"Rapha?"
He looked up from his writing desk at the sound of his name and turned to the side to look in the direction it had come from, from the light of dozens of glowing candles he saw the tiny figure in his doorway. Her toes bent inwards nervously, hair done back in fresh braids, and wearing soft cotton bedclothes, Akeelah stared up at him with blinking starry eyes.
The Healer set his writing utensil down, "Yes, little bear?
She held up the thick leather-bound book that she hugged to herself, "Luci usually reads before we go to sleep, but he had to stay at the Pantheon tonight and I didn't wanna because Sariel is annoying and…...Will you read to me?"
He smiled at the fledgling, holding out an arm to her, and she scurried across the room for him to lift her up into his lap. With his other hand he took the thick story book, and nodded softly as he stood, turning them both to his large bed.
"Of course, little bear."
Akeelah smiled up at him as he settled them down against the many plush pillows he had on his bed, and he returned it when she squirmed closer to get comfortable, his chin coming to rest on her damp head as he opened the book to the marked page.
"Are you really reading a story about a giant peach?"
"I love peaches!"
Raphael kissed her head discretely, "I know you do."