Just so y'all know, I'm still on my bullshit. I'm still working on A Tale of Crowns and Coins, but I wasn't happy with the last four chapters. I didn't think I was playing to my strengths. So I'm doing a big rewrite, and I thought I'd give the good people of Tumblr a preview.
If you are new to my work, Remiel is Beelzebub's angel name. Raphael is not Crowley. Raphael is an asshole.
The smell of the grass and the sound of water falling.
In their first moments of consciousness, the Archangel Remiel woke in the clearing beside the waterfall in Eden. On their belly, eyes open to the world, they reached out a pale, long-fingered hand. They ran it softly over the blades of grass. Open mouthed, they watched as the individual leaves, part of the larger green, tickled their skin.
The first sound that they made was a laugh. A beautiful sound, music all its own, to ricochet off of the rocks of the deep pool nearby. A light sound that sprinkled over the constant patter of water on stone.
And in their head, they heard the voice of God.
āI was not before,ā the newborn Archangel said. āBut now you told me not to be, and that makes my think there might be some reason to be afraid...ā
YOU SHALL BE CALLED REMIEL.
The name resonated in their bones. In their marrow, in their breath and blood. The name was as much a part of them as their own flesh. They shivered beneath the weight of knowing, and then spoke.
āYes. I am Remiel,ā they said. āAnd what is your name?ā
It felt good to speak. The words tingled in their mouth and floated from lips and teeth and tongue. Their own breath tasted sweet as it left them.
I AM GOD ALMIGHTY. I MADE YOU. I MADE THE GRASS. I MADE THE SKY. I MADE EVERTHING THAT YOU WILL EVER SEE, HEAR, SMELL, TOUCH, OR TASTE. I MADE EVERY LIVING ENTITY, AND I MADE YOU.
āWhy?ā they asked. āWhy did you make all of this?ā
FOR MY OWN INEFFABLE REASONS.
āWhy did you make me, then?ā
TO SERVE ME. I AM GOD. AND FOR MY CHILD, RAPHAEL. HE IS LONELY. YOU SHALL SERVE HIM, AND IN SERVING HIM, YOU SHALL SERVE ME.
A slender shadow moved from the trunk of the oak tree near the clearing that Remiel had been made in. He moved to their side and helped them to sit up, on their knees. His hands were gentle on their face as he ran his thumbs over the apples of their cheeks. As he pushed back the curtain of their sleek black hair.
His hair was the same raven black as Remielās, but it waved away from his face and fell in curls over his shoulders to his waist. Like all of Godās creations, he was well-formed and handsome.
His eyes were blue, the blue fire that lived in the heart of sapphires. The blue of twilight, which they had not yet seen, but knew. As they knew their name before it was ever spoken.
His lips fell on theirs, a greeting, and his arms went around them.
DOES MY CREATION PLEASE YOU, RAPHAEL?
He smiled, and Raphael was beautiful in his smiles.
āI thank you, Father,ā he said. āRemiel is incomparable.ā
His hand slipped beneath their heavy hair and began to stroke the skin of their neck. Remielās eyes closed with the pleasure of it. Lips parted, breathing in the garden through their mouth. Breathing him in, as well.
They could smell him, the scent of him, vanilla and spice.
The Creator was busy in those early days, and did not stay for long. Though God never announced Her leavetaking, they could feel the departure of Her.
āCome, Remiel,ā Raphael breathed into their ear. āI have much and more to show you.ā