Michael was in a serene state between waking and dreaming. His arms drew the warm body closer to his, and his face nuzzled the soft hair that smelled of wildflowers. He slowly drew closer to consciousness, finally blinking awake.
He nearly leapt from the bed in surprise. He was still fully clothed, missing only his boots, but he had spent the whole day in bed beside the woman he had only dreamed of lying next to. Ravenna slept peacefully, her raven-colored hair spread carelessly across the pillows. Michael thought about the night before. She had gotten intoxicated so quickly, then begged him not to leave her. She called him her guardian.
Michael felt Ravenna's slow breathing against his skin. She was so perfect, so tranquil. She stirred in her sleep, and Michael caressed her back. Ravenna settled, and Michael held her tight. He hated his wings. He hated the Kingdom. He hated the Ruler. If he were human, there would be no hesitation about making this woman his own. But the wings, Kingdom, and Ruler existed in his life, throwing an enormous barrier in their lives.
–Was this woman starting to feel it too? Or was it simply wine speaking last night when she asked him not to, no, begged him not to leave her? Their travels back to Canden began tonight. What would happen once she was safely back at home? Would they still be able to see each other? Undoubtedly, the Ruler had noticed his absence. How severe would the punishments be?–
His stomach twisted painfully, thinking of never being able to see Ravenna again. That would certainly be the first punishment the Ruler would go to. And if Ravenna were starting to feel something for him, as Michael hoped she was, it would hurt her too. A dual punishment, which would delight the Ruler.
Ravenna slowly stirred awake and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. "Mmmm....good morning Michael."
"Good morning, dear. How was your sleep?" Michael was relieved; she did not seem troubled to have woken up next to him. He had refused to lie next to her initially, in case she had decided while drunk, but gave in upon her insistence.
"I could sleep for a week like that. I just felt so…safe." Ravenna blinked slowly, still trying to overcome the phase between waking and sleep. She rolled over, facing the Seraphim in the bed. She seemed unaware he had been gazing at her sleeping form, reveling in the tranquility. "Have you been awake long?"
"No, I just woke up not long ago," Michael assured her, not wanting her to feel like she had kept him waiting. If she only knew, he would wait for her forever.
"Is it evening yet? I'm ready to start traveling." Ravenna sat up, yawned, and swung her feet over the side of the bed.
Michael stood and stretched his muscled body, his wings extending out. He longed for more time lying in the small room with Ravenna but knew he had the promise to uphold. "Actually, I was interested in trying something, if you're willing..." Ravenna looked at him with curiosity.
Michael closed his eyes, stepped forward, and stepped between the realms. He quickly traveled from one side of the room to the other, realm-traveling.
"Is that how you've been... that's how you saved me from Peter! That's how you got to the inn! That's how you have been going to the forest! Can you get us to my home?!" Ravenna ran to him, grasping both of his forearms in excitement.
"I do not know. Only the angels can do it, but no angels have encountered a human, excluding myself. Would you like to try?"
Ravenna paused as if she was thinking carefully about it. Michael saw her bite her lower lip as she looked downward. "Does it…does it hurt?"
"No."
"I would like to try." Hearing Michael's strong denial of the realm-traveling being painful, Ravenna looked hopeful, as this would save days of travel. Michael walked with her back to the bed and picked her up carefully. He held her across both his arms, cradling her gently. She wound her arms around his neck, preparing for what Michael had to show her.
"My Brother Zerachiel taught me to realm-travel. We must close our eyes, step forward, and think of where we would like to go. We can try just going to the door of the room here, think specifically. We will think of the middle of this side of the door, okay?" Ravenna nodded eagerly. "Close your eyes, I will step."
Michael stepped forward, realm-traveling to the doorway. Ravenna landed roughly on the bed as Michael disappeared. "Oh, Ravenna! I am so sorry!" He rushed back to the bed, where she had landed on her back. "Are you okay?"
Ravenna sat on the bed, propping herself up with her elbows, determination shining in her eyes. "Try again."
Michael thought about the realm-traveling process again. He stood beside Ravenna, wrapping his left arm and wing around her. "Are you ready?"
"Yes. I can do this, Michael," resolve to ring clear in Ravenna's voice. Michael smiled at her; her determination to learn was admirable.
"Step when I do. Together." Michael tried realm-traveling again with Ravenna, stepping forward together. Again, Ravenna was left behind as Michael appeared across the inn room.
"I guess we travel on foot then." Ravenna ran her hands through her hair. Her voice was heavy with disappointment. Michael saw a glimpse of tears rimming her golden eyes, but she quickly blinked them away.
"I'm sorry, I hoped that would have worked for you." Michael began preparing what little things they had, preparing for their travels. He was frustrated that he could not realm-travel with Ravenna, as she sounded so sad. But he was secretly grateful that he was not powerful enough to realm-travel this way with her, as this gave him more time with the young woman he wanted to get closer to.