Page 43 of Living with Death

“He married a human?”

“Yes, but it’s complicated.”

Hmm. Isn’t all this complicated? I wouldn't even begin to know how to tackle the idea of even telling someone about this experience I’m having. Except with Cook because he’s family. He’s the only one I trust not to look at me like I’ve gone mad. I run a hand over my sleeve.

“Enlighten me.”

Azrael’s eyes light up. The sun makes an appearance, at last warming his pale skin. “Morgan had to make a choice. She could finish her life alongside her family and friends and marry a mortal man, have the option to marry someone else if that didn’t work out, or be with Hypnos.

“Once a mortal chooses to be with one of us, it’s forever. They will become immortal, and the bond between the two can never be undone. This means leaving everyone you love behind. They will grow older and pass on, but you will not.”

“Wow,” I say. “That’s some decision to make.”

He agrees, “It’s a forever choice.” His tongue darts to the roof of his mouth. “Would you do it?” He looks at the table. “End your life as a mortal to be with the person you love?”

I consider this. Would I give up my freedom to be immortal? Give up the option to grow old? Watch as all the people I love die, year after year? What if you grow tired of one another? How does that work?

I loop a piece of hair behind my ear. “It’s hard to say. I’ve never been in love, never known what it feels like to want to be with someone no matter the circumstances.”

“Interesting,” he murmurs.

“Why is that interesting?”

“It just is.” He stands, reaching his hand out. “We’ve got that sunset to watch.”

Chapter Eleven

I thought Azrael might wish to fly again, but he didn’t, and the disappointment was unexpected. I’m terrified of heights, but with him, I feel invincible.

“There’s a place I’d like to show you,” he says as we climb into the Uber. When the driver dropped us off at the restaurant, Azrael handed him more money and asked him to come back for us.

Feelings swarm in my belly. The sound of his voice, the way he looks at me as though I’m the only person that matters to him. It’s unsettling yet thrilling in the best way.

“Okay.”

He leans up, telling the driver where to go. I can’t hear what he says and decide not knowing is better. We both gaze out the window, me wondering how this ends. Isn’t that what we humans do? Think about the future instead of enjoying the present?

He will go back to doing what he does. I’ll continue working at the store. It’s only been a few days, but we’ve spent every waking moment together, and even though he says he doesn’t know when he will return, I can’t help but think it won’t be much longer.

The thought stings. Sharing this experience with Azrael is the most excitement I’ve ever had. I realize how much I haven’t been enjoying my time here. We humans get one chance at life, but I’m lucky enough to get two. I won’t waste it.

Several minutes later, we turn down a sandy path.

“Can’t go any farther than here,” our driver says.

“Understood,” Azrael says. We exit the car, and Azrael looks at me. “We’ll need to fly. Is that okay with you?”

I smile. “Yes.” Excitement rolls through my body. “Where are we going?”

“You’ll see.” He grins. There’s something so telling in his smile. I still can’t understand why he picked me. Out of everyone, he chose me. We walk until we’re out of the driver's sight, and Azrael pulls me close.

The smell of the day is on him, but there’s more than that. He smells warm and rich, like aged scotch. Smoky and sweet, like burning pine. He wraps his arms around me, and my face goes to his neck. I want to rub my nose against it and kiss the spot below his ear. I breathe, holding on as his wings appear, and we lift from the ground with ease. Sand turns into rock, which becomes covered by the ocean as we fly over.

“This is amazing,” I say.

I feel the vibration of his laugh, and he holds me tighter. The sky around us bleeds red, mingling with tangerine. I see an old lighthouse in the middle of the water with waves rushing against the sides.

Azrael drops down on the parapet. The gray stone is aged, and the churning water slams against it. I let go, looking down as the sea wraps itself around the bottom.

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