130. Azrael
AZRAEL
What am I going to tell them? I love Violette and Levi desperately—with every ounce of my being–but I feel like Atlas, bearing the weight of all the heavens for eternity.
I need respite from this physical realm, as all other beings are blessed with.
And one day, I know that I will return. In another form, yes, perhaps. Unburdened by memories, definitely.
But my soul will know beside whom it belongs. Will always seek out hers and Levi’s.
The door opens and softly clicks shut behind where I lounge in the bathing pool, riddled with anxiety and guilt.
The gentle rhythm of soft footsteps tells me it’s Violette–whereas Levi’s are silent.
My heart flutters as she steps into the bathing pool.
She immediately climbs into my lap. The spark of arousal is quickly doused by the tears streaming down her cheeks. “Seraphim... What’s happened?”
She gives me a look like it should be obvious.
Does she know that I am mortal?
Or is it because of all the chaos and death that has just transpired?
My hands capture her waist as she cradles my cheeks. She remains silent. Jaw clenching to hold back the sob she swallows.
Worry suffuses me. “Seraphim?”
She shakes her head, sending another deluge of tears over the edge as she weaves her arms around my neck and trembles in my arms, drawing shuddering breaths.
My arms tighten around her as does my fear. “Violette... ?”
Her throat dips against my shoulder before she manages a scarce whisper. “I wish more than anything I could change your mind..."
My eyes lip shut as relief and heartbreak in equal measure pour through me.
“One day, I’ll be back, little seraphim, and I’ll find you.”
The sob she’s trying so hard to stifle breaks free.
My own tears join hers in their descent.
I’m not sure how much time passes, but holding her against me so firmly less corporeal beings would fuse, eases a modicum of the pain in my chest and, eventually, hers.
Her voice drops to a wet whisper against my throat. “How do you know?”
She draws back to search my gaze as if cautiously daring to hope.
A corner of my mouth tips up in the ghost of a smile. “Lazarus ensured it.”
Her brows knit together before her features slacken in realization.
I huff a sad laugh. “Our souls are entirely separate. He chose to bind my soul to yours and Levi’s..."
Her lips part in shock and awe as she lifts a hand to cover her mouth.
Guilt squeezes my chest. “It is both a blessing and curse.”
I wish more than anything I could take away the pain that it will cause her and Levi when I am gone—for however long that might be, before I reincarnate.
Before we reunite.
In this life, or the next. And all those to come.
My only consolation is that she has Levi and Lazarus, and they, her.
Violette lowers her face to within a few inches of mine, studying my features as though she is committing them to memory. “It is a curse I will gratefully bear if it means that, no matter our fate, my soul will always return to yours.”
A knot of emotion rises to my throat. “Even in death, sweet seraphim, I am yours.”