The Archangel's Search

Is this a dagger which I see before me? - W. Shakespeare

Seraphina was finally appointed Commander and she was unusually busy. Michael had a feeling that she was trying to avoid him, embarrassed about him seeing her dream. Every time Michael was sure she was in her office, he would find it empty and the large bay windows open.

Finally, Raphael announced that they should return to the Gloria and he had appointed his daughter to make the necessary arrangements from security to food. It was a heavy job and at the meeting, she took it on without protest. She did not ask for help and so Michael decided to drop into her office unexpectedly to provide her with his own advice. After all, Michael was once Commander of all the angels and he knew the best way to travel from a strong hold to the Gloria.

Pushing the double doors to the office aside, he found her leaning over a large map with her markings here and there. She looked up at him with annoyance and said, “I would prefer that you knock next time-”

“And give you enough time to hide from me?” he interrupted and smirked when she flinched a bit. “I have come to help you with the arrangements. I believe that it is best that we take my usual route around the mountains. It is too cold for fast travel.”

“Your usual route is no longer safe, Michael”, she countered. “I would rather avoid guiding a whole strong hold through the Green Forest. I do not trust the likes of Brother Boromir and his weak heart. These are different times, Michael, and Brother Juno is loyal and he will be expecting us at his residence in the mountains.”

“As will his son”, Michael muttered to himself, which earned him a glare from Seraphina.

Michael paused for a bit to admire the unfamiliarity of his office. He took his time to look around his once sanctuary and saw that it was neater, cleaner, more airy and welcoming; he wouldn’t want to leave. The wall behind Seraphina was covered in ancient books and there were gargets around the room that acted like exotic wind chimes. Michael loved it. He loved how HIS woman added minor touches that made such a great difference.

Turning back to Seraphina, Michael realised that while he was distracted, she hid her plans and arrangements and looked at him squarely. “Will that be all, soldier?”

“I wish to be amongst your men when we travel”, Michael answered.

Here, she smiled gleefully and said, “Because you are a novice, you and your friends will be travelling in the centre…with the other children.” It was Michael’s turn to glare at her, which made her grin bigger.

“Everything has been arranged. There is no need for you to worry yourself”, replied Seraphina before she looked up at the great clock hanging opposite of her, which said that the time was noon. “I believe naptime for you is in a few minutes.”

“What about you?” asked Michael, choosing to ignore her naptime remark. Damn naptime

“That is for me to know and you to go along with it”, responded Seraphina. “That will be all, soldier.” With a flick of her fingers, the double doors open and she pointed the exit out for him. Michael flicked his own fingers and the double doors closed.

“I wasn’t done”, he said lowly before he smirked again. “So…you find me handsome?” She narrowed her eyes at him but did not respond. He continued to smile as his mate become more and more uncomfortable in his presence.

Finally, she decided to ignore the archangel and return to her paper work. Michael sat down to watch her and admire her as her face scrunched up in concentration. Within seconds, she was in her own world, working and marking something off with her elegant eagle quill. Occasionally, she would go and retrieve a book and buried herself in it; still ignoring Michael.