FULL OF GRACE ~ SONG FLASH FICTION

Wow…less than a week until Christmas. And I’m at a hockey tournament this entire weekend and Monday. Which means I’m writing this Sunday night. LATE. But… as it’s Sarah and she’s Canadian, I couldn’t bow out. And…I might have picked this one, so… Besides, the woman’s voice. Dear god, it’s angelic. Such a talented lady.

If you’re not familiar with the song, here you go… and here is the story inspired by a song.

 

“Tell me, Michael. How long are you going to stay here, avoiding him?”

Michael muttered under his breath before glancing over his shoulder. Gabriel leaned against a tree, his silhouette illuminated by a warm yellow glow reflecting off a pond, casting a long shadow across the soft grass. His grace shimmered around him—not quite as luminous as it’d once been. More of a muted fluorescence than the blinding light Michael knew surrounded him.

He looked back at the setting sun, watching the different shades of orange and yellow chase each other across the sky. “I think Kei’s love of fire has melted your brain, brother. You’re talking nonsense.”

Gabriel snorted. “Still in denial, I see.”

Michael huffed as the other angel moved in beside him, the man’s gaze taking in the colours staining the clouds. “There’s nothing to deny. I was just watching the sun set.”

“No, you were trying to catch a glimpse of Greyson as he headed out for his nightly check of the various portals dotted along the perimeter.” Gabriel sighed. “Ever since Uriel popped in for an uninvited visit, Grey’s been obsessively vigilant about security. Never seen the guy this diligent before. He’s more of a…playboy. Makes me wonder if he’s got ulterior motives for following such a strict, dare I say, predictable schedule.”

“I’m sure having an archangel lay waste to your homeland changes your priorities.”

Gabriel snickered. “I’ve known Grey for decades. Trust me. Not much gets to him. Which brings me back to my hypothesis that he’s not scouring the borderlands for the good of his people.”

“Why else would he spend all that time alone?”

“Maybe he’s hoping he won’t be alone for long.”

Michael released a weary breath, allowing his head to bow to his chest as his shoulders drooped. “Gabriel…”

“Why are you making this so difficult? I saw the way Grey looked at you. Not to mention the fact he finds a way to bring you up in damn near every conversation. And while I know the reasons for his people giving Kei and me a home here are pure, he doesn’t visit me as often as he does because he lacks for companionship. He’s hoping you’ll drop by.”

Michael glanced at him. “He tell you that?”

“Didn’t have to. The guy’s an open book. But what I find puzzling is why you come here then hide your presence from him.”

“It’s…complicated.”

Gabriel nudged him. “What’s so complicated? He likes you, you like him…”

“I’m an archangel.”

Gabriel laughed. “As am I.”

“You’re…different.”

“Why? Because I have a mate? Or because I’m not as pure as I used to be?”

“I didn’t mean…” Michael raked a hand through his hair. “What you and Kei have…it’s a bond very few of us will ever find. It makes you special.”

“I’m not special, brother. I just listened to my heart instead of all the reasons I shouldn’t let him in.”

“I’m a warrior.”

“So’s Grey.”

Michael threw up his hands, stomping away before spinning. “He’s a prince. Heir to the thrown. Hell, his father is practically a god.”

“And yours is.” Gabriel gave him a small smile. “The only difference between us, Michael, is that I wasn’t afraid to make myself vulnerable. To admit that there’s someone else who means more to me than…me.”

“I’m God’s warrior. I can’t put my own happiness, my needs, above those of his children.”

“If our Father didn’t want us to fall in love, we wouldn’t have fated mates lurking around, waiting for us to find them.”

Michael glanced across the pond as a man appeared on the far side. The fae paused, lifting his head to the sky before letting it fall to his chest as he trudged off. Even this far away, Michael knew it was Greyson. He could feel the other man’s soul beckoning to him like a beacon. Hear the echoed beat of Grey’s heart thrum in his head.

Gabriel cupped his shoulder. “Grey’s a good man. A worthy man.”

“He’s not a man, and I’m afraid I’m the one who isn’t worthy. If you and Kei hadn’t intervened, I’d be dead.”

“And if Kei hadn’t accidentally summoned me, so would I.”

“I don’t think it was an accident.”

“The point is, we all played a part. You saved us equally, I assure you.”

Michael shook his head. “All I did was look like a fool.”

“Michael—”

“I can’t ask Grey to give himself to me. Not when I know there are more than a few entities who’d love to use my feelings against me. He’d be a target.”

“And you think Kei isn’t?” Gabriel motioned to where Greyson had reappeared across the water, the flicking light of a fire wavering next to the fae. “Whether Grey wants to take the risk is his choice.”

“Not if he never knows how I feel.” Michael held up his hand, fighting the urge to simply take to the sky and join the other man on the opposite side of the water. “It’s better this way. Without me…he’ll be free to find someone who can give him what he needs.”

“All he needs is for you to let him in. To love him.”

“He’ll find someone else. Someone far more worthy than I.”

Gabriel grabbed his wrist when Michael turned to leave. “Faeries aren’t that different from us, Michael. He only has one true soul, as well.”

“Then it’s best I leave so he can find it.”

Michael ignored Gabriel’s call as he took off, heading for the portal back to his world. To where there was order. Peace. The sharp pain through his chest didn’t mean anything, least of all that he cared for the fae.

 

And that’s it. Just two other ladies joining in today. See you next month … 2016 baby.

Bronwyn Green  |   Paige Prince

4 Replies to “FULL OF GRACE ~ SONG FLASH FICTION”

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.