“I love you too,” she whispered, and Raphael groaned. His hips worked faster and faster until Maria felt shivers break out on her skin, felt her heart skip and her core build with pleasure.
“Come for me.” As soon as Raphael’s order fled his lips, Maria threw back her head and moaned her release. Raphael roared above her, filling her with his warmth. Maria held on to Raphael, and when she opened her eyes, she found him watching her intensely. “Stay,” he murmured.
Maria kissed his lips. “You’ll be with me soon enough.” She got out of bed and passed by the coffin that still sat in the room. Each night she would lie in it for Raphael, silent, eyes closed, holding a bouquet of white roses while he stayed above her and watched for a couple of hours. Maria used that time for silent reflection. In doing so, she gave Raphael what he needed too.
Maria made her way to the Tomb. Once she’d slipped on her robe, Gabriel gave her the scroll that held the name. “Ready?” he asked, and moved beside the bell. Maria nodded, feeling her body fill with purpose.
Gabriel rang the bell for his brothers. Minutes later, Maria’s heart raced as she heard the sound of feet descending the stone stairs. The Fallen put on their robes and came to where she and Gabriel stood. Maria glanced at Bara, Uriel, Diel, Sela, Michael . . . and finally, Raphael. He smiled when she caught his eyes, his stare molten as she stood before him, dressed in her red robe. Raphael stepped forward, a flush on his cheeks, and Maria smelled fresh air and flowers on his skin. Lifting a rose, he threaded it through her hair, tucking the stem behind her ear. Maria’s heart melted toward Raphael just like it always did. She knew that would never change as long as she lived.
As Raphael took his place next to his brothers, Maria saw the pride he held for her on his handsome face. Pride for what this moment meant to her, to him and all the Fallen. She was one of them now. She’d never felt so at home.
Raphael pulled up his hood. and Maria took a deep, reassuring breath.
“Ready?” Gabriel asked the Fallen. One by one they dropped to their knees, Raphael no longer fighting the act of submission—especially to her. She held such pride toward her lover too, he’d come so far.
Gabriel looked to Maria and nodded in encouragement.
Heart pounding, Maria stepped forward. She cleared her throat. “Brothers,” she said affectionately, looking at her new family, heads covered by black hoods. “Let us begin . . .”
The End
-X-
Playlist
Sanctify – Years & Years
Churchyard – Aurora
Ruin My Life – Zara Larsson
Bury A Friend – Billie Eilish
Someone You Loved – Lewis Capaldi
Sing Me To Sleep — Alan Walker
Lay By Me – Ruben
Walls – Ruben
What Happened To Us – Chris Klafford
Corpses – Saint Sister
Handmade Heaven – Marina & The Diamonds
Heal Me – Grace Carter
Strange Love – Halsey
I’m Shipping Up To Boston – Dropkick Murphys
Killer – Zeina
Kill Somebody – YUNGBLUD
There You Are – Zayn
Love Me Anyway – P!nk (Feat. Chris Stapleton)
Church – Fall Out Boy
Abide With Me – Katherine Jenkins
The Half – Ruben
Power – Ruben
1000 Nights – Frenship
When The Party’s Over – Billie Eilish