Casting a glance onward, beyond the havens and marketplace, my sights land on the vast estate of the Archangels, surrounded by rolling green hills and lush gardens. A glass bridge, complete with a solid golden gate, separates their domain from the rest of Eloras.
The four Archangels and their staff reside in a copper castle-like manor, each taking ownership over a wing of their own—North, South, East, and West. Working angels with lower statuses like myself don’t visit their estate. In fact, only authorized angels can walk beyond the golden gate. We can see it in all its glory from afar, though.
After passing a few haven buildings, I hover outside a familiar window, noting darkness beyond the drawn curtains.
He must be resting. I may or may not have noticed he sleeps significantly more than other angels do.
I should probably leave. It’s late.
Yet I tap on the glass anyway.
Hovering outside his window, I begin counting. If he doesn’t acknowledge me by the time I reach ten, I’ll leave him be. Five seconds pass, and I turn around, facing the living havens across the cobblestone road below, and fold my arms.
This was stupid. I don’t even know why I thought this would be a good idea.
Five… Four… Three… Two…
“Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes?” A raspy voice startles me. I turn to face him, and he’s resting his elbows on the window’s banister. Taking in his disheveled hair and hooded hazel eyes, I swallow. He eyes me up and down. “Nice little ensemble you’re wearing there.”
Confirmed: I woke him up.Nice move, Cleo.
Also, confirmed: I forgot to change before taking flight, so I’m currently wearing a light blue silk camisole and silk shorts.
Nothing else.
I cross my arms, covering my upper half as much as possible. What was I thinking?
“Hi, Kai,” I say, suddenly forgetting why I chose to come here in the first place.
“Hi, Cleo.”
Damnit.His tired voice will be my undoing.
“Sorry to interrupt your rest. I can get going.”
Idiot. Idiot. Idiot.I ready myself to launch back into the sky and hide my blushing face when his hand grasps my arm.
“What’s the rush, buttercup?” He eyes the moon and slides his fingers down my arm to hold my hand. “You know, you actually kind of remind me of her.”
“Who?”
“The Powerpuff Girl. Buttercup.”
I knit my brows and conclude I have no idea who he’s talking about. “That must have been after my time.”
“Wow.I forgot how ancient you are.” His hoarse, low timbre makes my spine tingle. I reluctantly smile at his jab. “Sure, I was sleeping, but I wasn’t resting particularly well. You saved me from a nasty nightmare, actually.”
“You have nightmares?” My stomach drops. “I didn’t think that was possible for angels in Eloras.”
“Nothing is impossible for a Greene.” His lips curl into a smile that doesn’t quite meet his eyes. Before I can respond, he tugs on my hand and drags me into his haven.
I stumble in through the window and tuck my wings away, miraculously managing to land on my feet. I punch his arm for catching me off guard, earning myself a laugh.
“Growing up, my mom infused that belief into my brain, and it stuck. Anytime I’m going through something difficult, I remind myself that nothing is impossible for me. I can do anything I set my mind to. I have and I will. I wish experiencing those pesky night terrors was impossible. Because we can see the world in vivid color and detail after death, I’ve found that my nightmares are far more real than the ones I had before dying. Ihatethem, Cleo.”
His voice trails off as he sinks onto his love seat and pats the cushion next to him—somewhat aggressively, I might add. Obliging him, I sit next to him.
At first, I’m sitting a few inches away, but then he wraps his arm around my shoulders lazily and pulls me into him, tucking my frame under his muscular arms. He drops his head back, leaning it on the sofa, his eyes fluttering shut.
