The Above || Completed

32 The Beginning

Quin was one of the most radiant women in her neighbourhood. It wasn't just her beauty. Her lush chocolate hair that smelled of vanilla. Her flawless smile combined with that fire in her wide, blue eyes.
These weren't the only things that made her so magnificent. In fact, most believed that her heart was pure enough to put all that in second place. She was compassionate and trustworthy. Above all, she was a free spirit, totally independent.

When Quin was twenty-two years old, she decided to go out and get a job. She was incredibly talented in most areas but if there was one thing she was best at, it had to be crafts. Quin aspired to be a crafter since she was a little girl. She particularly liked to craft ice. As expected, Quin got a job at an ice-crafter's workshop. She started out as a snowflake crafter and, over time, she proceeded to decorative work for functions and simple home decor.

The day she met Luziel, Quin was finishing off the sculpture of angel wings he'd ordered from her boss. It was one of the most demanding and time consuming sculptures she'd ever had to craft in her entire career. The wings weren't big at all but Luziel had specifically asked for maximum intricacy.
Quin was admiring her brilliant piece of work when Luziel strode into the workshop. Luziel was a tall man. His posture made him appear quite proud but he had incredibly humble eyes. His white-blonde hair somehow contrasted with his standard snow-white skin. There was nothing remarkable about this man but Quin thought him intriguing nonetheless.

"Afternoon, sir," Quin said casually.
Luziel's eyes fell upon Quin first and then the sculpture.
"Afternoon, Miss..." he trailed off in an attempt to learn her name.
"Griffin. Quin Griffin." Quin smiled that breathtaking smile. "I assume you're Mister Zeph?"
"I prefer to go by my first name. Luziel," he said curtly.
"Of course," Quin said, nodding.
"I've just finished it off," she added, referring to the sculpture.
Luziel admired the wings. "They don't overestimate your abilities, Quin. These wings could be real."
"Thank you," Quin responded, honestly flattered.
"Where did you learn to craft like this?" Luziel enquired, stepping closer to the craft.
Quin shrugged. "It's a gift, I suppose."
"I see." He chuckled, low and appealing. "I don't suppose you could teach me?"
Quin felt a little surprised. "Excuse me?"
"Well, I have a passion for craft and it would be useful if I could craft things for myself," Luziel explained matter-of-factly. "Also, it'd be nice if we could see each other again."
Quin stayed silent, with her big, blue eyes staring into that of the man standing in front of her. And in that moment, she could've sworn she'd seen a bronze glint overtake his irises...

"That could be arranged," she said.
Luziel grinned. "Great. Will you walk outside with me?"
Quin nodded and they exited the workshop with Luziel carrying his pair of angel wings. For a long time they simply stood in the garden of muted flowers outside the workshop and just before he left, Luziel took a leap of faith and kissed Quin quickly and softly. So that her heart fluttered and she fell as instantly in love with him as he had with her.

^^^

As time went by, Quin and Luziel spent the majority of their time together. Luziel never revealed too much about his past, and Quin only found it fitting to wait until he was ready to do so. He was self-employed, running an art gallery in which he mostly displayed ice sculptures and artifacts that were rumoured to be authentic pieces of angelic history.
"Are they?" Quin inquired one day when Luziel had invited her to browse through the gallery.
He merely gave a cryptic shrug. "Suppose they could be."
Luziel was terrified to find out how Quin could react to who he really was. What he really was. What if all it did was chase her away? He could not believe he'd given her this much power to break his heart.

After a year, Luziel decided it was time to face the music. He went to visit Quin in her apartment one night and she invited him in with a broad grin dancing upon her lips. He couldn't resist the compelling temptation of her smile, so he kissed her profoundly in greeting. This caused Quin's grin to soften. Her deep brown hair was thrown over her left shoulder, curling delicately at the tips. She wore a beautiful white dress, woven carefully with the finest cloud silks. One of the many gifts she'd received from Luziel during their time together. Luziel achingly noticed the way the dress hugged Quin's flawless curves.

Quin playfully raised one eyebrow at him as they sat side by side on Quin's bed. "Why've you come to visit so suddenly?"
"I needed to see you," Luziel said.
"We said goodbye less than two hours ago." Quin laughed.
Luziel sat up straighter. "I know. But there's something we need to talk about."
She suddenly looked a little panic-stricken. "What is it, Luziel? You aren't acting like yourself."
"I don't think words will be enough, love." He gave her a tender look that made his eyes appear as limitless as the night sky above them.
Luziel took Quin's hand and planted a kiss upon it as though to reassure her before getting to his feet. He took off the shirt he was wearing, revealing his broad, muscular back to Quin, who admittedly couldn't help blushing. Despite all the time they'd already spent together, there had only been rare occasions where she'd beheld him in his entirety. She didn't expect that he'd come here for-
"Relax, Quin. Don't assume anything," Luziel said seriously, although she could tell that he allowed himself a smirk.
Quin merely nodded, even though his back was turned to her.

Luziel's wings flourished from his back, engulfed in glorious flames. Quin had to squint to see past the bright light until the fire put itself out. She gasped at the sight before her inexperienced eyes. Luziel stretched his wings out gracefully, the colossal, seemingly heavy feathers barely making a sound. His wings were almost as white and as brilliant as her silk dress, but that was a lowly understatement. There was nothing that could be compared to the majesty of these wings. The only word to put to them, too, felt like an understatement; they were breathtaking. Slowly, Luziel turned around to face Quin. His azure eyes were now alight with gold and his body was glowing softly. He certainly looked divine. Both of them held each other's gaze in shocked silence. Quin had just grasped the reality that she was in love with an angel. That she had been for the past year of her life.
"Luziel," she whispered in awe.
His voice was resonant and warm. "I'm sorry, Quin. I was worried it would be too much for you."
Quin was absolutely stunned, but she found it had no effect on how much she loved him. He was still Luziel. This was yet another characteristic to put to his name. She loved him all the same.

She moved closer to this ethereal man standing before her. The love of her life. First she stared into his golden-blue eyes that still swirled with his love for her. Then she reached out to brush his wing.
"Can I?" she asked.
Luziel nodded.
She stroked the wings that cradled them both. The feathers were light and velvety to the touch. Delicate, firm and strong. Eventually, Luziel had to remove Quin's hands from his wings.
"Sorry." She breathed, smiling a little. She was enchanted.
Luziel chuckled and lowered his head to kiss the top of hers. "No need to apologize. I admit, it felt good."
Quin giggled and wrapped her arms around Luziel, watching the room light up and then dim as he concealed his wings once more.

^^^

!!Author's Note!!

I hope you guys enjoyed that romantic trip through the past. Quin and Luziel are my goals in  life. In the next chapter, a lot more will be revealed. Stay tuned.

Oh, I hope you guys are liking the new cover! Any thoughts about it? I'm hoping to keep that cover on for good but it would be a great help to have your opinions.
S/o to for his support and opinion.

Thanks. Leave your votes and comments accordingly. Till next time!

☺️