The Archangel's Search

My soul doth tell my body that he may triumph in love - W. Shakespeare

Seraphina

It was 3 days after her wedding. Seraphina sat in her common clothes in an outdoor tavern in a town just outside the Gloria.

The mission was a success. She and her soldiers were lead to an abandoned town where they found a ritual site. After waiting for a day, the witch returned and Seraphina made her talk…before she killed her. Her soldiers followed the other trails and by their smug looks, she knew that their own missions were a success.

She took with her 4 half-god soldiers to command their small army. Aaron was determined to come and did not want to be left with administration stuff back at the Gloria. Naturally, Angela wanted to follow where Henry went and Henry did not want to leave Angela in the presence of her growing number of admirers. Eve’s older sister, Celestine made up the last member of Seraphina’s team.

When the other three got up to get more drinks, Celestine brushed away a strand from her auburn pixie hair and focused her green eyes on Seraphina with concern. It was the look that she always had on when Seraphina and Eve got into mischief. This time it was edged with pity…pity for Seraphina’s forced marriage.

None of her angels dared to talk about Moses; it was a sensitive topic and one that bought confusion to all of them. Seraphina knew that Aaron, her second, did not care for Moses nor did he ever had any pleasure in being in Moses’ company but the fact that he was associated with some dark angels maddened Aaron’s wisdom.

“You have not spoken about Lord Michael”, she stated in her deep, wise voice. Seraphina noted a tinge of hatred when Celestine said ‘Michael’. “You make excuses to delay our return. Did he do anything? Like forced himself on you like an cunt.” Damn the daughter of Athena for seeing right through her but her statement did make Seraphina’s frown lessen with her profanity.

The displeasure on Celestine’s face showed that she was willing to return Michael’s previous favour with her own justice. Seraphina would’ve done that if she was close to being de-winged.

“No”, Seraphina answered moodily, demonstrating that she was in no mood to talk about her husband nor acknowledge the significance of the gold ring on her left hand. “Nothing…and I’m not trying to delay my return. I just see that we have tasks to do.”

Celestine did not look convinced and dropped the matter. “You do not need to mother me, Celestine”, Seraphina said softly. “I can look after myself.”

“I know”, Celestine said. “But you do not need to hide…especially from him. Even though he is our High Lord now…unfortunately.”

“I’m not hiding from the murderer”, Seraphina spat. “I’m just trying to delay the inevitable.”

“Which is…?”

“I did not tell him about my three day outing”, Seraphina answered before eating a few almonds. “And I just left him without an explanation.”

A look of shock appeared on Celestine’s face. “So you just…left?”

Seraphina nodded and averted her eyes elsewhere to prevent herself from seeing the fear in Celestine’s eyes. “He will be mad!”

“Yes…I think that will be one of the emotions that he will be feeling”, Seraphina replied sarcastically.

An uncomfortable silence settled in before Celestine sighed and said, “You can move in with me. You two may be married but that doesn’t mean you have to live with him.”

“We will be a source for great gossip and I don’t think his pride will allow that”, Seraphina said bitterly. Given the chance, she would definitely move in with Celestine and Evangeline while she privately provide Michael’s guilt but she knew her husband will drag her back home to his palace regardless.