Chapter Seven

The dawn comes and the angels stir in their sleep, bodies warmed by the sun shining on them through the open balcony doors and windows. Michael stretches his wings, poking the razor tips out and they sink back under the soft feathers, softly sighing with his brown eyes closed. "Good morning, Gabriel." He touches his broad chest, moving closer and Gabriel opens his eyes, touching the back of Michael's hand. "Good morning, Michael. I trust that you slept well."

Michael opens his eyes and he moves his lips to speak, then there's a knock on the door. Gabriel quickly moves off his bed, grabbing his sword and he moves to the door, turning his ear towards it. "What is it?"

"I have a letter for you, master Gabriel." Michael leans up and Gabriel raises his hand, halting him. With a heavy sigh, Gabriel stares down at the bottom of the door. "Slide the letter under the door and be on your way." A shadow grows wide on the other side of the door and a letter is pushed under it, sealed shut. The slave bows to the door and leaves.

Gabriel takes the note and waits until the hallway is empty and then he comes back to the bed, opening the letter. Michael looks at his wide back, watching his wings to see if his feathers ruffle or spread into action. "Is something wrong, Gabriel?" He shakes his head, placing the letter on the table and he lies back down. "Uriel has decided to leave without saying goodbye, it is obvious why. He was escorted without trouble."

The morning light spills in through the balcony doors and they lay silent together, holding hands and resting in the new feeling of their relationship. Michael rubs his thumb against Gabriel hand, watching the shadows dance on the ceiling and the trumpet sounds off. Gabriel sighs and slowly releases Michael's hand, leaning up. "We must go about our duties, brother. I will exit through the balcony and you may exit through my door. If anyone shall ask, you were looking for me. Wait twenty minutes until after I have left."

Michael softly laughs and stretches his tattooed body to the open balcony doors, embracing the sun. "You worry too much, brother. What could possibly happen?" Gabriel sees Michael in the sun, glancing at the open balcony doors and he takes his arm, pulling him out of sight. He looks into his eyes and his gaze slightly hardens. "I would have to flog you until death, Michael. That is what will happen. I would not be able to do it and this kingdom would not be missing one Archangel, but two. Where one goes, the other follows."

His large hand rises, tracing the tattoos on his brother's body and he stops his fingertips at the waistband of Michael's Roman kilt, staring into his eyes. Gabriel's feathers ruffle, an unspoken feeling surging through him and he touches his hip, the leather of his ancient kilt squeaking under his callous palm. Michael parts his sun-warmed lips and Gabriel grabs his wrist, pulling him against his hard chest.

The trumpet sounds off again and Gabriel releases him, blinking to clear his clouded mind. Michael lowers his eyes and takes a step back. He walks over to the door and grabs the pieces of his armor to strap it on. "We might be late for breakfast, I am never late. I am always the first to arrive." He moves his breastplate over his head, shifting his enormous wings and he pulls the leather straps, tightening it firmly against his chest. He glances over his thick shoulder, stepping into the sunlight. "I love you, Michael. I shall see you at breakfast." He nods once and takes flight to the dining hall for breakfast, his figure casting a giant shadow over the field.

Michael places his hands behind his back, watching the sunlight play across the open garden below and he sees Marcus and Gregory in the hedge maze, walking together. He smiles, counting the minutes in his head and he heads to the door, slowly opening it. The hallway is empty, luckily, and he flies off to the dining hall to join his brothers and his sister.