Page 48 of Seraph's Tears
Eve
I stepped back, a crick forming in my neck, to survey my progress with the oriel. It had been a few more days of work. My ankle was fully healed now, though Gabriel still wanted me to go gently on it.
The entire inside of the oriel was clean now, all panels, from floor to ceiling. It had been a massive undertaking. And still the outside top two thirds were filthy. The bottom third, which was clean on all sides, was of pastoral valleys, meadows, and a stone wall running along the bottom. The beginnings of a brown stone church perched on the edge of a field, but the light darkened due to the outside dirt and mud before I could see a steeple or tower.
It was difficult to tell if the sky was of night or if the dirt outside kept the blue glass appearing dark. There was one spot, however, that was definitely black. It flared, wide and large and twisted. It looked almost like wings, except I was fairly certain the pale spot in the middle was supposed to be a moon.
Wouldn’t Gabriel be pleased once I had everything clean? I grinned, surveying my hard work.
The oriel was nearly clean. I’d dreamed of a cottage by the sea again last night, but it wasn’t as warm or cozy as it used to be. The truth was, I realized, freedom could take many forms. I didn’t need a seaside cottage to be happy—I was happy here at Mirkwold. I just needed to be away from the church.
I just need to be near Gabriel.
But I’d kept the truth from him for so long…and I still feared what Zorababel might attempt to gain Gabriel. I’d heard nothing from him, and that made me more nervous. He was not a stupid man, and his punishments could be devious.
A nearly silent flap of wings behind me alerted me to Gabriel’s presence a half second before his warm hands landed on my hips.
I spun in his arms, smiling. “Hello.” It was nearly noon, judging on the emptiness of my stomach. Where had he been today? He spent much of his time in the gallery or trailing me around Mirkwold. I’d at first thought my feelings for him were an inconvenience for him and an embarrassment for me. But..I thought…I hoped he felt them as strongly.
He smiled at me, green eyes sparkling. “Hello.”
Gabriel dipped his head and kissed me gently yet thoroughly. I raised my tiptoes, chasing the kiss. When he broke it, I tilted, off balance from the rush of sensation. I planted my hands on his hard, hot chest and smiled. “Oh my.”
Maybe I didn’t have to leave. Maybe I could stay with him.
Except my presence would draw Zorababel and his minions straight to us.
He already knows Gabriel is who he wants… the little voice whispered inside my head. You might as well stay.
Even though that was true, Zorababel would never let me leave. I was his betrothed. If he couldn’t keep me in line, the church elders would grumble and move against him. He might be the grandson of the great Reverend Grimshaw, but that could only go so far.
If I disappeared—when I disappeared—perhaps I’d draw enough of Zorababel’s anger that he would leave Gabriel alone. That was why I’d kept it a secret, even if it gnawed on me at night.
“What’s going on in that head?” His gentle smile pulled me from my ruminations.
I forced a smile across my face. “Nothing. Are you here to eat? Do you need me to cook?”
He grinned wolfishly. “I’ll eat. But not food.” His hand slipped down to my calf, and began running up to my thigh.
I squirmed and giggled. “Gabriel!” I batted at his hand. “If you’re going to do that, take me somewhere more comfortable.”
Hunger flickered in his eyes. “Like our bed?”
Our bed. It hit me with both a rush of affection and horror. I was growing too happy here. I forced a smile and nodded.
He adjusted his grip, putting one arm behind my back and the other behind my knees, hefting me up and unfurling his wings. I imagined the strain of making a vertical takeoff with extra weight in your arms was significant, but he managed to make it look easy. We had reached the rafters of the Great Hall and he moved toward the gallery when a loud knock came from below us.
He halted and we glanced at each other.
The thud sounded again, coming from the front door below.
A thrill of excitement and nerves ripped through me. “Castiel,” I exclaimed. “I hadn’t expected him until later.”
Gabriel looked torn—half disappointed he couldn’t devour me in his chamber, half excited to see his friend.
I laughed and patted his chest. “Put me down. I’ll start on lunch for you two.”
He kissed my forehead. “Three of us. You’ll join us, of course.”
