Uriel (Speed Dating with the Denizens of the Underworld #39)

Chapter 21

Uriel

The predawn air is crisp against my skin as I pace the terrace, my bare feet silent on the cool stone. The sky is just beginning to lighten, a faint glow on the horizon promising the arrival of a new day. It’s a sight I’ve witnessed countless times over millennia, yet this morning, it feels entirely new.

Because I am new. Human. Truly, completely human.

I pause at the railing, gripping it tightly as I gaze out over the sleeping city below. The sensations are overwhelming—the roughness of the stone under my palms, the chill of the morning air raising goosebumps on my arms, the faint ache in my muscles from yesterday’s exertions. Each sensation is a reminder of my newfound mortality, both thrilling and terrifying in its intensity.

Inside, Emilia sleeps peacefully, her presence a comforting warmth even from this distance. I’m still marveling at the depth of emotion she stirs in me. Love, desire, tenderness—feelings I’d observed in humans for eons but never truly understood until now.

A soft rustle of feathers breaks the silence, and I turn, unsurprised to find Azrael standing behind me. Gone is his usual irreverent gear; instead, he wears a black leather jacket over a fitted dark shirt, paired with sleek denim and polished boots. Though his look is modern and understated, his presence alone makes it clear that the Angel of Death stands before me.

“Adjusting well to the mortal coil , brother?” he asks, a hint of his usual mischief in his tone.

I offer a wry smile. “It’s... intense. Every sensation, every emotion—it’s all so much more than I expected.”

Azrael nods, understanding in his eyes. “Humanity’s not for the faint of heart. But then again, neither is giving up divinity to save the world. Quite the grand gesture, Uri. You’ve impressed some pretty important people upstairs.”

There’s a weight to his words that makes me straighten, alert.

“I come bearing a message,” Azrael says, his tone uncharacteristically solemn. “From the Boss Himself.”

A tremor runs through me, caught between eager anticipation and a sensation bordering on fear. Even as an archangel, direct communication from the Almighty was rare. Now, as a mortal, the idea is almost overwhelming.

Azrael continues, “He was moved by your selfless action to protect humanity. Said it showed a level of understanding and compassion that was... unexpected.”

I wait, hardly daring to breathe, as Azrael reaches into his pocket. He pulls out a small, gleaming object—a golden pin in the shape of a pair of wings.

“A gift,” he says, holding it out to me. “From Him.”

With trembling hands, I take the pin. It’s warm to the touch, almost alive, and for a moment, I could swear I feel an echo of my lost grace.

“A beautiful memento,” I murmur, a bittersweet smile tugging at my lips. After all, I’ve lost those wings for good, haven’t I?

But Azrael shakes his head, his expression serious. “Not a memento, brother.” He pauses. “A promise.”

I look up sharply, hope and disbelief warring within me. “What do you mean?”

“You’ll get those wings back when your mortal lifetime is over,” Azrael explains, his voice gentle. “And don’t worry about your promise to the Horsemen. He’s dealt with them too… No one can make that final call save the Almighty.”

The implications of his words wash over me, leaving me breathless. It’s not a permanent separation from my celestial nature, but a sabbatical. A chance to truly live and love as a human, knowing that my angelic self awaits me on the other side.

I clutch the pin tightly, its warmth a reminder of all I’ve been and all I might yet be. “You know what I am, brother,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper. “More than an archangel. I am the scales upon which the fate of realities is weighed.”

Azrael nods solemnly, understanding etched in his timeless features. “Which is why this gift is so profound, Uri. You’re being offered a chance to experience the very balance you maintain.”

“I... I don’t know what to say,” I manage, my voice thick with emotion.

Azrael grins, clapping me on the shoulder. “A ‘thank you’ usually suffices. Though I expect the real gratitude will be in how you live this mortal life you’ve been given.”

I nod, clutching the pin tightly. “I intend to make the most of every moment.”

“Good man,” Azrael says, approval clear in his tone. “Well, I should be off. Souls to reap, waves to catch, you know how it is.” He pauses, his expression softening. “Until we meet again, Uri… Enjoy your life, Dr. Angelstone.”

With a wink and a rustle of invisible wings, he’s gone, leaving me alone with the weight of this new knowledge.

I turn the pin over in my hands, marveling at its delicate craftsmanship. It’s a tangible reminder of where I’ve come from, and a promise of where I’ll return. But for now, for this precious, fleeting human lifetime, my path lies elsewhere.

“Is everything alright, my love?”

Emilia’s voice, soft and sleep-roughened, breaks through my reverie. I turn to find her standing in the doorway, wrapped in a blanket, her hair tousled from sleep. The sight of her, bathed in the soft light of dawn, takes my breath away.

“It will be,” I assure her, crossing the terrace in a few quick strides. I cup her face in my hands and kiss her, pouring all the love and gratitude I feel into the gesture. When we part, we’re both breathless.

“With body and soul,” I murmur, resting my forehead against hers, “I love you, Ms. Thornton.”

She chuckles softly, her breath warm against my skin. “You no longer need to call me that, you know.”

“You’re right,” I agree, a smile tugging at my lips. An idea forms, sudden and perfect. “How does Mrs . Angelstone sound to you?”

Emilia pulls back slightly, her eyes wide with surprise. “Are you... are you asking what I think you’re asking?”

I nod, suddenly nervous despite the certainty I feel in my heart. “Emilia Thornton, I may have given up eternity, but I want to spend every moment of this mortal life with you. Will you marry me?”

For a heartbeat, she’s silent, and I feel a flicker of doubt. But then her face breaks into a radiant smile, her eyes shimmering with emotion.

“Yes,” she breathes, her voice quavering with overwhelming joy. Tears of happiness roll down her cheeks as a radiant smile brightens her face. Overcome by the moment, she throws her arms around my neck, pulling me into a kiss that conveys more than words ever could. And as we stand there, wrapped in each other’s arms with the new day dawning around us, I feel a sense of peace settle over me.

This is where I belong. This is what I was meant for.

The golden pin rests in my pocket, a comforting weight. A reminder of where I’ve come from, and a promise of what awaits. But for now, for this beautiful, fleeting human lifetime, my future is here. With Emilia. With my love.

And really, what could be more divine than that?

Thank you for reading Uriel!

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