Rebel Angel Part 2

Author's Note: Part 2 of 2! For the whole story see the Rebel Angel page. Comments appreciated!

As I walk into the courtroom I look around quickly taking in the décor. Snore it's the same white on white as the others. Looks like I'm the last one here.

"And now that the accused has joined us" the judge begins

"And late at that" a low voice, one I recognized. I turn toward the angel that spoke, a witness against me.

"You." it was him.  The angel who made me late. The knight. He doesn’t speak. Or gazes are locked. I can’t move, can't speak, can't breath. Him.

"Yes we understand that." the judges voice slices through the tension, "Now we can begin."

The trial blurs by. I'm pleading innocent as always, just for the irony. This time I'm fairly sure I didn’t do it though. And eventually they decide that they just can't peg it on me. All I can pay attention to is him though. The way he walks. The way his wings stretch when he stretches his arms to make a point. The way his hair falls in his eyes, and the hand that slowly brushes it back. I feel a need to walk up to him and smooth down his feathers. To comb out his hair. Just to hold him close and remind him that everything's okay.

"Rowan." my name coming out of his mouth is beautiful. Not like it usually sounds. "Rowan its time to leave"

"No." I want to extend my time with him as long as I can. "Why the heck are you here?"

"I was testifying against a demon I believed to be evil."

"Well the demon they pulled in was me."

"What do you mean pulled in?"

"You really think they care who takes the blame? As long as it’s a demon they couldn’t care less."

"You. How can you say things like that?"

I shrug. Then I turn and lift the back of my shirt just enough for him to see the scars of repeated lashings on my back.

"I didn’t commit the crime that these are a punishment from.  I know who did and still they whipped me."

His hand reaches out and gently traces one of the stripes.

"I never knew."

"Of course you didn't." I pull my shirt back down and turn towards him once more, "But it's easier to convict a repeat offender than the real criminal"

"There's more than just that?"

"All over. My neck, my legs, my feet," I open my palms to show him the warning symbols burned into my palms, "I'm dangerous."

His eyes begin to shine with tears. He grabs my hands and leans over them, letting the tears fall over my palms. They are cool and seem to sink into my skin as if they could heal the wretched scars there. When he's done crying his eyes raise to mine again.

"Angel tears can heal anything. That's why we must always be happy so no one takes advantage of us."

Its true. My palms are clean and soft. "Thank you."

"I think I love you."

"I think I love you too"