War of Wings Page B

own way.” Arrayah looked incredible. The diamonds sparkled around them as he caught up to her, and the look she gave him there in the dancing light was something special. She felt it too. He was sure of it.
    “Gabriel, I feel like I can trust you, so I want to tell you this.” Her eyes cut to the side before coming back. “I have always wanted more and have never been satisfied with what God has given me. Is there something wrong with me?”
    “No, Arrayah! You are incredible. I love that you are able to tell me these things. I feel the same way.”
    “I am tired of routine. I’m not even sure if God is responsible for everything anymore. What if we can control our own existence from now on, free from rules and restrictions?”
    They were coming to the end of the tunnel, so Gabriel grabbed her by the hand, flying fast and pulling her along. She let him lead her. They eventually shot through the water to the other side, which was the Granite Falls. They flew directly toward a massive slab of granite on the other side. At the last possible moment, he turned upward, their feathers brushing the rock face as they rushed past. Arrayah gave out a small scream.
    Gabriel erupted with laughter. “Did I frighten you? I’m sorry.”
    She clasped his hand and did an immediate turn, now dragging him behind her. He was still laughing. She dove straight back down into the falls. They were picking up speed.
    “So you didn’t appreciate my joke. Let’s go enjoy that blue some more.”
    She kept going without any acknowledgement she had heard him. They shot down the first tier, the second tier, all the way down until they neared the water.
    “Arrayah—”
    She lunged forward faster, clutching his hand.
    “Wait!”
    Right before they hit the water, she let go and twisted away and up. He struck the water at high speed and plunged into its cool depths, the roar of the falling water like muted thunder around him. He shot down so deeply that it took him a couple of minutes to make his way back to the surface. When he popped up and wiped the water from his eyes, he saw her hovering over him, dry as ever and looking quite pleased with herself.
    Gabriel was not fond of water, and he was probably the worst swimmer in Heaven. He came up frazzled and gasping for air, yet seeing her self-satisfied smirk, he couldn’t help but start laughing again.
    She was unlike any angel he had ever met. He flew out of the water, his wet wings beating hard and showering spray. Before she could withdraw, he gave her a big, wet hug.
    “Ugh!” She tried to push him away, but he locked his arms and soaked her as she struggled. “Gabriel!” Then she gave in and started giggling. Their feathers dripped all over. She stopped trying to push him away, and his arms loosened but remained around her. He felt like he was meant to protect her. She fit into his arms like she had been molded out of his body. Like they had once been separated and were finally reconnected.
    “Now we’re even,” Arrayah said at last as she pushed him gently away.
    “Oh yeah, we’re real even,” said Gabriel. “I get hurled ten leagues deep in the sea and you get a wet hug. That sounds about right.” He shook his wings to dry them out.
    She started to chuckle again. “That’s what happens when you mistreat me. So where are you wanting to take me now, you brute?”
    “You will see,” he said in a deep, mysterious tone. She rolled her eyes but smiled. Gabriel realized how comfortable they were becoming around each other. It surprised him. It just felt right.
    “You can take me to your favorite spot tomorrow,” Arrayah said. “It’s my turn, and there is someone I’d like for you to meet. Right now, actually.”
    “That’s fine with me. Who are we meeting?” She was already planning to see him again. This was wonderful.
    “You will see,” she said, imitating his deep, mysterious voice. She giggled again.
    “You’re just cracking yourself up, aren’t you?”
    She