Above the Winter Skies [English Version]

19

I choked on my own saliva for a moment. I had to cough, and during this time, Luxvera watched me closely. I realized she had a very sharp, observant gaze, and I understood that this Seraphima was someone to be dealt with carefully—she would surely see through any deceit.

But that was not what I wanted to do. "How... how do you come to that conclusion?" I managed to croak out once I had regained my breath. I didn't want to be rude, but the question was completely absurd.

I should hurt Cassiel? If anything, it would probably be the other way around. In fact, it already was, in a way. But I didn't voice that. I kept the details of our arrangement to myself, even though it was pretty clear who had the upper hand between us. Just the leather band around my neck, his mark, spoke volumes. He had branded me as his property.

Luxvera regarded me for another moment with her sharp, golden eyes before saying, "I just want to be sure. Do you like him?"

"Do I...?" The question caught me so off guard that I nearly choked again, but then I closed my eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. "Yes, I like him," I finally admitted, though I was reluctant to say it even to myself. "Very much, actually. But does it matter?"

"Why shouldn't it matter?" Luxvera pressed. She furrowed her brow.

I let out a humorless laugh. "Because I'm human," I said. My voice trembled. I could hardly believe we were having this conversation. And suddenly, I was angry. It was the angels who set all these absurd rules. They were the ones who labeled us as mere dust souls and decided that we were worth less than they were, simply because we were mortal, and that we could never enter their realm while they were now traveling through ours. It was the angels who employed us as servants on their gigantic ships and tossed us out when they no longer needed us, as apparently happened with Raelyn. And now this Seraphima had the audacity to accuse me of potentially exploiting Cassiel? That was exactly what she was implying.

I involuntarily clenched my fists.

Luxvera must have sensed my anger, but she didn't address it. Instead, she leaned forward and placed a hand on my arm.

"For me, it doesn't matter who or what you are," she said gently. Her voice sounded almost like purring. "You seem to make him happy, and that's what matters to me. Cassiel hasn't had an easy time lately, but since you've been here, he seems more relaxed. I think he really likes you, and I wanted you to know that. And that you are aware of the responsibility that comes with it. Please, don't hurt him."

I didn't know what to respond. I had so many sharp retorts on the tip of my tongue, but I swallowed them down. You couldn't talk to an angel like that, but I wondered what she expected from me. Cassiel was happy since I arrived? Probably more sexually satisfied. Maybe Luxvera was confusing things. And even if she wasn't—what did it change?

Our little affair was insignificant; it had an expiration date. By tomorrow, we would land in Alpenholm, and by then, I could disembark, and it would all be over. And even if I stayed until Araboth—what then? No matter how much I liked the Seraph, I would never be allowed to set foot there. Cassiel would disappear in Araboth, I would board the next ship, return to Irdysia, and never see him again. A bitter taste settled on my tongue.

This whole conversation was pointless. Yet, Luxvera's words kept circling in my mind, even long after she had said goodbye and I had joined Nova in the hot spring.

Despite everything, we enjoyed our day together and tried everything the Mist Gallery had to offer. It wasn't until Michael crossed our path in the evening, who didn't speak to us but stared with equally lecherous and contemptuous looks until we eventually retrieved our clothes and made our exit.