10. Kiera

After breaking the tie between the faerie world and the mortal world, my magical energy was depleted and the only thing I was fit to do was rest. I don't even remember half the journey back to Rhys's safehouse, but I awoke after a long rest feeling much better.

A skinny white cat was meowing at the door, as if wanting out, and it took me a moment to remember where I'd seen it before. That was right – I'd brought it back with me. The cat had likely been trapped in Kelibon's house, between the fae world and the mortal world. It was hard to say for how long, but it looked malnourished. It had likely been living off rodents the whole time.

Rhys had obviously made an attempt to feed it, because there were bowls of food on the floor. A bowl of corn chips had been left, but the other bowl was empty, so he'd probably provided something that met the cat's tastes. It likely wasn't too picky after a substantial amount of time.

I wondered if it had suffered any ill effects from living in a dimensional nexus between two worlds, but it was hard to say. It looked like any other cat.

Rhys opened the door and the cat shot out of the room, leaving the two of us alone.

"Ah, you're awake," he said, approaching me and climbing on to the bed beside me. "I thought you might be hungry so I bought you something to eat. It's downstairs…"

I reached out a hand to him and he took it in his. "That's very thoughtful of you." I was grateful to be alive and have Rhys here with me.

"I'm sorry I killed your charge, if I even did. It doesn't seem like he's dead…" Rhys said, trailing off as he appeared as confused by the situation as I felt.

"The important thing is it has blocked Kelibon from accessing the human world, for now at least. When I report in to the Archangel Gabriel, I'm going to ask heaven to check for any other doorways between the fae and mortal worlds, and ensure they're closed."

Rhys smiled at me, and then held me that much tighter. "You're going to have to go, aren't you?"

"I'm sorry, but I'm afraid so. I'll be back, Rhys. You have my word on that." I gave him a soft smile, as I wanted him to know it would be alright. Even if I had to justify my relationship or fight for it, I would because it mattered to me. As dark as Rhys could be on occasion – which, admittedly, I hadn't seen that much – he had a good heart and his own creed.

"I trust in you, and us," he said, as he drew me closer against his chest and held me for a while. "Why don't you stay the night first before you report in?" he suggested. "It's already late in the day."

"I would but I need to ensure all connections between the fae world and mortal world are severed. I will be back though, I promise."

Rhys kissed me hungrily, and then he let me go.

"I might just grab dinner first, before I go. I feel like I could use some sustenance."

It wasn't so much dinner as pancakes with strawberries and cream, but it made for a wonderful meal. I gave Rhys a warm hug goodbye before I returned to heaven, ready to face the music potentially waiting for me.

* * *

The journeyto heaven isn't just one of space but dimensions. The journey up through County Dublin's cloudy sky only took a few minutes before my surroundings changed, and the heavy winds settled into a perfect calm. Wispy white clouds marked the road to heaven, and two impossibly high gates parted as I returned there.

Angels aren't like humans in that we seldom, if ever, sleep. It's only when we're injured or exhausted that our angelic bodies need time to recuperate. That said, being on Earth had brought out a greater urge to sleep, and I wondered if it was the heavier gravity or vibration of the Earth that brought about that effect.

I found the Archangel Gabriel in the place he so often was, his office. It was an incredible room, with vast shelves full of books and artifacts, and windows overlooking a dark sky with the shifting colours of the aurora.

The Archangel was a powerful angel and a wise mentor, who undertook many important duties for heaven that had a direction impact on Earth and its defense.

I bowed my head upon arriving in his office. "Archangel."

"Kiera – good, you've returned. There are some things I've been meaning to discuss with you."

My brow furrowed slightly. I wondered if he knew about Rhys. It was something I intended to explain to him, in some way or another.

"It has come to my attention that supernatural beings have been connecting the fae and mortal worlds, and using their proximity to cause problems for humanity and commit crimes," I explained. "I have severed a connection between the worlds at one location in Ballsbridge, Dublin, but I would like to see this done across a wider area – perhaps across the Earth itself."

"That isn't a simple undertaking," Gabriel said, "but I can see how it would be an important one. Leave it with me, and I will do what I can to see any further connections severed. We might not get them all, but we'll do our best. Were you unable to save your charge?"

"There were several men possessing his appearance, and they chose evil actions instead of turning away from the darkness. There was nothing I could do for them at the time. I don't know which one was the true Zachary, but the occupants of the house are now in the fae world. If he's alive, he would be there too."

"That's a shame, but it's understandable given the circumstances," he said. "You've achieved a great victory, whether you feel it or not. A threat has been vanquished that will prevent the suffering of many people."

"Thank you, Archangel," I said, bowing my head with respect.

"The matter I need to speak with you about is Rhys, the fallen angel."

I stifled a sigh before I could voice it. The Archangel Gabriel seemed not to notice.

"He told me you were the one who set him on his path, but I realise he fell by making the decisions that led him there," I explained.

"All true," Gabriel replied. "Rhys has come to realise something that many other angels haven't – that sometimes sharp, decisive actions are required to prevent a worse outcome. Rhys has taken on a great burden, and compromised his integrity many times, for what amounts to the greater good. Now some of the time that is merely ‘as he sees it,' but overall the scales balance in his favour."

"Then why has he fallen?" I asked Gabriel, still not fully understanding why it must be so when Rhys was far from the dark, twisted monster I'd been led to believe his kind were.

"Because he couldn't follow the rules," Gabriel replied. "He chose violence over compassion, time and time again. Rhys didn't fall all at once. Each death chipped away at his grace, even though he killed monsters of one kind or another. The loss of his grace is not something we as angels define – it's an immutable law of the universe. We are here to be good, and Rhys isn't so good at that."

"I want to stay with him in the mortal world." There, I'd said it. I was sure Gabriel wouldn't understand what I meant, but it would seem I was mistaken about that.

"I saw that he saved you, and I wondered what bond you might form. He was once destined to become your mate, you know, had he not fallen? It would seem even destiny couldn't be thwarted in this."

"He was?" I asked, taking a moment to get my head around it. We weren't talking of an arranged marriage. More soul mates, and now that the Archangel Gabriel mentioned it, I could see how I possessed such a bond with Rhys. It had always been there from the moment we'd met. Something special, and a connection that felt as easy as breathing. A little frustrating at times, but Rhys was set in his ways and so was I.

"I won't prevent you from returning to the human world, but I have a duty for you, if you're willing to accept it?" the archangel asked.

"A duty?" I asked, not wanting to agree just yet. I wanted to know what it was first, in case it came between Rhys and I, or me and the life I wished to lead. Not that I was quite sure what that would be yet. I was still figuring things out.

"I would like you to watch over humanity and help out those you can. Think of it as being a guardian angel for many, rather than a few. There are many people in the world today who need help in a variety of ways. Find out what they need and help them how you can."

"It would be my honour," I said, bowing my head once again, and smiling at the Archangel Gabriel.

"Then you have my blessing, Kiera. Please stay safe, and try to keep your grace intact, if you can. Heaven isn't ready to see you join the ranks of the fallen just yet."