Tied With a Bow

him to see it.
    They descended the dark stairwell. Down and down and down. She fought the tears that threatened, biting hard on her lip until she tasted blood.
    Please, let me be strong enough. He’s been through a lot. Help me pretend that I’m okay.
    When they reached the ground floor, her throat was so tight, she couldn’t swallow the pain. Her feet moved numbly as he led her across the street to the Clarity, her resolve draining away as the moment of letting go got closer.
    I know I can’t have him for good, Lord, but would one night be too much to ask for?
    Please, just let me keep him for a few hours more.
    “Do you need a place to stay for the night? I have a room with an extra bed. We could just talk—just be together for a little while.”
    “The temptation of that,” he said, shaking his head. “I’m not strong enough.”
    Tears welled in her eyes, and he clenched his fists helplessly.
    “Kate, please don’t cry,” he whispered.
    “Sorry!” She jerked her head to the side as the drops spilled over her lashes. “Good-bye for now,” she choked out, then rushed into the lobby before the sobs took her.
     
     
    Kate didn’t dream, but she still woke breathless and sweating. Two angels stood at the foot of her bed. The ice angel and the golden angel watched her.
    “What? What the hell do you want?”
    “The reason archangels aren’t allowed human friends and lovers is that demons can use them for leverage,” the ice angel said. “Word will spread by morning that the archangel Nathaniel has a weakness. He loves a human woman.”
    “That is not my fault,” Kate snapped.
    “I will take the credit,” the golden angel said.
    “You mean the blame,” Kate said.
    “You attacked a demon and defended one of my angels,” Ice said.
    “Yes.”
    “We will give you a body better equipped to defend itself from harm, if you’re willing to train.”
    “What are you saying? You want me to become an archangel, too?”
    “No, not an archangel, but if you should come across a demon and feel inclined to kill it, we will not object. Mostly we want to be sure that if a demon comes across you, you will not be inclined to die.”
    “How long is the training?”
    “Until an archangel deems you ready.”
    “Which archangel?”
    “The one who put you in harm’s way by binding you to him with angel blood.”
    She barely managed to keep herself from shouting for joy.
    “If I’m already a target for demons and they already think they can use me as leverage, then whether I marry Nathaniel or not doesn’t change anything.”
    “Correct,” Ice said.
    “So he could marry me without having to give up being an archangel?”
    “Correct,” Gold said, smiling.
    “Did you tell him?” Kate blurted.
    “Do you agree to a new body and the training?” Ice asked.
    “Yes! Did you tell him?”
    “We did,” Gold said as Ice disappeared. “He’s waiting on the roof.”
    She sprang from the bed, grabbing a pair of jeans. “I can’t believe this.”
    “You must always have faith, Kate.”
    She paused after pulling a sweater over her head. “Thank you.”
    He nodded. “Well done with the demon. The warriors were impressed by the couple you and Nathaniel make.”
    She smiled. “And you can accept the blame for that.”
    “Yes, I do accept the credit,” Gold said and disappeared.
    Kate raced into the hall and bounded up the stairs. She shoved the roof door open and rushed out. Bathed in moonlight, Nathaniel waited with silvery wings spread behind him.
    She didn’t hesitate. She ran and launched herself at him. He caught her, folding his arms and then his wings around her. Silky feathers brushed against her.
    “Wow,” she said, sliding her cheek over them. “Feathers feel really amazing against bare skin.”
    He kissed her hard on the mouth, crushing her body to his. After a moment, he lifted her and set her away from him.
    “Hey,” she said, reaching toward his bare chest.
    “Wait,” he said, taking a step backward. “Don’t distract me, Kate.”
    “Distract you from what?” she demanded, very much wanting to touch him.
    “From our handfasting ceremony.”
    “Oh,” she said, smiling. She clasped her hands together behind her back and nodded. “Then go ahead and marry me, Nathaniel, so you can finally take your wife to bed.”
    He smiled, sliding a length of ribbon from his pocket. “I have a marriage bed ready for us. It’s high on the ridge of a mountain among the clouds. There’s a