Chapter 35
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 my heart. 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. Just yep. 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.”
I embrace him, wrapping my arms tightly around his waist and burying my head in his chest. He cradles me. “Anything for you.”
I would’ve never guessed I’d find love in the afterlife, but I’m relieved I did. I never could’ve imagined how healing it would be to allow myself to be loved. Let alone by someone I share a soul tie with.
After learning about our tie, I did some digging on the nature of soul ties using some books in the archives.
At first, I assumed bound souls were one and the same with soulmates, but it turns out, they’re slightly different.
Destined from birth, soulmates are incredibly rare.
While still relatively rare, these soul-tie bonds strengthen over time and deepen as your bond grows.
Kai and I were able to speak within our own minds relatively quickly because of how strong our chemistry was from the time we met in the archives.
This type of connection also only forms in the afterlife.
Not many people know they even exist. I didn’t know myself, and I take pride in the amount of research I’ve done in the afterlife.
Essentially, after watching Kai as his Watcher and then keeping an eye on him, I formed a tangible connection with him. It was different from the connection I held with others, not that I recognized it for what it was at the time. This connection cannot be broken by simple means.
My mind is bound to his.
Forever.
Consequently, we can effortlessly communicate within our minds, feel each other’s emotions, and locate each other easily when separated.
I break away from our hug to admire the work we’ve done, then he wraps his arms around my waist from behind.
We did it. The archives look better than ever—every section is precisely organized, decorative and powerful artifacts are strewn throughout in intentional spots, and the crystal floors look brand-new.
“Are you ready, angel?” he whispers into my ear. Finally, I allow a tear to escape. It streams down my cheek before hitting the ground. I nod silently.
“It’s time.”
We promised each other that when we finished our work at the library, we’d ascend.
Today’s the day.
We’re going there today.
“I figured you’d enjoy bringing your favorite book to the Golden Realm.”
“You figured correctly.” A comfort book is just what I needed.
Apparently, a couple of angels will deliver our belongings to the Golden Realm for us, so we won’t have to bring them ourselves when we ascend the staircase itself.
I gaze at the archives, knowing that, although we may visit again at some point, it won’t be for a while. Usually, once angels ascend, there’s no need to visit Eloras or even Earth anymore because of how vast and magical that realm is.
I’ll miss this realm. Earth, too. Kai and I have gone on a couple of fun Earth dates over the past couple of months.
But it’s time. At last.
We enter the throne room, hand in hand. I asked the angels to only send the necessities to the Golden Realm—my favorite clothes, books, and shoes. Kai sent even less—just some of his favorite clothes.
“You two make a dashing couple,” Annalise says with a warm smile as we approach the dais.
“And we couldn’t be more thrilled for you both,” Jessenia squeals.
“This process is simple and rather cliché if you ask me. You’ll simply ascend the stairs together until you lose sight of us below.
Once you lose sight, you’ll be able to behold the Golden Realm fully.
Your bodies will remain the same, but you’ll feel a difference in the atmosphere within the air,” Luke says stoically.
“Magic is everywhere in Aurathine. You two will love it,” Jessenia affirms, giving me an especially reassuring look. Honestly, I needed that.
“Let’s make this quick, shall we?” Nial says in a dry tone, eyeing me. “I’ve never been a fan of goodbyes.”
“Aw, is the great and superior Nial going to miss little old me?” I tease, raising an eyebrow. Kai tenses beside me, but grins widely. He has gotten a bit more used to my unorthodox friendship with Nial.
“I’ll visit you up there at some point, but don’t hold your breath.” He smirks. “Take care of yourselves.”
“Thank you.” I smile at him, then look at the others and bow my head. “Thank you all. We won’t forget you.”
Kai bows with me.
They all nod and say in unison, “Our pleasure.”
I hesitate to take the first step, then look up at him.
“I’m with you.”
I stare at the white opal spiral staircase centered behind the thrones and take a step toward it. Once we reach it, we begin ascending, side by side. One foot in front of the other.
Just pretend you’re dancing, Cleo. Everything is always better when you’re dancing, I say to myself.
One-two-three-four.
Five-six-seven-eight.
I gaze down and can still see the Archangels below us.
Kai is only looking up.
One-two-three-four.
Five-six-seven-eight.
Again, my eyes drift downward, but now I can only see the building’s arched roof.
His gaze remains fixed on what lies ahead.
One-two-three-four.
Five-six-seven-eight.
Looking down again, I can see all of Eloras. It looks magical.
He hasn’t looked down once.
One-two-three-four.
Five-six-seven-eight.
I gaze down again, and now, only clouds and the dome separating our realms consume my vision.
He intakes a sharp breath.
I glance at him, then follow his eyes. I can’t quite see what he sees yet, but as we climb higher, a figure’s silhouette comes into view.
Kai hooks his arm around my neck and kisses my forehead in a tender embrace.
The figure is dressed in clothes similar to Kai’s—a collared shirt, cream-colored trousers—and has a large set of classic white wings that outstretch wide—they’re even larger than Kai’s.
His tan skin appears to be glowing. As we get closer, I notice deep smile lines and crinkles around his brown eyes.
Brown eyes that we’ve shared since the day I was born.
My instincts tell me to run and never come back—that I don’t deserve to be in his presence.
But the tears brimming in his honeyed eyes tell me otherwise.
“Dad?” I take a small step toward him. Kai follows my lead, staying behind me. My dad extends his hand toward me, but my gaze falls down to the ground, and I flinch away instinctively. “I’m so s-sorry.”
For the first time since New York, I’m trembling. I thought I could do this. I thought I could face him, but the guilt, shame, pain—it’s flooding back to the surface and eating me alive. I can’t do this. I don’t belong here—
Then a gentle hand lifts my chin. So gentle I can barely feel it. “Oh, Clo. My special girl. You have no idea how happy I am to see you.”
Suddenly, strong arms wrap around me, holding me tight. I can’t remember the last time I got a hug from my dad. Heavens, I’ve missed his hugs.
And the rest of the tears I’ve been keeping at bay over the past several decades escape.
“You’re finally here. I’ve been waiting a long time, honey. I'm sorry I didn't visit you sooner—I knew you needed time.” Then, he says something I could’ve never anticipated. “There is nothing to forgive. Nothing.”
I break away from his grasp and nod slowly in understanding. The only person who needs to forgive me is myself.
I won’t harbor these feelings any longer. I do forgive myself.
I back away and sneak a look at Kai, who’s nonchalantly wiping one of his eyes. I quirk an eyebrow at him.
Just allergies. Nothing to see here, baby. He winks.
This man and his relentless winks will be the death of me.
“Dad, I’d like you to meet the love of my life… or afterlife. Kai.” I gesture toward him.
“Oh, I’ve heard all about you, Kai.” He gives him a knowing look, then shakes his hand. “The angels up here couldn’t get enough of your mischief.”
“Heavens, don’t tell him that. It’ll get to his head.” I pinch the bridge of my nose.
“No, no, please. Do tell me more, sir. I’m dying to know what the angels have been saying.”
My dad chuckles at his corny joke and begins sharing all the hot gossip. Apparently, news flies fast between the realms, and the Golden Realm knows all.
Kai joins my left side, holding me close, while my dad walks to my right. We stride toward the entrance of the Golden Realm—together.
For once, I don’t know what lies ahead. I don’t know what I’ve been missing. I don’t know where I’ll be eons from now.
As someone who thrives on consistent routines, this is uncharted territory for me.
Yet, I’m undeniably the lightest—and most well-rested—I’ve ever been.
The ray of sunshine holding my hand is undoubtedly to blame for this unprecedented outcome. He brought me back to life.