LXIX - The Forbidden Fruit

Jeremiel entered his home, kicking off his boots angrily. He still carried his older Brother, who remained silent after being picked up from his place at the Palace. The younger Seraphim held an air of hostility about him, and Remiel was not willing to be the one to break the quiet.

A male servant passed by, and seemed to sense his master's sour mood, as he immediately turned on his heel to busy himself as the two Seraphim entered the spare bedchamber. Finally allowing Remiel to stand on his own feet, Jeremiel leaned against the doorway, stretching his arms after the weight of carrying his older Brother was gone. "Today was a mistake. I'll let you rest. If you want anything, call for Matthias, he should be around. Cordelia was instructed to take today off."

As Jeremiel began to close the door to the bedchamber, Remiel called out.

"Wait! Jer... why did you do it?"

Jeremiel pulled his hair free from its ribbon, an aimless task to avoid the question. He shrugged, not committing to an answer.

"You've always put your work first. Something's changed," Remiel pressed, determined to know what had made his Brother defy the Ruler so boldly.

He did not turn toward the other Seraphim, but Jeremiel put his hand on the door frame, as if he was bracing himself. "I've seen the changes. The hollowness since Michael has left. The Ruler's paranoia about our loyalty. The condition you're in. My work means nothing if it's for someone who treats my family this way. My family needs to come first, and I've been blind to that for so long."

Before Remiel could reply, Jeremiel walked away, leaving his Brother alone in the bedchamber.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

After the men left the home, Cordelia stood before the large bed, unsure of what to do. Her master had told her to take the day off, but he had also told her specifically to rest in his bed. She had the orders to sleep in the larger, softer bed, but it was his.

Crawling across the expansive bed, Cordelia tried to allow herself to relax. She settled underneath the soft blanket, a sigh passing her lips. She was used to a life of servitude, and it felt wrong to take advantage of such a luxury. The subtle yet alluring scent of Jeremiel surrounded her, and she drifted off to sleep.

Warm arms wrapped around her waist, rousing Cordelia from her dreams. A cascade of chestnut hair fell over her shoulder, and an expansive white wing covered her. She yawned, and settled back into her slumber, exhausted from her night of checking on Remiel.

After a few hours of peaceful sleep, the maid started to stir, and a deep, velvet voice snapped her awake.

"How are you feeling?"

Cordelia tentatively reached to her shoulder, and the wing she had dreamed of was indeed spread across her. "...Master Jeremiel…?"

"Just Jeremiel."

Her heart pounded, and she hoped he could not feel it. "Mast- er…Jeremiel…is everything alright?" 

"It hasn't been for a long time, but thank you for asking. Are you feeling more rested?" Strong arms pulled her closer to him, her back against his chest; her wings a small barrier between them.

"I am, but it's too much, too luxurious for what I am used to," Cordelia whispered, hoping not to offend her master. "Not that I'm not grateful, of course! I feel honored that you allowed me such comforts after staying with Seraphim Remiel during the night."

"Did you want to be used to it?" 

The maid's eyes snapped open as Jeremiel's intention became clear. She wriggled free from his hold, turning to face him. –I've cared about him for so long, but for him to return the affections... something is different... he's told me before that it could never be with our statuses…–

"What changed? You're home early from a day of serving the Ruler, and you... you're here with me!" Confusion and hesitation to allow her dreams to shatter once more filled her voice, and Jeremiel frowned. 

"Are you rejecting me?"

"No, no...I just want to know what changed. You had told me before that it was wrong for a maid and her master...-" 

Jeremiel cut off her questioning with a heart-stopping kiss; he seemed to have waited for her to say that she was not rejecting him. Cordelia put aside her apprehensions, allowing herself the kiss she had dreamed of for years - the forbidden fruit that she had longed to taste.

–I shouldn't do this, I can't let him throw away his Palace life for one day of weakness. I should have left his manor and stopped working for him when I realized I loved him. Maybe then, things could have been different. Like Emilia and Seraphim Gabriel. But I don't want to stop him, either.–

Her lips were parted by Jeremiel's, and her arms wrapped around his neck. She knew it was wrong, that she should stop him, talk to him. –But is it so wrong to want things for myself?– Cordelia felt a slight push as the Seraphim rolled her onto her back, pressing her into his soft bed. 

"I want you, Cordelia." A hushed whisper, barely audible, sparked the desire deep in her heart. Jeremiel's lips brushed against her temple, his kiss a feather's touch against her skin. 

A sob choked her; knowing she had to make a choice between her own wants and what he needed. She had loved Jeremiel for so long, but to love someone was to want what was best for them. "Jer…I- we can't. I don't know what happened at the Palace today, but you can't throw away your entire life for…this."

Jeremiel pushed away, lying on his side. His usual moodiness returned to his demeanor, and Cordelia worried she had upset him. "Are you saying you're not good enough?"

"I don't know - I just know the Ruler would never approve of –"

Rage flared in the Seraphim's eyes. "I no longer care about Him or what He approves of. I don't want to spend my life appeasing a Ruler who treats us as disposable. Michael made one mistake, and he was abused, beaten, and banished. Remiel made a mistake, and you've spent your time caring for him since. I don't want to live this way. I choose happiness - and I've chosen you."