Michael waited in the forest for Ravenna. He decided to travel back to his chambers in the Kingdom and get a change of clothes. He hoped Ophelia and Victoria would not be in their cleaning. He wanted to change and return to the forest without being seen; he did not want their questions. He did not have a good alibi for where he had been and was not prepared to come up with one.
Stepping forward, Michael appeared in his room in his home. Quickly checking around, he did not see either of the maidservants. Relieved, he quickly stripped from his white-on-white clothing and headed to his wardrobe. He grabbed fresh undergarments and pulled on a pair of black pants. He tied them up as he searched for a black shirt. He buttoned the shirt as rapidly as possible, still checking around for any sign of Ophelia or Victoria. He tossed a black waistcoat and spare undergarments onto the bed. He decided to take his time with the waistcoat buttons back in the forest. He grabbed clean socks and stuffed his feet in black boots. Michael kicked his dirty white clothes and white boots under the bed. –A problem for later –, he decided.
He grabbed the black waistcoat and spare undergarments off the bed and returned to the forest. He could breathe now, knowing inquisitive maidservants would miss him. Michael realized his shirt was buttoned in the wrong holes, giving him a haphazard look. He could not let Ravenna see him like this. Rolling his eyes, he fixed his shirt and reached around to fasten the buttons at the back, which allowed his wings to be free but the shirt to close at the bottom. Michael slid into his waistcoat after tucking in his shirt. He fastened the front and back buttons and finally stretched his wings to ensure everything fit as it should. He laced his loose boots on his feet, feeling more put together. Michael felt more himself, happy to have clean clothes on his body.
Now all that was left to do was wait. Michael paced, hoping Ravenna was okay. He should have taken her bag, but she had insisted that she was supposed to be a traveler, and without a bag, she would seem odd. While he paced the forest, Michael happened upon a bush with deep red flowers, and he reached for one. A thorn pierced his finger, and he withdrew his hand quickly, surprised by the sting. He crouched by the bush and inspected it. Michael tilted his head to the side. He carefully reached back for the flower, careful to avoid the thorns. Michael stood with the rose, admiring it.
Why did everything beautiful remind him of her? The sunrise had nothing on her radiance. The ravens that were her friends. This flower is in particular. Elegant, but it had extraordinary things to keep it safe. Michael looked at the stem. Ravenna was beautiful, especially with her personality and giving and caring nature. But she was also the thorn. She was able to defend herself; she could take care of herself. Ravenna was just as perfect as this flower. Admirable in every way, but will protect itself from those who do not respect it. Michael snapped most of the stem off and placed the flower in his waistcoat pocket. It would be a gift for Ravenna when she arrived.
The sky grew darker, an optimal time for Michael and Ravenna to travel. Most humans slept at night, meaning Michael was less likely to be seen. Ravenna should be approaching soon. Michael's ears perked as he heard a feminine scream in the distance. Nothing audible followed. Perhaps a woman in Nerium had been hurt. Michael frowned, recalling what Raphael had told him. –Seraphim blood could heal the wounds of humans –. He could be helping. Instead, he was forbidden to interact with humans. He mentally excluded Ravenna from that rule, as he was already in this deep.
A female figure rapidly approached the forest. Michael squinted before his eyes shot open wide. It was Ravenna. He decided it was dark enough not to be seen- there was no reason for her to run unless there was danger. Michael stepped through the realms to stand before her, where she stopped, puffing breathlessly. Michael grasped Ravenna's shoulders lightly. "What happened? Why are you running?"
Between gasps, Ravenna began to tell him about her encounter with Peter's coachman. "He... he... grabbed... I'm okay... kicked him... he's down..."
Michael pulled her close to him, protectively holding her. "I have you. You're safe. Let's get back to the forest. You can catch your breath and tell me fully there."
Ravenna nodded, looking grateful to see the Seraphim. She placed her cheek against his chest, leaning in. Michael felt her body relax against his, and he let out a breath he did not notice he was holding, knowing she felt more at ease with him there.
The pair made their way toward the forest, toward the safety of the tree cover. Michael quietly burned as they walked; he was angry that yet another man had laid his hands on Ravenna with ill intent. Michael was furious at the Ruler for forbidding the angels from interacting with the humans. He could have protected Ravenna from this coachman. He was angry at the coachman for thinking he had the right to touch Ravenna. There was no justice in the Human Realm, and the more time he spent here, the more Michael wanted to change things. Ravenna deserved a better world to live in. Humans deserved a better world. No. The humans deserved a Ruler who cared about them.
Michael and Ravenna reached the outskirts of the forest. He turned to the smaller woman, who had finally caught her breath. "Would you like to tell me what happened?"
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Ravenna kept running, ignoring the sting of her sides. Her mind raced, matching her pace. She had forgotten about the coachman, but he had not forgotten her. Safety waited for her in the trees.
There was a slight breeze, and Michael appeared before her, placing his hands gently on her shoulders. He must have seen her from his place in the forest. He rapidly checked her over and asked why she was running.
Breathlessly, Ravenna began her story. It came out in gasps. She had been running for so long. Michael seemed convinced she was physically okay and embraced her, holding her close. "I have you. You're safe. Let's get back to the forest. You can catch your breath and tell me fully there." Michael reassured her and offered Ravenna his arm.
The pair made their way to the outskirts of the forest, and Ravenna sat on an enormous tree stump. Michael sat beside her, placing his hand on her knee and his wing around her shoulder. She felt immediately comforted by the gesture.
"Would you like to tell me what happened, why you were running?" Michael looked at Ravenna, concerned.
Ravenna took a deep breath. She did not want to discuss it, but Michael deserved to know. He kept her safe this far, and letting him know any potential things that may concern them was only fair.
"Peter, you know him... well, his coachman was on the road outside Nerium. He grabbed my waist and then grabbed me by the shoulders. He was shouting at me because Peter is missing and that's how he gets paid. He demanded to know how I escaped. I kneed him in the fork of his legs, and he dropped to the ground. I tried to run then, but he grabbed my ankle. I fell when he grabbed my ankle, but I kicked him in the face with my other foot. He didn't try to follow me, I suppose he valued his skin too much after his previous attempts to grab me." Ravenna looked over at Michael, who seemed concerned for her well-being and proud of her for defending herself.
"Are you hurt?" Michael asked, worried. "You said you fell when he grabbed your ankle."
Ravenna lifted her dress to her knees. The sky was getting darker, and the damage was hard to see. "It is hard to tell. We can check again when the sun comes up. We can worry later. We only have so much darkness to travel in, we better head toward Graenwood."
Michael stood and offered his hand to Ravenna. The pair left the forest and began to travel along the treeline south toward Graenwood. Ravenna felt her senses heighten, as she was not used to being outside in the darkness. Every snap of a twig caused her head to turn; every unusual sound or sight made her jump slightly. She was being ridiculous, she thought; nothing could harm her as long as the Seraphim walked beside her.