Above the Winter Skies [English Version]

21

When I woke up the next morning, wrapped naked in the thin sheets, Cassiel was already gone. However, a bouquet of white peonies stood on the nightstand next to me, emitting a captivating fragrance. I pressed my nose into the soft blossoms, inhaled deeply, and let out a sigh. Peonies didn't grow in Hjartvik, nor did other flowers. They were only imported for special occasions, mainly for the Ice Flower Market Festival, which took place each year on the day when the temperatures first reached freezing point and it didn't stay as cold for a few weeks. It was one of our biggest holidays, alongside the winter solstice, and the village was decorated elaborately every year. But the plants were so precious that I rarely got to see, let alone smell, them up close. However, I was almost certain that they didn't smell nearly as intense as the flowers I had encountered on the Aetheria.

I sank back into the pillows and stared at the canopy ceiling above me. Cassiel being gone in the morning was no longer unusual. Despite being on vacation, he seemed to have a lot on his plate. But the fact that he had flowers arranged on the nightstand was new, and I couldn't help but wonder what it meant. Were the peonies for me? Or were they just simple decorations with no deeper meaning? Had Cassiel arranged them, or was it one of the servants who placed them there without the angel's knowledge?

I only knew one thing: the roses made my heart flutter, a foolish feeling I didn't want to feel. I quickly brushed it aside and instead thought about the previous evening, the outing to the tavern, which made me blush with embarrassment yet made my heart beat faster at the same time. Even though I would never be able to set foot in that place again, it had been fun. And afterwards, in Cassiel's chamber, it wasn't over. But there it had been different... Quieter. More tender. I thought about his warm hands freeing me from all the bindings, how they stroked over my skin, how Cassiel covered my body with gentle kisses and whispered tender words in my ear until I came, again and again. And how much time he had taken with all of it, as if there were only the two of us in the world.

I felt my thoughts drifting again in a direction I didn't like, and I sat up decisively. I realized I was on the verge of developing feelings for the Seraph, if I wasn't already lying to myself. In truth, they were obviously already there, even though I wasn't ready to admit how deep they were. I convinced myself it was only the physical attraction I felt, combined with a hint of affection, and that was healthy. After all, we were sleeping together, and I had to trust him; it would have been bad if I didn't at least feel some sympathy for him.

But I wasn't like Avah. I wouldn't fall in love with a Seraph just to have my heart ripped out; I wasn't that foolish.

I got up and made my way to the pantry, where a lavish breakfast awaited me every morning. The thought of having to eat it alone again today gave me a painful pang, and I couldn't do anything about it. Wrapped in the sheet, I sank into my seat and let my gaze glide over all the fine dishes, but I hardly had any appetite. I was hungry, yes, and I reached for a thin slice of bread, but I had no real desire to eat. Dutifully, I spread a thin layer of butter on the slice and took a bite, but I could hardly taste anything. What was wrong with me? In Hjartvik, I had always had an appetite; this feeling was new to me.

Only after I had forced down a few bites did I notice a piece of paper next to a bowl of oranges. Frowning, I reached for it and unfolded it. In fine, neat handwriting, long, narrow letters slanting slightly to the right, there was a note – and it was clearly meant for me.

"Good morning, Snow Kitten. I hope you slept well. I have something special planned for you tonight, and I want you to be ready at six o'clock sharp. You'll find the clothes for it in the top cupboard. Until then, you may amuse yourself with your friends, but if I hear you haven't behaved, I'll have to put you over my knee."