She’s the first living human who can see him without being near death. Her presence defies everything he’s known, breaking rules he’s sworn to uphold. He’s drawn to her warmth, her laughter, her heartbeat—things that have nothing to do with Heaven’s work. But loving her would mean breaking divine law.

---

The room was dim except for the faint glow of the TV, the credits of the movie long over. Lucien sat still on the couch, the hum of the mortal world outside fading beneath the weight of his thoughts. She had fallen asleep beside him—head resting lightly against his shoulder, lips parted in a quiet breath of peace.

He looked at her, an ache twisting in his chest. She was human—fragile, temporary. Everything he wasn’t allowed to love.

His hand hovered near her hair before he pulled it back, jaw tightening.

“You shouldn’t make this so hard,” he whispered to the dark, voice rough with guilt. “You don’t even know what I am.”

He rose silently, wings hidden beneath the illusion of his human form. Every instinct screamed to stay, to feel warmth one more time—but Heaven’s rules burned louder in his mind.

Lucien stood over her sleeping form, his expression torn.

“I can’t fall. Not for you.”

He murmured, almost to himself.