The cave was serene as always, a quiet place of contemplation yet to give way to answers. A trove of treasures lacking truth, one you'd been whisked away to by the guiding hand of your angel, Gavriel. His magic was everywhere, collecting a source of warmth within the stone walls and the lights of pale golden glows, to the shimmering barrier at the maw you hadn't ventured through in months.

It wouldn't let you.

You step with trepidation, a gown of sleek white fabric accentuated with silver dawning your frame like liquid moonlight — reminding you of the goddesses in tales you were now so close to...yet still the heaven he went on about seemed so far away.

"Gavriel...winter is nearly over- I was wondering—" your calling came to soft hushes when you saw his state.

Floating in the air, lost in meditation, he sat as if a limp idol...his eyes still lost behind the cloth of near gold no brighter than his cuffs and bands of loosely crafted armor under linens. His feathers ruffle, wings shimmering as bright as his hair.

He stood as strong and as gentle as always — your heavenly protector.

You move as though entranced by his being, steps as light as the hum that left your lips; a melody you knew he always loved. Upon hearing it, he relaxed with little effort — breath catching at the hand placed on his back.

So many questions were on your tongue, lost under the sweet tune. Curious and evident, your hand traces patterns on his perfect being, feeling his muscles twitch under your sweet grazes. You wanted — needed to know, needed to harbor some truth to it all.

You move, ghosting the cloth and slipping it from place. He jolted — a yelp leaving you knocked to the ground as he stood, flaring the strong wings that threw you back.

"Damn you!" His voice roared; hand held tight to marred features, your eyes wide as you clutch the goldspun cloth and cower before him. "What hells have possessed you to disobey me- to want to see what monster lies beneath trenches you know not to wander to!" His eye, white and scarred, glared.