Until Darkness Ascends

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

She scoured her room. Lifting pillows, flipping sheets, searching under the bed...she couldn't find it. If only she could remember where she put it last.

After a few minutes of looking, she opened her bedroom door. "Have you seen-"

"This?" Altair held up the book and she nodded, taking it from him.

"What about-"

"You bookmark?" She turned to Malachi with a sheepish smile as he held up the flimsy piece of cloth she used to save her page. She simply couldn't ruin her books by creasing the outermost corners.

"Thank you, Malachi."

"You're welcome, Maiden. Get some rest. We leave at dawn for Celeria."

Rest didn't come easy. She changed out of her gown and into her nighttime camisole, but she seemed to be so cluelessly hot. And honestly, with sleep came terrible nightmares. Maybe she could reread King Bradshaw's book.

Upon her mattress, she turned to her side, looking out her window. There were no stars, no moon, no clouds...all of it was simply a vast cave of emptiness. It made her feel terribly alone and disillusioned. Even if she could bear a child, she wouldn't save the world. She wouldn't save Voltulorians or humans. She wouldn't save archangels.

And Altair...Altair would be gone. She sat up, shaking from the thought. A world where he didn't exist, protecting her and answering her questions seemed impossible. The thought was enough to send her into sorrow.

A knock at her door made her look over. "Yes? Come in."

When Altair walked through the door, part of her was surprised. It was rare that he came to see her at night, but here he was, looking particularly perplexed tonight.

"Altair?"

He walked toward her, taking a seat on her bed in front of her. His large, regal brows furrowed as he remained quiet. "I heard you sit up. I thought you could use some company. I must ask, would you like to see the Duke again?"

She wasn't expecting that, but even worse, she wasn't expecting Altair not to look at her. She shook her head, moving to her knees. "No, I don't. Are you alright? What is wrong?"

He looked at her then. Standing up, he reached for her shoes and long coat that were hanging in her closet. "Do you have enough energy for one more adventure today?"

Her eyes brightened with mischief. "But it's late. You never take me out after the sun sets."

He was quick to lead her out of her room, where she watched the other archangels stand at attention as usual. She turned. "Wait, are they not coming with us? They always come with us."

Up until their moment in the woods, she was accompanied always by her brigade of at least four other archangels. Altair always said it was a precaution.

"Not this time. We will only be a minute."

"Then let them sleep? I feel as if all of you never sleep. If you are going to escort me alone, at least relieve them. We have a busy day tomorrow."

Altair's eyebrow cocked as his jaw clicked. Without looking at the other males, he nodded. "You heard the maiden."

She laughed at how they all scattered to their rooms, Malachi staying a bit longer to say thank you to her. "But what about you, Altair?"

He didn't respond as he led her out of the palace and into the familiar woods. She was confused about where they were going, her book stuffed in her hands until they reached that familiar tall, old tree. Her eyes widened as the archangel moved away from where he brought her.