Venice, Italy - 1652

Carol sat on the stairs leading to the altar, watching the occupants of the church. Her duty today was to listen to prayers and take them to heaven. Sunday mass had finished an hour ago, but people still lingered. There were some dotted about the pews, sitting or kneeling in silent prayer. Two nuns spoke in hushed whispers by the open door, sunlight pouring into the candlelit hall. A young monk was lighting votive candles on a large rack. Outside there was the faint laughter of children and the bustle of the marketplace.

Carol had a particular fondness for this church. It was small but finely decorated with sculptures, paintings and tapestries. Beautiful stone archways lined the ends of the pews, angels and saints carved into them. The church sat on the bank of one of the many canals that ran through the city, the shadows of small boats occasionally passing by the mosaic windows. It was a pleasant place to be, quiet and peaceful.

Someone gasped, drawing Carol's attention away from the sound of prayers. The monk who had been lighting candles was looking at the rack in bewildered shock. Every candle that he had spent twenty minutes lighting had blown out. He huffed in annoyance and began lighting them again. When he finished one row they blew out once more. The monk blinked, looking around in confusion. He tried to light them again, a determined scowl on his face. This time he couldn't even light one.

After six more attempts, Carol suspected foul play. There was no shortage of mischievous demons who liked playing pranks, but a familiar fragrance of wood, earth and ash told her it wasn't any of them. She couldn't help but smile, shaking her head.

"Must be a slow day if you're resorting to picking on a poor monk," Carol mused, glancing over her shoulder through the gap between her wings.

Yon-Rogg was there, leaning against the altar, his dark wings folded behind him.

It had not been long since she had last seen him, only a week. Ever since their encounter on the Atlantic ocean, the two had grown closer, spending much time together. Carol would dare say she considered him a friend. Sometimes they would go flying together, other times he would accompany her as she performed her daily tasks. He had even helped her several times with aiding humans who needed supernatural assistance, something he never judged her for as other demons and angels would. Carol looked forward to seeing him, she enjoyed his company, his banter, and how he tried so hard to hide his amusement around her. She made it her mission to make him smile as much as possible. With him, she felt less alone. It was like she had an ally who understood her, someone who believed in the things that she did. Her insistent rule-breaking had left her a lone wolf in the heavens, most angels shunning or politely avoiding her. Yon-Rogg supported her in her subtle rebellion, encouraging her often.

"You're going to have to tell me how you keep finding me," Carol said, watching him as he sat down on the stair beside her. "Until then all games of hide and seek are off."

"Usually, I just follow the sounds of explosions and general chaos. More often than not you're at the heart of it."

Carol swatted his arm playfully. He smirked smugly.

A clicking noise echoed down the church. An old man was slowly making his way down to the alter, his cane tapping off the marble floors. He was dressed in peasant garbs of dark green, his wooden cane darkened with age and riddled with cuts and marks. The hair sticking out from his cap was a dull grey and curled down to the base of his neck. He knelt before the altar, his movements shaky and strained. He placed his cane down and began to pray, his hands clasped close to his heart. Carol closed her eyes, hearing his words as though he spoke them aloud. His voice was gruff and sombre, every word he said spoken like a plea.

"What did he ask for?" Yon-Rogg asked.

"You know prayers are private," Carol cracked open an eye, giving him a scolding look.

"And you've always been one to follow the rules," Yon-Rogg replied dryly. "Can I try and guess?"

"Go for it."

"I'd say it's either health or wealth-related."

Carol snorted. Even demons knew those were the most popular of prayers and it was of little wonder why. Poverty and disease were two of the worlds greatest sufferings and when the heavens denied relief from them humans often fell prey to demons who promised to save them from their plights. At a cost, of course.

"Close but no," Carol drawled.

"Then what it is?"

"He's praying for his daughter. He knows he's going to die soon and wants someone to watch over her," Carol said softly, smiling faintly. "And his dog."

"Will you?" Yon-Rogg asked.

Carol nodded, giving the old man a pitying look. "Soon."

By sunset, everyone had left the church. Carol had listened to their prayers, Yon-Rogg patiently sitting with her, content to be her in presence as she was his. The poor monk that Yon-Rogg had been tormenting finally blew out the last candle with a wary glower, plunging the hall into darkness. They were alone now. Moonlight shone through the mosaic window above the altar, a kaleidoscope of colours shining on the floor. Carol opened her eyes, struck by how ethereal Yon-Rogg looked in the colourful lights - he could easily be mistaken for an angel, he was as beautiful as any of them.

"There's something I have to tell you," Yon-Rogg said quietly, unable to look at her. There was hesitation in his voice and Carol could already tell he bore bad news.

"Oh dear, are you breaking up with me?" Carol joked.

Yon-Rogg clasped his hands and lowered his head. He sighed deeply. It almost looked like he was in prayer. He lifted his head to look at her, eyes filled with regret.

"I have a bit of a confession to make," he said, smiling lightly despite the sadness in his eyes. "I'm not going to be able to see you for quite some time."

Carol tensed, disappointment settling over her like a dark cloud. "How long is a long time?"

"A century."

"Why?" Carol exclaimed, her wings ruffling.

"There are some dark angel affairs that need to be addressed and can't wait any longer," Yon explained. He looked at her wistfully. "I wanted to see you before I left."

Carol felt her heart flutter at his confession, then grow wary as she pondered over what kind of affairs a dark angel had to deal with.

"I suppose those affairs will remain a secret?"

"Yes."

"How boring," Carol teased.

She didn't show it, but the comfort she felt dimmed, reality cold and harsh washing over her like an icy tide. She had been enjoying their time together so much she had forgotten that they were different, two beings from different worlds, one of light and one of darkness. They had different purposes, purposes that were at odds with each other.

But what had Yon-Rogg or any dark angel did to warrant such sinister thoughts? No one knew what the dark angel's purpose was, no one even knew much of anything about them, only that they existed and that they were powerful. They were classed as demons so naturally creatures of light were wary, but Yon-Rogg had only ever done good things. He had aided the people on the Atlantic ocean, he encouraged her to use her powers to help the humans, and he had spoken passionately of wanting to help the mortals. Maybe the heavens were wrong about the dark angels? Perhaps even demons could be good. Then again, that could just be her own selfish desires talking, wanting to find an answer that wouldn't come between her and Yon-Rogg.

"You should have told me sooner. I could have gotten you a going-away present."

"Seeing you before I go is a gift enough," Yon-Rogg said, eyes shining sincerely. "Walk me out?"

Carol nodded. They left the church side by side, their wings grazing each other. When they opened the doors to the church, a bright whiteness forced them to shield their eyes. Carol gasped in delight. A thin dusting of snow had fallen on the ground and was slowly rising as flurries fell from the grey skies. It made everything look clean and magically. The few people still wandering the street were looking around in amazement, catching the snowflakes in their hands. Carol turned to Yon-Rogg.

"It never snows here," she said, poking him in the chest. "You did this."

"You said once that the snow was your favourite weather," Yon-Rogg said, smiling lightly.

Carol laughed, sticking out her tongue to catch the falling snow. She didn't notice Yon-Rogg watching her fondly. The longing look in his eyes vanished when she glanced towards him. He cleared his throat and offered her his arm.

"Such a gentleman," she teased, slipping her arm around his.

They walked together along the canal, their steps leaving faint indents in the snow. Their clothes, hair and wings quickly became speckled with flurries of white and every so often they had to ruffle their feathers to get it off. It was so cold now they could see their breaths. The canal had begun to freeze over, swirling patterns of ice dancing upon the waters.

"This has to be against the rules?" Carol said. "Making it snow it in places where it shouldn't."

Yon-Rogg shrugged. "Dark angels have different rules and beliefs from angels."

"Such as?"

Yon-Rogg gave her a mock-serious look, one that came across more reluctantly amused. "I know what you're trying to do. You're trying to wriggle information about my kind out of me."

"Is it working?" Carol smiled.

"No."

Carol sighed dramatically. "Always so cryptic."

"Always so curious," Yon fired back. "Maybe one day I'll answer your questions."

"I look forward to it."

They came upon the town square where children were building snowmen and having snowball fights. Adults watched from the sidelines, their cloaks and jackets wrapped tightly around them, excitedly chattering away about the strange weather.

Carol grinned when she noticed two young girls making snow angels a few feet away. She unhooked her arm from Yon's and took a step back. She spread out her wings and looked at them thoughtfully before looking at the untouched patch of snow behind her.

Yon-Rogg caught on to what she was thinking.

"You're going to make a snow angel?" Yon-Rogg laughed. "Really?"

"No," Carol drawled, giving him a mischievous grin. "You are."

She shoved him hard. He fell backwards, landing with a thud in the snow, his wings flaring out. He grunted as he pushed himself up onto his elbow, glaring at her. Carol laughed and clapped her hands, adoring the disgruntled look on his face.

"That looks more like a snow devil than an angel," Carol said.

She was so caught in the moment she didn't notice the vengeful smirk form on his face. Yon-Rogg swung his leg into hers, knocking her off balance. Carol yelped as she fell backwards, the air knocked out of her.

"I hate you," Carol muttered, closing her eyes.

Yon-Rogg laughed. They got up to their feet and dusted off the snow from their clothes. He turned to look at their snow angel patterns, both were messy and unclear.

"I think they could do with some improvement," Yon assessed.

He turned to Carol, noticing the clumps of snow still clinging to her hair. He gestured with two fingers for her to come closer. He ran his hand through her hair, shaking free the remaining snow.

Carol smiled at him, ready to make a cheeky quip about his mother hen tendencies around her. When she saw the tender smile on Yon's face fade, she frowned, looking up to where his gaze had fallen. The crescent moon, hovering just above the buildings to the East.

"I have to leave now," Yon whispered.

Carol smiled sadly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. She made a decision then, to be bold and daring, rules be damned. "Before you go, I have something for you."

Yon-Rogg titled his head, curious. Carol moved closer, leaned up and kissed him on the cheek. When she pulled away Yon-Rogg looked starstruck, blinking with wide eyes. She bit her lip, worrying she had overstepped.

"I'm sorry, I thought-"

"No, don't apologise," he reached out, resting a hand on the side of her face. His thumb caressed her cheek, his eyes searching hers. Carol found herself caught in the intensity of his gaze. "Just... let me try this."

He leaned forward, hesitantly covering her lips with his own. It was soft and unsure, both their bodies tense as a wound-up violin string that could snap at any moment. Carol let herself relax, slowly chasing after his lips when he pulled back, her hands moving to his rest on his arms, keeping him close.

She had never kissed anyone, physical affection such as this was, like many things, forbidden. She wasn't quite sure she was doing it right but from Yon's moan and body stepping closer to her, she assumed he liked it regardless. Their wings instinctively arched towards each other like an embrace, hiding the couple within a cocoon of feathers from the falling snow.

When they finally parted for air, Yon-Rogg rested his forehead against hers, his eyes still closed, savouring what had occurred between them.

"Meet me at Notre Dame this day, a century from now," Yon-Rogg whispered against her lips. "I'll be waiting there for you at sunrise."

Carol nodded.

Yon-Rogg took her hand, raising it to his lips. He chastely kissed her knuckles before spreading his wings and vanishing into the night sky.

A hundred years was a blink of the eye to an angel in the grand scheme of things. But for an angel harbouring a treasonous secret, it felt like an eternity. The closer it came to her reunion date with Yon-Rogg, the more anxious and regretful she became. She never should have kissed him. Never should have let him kiss her like that. Really, she never should have engaged in any friendliness towards him. They were natural enemies. Fratansing with demons could get her a millennium with bound wings in heaven. Consorting with demons... she could lose her wings.

When a century passed, Carol did not go to Notre Dame. She remained in heaven like a coward.

She should have gone. Should have made it clear to Yon-Rogg that they should end what they had before it became something neither of them could control. She owed it to him. He was her friend. But perhaps that was the real reason she was too scared to go... because she knew it was already too late.