Desiderium

Dreiunddreißig

Ira

I woke up with an empty space beside me where Raphael slept earlier, I run my finger against the sheets and it is still warm under my hand, sign he just woke up too.

I look at the door to see that it there is a small gap, maybe he went to the kitchen?

But there is this uneasy feeling in my gut, I am close of forgiving him since Bedivere proved that it wasn't him who did that with a maid.

I get up from the bed and wear my robe, I need to look for him, I don't know what's really my reason but I need to ease this paranoia.

I don't want to end up like Hellios.

Vampire senses are strong and keen, even though it's meters away, we can hear even a faint rustle of the tree branch, the howl of the wolves in the forest and the talking voices of the people.

This time, I can hear Ire and Raphael's voices, I can also sense they are in the garden.

I grew impatient so I willed myself to teleport into the garden.

I arrived at the actual scene where I saw Raphael is trying to heal Lilith, my hollow heart is almost ceased from beating, I remained frozen to the ground as I watch the scene unfold before me.

I don't know but I never felt again this way, not until the death of my late husband, but Diarmuid never turned to look st another woman.

Raphael why..

They didn't noticed as I was there, because I am hiding under a tree, but I can see Raphael stroking the hair of Lilith softly, how he cradle her body in his arms.

My eyes are getting blurry from the tears, does he still love her all these years?

She is a succubus. A demon for pete's sake! Is it normal for an angel to heal it?

The two of them turned to my direction when I accidentally stepped into a stray tree branch and it scrunched under my feet.

Raphael's eyes widened then he dropped Lilith's body on the ground, the demoness regained consciousness and then she disappeared into a smoke.

I stiffened as I step back, then I run away, Raphael caught my arm immediately then he pulled me into an embrace.

I squirm and thrash "Let me go, you filthy cheater!" I screamed as I slapped him back and forth.

"Ira it's not cheating, I am just healing her." He said, with a calm voice.

I pushed him off me, then I narrowed my eyes at him "It's a demon, you're healing it, is it under your law to heal your enemies?"

Raphael's eyes lowered into the ground, guilt flashed into his face as he lift his head to look at me "I'm sorry, I guess she is still the crack in my armor after all those years."

That's it, I've heard enough.

I pulled my lips into the most cruel smirk I can muster as I take off the ring out of my finger then I take his hand and put the ring on his palm.

His eyes widened in shocked, pain is in their depths, but I don't really care that time, all I wanted is a moment of tranquility and I couldn't find it here.

"Ira! Please let me have a chance!" He begged on his knees, but my tears ceased flowing and the only thing I can feel is voidness.

I pry his arms away and I willed myself again to teleport into the place where no one could find me.
---

Months later....

Raziel

We watch as uncle Raphael being a mess when mom left him, literally and emotionally, the sign of giving the ring back to him means she cut off their engagement.

He drowned himself in liquor and not even returning back to Heaven anymore, he told Rosa to let Archangel Ariel to be his substitute leader of the Virtues.

He is always drunk, he didn't even bother cutting his hair nor shaving, he is a total mess.

Nuriel is just being quiet all the time as he observe his father, Bedivere and Adramalech seems busy these days too.

I sighed as I try to pull the liquor bottle off uncle Raphael's hands "Uncle please stop it."

He just chuckled ruefully as he try to take the liquor bottle back to him "No, give that back to me, I am such an idiot. I let Lilith deceived me again."

Nuriel step in between us then he slapped his own father across the face.

I am so shocked, his slapped is so loud that even the servants stopped to what they're doing.

Uncle Raphel didn't expect that too, the liquor bottle he is holding fell on the ground with a shattering sound.

He turned to Nuriel with a confused reaction "N-Nuriel.."

"Is that all you'll gonna do?! That won't bring back Ira here in the palace!" He hissed, Nuriel is fuming in anger.

A pain flashed acrossed uncle Raphael's features "S-she hates me---"

"Then make her love you again! Would you let someone like Lilith to ruin your relarionship again this time?! Do you want history to repeat itself once again?! I love Ira like a mother, she has been always a mother to me. She accepted who I am and what I am." Nuriel glared at uncle Raphael "Unlike that sorry excuse of a mother who asked a demon to torture me, Ira is different. If you don't get her back here, I would be hating you forever." And that said he left uncle Raphael with a baffled reaction.

I noticed a pair of eyes watching us and I saw Ire standing in the corner, I didn't noticed her because of her dark dress that blends in the dimness.

"N-Nuriel is right.. I won't mess this up again, I shall bring Ira back here." I smiled a little when I see a new resolve in his eyes.

I nodded and patted his shoulder "But first--"

"But first you need to fix yourself, Lord Raphael." Adra interrupted us while holding a fresh towel in his arms and a pair of noble clothes.

I chuckled "Adramelech is my wardrobe assistant, he knows what's good outfit is for you, uncle."

Uncle Raphael's frustrated reaction returned "I don't even know where I can find her, i-it's pointless."

"Maybe I could tell you if you prove to me you are worthy of her, Archangel."

And there we see Ire walking towards us with an envelope in her hand, the seal is kind of familiar.

Uncle Raphael's jaw hardened "I don't have time for your games---"

"Then I won't tell where Ira is, you choose." She stated in a flat tone.

Uncle let out a sighed of defeat "Tell me what should I do?"

I don't think this would be an easy task, Ire's lips pulled into a cruel smirk as she hide the envelope inside the pockets of her dress.

"Wake up early tomorrow morning and meet me in the garden of Fianna, I will give you your first task."

She said then she walked away, I heard Adra chuckled "She is an amusing woman isn't?"

I nodded reluctantly "Uhm.. Yeah.. Kind of?"
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