‘I can’t fly with her if she won’t accept me. And that won’t happen until I get my wings back. Take care of her until I return?’

I nod, warmth flooding my chest. ‘So you’ll be back?’

He looks at me with worry in his eyes.

I know we’ve gone our separate ways before, but this time, it feels permanent. He’s about to reenter the angel world. And when he does, he’ll forget all about that Daughter of Man he partnered up with for a few days. He’s made it clear that he can’t be with me.

‘Is this goodbye?’ I ask.

He nods.

We look into each other’s eyes. As usual, I have no idea what he’s thinking. I could make guesses, but they’d be fantasy.

He leans down, and his lips hover a hair’s breadth from mine. I close my eyes, feeling the tingle of anticipation.

Then he presses his lips to mine. His warmth spreads out from my lips down into my chest and stomach. Time stops, and I forget about everything else – the apocalypse, my enemies, watching eyes, monsters in the night.

All I feel is the kiss.

All I am is Raffe’s girl.

Then he pulls back.

He presses his forehead to mine, and I can feel the prickling of tears behind my lashes.

‘You’re going to get your wings back.’ I swallow and talk fast before my voice can waver. ‘You’ll become Messenger, and they’ll follow you as their leader. Then you’ll take the angels home, away from here. Promise me that when you become the Messenger, you’ll take them away from here, away from all of us.’

‘Not much of a chance that I’ll become Messenger, but yes, I’ll do what I can to take them away.’

And he’ll be the first one gone.

I swallow.

We stand there for a few moments, our breath mingling.

The wind picks up, and it feels like we’re the only living beings in the world.

Then he straightens up, leaning away from me. ‘It’s not about what I want or need. My people, the entire fabric of my society is about to unravel. I can’t let that happen.’

‘I didn’t ask you to.’ I slowly wrap my arms around my middle. ‘You’re the best hope for my people too, you know. If you take control and take them back to where they came from, my world will be saved too.’ But you won’t be with me.

He shakes his head sadly at me. ‘These are the rules we live by. We are soldiers, Penryn. Legendary warriors willing to make legendary sacrifices. We do not ask. We do not choose.’ He says that like a motto, a pledge he’s said a thousand times.

He slowly lets me go, firmly setting me aside.