The cellos began to harmonize with the other strings creating a smooth and longing rhythm. The music ascended into a staccato of bases, the harps chimed in soon and it all crashed into a crescendo of symbols and finally the last sad stroke of the violin.  The crowd stood up to clap and I joined in on the applause.

 

***

I waited until everyone was out of the theater room before I decided to go to leave. It was already 2 a.m, I was ready for bed but, I knew many of the guest were hitting the bar. I walked into Rin’s suite and pushed open the door to my bedroom.  On the way in, something caught my foot. I looked down to see a thick stack of folded papers.

I laid out on my bed and looked at the papers. It was a long note from Rin. I quickly opened it.

Seraphim—

You know how much I love and care about you. I wanted to still keep you company even when I am away. I need you to know  I am keeping my location a secret from you because I have to, not because I want to. I hope this won’t ruin our trust. I do have something to tell you. It is about one of our guests . . .

I read on as she talked about a Demon named Dark who she wanted me to watch out for. He was the one who had caught us swimming in the spring. I took note of her request but, I was more interested in the first part of her note. The fact that she cared enough to consider my feelings really touched me.

Rin made me feel like I was home, even though Eden and the palace hadn’t been my home for very long.

 

-1-

I remember opening my eyes underwater. I had no idea how I ended up there but, I was drowning.  I could see the distorted surface and  I reached  my hand out. My body felt too weak to swim and I was sure I was going to just sink to the bottom. Immediately, I was helped out by a mass  of hands that lifted me and pulled me to the surface.

As my eyes cleared  I greedily inhaled oxygen. When the coughing fits were over I took in my surroundings.I was sitting by a large river running through the middle of a grassy meadow. A man and woman were at my side holding me up and patting my back to get the water out.

The scenery was a brilliant green and lush all around. The water I had been drowning in was a river in the middle of it all. I wasn’t shivering or cold but, a large blanket was being wrapped around me.  I then realized I was naked.

The couple didn’t seem to be phased by my nudeness but, I did not remember falling into  a lake naked. I had no idea where I was.

“Where am I?,” I asked.

“Do you feel alright ?,” the woman asked.

I shook my head no.

“You are fine. You are very fine,” she smiled and waved her hand in  the air.

The woman had signaled someone and a  new person was coming into my vision.

That was the first time I saw Rin.

She was youthful, but had a stern look on her face.  I was immediately intimidated by her beauty. A thick mass of glossy black waves cascaded  down to her waist, golden tanned skin, high cheekbones and a slight upturned button nose.  Her lips were lined in a thick red and they sat in a straight line.

I remember thinking she was wearing an extravagant outfit to be out in a field. Black sleeves went down to her palms  while the bodice and skirt of the dress were satin red. The dress had a  high neck and the puffy skirt went to down to nearly her ankles. It was short enough for me to see she was wearing matching heeled boots. She walked through the grass effortless and straight to me. She  put her hand on my back and led me to a bench near the stream. I followed without thinking.

“Seraphim ?,” she said to me.“Seraphim,”

I was confused.

“Me ?,” I asked. My throat was froggy from all the coughing up water.

“Yes, you silly,” she smiled. Her smile softened her entire face.

How could I have forgotten my own name ? I then realized that wasn’t the only thing I forgot.

She opened a large woven picnic basket and took out a blue china teacup and a latched teapot. She carefully poured some tea.

“You must be  very thirsty,”

 I was and I took the drink. The tea tasted like a sweet vanilla.

“I don’t remember anything,” I told her,”I have no idea  who I am or--,”

“Calm down,” she said.

Once I was done with the cup my hands were shaking.  I was doing the exact opposite of calming down.

 “ I don’t understand. Why don’t I  remember anything,” I cried.

“I know.” She said, " Calm down and I will explain what I can. First of all, I am formally called Corrine de Tuileries but, that is an horrible name isn’t it ? Everyone calls me Rin. Okay ?,”

I nodded.

“Now, I am what you call an Angel,” she said, “ And you are what is called  a human.”

I was in shock. I knew I was human, of course I was. And I knew what an angel was.

“I’m dead ?,” I panicked,” I don’t remember dying,”

“Just listen.” She said.” You are in a place called Eden where we people called Angels live and have lived for so many years. Human souls will come here through that river, the Soter River. We don’t know the exact reasons or how  it happens but it does and has been going on for as long as anyone can remember. They just seem to wash up in this river.

Therefore, we Angels consider human souls the most precious things in the world.   We take the human souls in and help them acclimate to life in Eden. In fact, there are more human souls here than Angels.”

“I don’t remember dying," I repeated

“Nobody does.  You will have no memories of your human life and that is fine. Now, I have decided to take you in.  I will take care of you and be your guardian. “

She reached in to the basket and pulled out a long sleeve frilly white blouse and green skirt for me  to slip into. It  fit big on me but, I was thankful for clothes.

“Let’s get out of here, okay ?,”she said.

She lead me to a beige coach being led by two white horses. We got into the back and the carriage began to move. The windows were covered and I could not see where we were going.

"A carriage?," I said to myself as I got inside.

"Well, we have cars but, I prefer the privacy the carriage offers us. Now, We are going  to my home the Palace de Tuileries--,”

“You have a palace ?,”

“Not me,  but my family's. I live there with a lot of extended families, other smaller families and my family. As well as all the employees who keep the palace going. Most of the Angel families have palaces.My family is the largest Angel family and  we have the heavy burden of keeping the Eden running.

Human souls like you—who are considered angels with a lowercase a--- will live in town usually.  Many have jobs, like the ones who watch for human souls, or bakers or dressmaker or artist  to earn their keep.”

“I have so many questions,” I said

“You probably will but, don’t ask them all at once. Things will be revealed over time. We are going to be together for a long time,” she smiled.” Now in order to earn your keep you will be my maidservant—my assistant.”

It didn’t seem like she was offering the job so, I said nothing and just nodded.

The carriage continued on, the smooth even pace and the softness of the blanket in my hands lulled me to sleep. I hadn’t realized I was asleep until Rin lightly tapped me.

She got out of the carriage and we were in the center of a shopping area. All around us were wide brick streets lined with shops. People were strolling on the streets and they all looked so normal. Rin pulled on my elbow a bit and led me into a dress shop.

“We should get your size,” she commented,” I could have sworn you would be my size.”

“You have seen me before ?,” I asked

“Well, yes. The souls  will float in the water unconscious for a while.” She said,” It’s funny I saw you and I just felt like we would be a good match.”

She walked into the shop and was greeted by someone on the floor. The woman measured me and reported my size to Rin who quickly pointed out some items she wanted to buy. Rin didn't seem to want to spend anytime browsing.  She purchased me a brown linen a-line dress that had a bell skirt and flat black  shoes. 

 I was expecting a maid’s uniform.

When I was changed into clothing that fit, we went back to the carriage.

The ride went on for a while longer. Rin opened the carriage shades and l I saw what had to be the palace up ahead. The palace was a long building of archways and large windows, it  seemed to extend forever across the horizon. The outside was done in a white brick that was brilliant against the grass.

“Welcome home,” she said.

“I--,” I had nothing to stay. 

A few hours ago I felt so alone and now it seemed I had everything. A job, new clothes a place to live and apparently a new best friend.

We walked across the manicured lawn and towards a large set of  swinging doors. I expected it to be busy but, it was mostly empty as we walked inside the building. It reminded me of an abandoned museum or something.

At the end of each hall was a set of doors and at the top of the door their were engravings that said things like EAST CORRIDOR. She walked through door after door until she slowed down.

“This is my family’s wing.” Rin explained.

As we walked up some stairs, I heard a voice call behind us.

“I see you have gone fishing.,” the voice said.

Rin had my hand and we turned to see a handsome young man walking towards us. His eyes were an incredible deep green, he had light red hair that curled a bit on his head and a very strong jaw line.

“That's not very nice.” Rin said,” Seraphim, this  is my older brother, Gabriel.”

“The angel . . . ,” I said to myself.

“Of course,” Rin said,” I explained that to you. He is my brother  so he would be an Angel too.”

 The siblings exchanged a look.

“What an interesting name.” he said to me. “Very nice to meet you. I know we will be fast friends.”

In an unexpected gesture, he put his hand around my shoulders and pulled me into a side  hug. My heart  skipped a beat at this handsome man touching me like that.  I could not believe someone like him was talking to me. I just wasn’t sure why I felt this way.

“Are you two coming to dinner ?,” he asked

“Later,” Rin answered.

He gave me one last look before continuing down  the hall.

Rin took me upstairs to  her suite. The area had a very small sitting room and two bedrooms on either side. The decor reminded me of a doll house it was so intricate and precise. She said the second bedroom was once an old toy room and she was giving it to me. If I needed her she was only a few steps away.

-2-

My first few days I  felt very tired and stayed in bed. During those days Rin and I just talked. Even though I had some big gaps in my memory it was amazing how long we could talk for—we would converse through the night. She took care of me and I wasn’t really sure when the maidservant part was going to come in. It wasn’t until Gabriel and Rin’s mother, Lady Ilena came back from a trip that I understood my full duty.

Lady Ilena—as I was introduced to her--- invited Rin and I out for tea in one of the courtyards. Rin had told me very little about her parents and I had yet to meet her father. She said he was a very busy man.

The spread reminded me of a fairytale, the table was covered in fresh flowers and there were trays of food. Fruit sliced up to look like cherry blossoms, petit fors and tea sandwiches. It seemed too much for just an afternoon conversation.

Lady Ilena was an extremely tall woman and she had a severe face and the same dark hair as Rin. She treated me more like an employee, I felt  like I was getting a little bit of a cold shoulder from her.

“I am so glad you are here, Seraphim,” Lady Ilena sighed,” You are a normal girl, I’m sure. You love make up and pretty clothes and things ?,”

I was unsure of what to do so I nodded.

“Good!,” she said, clapping her hands.” You need to make sure Rin tries to wear more than just black, gets made up everyday and keeps her appointments. I mean really, dear how many times have you overslept ?,”

Rin just shook her head non-commitally.

“As you know, Mother I am busy and I have more important things to deal with,” she said.

Lady Ilena just shrugged her shoulders and carried on talking.

I decided to take the Lady’s suggestion and tried to help Rin anyway I could, even if I just told her what dress I thought she would look nice in. It wasn’t hard, her closet was nearly the size of my room. 

Soon, I was following Rin everywhere and she never ceased to  amaze me. She woke up in the mornings to attend the public council sessions, advised committees and dealt with the affairs of the palace staff. She took lessons in philosophy, archery, art, horseback riding, as well as attended socials. The only person busier than her was Gabriel but, he spent most of his free time in his books and with is studies. It seemed like so much pressure and I was just happy to be on the outskirt of all the activity.

I was constantly asked to help set up for things, run errands or clean something.

For all of the work I did I lived in a nice home, ate delicious food and Lady Ilena was always bringing me dresses I might like.  I had met Rin’s father very briefly on occasion and for someone in power he was the kindest of them all. He was a very handsome older man who was always wearing an embellished black suit.

He told me since I was so young and had no other family I was to  call him ‘father' and he would make an effort to fill the familial role I was missing.  It was an odd and sweet request but, I mostly stuck with ‘sir.”

***

After a month in the palace, Rin and I were becoming fast friends but, I had yet to have really make the acquittance of anyone outside of Rin's parents and Gabriel. One afternoon, Rin was attending a closed council meeting  and asked me to go the dining room to  help her cousin, Sia pick a cake for her  upcoming wedding.

It seemed like an odd job until, I went into the dining room to see Sia at a table with hundreds of cakes and icing samples. Sia asked me to keep track of the ones she liked and didn’t like.

Sia was a bubbly blonde and the exact opposite of Rin. Rin was always very reserved most of the time while Sia said whatever came to her mind.

“I liked that one lemon cake but, not the other,” she sighed tipping the champagne glass to her lips,” Or is lemon too strange of a flavor ? Would you have lemon at your wedding ?”

“If I liked it I would,” I said.

She twirled on one of her blonde curls as she thought about what I said.

" Well, then it is decided ! Quincy isn’t much of a desert person anyhow," she giggled.

We still had dozens of  cake samples  and glasses of champagne to get through so, we sat together polishing off the rest of the cakes.

“Where is Quincy now ?,” I asked sucking on the orange slice in the champagne glass. It seemed like he should be here.

“He lives in the Daumier Château  —it is about 100 miles from here.”

Sia took the champagne bottle and refilled both of our glasses. She then leaned back in the chair putting her feet back on the table. Her shoes were white heels with an etched gold pattern etched   embellished with pink crystals. I swirled the champagne in my glass, while I didn’t usually like wine this particular flavor was light and bubbly. I squeezed some orange into the glass and started thinking.

“Sia, do you have to marry within in your . . .  social class ?,” I asked,” I mean can a human angel like me marry an Angel like you ?,”

“Um, sure of course, I guess. Why do you ask ? Have a little crush . . .,” she giggled.

“No,” I said but, I knew I was turning pink.

“C’mon . . .,” she said twirling her empty glass between her fingers.

So, I told her.

The truth was, the more I saw Rin the more I saw Gabriel. He was always so kind and patient and incredibly smart. He waved every time he saw me , no matter how busy he looked. I wanted nothing more than to be the most important thing in his life.

“Oh, sweetie,” Sia sighed,” You have to know he is off limits.”

I shook my head, I didn’t know that. She just contradicted what she had just said.

“Well,” Sia breathed, “While it is true people can marry whoever they like you have to understand Gabriel is . . . special. The Tuileries are very large and powerful family. Gabriel's father is kind of like the head man around here if you haven't noticed. It is why he is always away. After 3 marriages, Gabriel is his only son and is next  to take over his father. He will have to marry an Angel from another well known house to keep up appearances.”

I nodded my head in understanding but, I felt a little let down.

“It was just a silly little crush,” I smiled and downed the glass.

“I can’t blame you,” she quipped,” But, seriously I’m sure Rin would kill you if you fell in love with him. You know how she is . . . for a little sister she is awfully protective.”

“I know,” I said.

Although, the silly little crush felt very real and it never went away. It just seemed to grow stronger the more I saw him. Not strong enough for me to act  but, I thought about it.

 Eventually, I didn’t have to worry about it because soon the man of my desires was taken away from me.

And then he was back.

-3-

I couldn’t help but to spend all of my free time out in the garden looking at the statue of him. It was so much like the actual Gabriel, like his spirit was inside of it. Being in the presence of the art work was like he had come back to life.

The morning after Rin left for her mysterious trip, I took some grapefruit and tea outside to have breakfast by the statue. It was just a peaceful place, no one ever came out to the East Gardens. Nearly everyone in the palace was sleeping of a hangover so, it was very quiet.

“I feel like you are here,” I said to the no one but, I was talking to Gabriel. "I feel like you are with us.  In my dreams you are in a place like I am when my soul left my body. And you are very much alive. If you are here watching me I have some questions.”

I had always had questions I never asked Rin, in case she caught on to my feelings for Gabriel. Questions about love, and silly questions like, if they were all Angels why didn’t they have wings?

“This is silly,” I said to myself.

I got up walked around the base of the statue and looked up to the top to meet the stone eyes, looking for a flicker of the  green that made my heart skip a beat. As I looked up I saw a pair of large black wings sitting  on Rin’s window. 

The demon turned to me and instantly caught me staring. He  flew down towards me, with the sword in his hand.

 I screamed and ran  but, I heard him touch the ground and his footsteps came after me. He was quick and snatched my arm, I began to fight him.

“Stop.” He ordered.

I stopped. Shaking in his strong grasp.

He released my wrist quickly, like I was diseased and rolled his eyes.

“Where is Rin?,” he asked his voice demanding.

“A-away,” I said my voice shaking.

“Don’t be smart with me, worthless little girl.” He barked, plunging the sword in the ground between us. “Where is she ?,”

“I don’t know,” I said.

He kept stepping closer and closer , his dark eyes boring holes into me. His wings flapped  with a  sound like thunder before he flew off. My mind was a mess. I know Rin wanted me to follow him but, I just couldn’t.  I was too scared.

My body was still shaking at the encounter  and I walked back and leaned against the statue gripping the sides as tears flowed endlessly down my face.