A Cloak Of Feathers

Chapter 10 -Forbidden

The room, bathed in moonlight allows me to see the glint of my three daggers on the bedside table. Next to them, Azrael lay asleep, white sheets bunched around his waist. The blue haze of the moon illuminates his body like it was carved from marble. My eyes trail from the shadow of his sharp jaw to the supple muscles of his torso. A slight blush creeps up my neck as I force myself to look away, Hushing the butterflies that flutter in my stomach. I step soundlessly towards the bedside table, my soft footed steps from years of hunting ghallows in the forest. My  breath catches in my throat as I lift a single dagger, It hovers only inches from his bare, moonlit skin. My white knuckled hand shakes as I stare at his full lashed closed eyes and his mouth parted just slightly. His chest rising and falling so gently, so peacefully. How could I destroy something so beautiful?

Do it, kill him. His kind can't be trusted. I toss the daggers to the ground in shock, horrified at my actions. They clatter to the floor as I fall to my knees. You are so weak. The voice in my head screams in my ear. Pearly tears trek down my cheeks like morning dew rolling off a leaf.

A warm hand reaches out, caressing the pain that stains my face. The hand trails down my neck, across my collarbone, resting upon my bare shoulder. I shiver, sparks of blue flicker under his touch. Fingers curl around my upper arm, pulling me closer. I cave in, allowing him to draw me to him like a moth to a lamp. My heartbeat drums in time with his butterfly kisses that lace my neck.

"What are you doing?" I gasp, pulling away. "We can't." Azrael looks down at me with hooded eyes, his ivory wings flare behind him. Within the darkness of the room, I notice a faint glow around his head, a glint of a halo. I reach out to touch it, only finding the silky waves of his ebony locks.

"Why not?" Azrael's voice is low and husky, almost daring. He leans into my hand until my palm is resting against his cheek. I shake my head, going against every fibre in my body that wants to stay. Pulling away, I wriggle out from under him.

"Don't leave," He urges, it was almost a demand. Azrael grabs my wrist, pulling me in once again. Suddenly, he lets go abruptly, wide eyed in shock.

"What is that?" He stares at my scar that glows brightly in the darkness.

"Nothing," I mutter defensively, covering my wrist. I back away until I feel the cold wall behind me. "I- I'm sorry," I stammer weakly, turning to run out of the room.
I run down the hall until I stop still at the granite door that prevents me from escape. I hadn't thought this far through. I lean against it, sliding to the floor, wondering if I could break a window instead.

"You forgot this," a voice murmurs in the darkness.

Azrael's hand reaches out, placing cold daggers on my lap.

He lifts my chin, tilting it up to face him, only inches away.
"I trust you" He utters softly, his voice warm and deep. Azrael breaks our locked gaze to push against the granite door, swinging it open.

"You don't have to stay. You can go back to your old life if you choose." Azrael beckons to the forest beyond the meadow. A flicker of emotion crosses his face before he becomes unreadable and guarded.

My eyes widen as I look through open door, leading to the moon lit meadow. I could see Ma again, I could leave.

"But remember this Keira, the moment you leave, Zaronia's fate will be sealed." Azrael warns darkly, turning my wrist over, exposing my glowing scar. "Whatever this is, it means you are meant for something, something bigger than all of this. But it doesn't have to be your fate. You can run away while you still can, you can escape with your loved ones, live a normal life." His voice softens, "this is a second chance." He looks deeply into my eyes as if searching for an answer.