Page 22 of Uriel
The very thought sends a shudder through me—of disdain or desire, I can no longer tell. My brothers have their roles, but mine... mine is to stand at the crossroads of realities, ensuring neither light nor darkness gains too much power. I am the Celestial Harmonizer. How can I contemplate abandoning this sacred duty for mortal desires?
For millennia, I’ve been Uriel, the Archangel of Chastity. My vows are not merely words, but the very foundation of my being. To break them, even in the name of saving the world... can I truly contemplate such a thing?
The tremors that wracked the earth, the storms that even now batter at the windows—they are but a prelude to the devastation that awaits if we fail.
IfIfail.
I think of Emilia, of her fierce compassion, her unwavering determination to help others. Would it not be the height of selfishness to prioritize my vows over the lives of billions?
But then, a darker thought intrudes. What if this is all part of some grand temptation? A test of my resolve, my dedication to my holy purpose?
I pace the room, conflict tearing me apart. On one side, duty, purity, eons of divine purpose. On the other, the warm brown of Emilia’s eyes, the sound of her laughter, the intoxicating possibility of a love I’ve never known.
And underpinning it all, the ticking clock of apocalypse.
I sink into a chair, my head in my hands. For the first time in my long, long existence, I find myself utterly lost. The path forward, once so clear, now twists and branches, each possibility fraught with consequence.
Yes, I am falling for Emilia Thornton. But whether that fall will be my salvation or my damnation remains to be seen.
How did I get here? When did Ms. Thornton—Emilia—become more than just an irritating colleague? Was it during our candlelit dinner, when I saw a softer side of her? Or perhaps earlier, in all those heated arguments at the hospital, where her passion and determination both infuriated and fascinated me?
The sound of footsteps pulls me from my reverie. I look up to see Emilia standing in the doorway, drowning in my oversized clothes. Her hair is damp and tousled, her face free of makeup. She’s never looked more beautiful.
“Hey,” she says softly, hovering uncertainly at the threshold.
“Hello,” I respond, my voice equally quiet. “Are you... warm enough?”
She nods, taking a tentative step into the room. “Yeah, thanks. These are... really comfortable.”
An awkward silence falls between us, heavy with unspoken words and lingering tension. Emilia shifts from foot to foot, clearly debating whether to approach or retreat.
Finally, she takes a deep breath and moves to sit in the chair opposite mine. “So,” she says, a forced lightness in her tone, “are we going to talk about what happened upstairs?”
I stiffen, my gaze fixed firmly on the fire. “I... I’m not sure what there is to discuss. It was a momentary lapse in judgment. It won’t happen again.”
From the corner of my eye, I see Emilia flinch as if I’ve struck her. “A lapse in judgment,” she repeats, her voice flat. “Right. Of course.”
The hurt in her tone cuts through me like a blade. I want to take back the words, to explain that it’s not her, it’s me—but that sounds trite even in my own mind.
“Emilia,” I begin, finally turning to face her. “You must understand. I have responsibilities, vows that I’ve upheld for millennia. I can’t simply...”
“Can’t simply what?” she challenges, a spark of her usual fire returning. “Feel something? Care about someone? Live a little?”
I shake my head, frustration mounting. “It’s not that simple.”
“Isn’t it?” She leans forward, her eyes blazing in the firelight. “We’re facing the potential end of the world, Uriel. If there was ever a time to throw caution to the wind, I’d say this is it.”
Her words stir something in me, a longing I’ve kept buried for so long. But still, I resist. “And what happens when this is over? When the world is saved and we return to our normal lives? What then, Emilia?”
She falls silent at that, the fire in her eyes dimming. “I... I don’t know,” she admits quietly. “But does it matter? Can’t we just... live in the moment? For once?”
I close my eyes, the burden of immortal years heavy upon my soul. “I don’t know if I know how,” I confess, the words barely above a whisper.
I feel her move before I see her. Suddenly, she’s kneeling before me, her hands resting lightly on my knees. “Then let me show you,” she says softly.
I open my eyes to find her face inches from mine. There’s no guile in her expression, no hidden agenda. Just open, honest emotion that takes my breath away.
For a long moment, we stay like that, balanced on the knife’s edge of possibility. Then, slowly, giving me every chance to pull away, Emilia leans in.
