***

– ELEMIAH – The Seraph Angel of Revelation.

***

Hayden's eyes flicker from my lips to my eyes, creating a tension that knots deep in my stomach. He leans in slowly, stopping just short of my face, nose to nose. I'm both captivated by his beauty and overwhelmed by the flood of thoughts invading my mind—thoughts of all the things he might do to me.

I close my eyes, paralyzed by his presence and the fears conjured by my imagination, hoping that shutting them might shield me, even just a little, from what's to come.

– Help me, he whispers.

I open my eyes, stunned by what I think I just heard. He pulls back, sitting on the edge of the bed beside me.

– Wh... what?

I sit up, noticing scraps of black fabric and a small container of ointment near him. Beside them is a large bottle of alcohol. I finally understand why he's asking for help.

What a strange way to ask—he could've just said it outright. Despite everything, I feel an odd frustration. Why is that?

I begin disinfecting the wound on his arm while he remains still. Standing in front of him, I notice what I thought was a bite mark on his chest is actually an old burn scar—or at least, it seems to be.

In this world, proper first aid kits must not exist. Angels likely heal themselves with magic.

– That scar... how did you get it?

– Interested in my body, pretty girl?

I ignore the comment, applying the yellow balm from the small container. Suddenly, his free hand gently pulls me closer to him.

– No, it just caught my attention. You know what? Forget it.

I step back, removing his hand from my thigh. Who does he think he is? I wrap the bandage tightly and tie it off.

When I'm finished, I look into his eyes and get lost for a moment. This time, they don't reflect darkness but sadness instead. His eyes glimmer, revealing an emotion I hadn't seen in him before.

– It's done, I murmur, ready to leave.

He grabs my hand, stopping me and pulling me back toward him. Still seated, he looks down at the floor.

– You... Thanks to you, I didn't have to do it myself.

Strangely, his words tug at my heart.

– I'm leaving now.

He releases my hand, his gaze still fixed on the ground.

As I open the door, a cascade of red hair greets me. Her expression shifts instantly when she realizes it's me, not Hayden, standing in front of her.

– What are you doing here? she asks, arms crossed and her fiery eyes glaring.

– I...

A large shadow suddenly falls over me, and Ambre's expression turns from fierce to uncertain as Hayden steps up behind me, placing a hand on my shoulder.

– How is that any of your business? he growls, his voice low and threatening.

Her mouth opens wider and wider as her gaze jumps between the two of us, observing us in turn.

– Don't come back here again, he continues in the same tone.

Ambre steps back, once, then twice, before turning and leaving. The fire in her eyes seems to have been extinguished by an unexpected rain.

– She probably thinks there's something going on between us now, I complain, turning to face him.

– I hope so.

– When are you going to act like a normal person and stop using me? I'm not your damn puppet.

With those words, I storm off, walking down the hallway as quickly as Ambre did moments earlier.

I need to get away from him as fast as possible. This whole scene makes me think there's something between them. If there is, I don't appreciate being used to make her jealous. Just when I think he might be softening, he reverts to his obnoxious behavior.

– Wait! he calls, jogging after me.

Oh no. I say nothing, crossing my arms and keeping up my brisk pace.

– Listen...

– ...

– I didn't mean to use you.

– ...

I descend the stairs at the entrance of the building without a word.

– Pretty girl, stop for a second.

– No, I don't want to hear your excuses.

He grabs my elbow, pulling me to a stop.

– I... I don't know what came over me. I don't usually act like this.

– Oh really? Because since the moment we met, you've been nothing but rude, doing whatever you want and bossing me around without caring how I feel.

He looks at me with bright, almost teary eyes. For the first time, I sense that this man is lost. His usual empty gaze now holds an unfamiliar vulnerability, confirming my suspicion.

– You're right. I don't know why I do it. I guess... it's just the way I am.

Suddenly, his expression changes, his eyes darkening once more.

– And I can't stand that part of you. So now, let me go, and don't ever come near me again.

I turn and walk away, heading in the opposite direction of the castle. I have no idea where this path leads, but it seems to head toward the forest.

– Who does he think he is? He barely knows me and acts like he owns me, I mutter angrily.

This is my fault from the start. I let him treat me however he wanted. My kindness is becoming my weakness.

I find myself in a vast meadow full of flowers, surrounded by towering trees that stand as guardians. Roses and ivy grow here—a strange combination for this setting. Further ahead, unfamiliar flowers flourish in harmony with the others. Their long stems range from twenty to fifty centimeters tall, crowned with white, star-shaped petals. They're scattered randomly, as if someone had thrown seeds into the air and let them fall where they may.

I sit on a nearby bench, watching them for a while. Luckily, a large tree shades the bench, sparing me from the rising heat. I don't like tanning—I have very pale skin, and I prefer to keep it that way.

This world seems to have no consistent weather or seasons. When I arrived, it felt like winter with its biting cold wind, but today, the sun is so strong it feels like summer.

I relax, letting the occasional cool breeze caress my face and carry the flowers' fragrance to my nose. It feels nice.

– This world doesn't seem so dark after all.

– You like it?

– Mh, yes... it's beautiful.

Only after answering do I realize someone is standing near me. My hand flies to my chest as I quickly turn my head toward the voice.

***

– You scared me.

I exhale, relieved. His eyes have changed again, shimmering as they catch the sunlight. He sits beside me in the shade, hands in his pockets, quietly observing.

I'm unsure whether I can relax or if I should stay on my guard.

– You followed me again, I remark.

– Not this time. I didn't think you'd stop here.

– But you saw me take this path.

– That's true. Honestly, I was hoping you'd be here.

– For once, you're being honest.

– I've always been honest. Are you still mad at me?

I glance at him. He looks calm, his gaze fixed on the beautiful flowers in front of us.

– No, but I stand by what I said.

He smiles. It's the first time I've seen him truly smile. He's cute when he smiles.

We sit in silence for a long moment, admiring the scenery.

– I have a question, I finally say, breaking the peaceful quiet.

– Go ahead, pretty girl.

– I haven't seen wings like mine. I mean, the same color as mine. Is that normal?

– Yes, all the white angels are dead.

– What?

My heart races.

– It happened a few years ago.

– Wha... what happened?

– A war between angels and demons.

He turns his head toward me, squinting slightly and tilting his head to the side.

– Why are you looking at me like that?

He keeps staring at me.

– No one usually comes here.

– Really? Why not? It's so beautiful.

– You're not going to like my answer.

Now I'm bracing for the worst.

– Go on.

He smiles and says:

– Because it's a cemetery.

My heart skips a beat. I didn't expect that at all, especially since the plants here are so beautiful.

– Every plant you see corresponds to a person, he continues.

This vast field, filled with hundreds—no, thousands—of flowers, all unique and scattered everywhere... It's overwhelming to imagine. The sheer size of the field could be described as mountainous.

– That's impossible. If that's true, it would mean some people were buried on top of others, I say with a faint smile, thinking he's joking.

– Exactly, and that's the case.

My smile fades as I listen closely, picturing every word he says.

– You're standing in the field where the Celestial War broke out and ended. Unfortunately, it ended badly for the angels, as the demons won the war.

A chilling shiver runs through me, starting at my feet—where a rose stands nearby—and climbing all the way to the top of my head, raising the hair on my scalp.

I shift my foot, moving it away from the rose.

– And your wings—why are they black and not like mine?

– We don't really know, but some ancient books say we descend from Seraphim angels, all of whom perished in battle during the Great Celestial War. When one of them dies, their entire lineage loses part of their angelic essence. It affects both our wings and a portion of our soul.

– If that's the case... Why are mine still white?

A new expression crosses his face, as if what I just said is some kind of revelation. Then, without a word, he stands and flies off quickly.

Alone again. Great.

*Grrr.*

I'm hungry! I don't even know what time it is. Does time even exist in this world?

I cast one last look at the thousands of flowers before heading off.

***

***

Back at the door to our room, I enter, surprised by the noise inside. When Elise notices my presence, she stops talking, smiles at me, and Ambre heads toward the exit, giving me a nudge with her shoulder.

– Uh... Ouch! What's her problem?

– No idea, she suddenly started yelling at me after I asked her why she was angry.

– Well, I'm here now!

*Grrr.*

– Oops, haha, I say, rubbing the back of my head awkwardly.

– Perfect timing! I was actually looking for you to go to dinner, she smiles.

– Oh great, because I'm *really* hungry!

***

The food here is so delicious, but nothing beats mom's lasagna. I miss her. Sorry, Mom, for making you worry. I'll make it up to you when I get back. But what would I even tell her? There's no way she'd believe me if I said her daughter was an angel.

– What did you do after I left?

– Hyn... ah, I just took a walk.

– Good, so you weren't bored then?

The memory of Hayden's room makes my cheeks burn, though I don't even know why.

– No... don't worry about it.

– Hadrien's coming over!

– What?

I turn around and see him walking toward us.

Oh no, not him.

– Hey, girls, mind if I join you?

He sits down in the chair next to me before we can even answer.

– Sure, Elise responds.

– No, I say.

He leans toward me...

– Why not?

Because you're a creepy pervert, I want to say.

I hold myself back and stand up, clenching my fists.

– I'm going to get a bottle of water, I say, addressing Elise.

Who does he think he is, this weirdo? Why is he so clingy?

Walking without looking ahead, I bump into someone.

– Oh, sorry.

– No problem, beautiful.

Him again. I dodge one, only for the second one to appear.

I keep my head down and try to walk around him, but then I realize I'm not moving forward.

– Where are you going?

– To where I won't find you, I reply sarcastically, though I mean it a little.

Oh! He's listening. Quick, I need to get out of here before he changes his mind.

I start walking fast and leave the dining hall without looking back. I open the first door I find near the dining hall and walk into the room, making sure to close the door behind me.

– Wow!

I rub my eyes, seeing a huge library filled from floor to ceiling with books of all sizes and colors. The shelves stretch out of sight, forming a maze of knowledge. Each shelf is carefully organized, with books perfectly aligned. The smell of paper and ink fills the air, creating an enchanting atmosphere. I love this smell.

I can't help but take a deep breath, savoring this pleasant scent I particularly adore.

Hypnotized by the incredible sight, I didn't hear footsteps approaching me, and a whisper over my shoulder makes me jump:

– Beautiful, isn't it?

– Ahhh, I scream.

A smile appears in his eyes at the same time as on his lips. My heart races at the sight of this handsome boy smiling.

– Why do you always appear so quietly like that? My heart's going to stop beating at this rate.

The sound that comes from his mouth, melodious, strangely makes him seem even more handsome and free.

– You're funny, pretty girl.

– Why did you follow me? You scared me, I exclaim, breathless, one hand on my chest.

– Well, it's a good thing you came in here. You need to read something interesting.

– What is it?

He spreads his wings and flies up high, only to return a few seconds later, holding a book in his hands.

– Here, read this. It's about what we were talking about earlier.

– O... okay.

I sit down comfortably at a table lit by an emerald-covered lamp, and Hayden does the same at the other end of the table.

The pages of the book I hold in my hands are delicate, evidence of the many stories they contain. The windows, with their stained glass, cast shimmering reflections of the sunset on the walls, creating a mysterious ambiance.

I glance ahead and watch him dive into a book that seems just as ancient as the one in my hands.

I can't take my eyes off him, watching him concentrate on his book.

I study him and realize that, more and more, I find him quite attractive despite his outbursts.

Comfortably settled, I finally lean over the book and begin my reading.

'Celestial War: The Battle of the Angels with Pure Wings.'