their luminous eyes on the little girl sleeping on the bed in the corner of the dark room.

“Now that all doubts have been quelled. Let us go then,” said Dela briskly.

Ambrose nearly laughed aloud at the winged female. ‘Never one to show too much emotion,’ he thought, keeping a grin from surfacing.

And with that, they pushed open the glass balcony door and sprang onto the railing, balancing precautiously out into the starry night. If anyone had seen them they would have appeared to be two stone statues.

First Dela spread out her wings and took flight into the crisp darkness, and then Ambrose. Both glided across the sky, occasionally beating their wings in a powerful stroke.

Antonette watched them go with wide azure eyes. The sound of their discussion had awoken her and now she observed their flight in mingled awe and resolute fortitude.

Someday, flight would be hers as well.

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A/N: Expect future chapters to be much longer. This is only the PROLOGUE after all. ^_^

A/N 2: Please review!!!!! ^___- Bye!