Music recommendation: Don't Go by Christopher Dennis Coleman on Spotify.
Staring at her sleeping form, Leo was deep in thought. Since the day he met her, Lyra has been a thorn in his side, causing constant bickering and hot-headedness. What lay before him now was a defenseless, vulnerable version of her who sought refuge in his company.
Leo pondered if this was all according to the Creator's plan and if he was making the right choice. He lost too much, and the path to redemption had been excruciatingly long for him. It felt like ages since Eden's Council of Archangels cast him out and cursed him to roam the realms until his soul corrupts to the point of becoming a mindless monster.
For centuries, he had built his life with integrity, valor, fairness, and grace. At least his former life held those values as an angel. He has been reduced to a cursed being—the Fallen one. He knew only one other person who held the same fate and had long been dead.
Lyra whimpered in her sleep and curled further to his side. Subconsciously, Leo trailed his fingers across her cheek, continuing down to her black curls. She settled and heaved a small sigh. He halted as he looked at his hand tangled in her locks. What was he doing? Has he lost his mind? Lying in bed with a woman. The very human he was to dispose of soon enough, no less!
He felt conflicted with the unfamiliar feelings that seemed to form in his heart. It felt unnatural and foreign to him. It's not like he vowed to abstain from the female flesh; his duty was his priority overall. He has protected the realm and fought countless battles without wavering. His greatest mistake was the only time he hesitated, ending up in this situation. However, the serene feeling he felt around her made him subconsciously relax. This was not the first time this had happened to him, and it unnerved him. She somehow held this power over him without her trying. He pulled the small curls close to examine them.
The strand of her hair was soft to the touch. Leo brought it close to his lips as the aroma of jasmine wafted in his senses. He closed his eyes to bask in the soft texture, and her calm scent drew him closer to her sleeping face.
His crimson orbs held a glint in them as he studied every feature of her sleeping face. Her closed eyes fluttered as her long lashes cast delicate shadows against her rosy cheeks. The furrow between her brows, she always held, smoothed in a gentle curve. The subtle rise and fall of her breath added a rhythmic cadence to the stillness. Her peach-colored lips were parted. Leo felt his steady heartbeat gradually paced the longer he stared at them. It was too tempting and inviting to devour them. His lips were but a breath away from hers until he stopped.
Leo gritted his teeth as he felt a burning sensation seared on his cheek, "Fuck," he cursed under his breath.
He pulled away from her and got out of bed. He staggered over to the mirror on the dresser as he glared at his reflection. The scar on his left cheek held a faint orange glow like burnt embers burning the edges of his skin. He groaned as he felt the cursed mark riled him. His long, ivory-straight hair fanned over his features as he slumped forward, biting back the pain. He noticed the fringes of his hair began to dip in black as if dipped in an inkwell. He gripped the edges of the dresser until his knuckles turned white.
The repercussions of unleashing his abilities hastened the curse to spread further and corrupt his soul. Losing the grace of his celestial traits, like his ethereal glow, was just the tip of the iceberg. The curse of the fallen was a cruel punishment no one had ever been dealt with since the first. No ailment could ease his pain, and he was running out of time. From the color shift of his hair at the tips, he would say it wouldn't be long, and he needed to return home—and quickly.
He clawed at the scar to the point it drew blood. He gnashed his teeth as he bit back another groan, his shoulders shaking. It was a necessary distraction to counter the ache in his chest and the scalding heat on his cheek. Blood streamed down his jaw, leaving droplets on the surface of the dresser. His eyes held a darker hue of red as his brows furrowed in disdain. His breathing was heavy from the tension coursing through him. His eyes had a darker shade of red as he gazed in the mirror. He wanted to shatter the mirror to obscure his horrific features—a constant reminder of what he is. The wound began to stitch and bind itself back in place, revealing his crescent mark.
He pulled away and strode to the bathing chamber. He ran the water until the tub was filled. He stripped himself stark, revealing his porcelain skin without a single scratch or a muscle out of place. He dipped in the frigid waters, aiding the burning temperature that rose in his body. He closed his eyes with a deep sigh as he slowly sunk beneath the cold water. The pool of water dyed crimson as the blood washed from him. Beneath the surface was tranquility, and the cold temperature returned his sense of control.
Eventually, the pain subsided, and Leo was able to relax. He resurfaced as the murky water drained from his ivory water. He stepped out once he cleansed himself from the dirt and filth, drying himself as his unblemished skin and toned muscle were sculpted to perfection.
As Leo coiled his towel around his waist, he went back to the bed chamber. He peered at Lyra, sleeping peacefully. He dressed himself swiftly with a pair of pants, leaving his chest bare. He returned to bed and sat on the side, gazing at her with a distant look. He was bewildered at how Lyra wasn't even fazed in the slightest. He was thankful she wasn't harmed in any way.
'There you go again, thinking about that woman,' he chided himself internally.
He can't hold any attachment with her whatsoever. He needed to stay vigilant and focus on his objective—Eden. His current conflicting issue for her would need to be buried deep and locked away. He can't afford any mistakes or further distractions.
He stormed out of the room without glancing back at Lyra. The shut of the door slamming jolted Lyra as she stirred in her sleep. She grabbed the pillow close beside her and held it tightly, sniffing the minty scent of Leo, blooming a small smile on her lips as she dozed off in a blissful sleep. Unaware of the whirling storm of an angel who nearly wreaked havoc in their room.