The Angel's Fate

Chapter 3

“I can’t believe you’re really here!” Robin exclaims, running toward me. He wraps his bare arms around me, pulling me into the most glorious hug I’ve ever experienced.

I return the hug, throwing my arms around his waist enthusiastically. I bury my face in his chest, breathing in his scent. He smells like the morning rain on a field of lilacs.

Immediately, the static electricity between us starts swirling about like green lightning. I feel the tingling of the magic growing between us as it crawls up my arms and over my skin. This phenomenon has happened since we were kids, every time we touch. But we have never been able to find out why. For now, I just bask in the wonderful and magical sensation that he causes.

It takes a few moments, but Robin finally breaks the embrace and places his hands on my shoulders, pushing me away slightly so he can look me in the eye. I can’t control my heartbeat anymore when those green eyes bore into my soul. It’s beating faster than a hummingbird’s after a triple espresso.

Calm down, Mariel.

“What brings you here?” He asks. “Couldn’t bear to be separated from this face any longer?” He winks and elbows me gently.

I giggle a little and smile up at him. “Well, as much as I love your face...” I say as I pinch his cheek playfully, “I have much darker business here.”

His face immediately falls. “I see,” he answers grimly. “Well, join us for dinner and we can talk about it after, okay?”

I sigh, half out of exhaustion and half from relief. I just feel so... whole around Robin. I grew up alone, my Dad was the only person I saw for years. Then we moved to the tavern and I became a part of the family there, but I had no friends my own age. Except Robin.

Then Lucifer had to go and murder his father, forcing a teenager to take the throne. He’s tied to these magical woods as their protector now.

So you see, he belongs here. I can’t have him. No matter how badly I want to.

“Let’s get you inside,” Robin says, snapping me out of my thoughts. “Can you say the night?” He asks.

My hear my literally falls out of my chest and lands on the palace steps with a thud. The thought of staying the night in Robin’s palace is... well...

“Umm... sure...” I say nervously.

He throws an arm over my shoulder and guides me inside, through the enormous doors and into a breathtaking foyer.

The columns on either side are living iridescent trees, their branches reaching out like fingers to create an arched ceiling above us. There are birds and butterflies flitting about amongst the foliage, but they aren’t normal flying creatures. They glow, making the whole hallway flicker with light as they flap their wings.

My jaw hangs open as I gawk at the amazing sight before me.

Robin pulls me in to his side with a gentle tug. “Pretty great, isn’t it?”

I nod silently. That’s all I can manage to do at this moment.

“Let’s find you a room to freshen up, then you can join us for dinner. You’ll finally get to meet my advisors, the high fairies.”

“Great...” I say absently, still trying to ground myself. This feels like another world. A magical one where I can forget about all of my apocalyptic problems.

He keeps his arm gently around me, and guides me to a beautiful hallway lit by thousands of fireflies. We stop in front of an ivy-covered door, and he finally drops his arm. As he opens it, we turn to face each other in uneasy silence. He lifts his hand, almost as if to entwine his fingers with my own.

But he stops himself, awkwardly brushing the hair away from his face instead. “Well... just... here‘s your room for the evening. I’ll come get you in a little while after you’ve had some time to freshen up.”

We both stand in front of the open door, and it seems like an invitation. Neither of us are courageous enough to accept it.

“Thank you for your hospitality,” I say quietly. I clear my throat. “I’ll be quick.”

I duck my head and run inside like a coward, shutting the door hastily behind me. I throw my forehead against it, closing my eyes and groaning quietly.

I’m such an i***t.

I manage to force my eyes open again, ready to face more humiliation at this horrible situation. When I turn around to examine my room, I can’t help but feel relaxed though. The walls are vines and ivy, the windows are shimmering stained glass that bends every beam of light in a new direction. If I were to really concentrate, I could feel a low vibrational hum under my feet. It’s almost as if this place is the very heartbeat of Earth, and that the fairies are its guardians.

I walk over to an ivory wardrobe and open it to find something to wear. I have to impress the high fairies after all.

In the wardrobe are a dozen flowing gowns of various shimmering pastel colors. The fabric seems almost alive, intricately woven and almost sheer. I carefully select one, a gold so faint that it almost looks white in the enchanting light of the fairy woods.

I take off my own dress, standing naked for a moment and gazing at my own skin in the magical light. After pulling on the delicate gown, I run my hands over my body. Even the fairies’ clothing makes me feel peaceful.... grounded.

I run my fingers through my long, dark curls and adjust the sash around my waist.

Hopefully Robin likes it.

Oh, stop it!

I shake my head angrily.

I’m here to save the world, not flirt.

I reach over my shoulder and pull my sword from its magical hilt on my back. It’s been bound to me, ever-present at my side since my mother became human. The bond between an angel and their blade is one that can never be broken. It’s like another limb to me, and extension of my own body.

So I’m pretty well taken care of on the “battle” portion of my life. It’s the love life portion that needs help.

At that moment, there’s a quiet tapping on the door. Immediately my heart begins to race. I can feel his closeness, my whole body stands at attention.

I put the sword away, adjusting my hair and dress one last time. “Come in,” I say nervously.

When Robin opens the door, he can’t mask his awe. His eyes gaze up and down the lightly-clothed curves of my body before finally reaching my face. He blinks awkwardly, clears his throat and smiles.

“H... Hey...” he stammers... “You look amazing! Like a fairy queen.”

The intoxicating thought pops in my head like an hallucination. Me... a fairy queen. At Robin’s side forever.

Yeah, right.

I cross my arms over my body self-consciously and look at the floor.

He strides over to me, tenderly grabbing my hands and pulling them down. The green sparks begin to fly around us as our skin makes contact.

He puts my hands down by my sides and looks directly in my eyes. “Don’t do that,” he whispers, “Mariel, you are amazingly powerful and beautiful. Don’t hide it. Don’t shy away from it.”

My heart has officially leapt into my throat, making it impossible for me to swallow.

I slowly look up at him. His lips are close enough to mine that I could finally kiss him if I only leaned forward a few inches. I feel the magic between us swelling in intensity, my whole body lighting up like fireworks.

And then, he leans in.