Chapter 13
Thirteen
Kai
Alittle over an hour later, I hide the supplies behind all the items on the top shelf again.
Filled with pride about how much I accomplished within only an hour, I descend the staircase beyond the archives’ doors with a hop in my step.
A beam of bright moonlight pours into the library through the tall windows lining the walls.
Walking alongside the full shelves, I nod at Hadley, who’s seated at the circular information desk on my way out, when I notice someone curled up in a small window-side book nook, tucked beneath a fluffy light blue blanket.
The library contains a large variety of thick blankets and pillows for visitors to borrow in an armoire tucked away in the same corner where the staircase leading to the archives resides. I haven’t had to help guests much.
I’ve been completely locked away in the archives, awaiting a fair maiden to rescue me from my torment. I smirk at my own joke, striding toward Cleo and calling out, “What are you reading now?”
She peeks at me from behind the pages. “A classic fantasy this time. It’s about a man who spends a decade trying to get back home after a war.”
Taken aback by her actually acknowledging me, I think fast. I’ve got to take advantage of chatty Cleo while she’s with us. “Ah, if only teleportation were a thing for mortals. You know what, I bet he didn’t have a Guardian looking out for him. Shame, really.”
“You might be right.” She closes her book, and her lips curl into a small smile. “How did the rest of the workday go? You were up there longer than I expected.”
Does she know? She doesn’t know, right? How would she know? I mean, I guess if she floated up to the doorway and peeked in through the small stained-glass window on the archives’ doors, she could’ve—
“Hey, is everything okay?” She sits up straighter, planting her full attention on me, brows drawn. This is new. Is she worried? Oh no, I’m worrying her because I still haven’t answered her damn question. What the—
She snaps her fingers impatiently.
Guess I lose my way when it comes to her.
“Sorry, got caught up in a train of thought and spiraled for a second. I’m good.” I nod hastily. “Just got ahead for tomorrow; started dusting off some extra books. Got through a couple of dozens.”
“Right… Wow. A couple of dozens? That’s a lot.”
Uh-oh. She’s right. That is a lot. I only did like ten extra books, but my desperate need to hide my secret project has me sweating. I make a mental note to show up to work extra early tomorrow to actually get ahead.
“Oh, don’t act so surprised.” I shake my head and cross my arms, leaning against a nearby bookshelf when a bright idea crosses my mind. “What are you up to right now?”
She raises her thick eyebrows. “Reading. Obviously.”
My mouth stretches into a mischievous grin as I reach over and hold out my hand. “Wrong answer. You’re going on a walk with me. C’mon, you’ve already closed your book and everything.”
She eyes me, then her book. “Fine,” she says, sighing tiredly and taking my hand.
I like the way her small, soft hand fits into mine. I pull her up from the nook and tug her out of the library, a wave of energy funneling through me.
She doesn’t know it yet, but she may or may not have just agreed to our first date.
We walk down a couple of different staircases all the way to the foyer. On our way down, several angels greet me friendlily and stare at Cleo hesitantly. For every angel who greets me, she gets twice the number of stares from men and women alike.
I don’t know if she has the slightest clue how beautiful she is. All other angels pale in comparison.
We exit the building and walk in comfortable silence for a couple of minutes, pausing on the bridge that connects the headquarters to our marketplace and living quarters. I lean against the bridge’s golden rails and overlook the shimmering clouds above and below us. They’re everywhere.
“I’ve gotta ask.” I break the silence, still gazing off into the clouds. “Do you ever visit the land below for leisure?”
She leans her back on the railing next to me, her wings resting just over the edge. Instead of facing the clouds surrounding us, she crosses her arms and locks her eyes on the pavement. “No.”
“Never would’ve guessed.” Surprised, but also not surprised by her answer, I push for more. “Why not? Don’t you ever miss it?”
“No one has ever asked me about this before,” she says, her voice trailing off.
“I have my reasons for not visiting. I’ve been there several times to intervene when my Guardians were on the verge of breaking divine laws, but I never stayed longer than necessary.
Why would I venture down there when I have everything I need up here? ”
“But do you miss it?” I nudge her with my elbow.
She pauses, pressing her lips together in a tight smile. “Sure, I miss certain aspects… Like the feeling of rain on my skin and the smell of freshly baked cookies. But collectively? I don’t suppose I miss the land below.”
“What about your life?”
“You ask a lot of questions.” She pins me with intensity in her gaze.
“Sorry, runs in the family.” I click my tongue and grin.
“It’s fine. I don’t want to pressure you to share more than you’re comfortable with.
I just so happen to be an oversharer, so I’ll share a secret with you.
Sometimes—more often than not—I wish I was still a mortal, living my simple life down there. I miss life. A lot.”
Her gaze softens. “I don’t think you’re the only one. I’m sure your wings and ascension would take some of the weight off your shoulders. The Archangels talk a big game, but your sentence won't last forever. I feel it. You’re a good being, Kai. A truly good being.”
For the first time since dying, I feel alive.
It’s been ages since I felt seen.
And to be seen by her is something I don’t take lightly.
“Thank you, angel,” I whisper, gazing into her eyes earnestly. “I needed that.”
“Of course,” she breathes, her throat bobbing.
My eyes drop to her lips. I didn’t realize how close our faces were until this moment.
Well, maybe I realized it. But I ignored it, assuming it was my imagination.
I inch closer to her, continuing to pierce her eyes with my own when suddenly, she breaks away, stepping aside abruptly.
“I can’t believe Stephen barged into the throne room like that.
I genuinely believe you would’ve earned your wings and ascended that very evening if it weren’t for his childish antics. ”
Great. I’d love nothing more than to talk about that dumbass right now.
I push my hands through my hair and let out a chuckle, folding my arms. “He’s a real idiot, but I can’t say I’m surprised. I felt like that trial was going a little too well. It was only a matter of time, you know?”
“Well, your ability to charm others is impressive,” she admits, running her hands down her little black dress, then resting them on her waist. My eyes linger there. “Even the Archangels were enamored with you. Except Nial, but that’s no surprise.”
That dress is driving me crazy.
I jump back into our conversation, unable to hold back my next question. “What’s your deal with Stephen anyway?”
“What do you mean?”
“There’s obviously more to your relationship than meets the eye,” I say. “Did you use to be friends, or…?”
“Ah, friends…” she mutters. “We were friends for a long time. Rather than blossoming into something greater, that friendship wilted.”
“Hmm…” I knit my brows, attempting to decipher the meaning behind her sentiments. “So. You were friends with benefits?”
She chokes, coughing a bit. A laugh bursts out of me in response. “It’s fine, Cleo. I don’t know what life was like back when you were alive, but friends with benefits are pretty common down below now.”
Her eyes widen. “It’s not scandalous anymore?”
“Oh, it’s still a little scandalous. It’s just more accepted now than it was before.
” I pause, suppressing a smile. “You know those romance books you love so much? Yeah, well, those have gotten a lot spicier over the last few decades. Some authors even write books about friends-with-benefits relationships blossoming into something greater, kind of like what you mentioned.”
She gawks, her eyes flickering from side to side, obviously trying to wrap her head around all this. “‘Spicier.’ Explain that.”
“Romance authors often go to great lengths to provide vivid details, making sensual acts in their books highly immersive experiences for romance readers.” I inch closer to her and speak in a low voice, right into her ear.
“Those types of novels include actual fucking. Moans, groans, touches, and all.”
She gulps but doesn’t back away. “You seem to know an awful lot about spicy novels.”
I sink my head into her neck for a second, letting out another laugh, then back up, raising my hands in defeat. “You caught me. My ex-girlfriend used to read them—she wasn’t a big reader, but when she did read, spicy romance novels were her favorites. She explained spice to me.”
Her eyes flicker at the mention of my ex-girlfriend, then she clears her throat.
“Well, thanks for the explanation. Considering I haven’t spent much time down there since passing, I didn’t realize that genre developed into something more.
I haven’t read any of those up in the library before,” she says, her lips curling into a subtle smirk.
“Those novels sound like my cup of tea.”
Now, I’m the one gulping.
Heavens. This girl.
The sound of live music catches my attention. Who knows how long that’s been playing? I’ve been too busy trying to keep up with her.
“Looks like there’s another party tonight,” I comment, squinting my eyes over at the atrium from up here, noticing gleaming beams of light shining upward into the star-filled sky from that very spot.
Suddenly, I get yet another bright idea.
“Hey, we never finished our chat about Stephen, but let me take a wild guess. You both started hooking up, his feelings for you grew into something more, and yours didn’t—because you’re incapable, of course. ”
Her jaw drops as she punches my arm and shakes her head. After another intake of air, she shrugs. “Something like that, yeah.”
“Perfect. That makes my plan for tonight even better.” I push off the railing and wrap my arm around her shoulders, avoiding her perfect wings as usual. “He never misses a party. I’m willing to bet he’ll be there tonight. Let’s go make some noise.”
At first, she resists my pull, keeping her feet firmly planted in one spot. “Ugh. I’m too old for games like this.”
“Says who?” I challenge her. “You said it yourself. Stephen is the real reason why we’re in this mess, so we’re simply evening out the playing field. I don’t know if you’re aware, but I used to be a coach. I’m all about fair play, angel.”
“Hmm, yes. I know you were a coach. I take it upon myself to learn as much about my Guardians as possible before taking them on,” she says casually as I lead her to the square across the bridge. “Well, I used to.”
“You must miss your Guardians,” I say, realizing yet again how hard this transition has probably been for her.
“I do.” She allows me to guide her down the bridge.
I don’t miss how much easier it is for her to admit to missing her Guardians than the land below.
“Let’s take your mind off all your worries tonight. You deserve a little break.”
I search her eyes, hoping she’ll say yes this time. She peers back into mine, squinting as though in deep thought.
“I need to change first. I refuse to show up to a party in this.” She gestures to the little black dress I love so much.
“Oh, yeah, you better hop to it. You look horrid,” I tease.
She drops her jaw as I wink at her. I keep my arm draped around her the entire path to the havens.