16. Hayliel

16

“ B itch.”

Instead of reacting, I make the valiant effort to ignore Seraphina’s words as I walk by her in angelic powers class a few days later. Except we aren’t in our usual classroom for today’s lesson. We’re in the arena.

I make it without so much as a blink in her direction while Raphael has no issues putting her in her place. But it’s not with words or aggression. No. He pulls me down into his lap a few rows ahead, cups my cheeks, and kisses me like we’re alone. Like he has every intention of finishing what he’s just started.

My internal heat and the beating afternoon sun have nothing on the warmth that erupts in my body at his touch. When he pulls away, I don’t try to get up.

“You know she’s not going to take that well,” I say, nuzzling his nose with my own.

“That sounds like a her problem, sunshine. I’d rather go home to my awful family than be near her for any period of time. Besides, if it takes a little PDA with you to understand that I’m off the market, that’s a sacrifice I’m willing to make.” He places an open-mouthed kiss on my neck, sucking a little before pulling away and holy fucking shit. The things this man does to me.

“Thank you all for meeting me here,” Professor Isidora says with a smile. “I know this meeting place might seem unusual, but the work we’re doing today can sometimes be unruly, so we thought it best to move to a more open area.”

“If we’re using our powers to fight, I call dibs on the mutant!” a guy in the back says. Within seconds, a storm cloud builds over his head and water pours from it in fat droplets, soaking him to the bone.

Whoa. What the hell was that? I share a glance with Raph, who looks like a golden retriever with far too much energy. He must know what’s coming.

The guy splutters and wipes the water from his eyes, but Professor Isidora has moved on. “Use of your powers against another student is off-limits. If I find any of you breaking that rule, the punishment will not be one you enjoy. Have I made myself clear?”

Still wide-eyed, everyone nods in agreement.

She smiles. “Good. The power I’ll show you today is one we won’t spend much time with. It’s unpredictable and much harder to master than the others, but having a basic understanding is still imperative to your progress at this school. Now, pay attention while I show you one of our more volatile powers. Weather manipulation.”

Oh shit. That’s a thing? I sneak a peek at Raphael and find him already watching me. After today, I’ll be able to make you wet in more ways than one, baby.

I snort a laugh at his comment, knowing full well he already creates a storm of emotion inside me. It’ll be fun to see it come to life outside my body as well.

Professor Isidora goes through the instructions on how this power will feel different than the others we’ve learned so far. Because of how unstable weather is in nature, what we create is hard to summon and even harder to control.

“It will likely feel weird to call on this power at first. That’s completely normal. Ground yourself and dig deep into the wells of your ability. Find that core of energy and coax it to do your bidding.” As she speaks, she weaves her hands through the air, creating little gray clouds above her head in a tiny circle that she pushes out until they surround her in droplets of rain without a single one touching her. It’s magnificent. “Take turns working with your partner to summon a small rain cloud. I don’t want to see any lightning or hear thunder. No snow or hail. Just a rain cloud. Start small and build up. I’ll make my way around to see how everyone is fairing. Begin.”

Raphael stands us both up before gripping my hand and tugging me to an emptier part of the arena. I don’t miss that we’re several groups away from Seraphina, thank the Archangels.

Holding onto my chin, he tilts my head up. “Do you want to go first?”

I shake my head. I’d rather watch him try first. Even if he fails, at least I’ll know it’s not just me.

“Alright,” he says, brushing his thumb along my jaw. “But don’t think I’m letting you leave here without giving it at least one attempt.”

The stern set of his jaw is in stark contrast to the laughter in his eyes. I think he could convince me to do just about anything. Maybe that should scare me, but it only makes me feel alive.

I watch as he closes his eyes, arms extended in front of him and palms spread. This man is entirely too handsome for his own good. A breeze ruffles the blond hair at his temples, but it doesn’t look like he notices. It’s almost as if he’s in a trance. Becoming one with the core of his power. Can I do that too?

Then suddenly, so quick that if I blinked, I’d have missed it, something flickers above his palms. I watch the space like a hawk, willing myself not to look away until I spot it again.

There, forming just above the palm of his hand is a puffy white cloud. It almost looks like cotton candy, and I’m half tempted to grab it straight from the air but hold myself back. As it grows bigger, the white darkens until I’m staring at two gray clouds, each the size of a watermelon.

Holy fuck.

His eyes open, meeting mine at the same moment that rain begins to fall from the clouds he just made. I’m struck by just how talented he is. Pure family aside, his power seems to come so fucking naturally to him. Part of me is jealous, but the other part is so fucking glad. It means that whatever the future holds, I know he can protect himself.

“You’re incredible.”

He lets the power dissipate until the clouds fade away into nothing, and he shakes the wetness from his hands. Professor Isidora mentioned snow earlier. If I can learn to manipulate the weather, then maybe I’ll be able to experience the wonders of the cold, white powder. Apparently, Earth is covered in it. Or at least in some areas. Humans make what they call snow angels. I’d like to try that sometime.

“Now it’s your turn. It really does feel strange at first, but let yourself get used to it before you try to build anything, alright?” He kisses my forehead and then steps back to give me space.

I repeat his stance from earlier and close my eyes, searching for that well of power. Finding it is easier than I expected, but the glowing orb at my core is hard to miss. I wonder if Raphael’s looks like the sun, or if it’s only because I’m a Seraphim. This must be where my infernal heat comes from. Maybe this will help me summon sunfire. It’s worth a try, considering nothing else has worked so far.

Reaching out internally, I stroke the orb and let the odd sensations wrap around me. It’s not painful, exactly, mostly just bizarre. Kind of like when I went to the park as a kid and would swing upside down while all the blood rushed to my head. Finally, things settle and I picture a cloud forming atop my hands, just like Raphael’s did.

His voice filters through my mind then, echoing as if it’s in an open chamber. That’s it, sunshine. I see it!

Excited, I push a little harder, hope spiraling inside me, but instead of the clouds growing, they collapse. Fuck.

I sense another presence but don’t bother opening my eyes. Raphael is here. He’ll protect me. And something tells me I’m so close to getting this right, I don’t want to lose my concentration.

“Valiant effort, Miss Hayliel,” Professor Isidora says. “This time, try having your arms stretched wide at your sides, palms curved a bit like you’re holding a cup. Exactly! Now, again.”

Maybe it’s just me, but it seems like this position made my core of power grow twice the size, but I have to be imagining it. I brush the thought away and try once more to bring forth a cloud full of rain. Wind whips my hair, but I keep my eyes closed, feeling the moisture in the air forming above my outstretched hands.

“Oh my,” Professor Isidora says, and Raphael mutters my nickname, but still I keep my eyes shut and focus. It’s only when a drop of rain hits my cheek that I open my eyes.

The space above my hands is empty, but dark clouds fill a once clear blue sky and rain pours from above. Was that from me?

Raphael whoops as the droplets fall harder, soaking my clothes and hair. He twirls me around and kisses me. His lips are wet from the rain, and he tastes like a summer storm. Bright and refreshing. His tongue sweeps across mine, sending sparks of lust straight to my pussy. I need him. I need him now.

“Ahem.”

My eyes flash open and I meet Professor Isidora’s curious gaze.

Right. We’re in power class and probably shouldn’t be wet-humping in the middle of the arena.

Raphael and I break apart, putting some much needed distance between us, and blue sky peeks from between my scattered clouds. Of course, it would have brightened when I kissed Raph. He’s light and hope and everything that’s good in the world.

“I’m sorry, Professor. I don’t know how—”

The streak of lightning comes out of nowhere. One second there’s a flash and the next I’m lying flat on my ass with pain arching across my chest.

“Hayliel!” Raphael is by my side in a second. “Are you okay? Please, please, please, tell me you’re okay.”

“I’m fine, I think.” I press a hand to my chest, wondering if I’ll find a gaping hole there, but other than a dark spot on my soaked shirt, all seems normal.

Things move quickly after that. Professor Isidora instructs Raphael to take me to the infirmary. Her eyes hold an angry glint as she turns her pissed off expression toward Seraphina. Of course she’s behind this. That bitch has had it out for me since the beginning, and it looks like she’s no longer content to glare and stir things up from a distance.

“I swear to the Archangels, if she doesn’t get in trouble for this stunt I’ll be having fucking words with Principal Cael.” Raphael fumes as we walk, but despite the obvious anger and fear, he never once lets me go. At least one of his hands is on my body at all times, and I can’t say I hate it.

I must still be in shock because it feels more like something I saw than something that happened directly to me. Having to tell the angel at the front desk that I’d been struck by lightning felt like a joke, but the soreness in my chest tells me it’s real.

The healer takes me to a private room and tries to have Raphael wait outside, but I turn that shit down fast. She doesn’t argue, though she doesn’t necessarily look pleased either. I get it. I doubt every angel companion would be as respectable as my Raph, who practically melts into the wall when the healer instructs me to take off my top so she can see the extent of the damage.

He doesn’t say a word, but I feel his eyes on me like a caress. He’s worried, but he also wants to finish what we started in the arena. The feeling is mutual.

“You’re one lucky angel, that’s for sure,” the healer says once I put my shirt back on and sit on the edge of the examination table. “And you said lightning struck you? Hmm. There must have been something else nearby that took the brunt of the energy, because normally you’d be a wreck. Aside from some bruising on your chest and ribs, there’s no serious damage. The bruises should heal by tomorrow, but I’d recommend you take it easy for the rest of the day just to be safe. And no more electricity play, do you hear me?”

She gives us both a stern look before leaving. Wait. Does she think we … Laughter tumbles up from my throat as I realize exactly where she thinks this little wound came from. Sex and electricity. Now I’m intrigued. Maybe once we forget about this silly mishap, my guys would be willing to explore with me.

“How do you feel?”

My gaze meets Raphael’s. He’s looming over me, brow furrowed as his eyes roam over my body, looking for any sign of injury.

“You heard the healer. I’m a little bruised and beaten, but I’ll survive.”

“Archangels’ balls. I can’t … fuck.” He gathers me into his arms and breathes in the scent of my wet hair. “I’m not sure how many more times I’ll survive watching you get hurt.”

“Trust me, I’m about done with it, too. But I’m sorry. I—”

“Don’t you dare apologize.” Pulling back, he cups my face in his large hands, thumbs gently caressing my cheeks. “None of this is on you. It’s on them. The assholes I want to obliterate from this city so they can never try to take you from me again. Because without you all the color would fade from this world. I would cease to exist, sunshine.”

My eyes sting as his words absorb into my soul. “It’s the same for me with you, Raph. I would die before I let anything happen to you, and apparently I’m damn near unkillable, so you’re stuck with me.”

He kisses me, but it’s not gentle or meek. It’s hunger. Desire. Need. All the things I’m feeling but doubled.

“Fuck, baby. I need you,” Raph groans, fumbling with his pants.

I help him pull them down, freeing his jutting erection and wrapping my hand around it. “Please,” I whimper. He slides a hand beneath my skirt, pulls my underwear aside, and shoves two fingers inside me.

A growl leaves him when he finds me wet and waiting. Desperate for him. His other hand grips the side of the exam table so hard his knuckles turn white. “I’ll try to be gentle, but I don’t—”

“I can take it. Just fuck me already.”

My bright, funny angel doesn’t hesitate. He pulls his fingers out, rubbing my wetness along the length of his cock before plunging it inside me to the hilt. He pumps into me with long, quick strokes. I stifle my moan, not wanting anyone to hear us and barge in. It’s just him and me.

His thrusts turn so ferocious, all I can do is sit there and take it. I lean back on my elbows for leverage as he grips my thighs and holds me steady while he fucks the breath straight from my lungs. It doesn’t matter that we have to be quiet. I can barely breathe through the sensations of pleasure, let alone scream.

“Are you close, baby? Please tell me you’re close.”

A strangled “Mmm” is all I can muster before stars dance behind my eyes and it’s like the entire galaxy implodes within this room.

“Oh, fuck,” Raph groans as he goes over the edge with me. He doesn’t pull out right away, both of us content to just sit here joined like this. Outside of this room, reality is waiting for us, but in here we can pretend things aren’t so shitty.

“I can’t lose you, little sun,” Raph whispers.

“Neither can I.” I kiss his chest. “I’ve got a training session with the others soon. Why don’t we go get a head start and—”

“Oh no, no. You’re taking a rest day. Doctor’s orders. And if I have to tie you down, well,” his smile turns wicked, “it will be my pleasure.”