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Chapter 15 - XV- The Fragile

Ravenna sat, wrapped in the arms and wings of the massive angel, who had introduced himself as the Seraphim Michael. He had brushed away her tears and covered her when she felt vulnerable. He offered her comfort when she had felt so exposed. Michael had offered her his arms, and she found it hard to resist the temptation to shut out the world for a few moments, even in the arms of a stranger. He had wrapped his wings around them, allowing her privacy as she cried. He did not say a word as she wept, as if he could tell she did not need words to comfort her yet. Michael seemed to know that she needed the quiet to process what had happened to her and to understand that he was not there to harm her.

Ravenna's tears slowed and came to a stop. She opened her eyes, realizing she had dampened the angel's pristine white shirt with excessive tears. This angel, Seraphim, he had called himself, could be dangerous. He had killed Peter with no effort. But he said he was here to keep her safe and heard her prayer for help. Ravenna thought he must be telling the truth, and that Peter's actions caused his own death. Michael had shown no sign of looking to harm her; if Michael were going to hurt her, he would have while she was tied and weak. He had gone out of his way to save her from Peter and had given her his clothing while she was bare. His actions toward her had been gentle. She decided Michael meant her no harm.

Ravenna stayed in the comfort of Michael's arms and wings for longer than she intended. But the angel did not seem to mind. She wiped her tears with her hand and sat up alone. Ravenna slowed her breathing and tried her best to be calm. Michael released her, folding his wings neatly behind his back. She had so many questions for him.

"Why...why did you save me?"

Michael sat beside her in the grass. She watched his ice-blue eyes dart around as if he was hesitant to tell her the answer. She watched him swallow hard, his Adam's apple bobbing in his throat. His face was lined with worry. "Please don't be upset with me. I didn't do it on purpose... I've been frequenting the forest you spend time in. I...I.... I've been watching you in the forest from a distance."

Ravenna watched the angel squeeze his eyes shut as if worried she would yell at him for spying on her in the forest. She wasn't sure how she felt about this man watching her as she worked. "That... that will take some time to process," she admitted to Michael. "Why didn't you ever say anything?"

The angel, Seraphim, he called himself, dropped his shoulders and wings low and hung his head. "My kind are forbidden from interfering with the humans. We are not to speak to humans, be seen by humans, or interact with humans. If I am caught rescuing you, I am going to be in very big trouble." Michael looked over at Ravenna and gave a weak half-smile. "But knowing you're safe, the punishment is worth it."

Punished? What, or who would ever punish this man for saving her from her assault and kidnapping, Ravenna thought? She reached out, touched the man's forearm, and smiled back. "Your deed is safe with me. Please, do not worry. But if you are not to be seen by humans, we need to get you out of here. Peter- the dead man- his coachman is sitting in the carriage. He might see you!" Ravenna gestured toward the pathway, where Peter Jones' carriage stood, parked to the side of the path, the horses pawing at the ground aimlessly.

Michael became noticeably alarmed. The angel stood, appearing to be trying his best to hide his expansive wings behind his back. Michael grabbed Peter by the hair and dragged the dead man to the wooded area that skirted the meadow. He came back to Ravenna and knelt in front of her. She was grateful that he made himself smaller to talk to her; she was not ready to stand yet, and the Seraphim was so large. She had never seen a man that size.

"Miss, I will help you get home. But I can only travel at night. I can't risk being seen. I'll meet you in the forest over there. You can tell the coachman to leave, you can tell him to stay. I do not care what happens to someone who would be an accomplice in what has happened to you. But please, join me. Let me help you get home."

Michael stood, closed his eyes, stepped forward, and disappeared before Ravenna's eyes, leaving her alone in the meadow.

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Michael felt pure bliss. Ravenna was here, in his arms, in his wings. He rested his cheek on the top of her head and held her. Reality soon slapped him as he realized why this was happening. He saved her from being assaulted by a man. He snapped a human's neck. She was wearing his waistcoat because the dead man had torn her dress, exposing her. The woman he had so desperately wanted to love was clinging to him out of fear from what she had been through.

But maybe he could have this feeling again.

Michael held Ravenna tightly as sobs tore from her body. He couldn't imagine how powerless she must have felt. She had been tied and gagged. She had been held down and exposed. Rage filled him as he recalled how he found her. No one would ever do anything against her will again.

Ravenna started straightening herself up, and Michael released her, drawing his wings against his back. He looked at the young woman; her eyes were puffy and red from crying. But oh, she was still so beautiful. Michael was in awe that he was this close to such a beautiful woman. He wanted to kiss every freckle that dusted her face.

"Why... why did you save me?" Ravenna asked, her voice quiet. Did she not feel she deserved saving? Michael's heart broke. He would save her again in a second, rescue her a thousand times.

Michael darted his eyes around. How could he ever tell this woman that he had been watching her in the forest that she had considered a safe place, a sanctuary? He swallowed hard. He had told her the truth about who he was, about what he was. It was best to keep telling her the truth.

Michael confessed, telling her he had been frequenting the forest she gathered her plants in, squeezing his eyes shut. He feared she would yell at him for watching her, feel spied on, or think he was creepy. He didn't want her to feel violated again. He opened one eye to judge how she felt about his words.

"Why didn't you ever say anything?" Ravenna asked him. Wasn't she upset with him? He opened his other eye. Michael could have embraced her again. What a perfect woman. He had to continue telling her why he had always had to remain hidden. He told her about the Ruler's strict instructions for visiting the Mortal Plane, and that he was to never interfere or interact with humans.

Ravenna looked concerned as he told her he would likely be punished for rescuing her. But such were the ways of the Kingdom. Once Remiel found out, all the Brothers would know. Michael frowned, thinking of Remiel and his big mouth. If anything was going to get Michael punished, it was Remiel's talking.

Ravenna brought Michael's wandering thoughts back with her by alerting him to the fact that there was a human man in the vicinity. He couldn't risk getting caught. Michael grabbed the dead man's hair and dragged him to the meadow's trees. He could have easily picked up the dead man, but he did not want to touch such filth. Perhaps a wild animal would enjoy this disgusting meal. Michael rushed back to Ravenna and knelt before her, urging her to join him in the forest. He promised to help get her home, as long as they traveled by night so he wasn't seen. She agreed to meet him in the wooded area, and he realm-traveled there to avoid being out in the open any further.