Thirty-Five
Cleo
It’s only been a couple of months since we passed our trials, and we’ve already completed our work here in the Library of the Sky. The archives are in perfect condition for the first time in centuries—not a book or artifact is out of place.
After finishing the archives, we reorganized the library. Thankfully, the rest of the library wasn’t in shambles, unlike the archives, so it took far less time to complete. We mainly focused on repainting the walls a nice cream color, shining the marble floors, dusting the wooden shelves, and making space for more books.
Thanks to our little trip to Earth, I persuaded Hadley to outsource new modern-day romance books. After she read one herself, she was sold. So, she had her other angels collect a few from down below.
More and more angels have become library regulars since we completed our work, and as a reader myself, that warms myheart. I’ve caught Kai reading a handful of times, too—he recently discovered science fiction and is a big fan so far.
I enter the library and take it all in, admiring the earthy neutral tones of the decor. From the cozy velvet-cushioned window-side nooks to the ceiling-high wooden shelves, it’s showstopping.
As I’m ascending the staircase to the archives, Hadley abruptly and entirely unexpectedly lands on the upper platform, entering the archives in front of me.
“Hadley?” I question her, attempting to fly over her, but she waves her arms in protest.
“Cleo, you mustn’t go in there. I, as your supervisor, will not allow it.”
Odd. Very odd. “During the past several months, you never used your power over me like this. Care to explain what’s up?”
“Nothing is up at all,” she chirps. If angels could sweat, she’d surely be sweating up a storm right now. “Now, please allow me to escort you to the first level. You’re not needed.”
“Not needed?” I gape at her, trying to peer over her. It’s no use, given how she’s slightly taller than me. “What is that supposed to mean?”
She knits her brows and pinches her nose. “I didn’t mean that. Of course, you’re needed. Just not right now.”
“I just don’t understand why—”
“Cleo.Work with me here.” She inclines her head toward the archives.
I sigh in exasperation, accepting defeat. “Fine.”
I turn around and descend the staircase, crossing my arms over my chest in mild annoyance and confusion. I end up waiting at the bottom of the stairs for what feels like hours before the door to the archives finally opens.
Kai drifts out of the room, wearing a button-down loose-fitting cream-colored top and brown pants. He floats down the staircase to meet me. Since earning his wings, he’s spent more time floating than walking. I don’t know if I’ve ever met an angel who enjoys flying as much as he does. He claims he does it so much because it’s more efficient than walking, but I have a feeling the freedom of flying gives him a thrill nothing else can. I understand it.
He lands a step in front of me. “Hi, angel.”
“Hi, sunshine.” He kisses my forehead. “Am I finally allowed to join you up there?”
“Yep.”
Yep. Justyep. Nothing else—no explanation, no further context.
We head upstairs. As soon as I enter, my eyes fall on the amethyst table in the center of the room. A rectangular object is propped up on the table with an easel. I get nearer to the table, then tears brim in my eyelids, threatening to fall.
“How did you…” I ask in a whisper, turning toward the man who’s seemingly full of endless surprises. “You fixed it.”
My voice comes out a bit more fractured than expected. I run my fingers along the book’s flawless edges and pick it up. It’s even more beautiful than it was before I ruined it.
“Took me a lot longer than expected, but I’d do anything for you. It wasn’t even really broken. It just needed some love.”
He bound my favorite book with a new leather case, a brown cover, a blue satin bookmark, and even gilded the edges in gold.
Kai Greene is the man of my dreams.
“Thank you.” I open it to see even more beauty—illustrative flowers cover the endpapers. “Thank you.”
