To Love a Celestial

Chapter Twenty-One: A Meeting

Raden woke from a dreamless sleep to what he thought was a knock. He listened carefully for a few seconds but there was nothing there.

A cool breeze danced through the curtains into the silent bedroom. A shiver ran through Raden and he burrowed deeper into the mountain of blankets. He felt someone shift next to him and a delicate touch to his chest. Raden looked over to see Azrael peacefully sleeping. He smiled as he moved a piece of hair from her face.

Last night was anything Raden could have dreamed up, and he would do it again. He thought back to how she felt in his hands. How her skin was softer than butter and how she sang for him. He ran a thumb over her cheek and leaned over to kiss her forehead. She was his and he wouldn't let anything happen to her.

Azrael's eyes fluttered open and she scrunched her nose. Raden's thumb must have tickled her skin.

"Morning, beautiful," Raden said.

She smiled tiredly and stretched. "What time is..."

A knock on the door startled Azrael. Raden's attention snapped to the door. So he hadn't imagined that first knock. Azrael threw on a robe before Raden could react and answered the door. A servant handed her a letter without a word and left.

"What's that?"

Azrael shook her head and handed the letter to Raden. "Not sure."

Raden broke the seal and opened the letter. Azrael stood in front of him nervously watching and waiting.

Dear Raden,

My apologies for the interruption. Your dear master, Merikh, is insisting on a meeting with you. Meet us in my private study.

                                                                                                                                                                -Lorcán

"Shit," Raden whispered under his breath. He groaned and tossed the blankets away to hurriedly dress. Azrael felt the heat rise to her cheeks as she averted her gaze elsewhere. Raden walked over and gently grabbed her chin. "I'll be back later."

"What was in the letter?"

Raden sighed, "Merikh wants a meeting." He saw Azrael's eyebrows knit together. Worry began to wash over her. Raden grabbed her shoulders. "Breathe Azrael. Just stay here for now until I get back and we'll figure out what to do next."

Azrael nodded and sat on the edge of the bed. Raden kissed the top of her head and silently left. The letter was left crumpled on the floor.

~~~*~~~

Raden marched through the castle in a rush. He knew what this would be about and he was preparing for the worst. What he pulled last night was enough to send Merikh over the edge, and boy did he ever.

"Here goes nothing," he mumbled to himself as he ascended the stairs. Nothing would save him now if Merikh wanted to kill him.

He made his way up the stairs each step more challenging than the last. His feet felt like lead and his wings weighed him down. The closer he was to the office the more his body was fighting against him. One last step. One last deep breath. He entered the office.

Lorcán was sitting calmly behind his desk quietly talking. Merikh had his back to the door as he was deep in conversation. As Raden walked in, Lorcán's attention shifted to Raden and Merikh turned in his seat.

"Lorcán." Lorcán nodded and Raden glanced over at his master. "Merikh." His master's name was laced with poison and resentment as he spoke.

Merikh silently stood, dusting off invisible specks. He casually strolled over to Raden as if there wasn't a care in the world and without warning his hand connected with Raden's cheek. Raden was thrown off balance and he instinctively grabbed his stinging cheek. Merikh harshly grabbed a fist full of Raden's hair and pulled so that Raden was forced to meet his harsh soulless eyes. "You're a pathetic disappointment," Merikh spat. So much hatred in those words.