Raphael stared at her. Her blue eyes were steel with conviction. With the promise he never thought she’d give.
“Are you serious?” he rasped, unable to control his thumping heart.
“Yes.” Maria stepped closer, so close that her chest touched his. “Take me back to your room, Raphael. I’m yours. Have me forever, just like you dreamed.”
Raphael grabbed her hand and brought her flush against his front. He cupped her face. “You’re giving yourself to me?”
“Wholeheartedly.”
Raphael pushed her hair behind her ear, just admiring this woman before him. As the soft strands slipped through his palms, he began to hum. Maria curled into his touch, and in the morning light, a song spilled from his lips. “Ring a-round the roses, a pocket full of posies, ashes, ashes . . . we all fall down.” As his words trailed off, Maria took his hand and brought it to her lips.
We all fall down . . .
Feeling weightless with anticipation, Raphael turned and gathered what he needed, adrenaline fueling his every move. He gathered her favorite roses, then guided Maria through the greenhouse. She was silent as she walked, and Raphael studied her face. Her head was tipped up at the rising sun. His chest clenched when she smiled as if she hadn’t a care in the world. He could watch her face all day. Her outstretched hands brushed every tree and bush that they passed, letting the wet leaves kiss her skin. Winter was fading and spring was beginning to break.
But she wouldn’t get to see the new season. This glimpse of its birth would have to suffice.
Raphael stayed by her side as they passed the fountain and Maria stopped to dip her hands into the water. He stayed by her side as she crunched gravel under her feet as they walked the path that led them to the house. And he stopped in the doorway to the mansion and watched as she inhaled one single last breath.
Exhaling deeply, Maria turned to Raphael. “I am ready, my lord.”
Raphael held out his hand. Shivers raced down his spine as her cold fingers wrapped around his. This is how she will feel, he thought. In a few hours, she will be permanently cold. Raphael frowned, realizing he would miss the warmth of her skin. But the flicker of sadness left him when he thought of what he would gain. Her forever by his side. Unable to leave, always this young and this beautiful.
Eternally his perfect little rose.
Raphael led Maria toward the stairs. The staff were milling about, preparing breakfast. Raphael heard his brothers in the dining room. Maria pulled on his arm. “Can I see them?” she asked. “One last time?” Raphael nodded his head and opened the doors to the dining room. He would give her anything for the gift she was giving him.
“Raphe, Maria.” Sela lifted his mug of coffee in greeting. But then Sela’s eyes dropped to the roses in Raphael’s hands. One by one, his brothers focused in on the flowers.
They knew what they were for.
Raphael looked at Gabriel last. His older brother’s face had gone deathly white. “Hello,” Maria said. “I just want to say thank you.” She cleared her throat as they all listened to every word she said. “Thank you for all that you have done.” Her cheeks blushed, and Raphael felt his groin stir at the sight of her pink skin. She was his weakness in every way.
Maria lowered her eyes, taking a deep breath. When she lifted her head again, her eyes were filled with tears. An odd ache pulled in his gut. “I have loved getting to know you all these past several weeks.” She quickly wiped a falling tear off her cheek. “You welcomed me to your table. And you stayed beside us”—she smiled up at Raphael—“when I was hurt and healing.” Maria lifted her chin, her tears drying. “I haven’t had family in a very long time. Thank you for giving me a glimpse of what that feels like again. I didn’t realize how much I missed it.” Maria tucked her hair behind her ear and squeezed Raphael’s hand, which hadn’t let her go. “It has been a pleasure to know you all.”
The table was silent, until Bara raised his glass. “It has been a pleasure knowing you too, Sister Maria. As short and fleeting as our time together has been.”
Maria smiled at Bara, then turned to Raphael. “I’m ready now. Shall we go?”
Raphael nodded and began leading her out of the room.
“Maria?” Gabriel’s voice stopped them in their tracks. Maria turned back. Gabriel was on his feet. Raphael felt a rush of annoyance surge through his body at Gabriel’s interruption. But Maria stepped forward. Gabriel’s mouth opened and closed as if he didn’t know what to say.
“I chose this, Gabriel. This is my choice,” Maria said.