This chapter picks up after the chapter which was previously called "Bonus Chapter - Welcome to Heaven". That chapter now fits into the plot at Chapter 48.

Hope you enjoy the chapter! ❤

Raziel's POV

I kiss Kai goodbye and make my way to God's castle where he and a small staff of angels reside.

The crystal exterior of God's palace stretches up into the sky caressing the fluffy, pastel coloured clouds above. The clouds fade into each other creating multi-coloured shapes of the animals of earth. A white light shines around the palace like a halo making the crystal palace appear white in colour. Golden doors and window sills complete the palace's extravagant look as it perches on the edge of a refreshing waterfall.

Acting on instinct, I try to flap my wings before it registers that I don't have them. I take a deep breath, reminding myself that I should be getting them back soon before resorting to the other way of getting up to the palace.

I focus on the feeling of rising and a bubble encloses me, carrying me to the golden double doors. It seems as if I am being expected because the two angels sitting at the entrance grin and wave me in.

A long hallway with vibrant ceiling to floor murals on both sides leads me to God's chambers. My finger runs along a vine that winds along the entirety of the wall before I come to a stop outside of a white door with rose gold trimmings.

Before I can knock, the door flies open and I step inside. High ceilings, with flowers of all the colours of the rainbow hanging from the roof, greet me. My winter boots tap against the spotless marble floor as I approach God's throne.

God flicks His wrist and the few angels that were in His company exit the room. I continue my approach until I'm only a few feet away from the throne.

I kneel before Him with my head bowed. When He's silent for a few seconds too long I peek up at Him and am surprised when I find a smile on His face.

"Rise," he commands and I stand. "What is it you want?"

I take a deep breath and fully meet His gaze. He has every eye colour imaginable yet none. His skin and hair are the same; they present themselves as all the complexions and colours to exist, yet seem to be nothing at all. His appearance is a true paradox and this is how angels see him. But to humans, he appears as whatever suits them; from a ninety year old woman or a little girl to a businessman. He has appeared to humans in all of those forms and more.

"I want to apologise for breaking into that room. As much as I disliked humans at the time, I would never have harmed them, not like that. I am truly sorry. I didn't realise the beauty of human souls. I overlooked their complexity and for that I am truly sorry."

"Do you think you deserve to have your wings returned to you?"

"I don't know, but I do know that if I get them back I will never take life for granted again. I won't return to my habits of pranking and sneaking into places I shouldn't be. That life is behind me."

A smile spreads across God's face. "Very well."

He raises His hand and a pink ball of light appears in His palm. I have to force myself to remain still and not rush forward and grab the ball of light that is my wings. A smile spreads across my face as the light comes towards me and settles on my back.

Warmth spreads over me as soon as the light brushes against my skin. My eyes flutter closed as I soak up the comfort and promised return of my wings. I feel the moment the light is absorbed into my body. A feather emerges from my back, followed by another and another, until my wings are full sized and bursting out of my winter jacket.

I readjust to my wings, flapping them like a dog would shake to dry its fur. I'm still grinning when I open my eyes, but I quickly put them away. Kai has to be the first one to see them now that I have them back. I bet he'll like them much better than Gabriel's wings. Who likes yellow green anyways?

"Thank you." I bow, still unable to keep the grin off my face.

"You may also resume your duties as head warrior."

I hesitate a moment before saying, "If my duties allow me to still live on earth, then I gratefully accept."

"If you can determine a schedule, then I see no problem with you living on earth. Do not disappoint me again, Raziel. You are dismissed."

"I won't, but I actually have one other thing to ask." When God doesn't insist I leave immediately, I take that as an invitation to continue. "I would like to help Saphael with the grim reapers during orientation. The hollows, especially, will be far behind the usual candidates, so if allowed, I would like to provide additional training for them right from the beginning."

I don't see why God wouldn't agree. They will need additional training, so who better to give it? And I'll be able to check in on Lance and see how he's doing for my piece of mind as well as Kai's and Declan's. Maybe I could even bring handwritten notes from Declan and Kai to Lance and deliver his letters to Declan and Kai!

A curt nod and faint smile is my only response and I grin and bow again before rushing out the room to find my mate. As soon as I'm outside of His palace, I place my hand over the tattoo on my chest and transport myself to Kai's side.

"Raz!" Kai places the Kattichthys on the table before rushing towards me. I squeeze him into a tight hug and plant a kiss in his hair. "How did it go? Do you get your wings back? Can I see them!"

"I got my wings and my old job back," I lean closer and bite his earlobe before whispering, "You can see my wings later."

Kai's breath hitches and I grin before pressing a kiss to his lips.

"Umm you taste like barbecue sauce." I murmur and that elicits a string of giggles from Kai.

He links his hand with mine and tugs me towards the table. My eyes widen at the amount of food they got for him.

"Raz! Did you know that Saphael is the angel of death! That's so cool!" Kay picks up the Kattichthys he left on the table and the creature curls up in Kai's arms and purrs.

I smile and ruffle Kai's hair, suppressing the jealousy bubbling within me. Now that we've completed our bond that seems to be an emotion that pops up any time Kai finds particular interest in others, especially other angels.

"He said they're training hundreds of grim reapers right now and that they spend years recruiting potential reapers and only train them once every two centuries!" Kai's eyes sparkle as he talks and he gently strokes the Kattichthys which is now curled up on his lap.

He proceeds to recount information that I already know, but seeing the smile on his face and hearing the excitement in his voice is enough to have me grinning the entire time. Gabriel, Saphael, Uriel and I field Kai's remaining questions about Heaven, and although Uriel is a big grump and doesn't like me very much, he is kind to Kai, and Kai even manages to get him to smile.

"Thank you so much for dinner Saphael and Uriel and thank you for the tour Gabriel.'' He hands the Kattichthys over to me so that he can hug all of the archangels.

I nod at Saphael and Uriel as they leave but Gabriel being Gabriel isn't content with a nod and hugs me before hugging Kai again and telling him that he'll see him later.

"Can we pick the golden fruit now? Saphael said I could take some with me." Kai takes the creature from my arms and giggles as he kisses their face and they give him little licks. "I think I'll call you Snow Cone!"

The Kattichthys purrs loudly and Kai giggles again and scratches their head.

"Sure, the garden isn't a very far walk from here" I say.

"And then we'll leave?"

"I was thinking maybe we could stay the night and leave tomorrow?"

A wide smile lights up Kai's face and he bobs his head up and down. "To the garden!"

I grin and peck his cheek and Kai skips by my side as we walk towards the giant garden. Kai spends the short journey gushing about his tour with the archangels while I marvel at his excitement and bright smile.

"Woah!" Kai's mouth hangs open as he stares at the garden before him.

We walk on the vibrant green grass lined with orange, red, white and yellow tulips encased by royal blue roses on either side. The flowers zigzag along the path that leads to a large golden tree in the middle of the garden. Cherry blossoms are sprinkled throughout the garden dancing to the soft, relaxing music which the roses are playing.

Kai strokes one of the blue roses. The music stops and is replaced by soft giggles as all the blue roses squirm and wiggle. When he moves his hand, the giggling stops and the music returns.

The Kattichthys, using the opportunity of Kai being close to ground level, hops from Kai's arms, yawning and stretching before trotting ahead, quickly disappearing into the flower bed.

Kai is too taken by the beauty of the garden to be upset by the Kattichthys' disappearance. "This is so beautiful! I could stay here forever!" He giggles and continues to skip ahead, dancing to the music. "Is that the fruit?"

"It is." We come to a halt in front of the golden tree.

"I'm too short!" His face scrunches up and his tongue sticks out a little as he jumps towards the fruit. He pouts before his face lights up, and he is enclosed in a bubble seconds later. "Raz! I got it!"

He giggles as he picks a few of the fruits. When he lands a few minutes later, I take most of the fruits from him, but I raise my eyebrows at the sheer number of fruits in his arms and the pockets of his winter jacket. There's no way he can eat all of these.

"I'm taking a few for Declan and Zorander to try!"

I can't help the smile that spreads across my face at his thoughtfulness. "They'll love them."

Kai grins and shouts, "Snow Cone! Let's go!" The Kattichthys immediately runs from the flower beds and jogs behind us as we make our way to my quarters.

Thank you for reading! ❤

What did you think of the chapter? And the garden? Ant ideas on what Raziel's room would look like?

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