Page 54 of Seraph's Tears
All desire to return to Aerie faded. My wings twitched. “If Eve is my mate…” The confusion was slowly fading, slowly making space for other emotions.
Castiel nodded.
“If Eve is my mate…” Anticipation and nervous energy sparked through my body.
“Mates are to be treasured above all else,” Azrael said with a grimace. “Can a seraph even do that with a human?”
With Eve? My heart beat faster. “Absolutely.”
Hope, that strange, feathery feeling, fluttered in my chest. Worry fluttered in my stomach. “Do…do you think a human would accept that? They only have marriage. And only marry other humans.”
Castiel shrugged. “You know her better than we do. You’ll have to ask her.”
Wary, anxious joy began to trickle through my mind. Sharp and tender, frightened and hopeful at once—I didn’t think my body could contain them all.
“I need to talk to her!” I glanced around, as if she was hiding behind some of the gymnasium equipment. “I need to see if she will accept me.”
“She will accept you. If it makes you happy, then it is worth it.” A muscle in Azrael’s jaw feathered. I nearly laughed, suddenly in a wonderful mood, at how he was trying so hard to accept something distasteful to him. Because we were friends, brothers, always together. All of us.
And now, Eve.
If I could convince her. “I should woo her,” I said suddenly. “Castiel, quick, how do humans like to be wooed?”
He gave a confused laugh. “How should I know?”
“You like humans,” I said impatiently. “You know them better than the rest of us.”
He ran a hand through his hair, eyeing me with surprise and amusement, as if my predicament was entertaining. “I think you should ask her.”
“Right. Yes. Of course.” I crossed my arms, dropped them to the side, then crossed them again. I need to do this. A mate was a gift from the heavens. And that it would be Eve? I grew more and more excited at the idea. More grateful it was someone I cherished already. I would do anything to be with her. If we were in Aerie, I’d ask the king to strip me of my noble echelon so I could live with her in marriage. But we were here, in her world, and I was grateful, suddenly so grateful, that I’d Fallen.
I should find her. Right now.
Azrael cleared his throat.
My wings drooped, the primaries trailing the ground before I lifted them back up into place. I could not leave my sedge like this, especially since I invited them. It was rare to get Azrael for a long visit. I worried for him, like I did all of my sedge.
“Azrael, tell me where you’ve been lately. And let us speak more about what details I want you to learn regarding these people hunting us down.”
He nodded.
I would find Eve later. I would woo her. I would kiss her and embrace her and take her flying and show what a good mate I could be. Perhaps she’d consider staying with me.
Chapter Nineteen
Eve
I stared at Zorababel, my reverend and my betrothed, the man I was running from. I forced a smile.
“You have been unresponsive,” he accused, matching my smile.
I hated it when he smiled. I glanced over his shoulder, trying to see if the outside was clear. If I could get around him and through the door, I could try to get away. But two men lumbered in behind him: Absalom Meadows, hair as greasy as always and that dull, mean look in his eyes, and another elder. This one was older. He had been a friend of Zor’s father, and had guided Zor when he came into authority. He was calculating and devoted completely to the church and the Grimshaw cause.
“I’ve not been unresponsive. I spoke with Absalom a few weeks ago.” I gestured toward him, trying to hide my nerves.
“You should be quicker, girl. I’ve done you not only the great honor of bestowing on you the title of Reverend’s wife, but I’ve let you go find this winged creature. You think I didn’t notice you gazing out the windows at the sky all the time, letting the bread burn and not cleaning up the dirt tracked in? This was my kindness to you, to show you how good I will treat my woman. But you’re not living up to the responsibilities, Eve.”
I swallowed the knot of anger rising in my throat.
