Chapter 20. The New Years, with Love

The stars seemed to burn brighter for them that night. It seemed even heaven was celebratory in their love. Or maybe that was just how he saw the world now. To Pearly now it was full of life, beauty and possibility. And it was all because of the beautiful girl on his arm now.

And indeed Cassiel was beautiful, even with his heavy winter coat draped over her shoulders. She was afraid that it would ruin if it started to snow again, but Pearly reassured her it'd just be wet, heavy, and not dry for hours on end. Under his coat she wore a beautiful emerald green gown with a sapphire blue silk sash around her waist that could've also been used for a scarf or shawl, but she liked to tie it. Her hair was loose, and wavy from having been braided for the whole day almost. Around her neck was the pair of silver wings she never took off. Her hazel eyes sparkled in the faint light as they walked through the park, her head on his shoulder and her arms around his.

"It's always so beautiful out here" she said quietly, as if trying not to disturb the serenity of the moment.

She'd learned that sometimes, especially with Pearly, silence spoke the loudest. For the past few week or so, things were good. Cassie had gone back to painting for him, which he loved absolutely.

"Yeah it is" he replied looking up, trying his damnest not to look guilty.

The vial he'd given Uriel was a poison for the Penn girl. While Pearly felt bad for actually killing the best friend of the woman he loved, it wasn't really anything personal. Andras had a job to do, and the demon would stop at nothing to make sure Peter Lake couldn't use his miracle to save her. Though something didn't feel right in the back of his mind. A part of him told him something was going to go awry, but he paid it little to no mind. He couldn't, or Cassie would know something was up, and he couldn't help but not lie to her. So if she asked if something was wrong, he'd spill everything.

"They're so bright" Cassie looked up with him.
"Yeah they are. They always are…Sometimes I wonder though".
"What?"
"Ya know what they really are right?".
"I think I know where this is going…One of your angel-demon rants".
"They're not rants, Cassiel Lorraine Wright".
"Well they sounds like rants, but go on. You know I'm totally joking about the rant part right?"
"Maybe…"
"Anyway…"
"They're wings. Angel wings".
"Okay wow, um…that's weird. Because when I was little, before I met you, I actually thought that's what stars were. They're like souls of good people and they burn brightest for those who need guidance from their loved ones" Cassie's smile faded, "I used to try to find my mother up there".
"I know the feelin', trust me. At least ya knew yers".
"Oh, oh my gosh. I'm sorry, I really didn't mean to sound like I was trying to-"
"It's fine. It is what it is. What I wanna know is how they choose their colors".
"They don't".
"What?" he looked at her but she was still looking up.
"The color of an angel's wings, according to a book I read once is determined by their rank. Archangels typically have beryl colored wings".
"Barrel?"
"No! Not barrel, b-e-r-y-l. It's like Aquamarine or Emerald…I can't remember the other ranks or colors".
"I know the ranks. Seraphim, Cherubim, and Ophanim. Then there's other ranks, like dominions, virtues, and the like".
"You sound like you'd know a lot".
"Andras knows a lot. I don't. I try not to know too much, but it's the things ya don't know that can get ya killed".
"I thought it was what you don't know can't hurt".
"Nope…whoever made that phrase up has never walked a mile in a demon's shoes".
"Is it hard, being a demon I mean?"
"It has its own set of difficulties. I won't go into details, but it ain't easy".

They continued walking, keeping as close as they could. He kissed her head.

"You deserve nothin' but the best, Cassiel. I know I'm nowhere near it but-"
"Shhh, don't talk like that. You're the only one I could ever see myself with" Cassie smiled and let him go for a moment so she could stand in front of him, "I actually have something for you".
"Oh do you?" Pearly asked, genuinely curious.

Cassie nodded and looked into his eyes. In a fluid motion she took off the wing necklace and put it in his hand, closing his fist around the silver wings tightly. He took her other hand into his own, slightly wide eyed.

"It's yer favorite" he said just barely over a whisper.
"Papa said that I should give them to someone who needs them" she looked down shyly at their entwined hands, "And besides you always tell me how you want wings. Now you have them" she looked back up at him with a warm loving smile, "And they're beautiful on you".

He couldn't resist then. This girl was just…Cassiel Lorraine Wright was just too perfect. There was no way she could be human, not by his standards she wasn't. She had the name of an angel, maybe she was one. Well, if she was, she was his angel and he wasn't going to let this go. Not until she told him to let it go. And even then it wouldn't be without difficulty. He kissed her on the mouth, the sweetest, most tender kiss he could manage. She kissed him back and his heart swelled almost painfully.

"I…I just want you to be happy" she admitted when they parted again, "I can't imagine what the world was like to you before I came in. And now I think I know why you really wanted me here".
"Why's that?"
"Because you were alone. You needed someone, a friend to relieve that loneliness, am I right?"
"Ya know me too well. Hush with that talk" he kissed her again and held her close.
"Has anyone ever told you how warm you are? I swear I could stay wrapped up in you all day and never get cold" she looked into his eyes adoringly.
"No one's ever told me that. How is it that you're so damn wonderful ta me?"
"Because I love you and I know that you love me".
"And I always will".
"Cassie…I gotta know somethin'"
"What? Is everything okay?"
"Are you really happy with me?"

He'd been considering what Uriel had told him. She didn't need to be in danger because of him, and he wasn't about to let anybody hurt her. No, he'd kill them first or die himself before he let the girl come to harm. Pearly saw Cassie's change in expression and feared that maybe he'd upset her somehow.

"I'm sorry, that was a dumb-"
"No, it's not that I'm unhappy. It's just I really miss my papa and my brother. And the Penns…Oh Beverly will probably be gone by the time I ever see them again".

Oh god, she was playing off his guilt without even knowing! It shocked him just how well she did that, and he wasn't usually easily surprised. If anything, the girl wouldn't have much longer to live, and as she had been like a sister to Cassie, Pearly figured he had no, no, absolutely no right whatsoever to bar her from seeing the girl again or her family for that matter. If you love something, set it free, he remembered. If it comes back it's yours, if not then it was never meant to be. He just had to have faith she'd come back. He looked down, unable to take her sad hazel eyes.

"I'm sorry about that" he let go of her hands. Oh if only she knew what precisely he was apologizing for. But he took small consolation that the red head wouldn't be in pain before she died, so it would just seem as if the consumption had taken her.

"It's not your fault. They're safe and happy and I'm glad I was the one to save them" she smiled at him and kissed his cheek, "And I got you in the process, a friend, and quite possibly the only man I'll ever love. Isn't it crazy how fate works?"
"Crazy indeed" he allowed himself to smile just a little.

But he couldn't do it. He couldn't hurt her, not now or ever. Uriel had been right. Even though he loved her, Cassiel was in very real danger because of him. So, the only logical, and moral decision was to let the girl go. The very thought made his heart heavy inside him, but he had to do it…

"You can go see 'em" he practically mumbled the words.
"What?" Cassie looked at Pearly shocked now.
"You…ye're not my prisoner anymore, Cassiel Lorraine Wright. I'm releasin' you from the bargain. It's off, and ye're free, and yer family as well".
"I…I can go home?"
"Yes".

Her kiss caught him off guard and he held her as she kissed him on the mouth, grateful and happy. He knew it was the right choice, but he'd be lying if he said it didn't hurt. Chances were, knowing his luck, he'd never see again. Nicholas was adamant about keeping his children away from him.

"And he's got every right…I am a monster…".