The Archangel's Search

Hell is empty and all the devils are here - W. Shakespeare

Seraphina

His deep laugh sent traitorous butterflies through her and in the end, Seraphina couldn’t stop the smile that surfaced on her face. Michael must’ve seen that she was no longer angry at him and so he moved closer towards her. His fresh manly scent hit her and her traitorous nose and lungs attempted to breathe in as much as they could.

His hands twitched as if they were deciding whether to touch her or not. He had been cold towards her since she confessed that her marriage will be closer than anticipated. She hated this hostility between them but knew that it was right to have it in place so that she could be a loyal wife to Moses. After spending several hours ignoring each other, Seraphina thought it wouldn’t hurt to just look at his handsome face…just this once before Moses become her sun and moon.

She frowned when she noticed that Michael didn’t shave this morning or get a haircut. He looked so different from the clean cut police officer in the diner. Despite the fact that he was smiling, Seraphina noticed how weak it was and how his eyes were a stormy blue. Her heart ached at the pain that she was causing him. Truly she didn’t anticipate Michael popping into her life.

Attempting to regain her control, Seraphina said, “I heard that you will be leaving us after we reach the Gloria”.

That did it. The second she said that, Michael’s blue eyes froze and his jaws went rigid.

“Indeed”, he answered curtly. “There is nothing left for me at the Gloria.”

“I’m sure there is…” Seraphina pushed but inside, she didn’t know why she was trying to keep him close.

 Stop it, stop it, she cursed herself. You are to be married in less than two days.

“I hope you will accept my apologies for missing your wedding. It will be a wonderful event I’m sure but my soldiers across the desert calls for me.” Michael didn’t sound sorry at all. In fact, he sounded relieved to be away from her, which shook Seraphina’s heart.

Without further words, he bowed and quickly walked out of the stable.

######

Michael

It was dark up on the High Mountains. Juno had decorated the great hall of his estate with small candles and the famous High Mountain’s blue roses to celebrate Seraphina and Moses’ marriage the next day. Everyone was happy and singing. Every second someone would toast to the engaged couple. Everyone was in a festival mood…except Michael.

In his famous white and gold tunic, Michael stood in the shadow, refusing to participate in the festivity and paid only his goblet of wine more attention than a passing acquaintance or a female angel who gave him a lingering look. He watched as Seraphina laughed heartily when someone joked and blushed when someone commented on her beauty. At that moment, Michael was willing to do anything to take Moses’ place and have Seraphina’s hands circled around his neck.

How he wished that so much! If he was Moses, he wouldn’t remain in the hall feasting. Rather, he would take Seraphina away to a private corner while all the guests were busy getting drunk and devouring themselves in gluttony. Such irony, Michael snorted. Angels participating in drunken festivity…how bloody ridiculous. 

Michael stumbled as he moved towards a tankard and refilled. The other angels were too interested in the party to notice the great Archangel Michael losing his composure. Once his goblet was filled to the brim, he stomached the whole content in one go and refilled again. The pain in Michael’s heart increased and he drank more and more wine to soften the blow.