The Angel's Bride

****Prequel Story to the Sapphire Wings Series**** All Annabelle Keller wanted was to live a quiet life. A childhood survivor of the Death Camps in the Second World War, she was adopted at a young age by a loving American family. But though she loves them and the peaceful life they have given her, she cannot forgive herself for surviving where so many others died and believes she will forever be alone. That is until she meets a young man named Malakai Renaldi. Handsome and kind, Malakai shows an immediate interest in Annabelle, easily breaking down the walls around her heart. But this young man also holds an incredible secret, one that will alter Annabelle's fate forever... **Available on Inkitt**

Excerpt

I wasn’t feeling entirely comfortable with this, though it wasn’t because I didn't trust him. It was more that I felt like he was intentionally trying to hide something of importance from me. The two of us walked in silence for a few minutes, and I took in the gentle rustle of the trees around us as the breeze blew through their leaves and branches. It was so serene out there, like walking just outside of Heaven. Yet this feeling also brought out that familiar guilt within me. “You still think about that time often, don’t you?” Malakai’s voice brought me back to the present, and I turned my head to look at him. “I’m afraid I don’t know what you’re referring to,” I responded. “I mean that time when you were a child during the war. It still weighs on you that you survived, doesn’t it?” Malakai elaborated. I looked down, unable to face him, “I would rather not speak of that time.” “I understand, and I’d never force you. Many of us have horrifying memories of that war.” That had my attention. It sounded like Malakai may have been through some of the traumas of the war as well. “Are you from overseas by chance, Malakai? Were you perhaps forced from your home or caught in the fighting?” I questioned. Malakai shook his head, “No, it wasn’t anything like that. It was more of seeing some of those horrors firsthand. It’s hard to keep faith in humanity when you’ve witnessed so many atrocities.” he confessed. “I can agree with that. Even though I try so hard to hold onto my faith, there are so many times when it feels so shaky. I wonder if that dirties me within the eyes of the Lord.” I pondered. “Not at all,” Malakai assured me, “It’s only natural to question such things when you’ve witnessed the worst of humanity. Even Angels do that.” His words immediately caught my attention, “You think so?” I asked as I looked at him. Malakai’s eyes widened like he’d just realized what he’d said, “Oh. Perhaps I’ve said a bit too much.” What an odd reaction. It was like he was chiding himself for his own words. But they were also a bit strange. I’d never heard someone speak of Angels like that before. “Anyway,” Malakai continued after a moment, “I also wanted to talk to you about something while it was just the two of us. I know that it might come off as very strange, but I hope that you’ll at least hear me out and give me a chance.” “Well, that is an odd way of putting it, but I wouldn’t simply say no when I don’t know what you wish to talk about. You have been very nice to me so far, so the least I can do is listen.” I told him. Malakai nodded, a grateful smile crossing his face. He stopped with me and looked towards the nearby bridge. “Why don’t we sit on the rocks there? It might be a more comfortable place to talk,” he suggested. “That’s fine, but be aware of any snakes that may be around. They do like lying on the rocks this time of year.” I warned him. “Very true, but I doubt they’d wish to bother with us. Most snakes aren’t interested in causing harm to humans, and neither are other wild animals. They simply live their lives as they feel they’re intended to.” Malakai reminded me. “You sound very in tune with nature,” I noted. “I like to think I am. I do have much respect for all of God's creatures.” Malakai stepped out onto the rocks, holding my hand to help me keep my balance. The large rock we sat on together wasn’t very hot since there was a tree overhanging that area, giving it plenty of shade. It felt nice to sit there, taking in the pretty sight of the creek. “You are right. This world can be very beautiful when you look past all of the traumatic things that have been happening within it.” I conceded. “I realize that it can be hard to do that, especially when you’ve gone through those things firsthand, but you seem like you’ve done okay since you came here,” Malakai noted. “I’ve done as well as I can,” I acknowledged. I turned my attention back to him, “But it’s funny. You speak like you’ve known about me for quite a while, but I don’t believe we’ve ever met before now.” “No, we haven’t, but I do know about you. You were originally from Poland, and you were adopted by the Kellers at eight years old after your family was killed by the Nazis. You were also one of the few children who managed to survive the experiments they did on you.” Malakai responded. I stared at him, not sure of what to say. How in the world did he know so much about me? Even many of those who lived around me didn’t know all of those details. Yes, they knew that my birth family had been killed by the Nazis, but that was about it. Even with my strange eyes, they didn’t know about the experiments, nor did my parents wish to speak of it. “How do you know all of this? Did you somehow look into me?” I managed to ask. “I know because I’ve always known you.” “What in the world is that supposed to mean?!” Malakai took my shock and suspicion in stride, “As I said, there are things that we should talk about, and this is a good place to do it. Aside from that, I don’t believe it would be right of me to continue with this without being honest with you. It would feel too much like they’ve asked me to use you.” he confessed. I was very uncomfortable as I heard him say this, yet I couldn’t find it in me to get up and demand to be taken home. Something about this felt too important for me to react hastily, even if I couldn’t understand why. “What is all of this, Malakai? Who are you?” I pressed, my voice calmer now as I shifted a bit on that rock. “I’m going to tell you, but first, I need your word that you will not tell this to anyone else. Everything with this is in a delicate balance as it is. But also, I hope you know that I have no ill intentions with any of it. I’m here first and foremost because I wish to be with you.” He was hesitating about what he needed to say. It struck me as odd. Malakai didn’t come off as the type to do so. But also, that same anticipation was rising within me again. It was like my soul knew that I was about to learn something incredible and be an active part of it. “Very well,” I sat up straighter, “I will listen, and I give you my word that I will not repeat anything you wish to tell me.” Malakai nodded, drawing in a long breath before speaking, “I believe you. I only hope that you will believe me. While I can prove what I will say to you, it may be hard for you to accept. To start with, what I stated is true. I came to Church Creek for a reason, and that reason is to be with you.” “With me? Why? What’s so special about me?” I inquired. “I can understand why you would ask such a thing, and perhaps to most humans, there is nothing that makes you stand apart from the rest. But you always have for me, and that was why I chose you as the one I wanted by my side when I agreed to their plan. I have already told them that if you refuse, then I will back out of my part in it. You are the only one I can see myself spending this existence with.” Malakai answered. “I mean that much to you when we have never even met until now?” “You do,” Malakai confirmed. He hesitated before continuing, “This is the truth behind my reasons for coming to you, and as I said, you cannot repeat them. I’m not a human man, Annabelle. I'm an Angel; a Seraphim.” “A Seraphim?” It took me a moment to place what that was, “You’re kidding. You're supposed to be one of the highest kind of Angels in Heaven?” An understanding smile crossed Malakai’s face, “I knew you’d react like that, and as I said, I can prove that I’m the real thing, not just a man suffering from a delusion.” My heart began to pound as he took off his shirt. What in the world was he doing? I should’ve looked away, but I couldn’t stop staring. His body was so perfect; almost inhumanly so. But then, it happened; the thing I never imagined I’d ever see. Malakai leaned forward slightly, and his shoulder blades opened up as wings sprouted from them. They were very large wings, as big as he was tall, with sapphire blue feathers that shined in the filtered sunlight streaming through the leaves. I stared, unable to move and feeling like I could hardly breathe. Oh my God, these were the same wings that I’d seen in that vision of him at the church when we'd first met. “You’re…” I couldn’t get the words out. “This is my truth, Annabelle, and what I really am. What I’ve told you is also true. I was sent here to be with you, and if you’ll agree, I want you to be my wife.” Malakai told me.