My Eros Angel

Chapter Nine

He was tending to the prayers. Walking amongst the effervescence branches and running his hand along the silver lines, picking out prayers and offering them upwards. They would leave his fingertips and float, slowly disappearing as they reach the treetops.

I was only passing. It was but a second. A second glance to the left and I caught sight of him. His eyes were closed and his face smooth. His glowing wings draped down his back, moving softly with him as he walked. His lips parted slightly, and he lowered his head, running his hand along the prayers and choosing another.

I was entranced.

The moment did not last long. Perhaps he felt my eyes on him, for he glanced over his shoulder, directly towards me. I quickly looked away and continued along my original path.

The following day I dared not look to the prayer trees. I feared I would be left staring at his beauty and forget myself again. I did not understand. Why was he so... mesmerizing? He moved with such delicateness. We all do, I suppose. But he moved with a softness I had not seen before. Maybe it was the Archangels company I usually keep. There is a rigidness to the position, more so than perhaps the one tending prayers.

But I did look again. The memory of the first glance kept replaying in my mind, the details of his face, his skin, the way he moved his pale fingers through the glowing lines. I chose a pillar nearby to allow extra seconds of watchful admiration. When he moved further into the dense prayer forest and was no longer in my view, I turned away in disappointment.

Today, as I watch him stroll through the hanging leaves, I move carefully so I can see him more clearly. I want nothing to obstruct my view of this creature. His hair is golden like the rays of sunlight that dance along the Earth's surface. His pale skin glitters in an ethereal glow as he moves through the trees, his wings shimmering in their splendor. He is a wonderful mystery to me. When did the Creator make this being? Why did he make him so...beautifully?

I watch for as long as he is in my view. I turn away and begin my way under the orchard arch, remembering the soft lines of his face in the glow of the prayers and the small smile my heart fluttered at today.

As I come out of the arch, he is there. The beautiful creature stands before me, his eyes watching me intently.

"Hello," he says, taking a step towards me.

I am shocked for a moment, taking a surprised step back and opening my mouth twice before a word tumbles out.

"Hello."

He glances down at my seraph blade tied to my side. "Are you to be a warrior?" He speaks slowly, his voice smooth with a melodic sweetness.

I search his face as I answer, "yes, I am in line to be an Archangel."

His face lifts and the corners of his mouth turn upwards, "oh, they train very hard."

I nod my head.

Silence follows as we watch each other carefully.

"Tomorrow, will you talk with me?" he asks. My heart skips at his request and a warming shiver sweeps through me.

"Okay," is all I can summon. He turns as if to leave, before stopping and speaking once more.

"My name is Eros."

***

"Eros!" I wander down the path between the hanging tendrils as Eros drops his arm from the silver lines and smiles warmly at my approach.