Azrael had moved rooms with the help of Rosemary during Raden's absence. He figured this out when he walked into the room expecting her to be asleep in the bed. This was the beginning of very lonely days ahead. The first day came with questions and pleading. However, they were met with a turned-up nose or a cold shoulder from Azrael. Slowly those questions turned from glances hoping for answers to finally silent passes as each carried on with their days. Raden couldn't wrap his head around why she would be so cold to him.

Raden tried his best to remember what had happened between them but the only other person who truly knew was keeping tight-lipped.

Several weeks had gone by and Azrael seemed to be settling in quite nicely. She helped around the inn and spent her free time out and about. Though this was not her cottage on the edge of the forest, it was working out quite nicely. Many practiced different types of magic ad all were free to openly talk and perform said magic. Azrael was growing fonder of this place as the days went on.

As the days went on, Raden began to go stir-crazy. He wasn't meant to stay still in one place. Most nights he spent in the taverns and pubs all around the city trying to numb the feeling of boredom. The days were spent sleeping away in his room away from the prying eyes of locals and travelers. Even in a city known for its welcomeness, it was a known fact that death angels or any celestials were tolerated but not welcomed with open arms in this kingdom. After week three of solitude and still the silence from Azrael, Raden had decided that it would be best for everyone if he left. Where he would go, he had no clue. Being among the human population showed him how unwanted he was and it would be better to probably go back to the only thing he was good at.

War.

Raden made his way down into the lobby one morning for breakfast. It would be his last in the King's City. Standing behind the counter was the beautiful girl Raden was falling for. Fell for. Her long red hair was wound in a tightly braided bun. Azrael for some reason started placing her hair in a bun every single day shortly after that night. Raden missed seeing her hair fall loosely wherever it chose to sit that day. She was smiling at a customer while handing them a cup. They left and her gaze moved to find Raden watching her. She waved but soon went back to another task.

He walked up over to the counter and set down a few coins. "Whatever you suggest for breakfast I'll have."

"Coming right up," Azrael answered sweetly. She disappeared into the kitchen and Raden went and sat down in the corner. A few minutes later Azrael walked out with a platter of food still steaming. "Here we are. Is there anything else?"

"Uh no," Raden answered quickly. He swallowed his nerves and looked up. "Listen if I don't see you again I want to tell you goodbye."

Azrael tilted her head slightly in confusion.

"I thought it would be best if I left now. See if I couldn't go back to my old post and continue fighting." Raden stared at Azrael waiting for her to speak. She stood silent but her eyes gave her away. They were a sea of sadness. "I'm sorry if I've upset you with this but I think it's for the best."

"Well, I hope you stay safe." Azrael quickly turned on her heels and walked away. She wiped away the tears threatening to spill over.

Raden never went after her.

Raden slipped out before Azrael returned to her position behind the counter. Although something told him that she would probably be missing for the rest of the day. He tried to push away the images of her upset and crying from his mind, but they played over and over. He eventually made his way out into the new day getting ready to take off.

"Raden darling! How are you doing," A voice rang out behind him?

He closed his eyes and sighed. That voice was all too familiar. "And what in the name of the Ancient Gods is your ass doing here Libena?"

Libena placed a hand on her chest acting offended. "Is this how you treat a friend? I thought I would come and check in on you."

"Uhuh, so Merikh have you spying now?"

"I don't do his dirty work for him." Libena's smile fell slightly. She played with her tea knowing full well that Raden was getting impatient. "Besides I think you and I need to have a little chat."

Raden rolled his eyes and began to walk away throwing up his hands. "I don't have time for this right now."

"You better stop walking away from me right now." Libena was standing her eyes narrowed. Raden turned slightly challenging her.

"Or what?"

"Or Azrael will see your limp body hanging from the tallest tower here." Libena wasn't known for her violence. Her temper rarely rose, but when it did everyone knew. Love was a weird thing.

Raden stopped in his tracks and fully turned his attention all the way.

Libena let out a huff and straightened her dress. "Come on. I've wanted to tour the city for ages." She held out an arm for Raden and he reluctantly took it.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

They walked around with Libena pointing out various items from the outdoor vendors. Raden was keen on getting to why she was here, but alas would have to wait until she was finished dragging this charade out. Libena poked around here and there debating over jewelry and clothing for another hour. Raden was highly impatient at this point and could feel the blood boiling.

He grabbed her roughly by the arm and pulled her to the side. "That's enough stalling Libena. What the hell are you doing here?"

Libena pulled her arm away roughly and narrowed her eyes at Raden. "Well, that was uncalled for." She straightened out her dress even though it was perfect without blemish. "If you would be patient I would tell you."

"I have been patient enough. Now what are you doing here?"

"You seem to be making it very challenging for me," Libena huffed. She turned and started walking towards an area of tables and chairs sitting in the shade.

Raden jogged after her. Confusion washed over him. "What exactly am I doing? Is this something to do with Merikh... Jesus Libena what are you doing getting messed up with him?"

Libena spun around and poked a finger into his chest. "How dare you ever think I would make deals with that asshole." She turned back around stomping away with Raden on her heels. "I can't believe this... you've known me for centuries... not once have I ever been involved with him or his escapades." Libena roughly pulled out a chair and sat down folding her arms.

"Then what is this if it's about me." Raden slowly sat down across from her. The cold table sent goosebumps up his arms as he leaned forward.

"Are you aware that you've practically broken that poor girl's heart?" Libena leaned back slightly watching Raden become even more confused. Sometimes he wasn't the brightest star in the sky.

"Whose?"

Libena shook her head. "Gods you can be more clueless than a wizard without his spell books. Azrael my boy."

Raden sat back mentally flipping through everything over the past few months. They shared a kiss and more that night, but nothing more than that night. He cared for her greatly but that wouldn't mean she would have greater feelings for him. Right?

"You seem lost?" Libena brought him out of his rabbit hole plunge. He looked up at her and she nodded in understanding. "Azrael loves you quite deeply. I came to her some time back and she wanted my help after we chatted about you of course. Ever since I've been keeping close eyes on you and you boy have been my biggest challenge."

"I didn't know any of this." Raden was shocked and defeated.

Libena leaned over the table and smacked Raden across the head. "You think she was going to say she made a deal with the goddess of love to help with the guy she's fallen for but doesn't know how to have him love her back?" She sat back down and stared at Raden who was completely speechless. "Close your mouth it's not attractive."

"She loves me?"

"Love Raden loved. Whatever you did this last time round was her breaking point and that's why I'm here." Libena sipped from a cup of tea that had appeared at some point during the conversation. "I'm here as the last resort. In normal circumstances, I would just let the relationship play out and go on about my day, but I've grown to like Azrael."

He ran a hand through his hair and shook his head. "Libena I don't remember anything from that night. I just saw her sitting on the couch bloodied and bruised and I blacked out. I woke up the next morning in a field. What do I do to fix this?"

She shrugged.

"You said you're here to fix things," Raden retorted. "So fix it."

Libena's eyes to Raden's. "Fix it? I'm not here to fix anything. I'm here because you're making the biggest mistake in leaving and I couldn't have that."

Raden leaned back against the cold back railing of the chair and watched Libena stand. "So what am I supposed to do if I can't leave."

"Do I have to explain every detail to you?" She waited for Raden to say something idiotic. When he didn't she continued, "Raden you have to talk to her. Talk to Azrael truthfully. Tell her how you feel about that night. Stop running from her, your feelings, and these new emotions. I can't do this for you boy." Libena grabbed his hands and kissed them. "I know you love her. You've loved her since day one but never realized it. This will be your biggest regret if you leave her here alone." And with that, she walked away vanishing from the site.

Raden sat there staring at the worn table. The warmth of the air kissed his skin even under the shade of the large oak. He watched the lonely cup on the opposite end of the table as his mind raced. Couples around him caught his attention. Their entertained hands or soft kisses on the forehead or cheeks. He remembered every time he would kiss Azrael on the forehead. How her hands felt with his. How she made him feel normal. Less of an outcast and more human. At some point, Raden stood and headed toward the entrance to the city. He couldn't put her through more heartache.

Go back to her.

Raden shook his head.

Dude go back to her!

"Knock it off," he murmured.

She loves you! Don't let her go! Don't let this one disappear!

Raden huffed and tried shaking the voice from his head. He carried on until and made it to the entrance. A vast open wilderness lay in front of him. He took in a breath and went to step forward. Something held him back. Libena's words echoed in his head.

Listen to Libena. Go back to her!

"I can't believe I'm doing this." Raden turned and marched his way through the city. With each step, his heartbeat matched it until his beating heart outpaced his walk. Anxiety overcame him. He took a shaky breath not having a clue what he was going to do or say.

There the inn was. Raden walked in weary of being seen, but it seemed that Azrael had probably taken off by now. He marched across the lobby to find Rosemary. She was in the kitchen cleaning up before the lunch crowd started.

"Rosemary!" Raden hurried over being cautious not to knock anything over with his wings.

She turned and smiled at Raden. "What can I help you with?"

"Do you know where Azrael went?"

"She went out to the local flower shop. She should be back any time though." Rosemary answered. She went back to scrubbing a pot and Raden left.

He sat in the lobby waiting for Azrael. He tried going over in his head what he would say but everything would become a jumbled mess. Raden rubbed his face trying to get ahold of his nerves. Why was this so hard? He continued going over and over in his head what he would. Over and over. Over and over. Over and ov…

"Raden?"

He looked up and his thoughts ceased. Azrael stood in the doorway with a large bouquet of violets in her hand.

Here goes nothing.