26. Rafe
26
Rafe
I sensed her approach before she even reached the cottage.
She was always with me, and that made me happier than I could have ever imagined.
I no longer felt alone.
As her guardian angel, I was attuned to her location and emotional state, but it was more than that. Since that day in Lucien’s office, something had clicked into place.
I was more than her guardian angel.
Shifters find their mates through scent, vampires through blood, witches through magical resonance, and angels through touch.
She was so much more than just a charge—she was mine.
Yet, I could sense that she wasn’t solely mine and that knowledge confused me. Finding my mate was supposed to make me feel whole. Yet, I had to share her with others. I didn’t know how to feel about that, yet.
As she knocked, I took a moment to compose myself before opening the door. Her beauty struck me anew, as it did every time I saw her. Determination and frustration shone in her golden eyes, a combination that never failed to make me smile.
“Evelyn, is everything alright?” I asked, my voice steady despite the warmth spreading through my chest.
“Yeah, I was hoping you could help me with something.”
“Of course. What do you need?”
“I want flying lessons,” she said, her wings suddenly appearing.
I couldn’t help but chuckle at her exasperated expression.
“One minute I’m soaring through the air, the next I’m crashing into Alister’s front door,” she explained.
“I’d be honored to teach you.”
Being near her felt like home.
It was both a blessing and a torment.
We moved to the clearing behind the cottage. The scent of pine filled the air, reminding me of my childhood training grounds. I stretched my wings wide, noting how Evelyn’s eyes widened slightly. A pang of self-consciousness hit me—did she find my hybrid nature repulsive?
Pushing the thought aside, I focused on the lesson. “Alright, let’s start with the basics. Close your eyes and focus on your wings. Feel them as an extension of yourself.”
As I watched Evelyn concentrate, I marveled at the uniqueness of her situation. Her wings were tied to her lineage, and that magic was still volatile and unpredictable. They seemed to respond more to her thoughts than physical movements, so I had to guide her in merging the two.
“Good,” I encouraged, noticing the slight movements. “Now, try to focus on controlling your thoughts about the wings. Imagine them moving slowly, deliberately.”
We worked on aligning her mental focus with physical control before moving on to actual flight instructions.
“Excellent,” I said. “Now, let’s try some actual flying. Just a few feet off the ground to start.”
Evelyn’s eyes snapped open, nervousness evident in her gaze. “Are you sure about this?”
I gave her what I hoped was a reassuring smile, fighting the urge to reach out and touch her arm. “Trust yourself, Evelyn. Your body knows what to do.”
She groaned. “I’m not sure if these wings actually have my back.”
Reluctantly, she took a deep breath, her face setting in determination. After a few moments, she started to rise from the ground.
“I’m doing it!” she exclaimed, hovering a few feet in the air. “Rafe, look!”
I beamed up at her. “You’re a natural, Evelyn. Now, try to fly a little higher and move forward.”
She leaned slightly, her wings responding to her naturally. But then panic flashed across her face as she realized how high she’d gone.
“Ah! It’s too high!” she yelled.
My heart stopped as I saw her wings fold, and her body plummet. I launched myself into the air, catching her mid-fall.
I held her in my arms, our faces inches apart. “Are you okay?”
She nodded, her eyes wide. “Yeah, I’m fine. Thanks for the save.”
Reluctantly, I set her down, my hands lingering on her waist. “That’s what I’m here for,” I mumbled, fighting the urge to pull her close again.
We stared at each other for a long moment, the air between us charged with unspoken emotions. Feeling my shyness creep in, I cleared my throat and stepped back.
“Let’s try again,” I said, my voice rougher than intended. “This time, keep your focus.”
For the next hour, we practiced, and by the end, she was flying in short bursts and even managing a few graceful turns. With each success, her smile grew brighter, and I found myself falling even deeper.
As we wrapped up the session, I couldn’t help but feel proud of her.
“You’ve got it,” I said. “A few more practices like this, and you’ll be soaring with the best of them.”
Evelyn smiled at me, her joy palpable. “Thanks, Rafe. For everything.”
I nodded, unable to resist reaching out to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “Anytime, Evelyn. I’m always here for you.”
The words held more weight than she knew.
As we walked back, I noticed her glancing at me curiously.
“Rafe,” she started, “what does it really mean to be a guardian angel?”
“It’s more complicated than most people think. Being half-human and half-angel doesn’t exactly make you popular in either world. I wanted to prove myself, so I enrolled in guardian training. It was my way of finding a place where I belonged.”
“So, you chose to become a guardian?”
“Yeah,” I replied, memories flooding back. “I aimed to be one of the best. The training was grueling—but I thrived in it. Eventually, I advanced into the ranks of the battle guardians.”
“Battle guardians?” she echoed, her curiosity evident.
“They’re the elite,” I explained. “We train fiercely against all kinds of malevolent forces—demons, dark entities, you name it. I became one of the top students and received high praise. I wanted to prove that I could be as fierce as my older step-brother.”
“You have an older brother?”
I nodded. “Yes, he was already on guardianship duty for most of my childhood, so we spent little time together. But he, along with my mother, was the only one who showed me any form of kindness.”
“But you said you were an outcast.”
“Yes, despite my skills, my hybrid status always held me back. I was denied any positions as guardian,” I admitted quietly, the old pain resurfacing.
“That’s when you left and came to the Academy?”
“Exactly,” I confirmed. “I needed a fresh start.”
“So there are many types of guardians?” She asked.
I nodded. “Most people have lower-tier guardians, but a few need stronger guardians.”
“Aren’t guardians usually invisible?”
“Yes,” I said with a nod. “They protect without ever being seen or acknowledged for their work.”
“But I can see you?”
“My role with you is different, Evelyn. I will protect you at all costs.” The intensity of my feelings threatened to overflow, but I held them back.
She glanced at me with worry in her eyes. “I feel like some of my powers might be dark. There are branches of my ancestral magic that feel…scary.”
“They might seem that way at first,” I reassured her. “But everything looks scary when it’s unfamiliar. We can explore them together if you want.”
She fiddled with her hands. “I don’t think I’m ready to tackle those just yet.”
As we neared the cottage, I spotted Lucien on the porch, his posture tense.
“Where have you two been?” Lucien demanded, his eyes narrowing as they flickered between us.
Evelyn rolled her eyes. “Relax, Grumpy. Rafe was just giving me some flying lessons.”
Lucien’s scowl deepened. “Flying lessons? At this hour? Do you have any idea how dangerous that could be?”
“Oh, come on,” Evelyn groaned. “It’s not like I was doing loop-de-loops over the Academy. We were just practicing in the clearing at the back. Nobody saw us.”
“Still,” Lucien insisted, “it’s not safe for you to be out alone at night, especially with your newfound powers. You’re a target, Evelyn.”
I watched as irritation flared in Evelyn’s eyes. “I wasn’t alone. Rafe was with me, my guardian angel. And in case you’ve forgotten, I’m not some helpless damsel.”
Lucien’s jaw clenched. “That’s not the point. We need to be careful, especially now. Morgana’s spies could be watching, waiting for an opportunity to strike.”
Feeling the need to diffuse the situation, I spoke up. “He’s right, Evelyn. We should be more cautious.”
Evelyn sighed, looking defeated. “Fine. No more midnight flying lessons. Unless we are at the mansion. Happy?”
Lucien’s expression softened slightly. “It’s not about being happy, it’s about keeping you safe.”
“I know. I’m sorry,” Evelyn said, suddenly looking exhausted. “I’m going to head to bed. Thanks, Rafe. Good luck on your date tomorrow, Lucien.”
As she walked away, I noticed Chad falling into step with her.
“Hey, little witch, fancy meeting you on this fine walk to the dorms,” he said with a smile. “May I join you?”
I had been aware of his presence guarding us, but I’d selfishly wanted this evening to be just Evelyn and me.
“I would love the company, Chad. Thank you,” Evelyn replied with an easy smile.
A twinge of jealousy shot through me, but I pushed it down. Chad was a good guy who cared for her deeply. She was safe, and ultimately, that was what mattered most.