XLVI - The Braided Crown

The darkness had fully settled, and Michael packed the blanket he had used as a towel. His hair had mostly dried, and Ravenna reached into her bag to offer him the brush she had purchased in Nerium to attempt to tame his curls.

Michael smiled. He loved how Ravenna could stand up to a man who called himself the Ruler of the UnderKingdom, the Ruler of the Lost, but could still be kind and gentle. She could defend herself from an attacking coachman but then do something so gentle and caring as to offer him a brush. The rose and thorn, all in one.

Michael finished his attempts to make his hair look presentable and looked at the young woman sitting in front of him. She was eating the last of the apple Lucifer had brought her, looking off into the distance, lost in thought. Kneeling beside her, Michael gazed at her beauty. The brush still in his hand, he gently asked "may I?"

Ravenna turned her head to look at the young Seraphim beside her. Her eyes held confusion as if she did not fully understand his question. But the confusion was replaced by trust, and she agreed.

Michael pulled the ribbon from her hair, running his fingers through her raven-black tresses. He carefully brushed her hair, admiring how long and thick her hair was. Ophelia had taught him how to care for a woman's hair; she thought it was essential for him to know. Michael had laughed at her, mocking the tiny maidservant. But now he knew. Michael was grateful Ophelia had insisted. 

He wound two thick braids on the sides of Ravenna's head, bringing them together in the middle, leaving the rest of her hair down. The two braids encircled her head like a crown, like the queen she was to Michael. He placed a hand on Ravenna's shoulder, a silent gesture for her to stay seated. He found small white flowers growing nearby and wove them into the braided crown. Michael looked at his work. She was perfect.

Ravenna looked at Michael as if she had never expected him to be able to fix her hair correctly. She carefully touched her tresses, feeling the braided crown and the flowers. Her golden eyes met his blue ones. "It... it feels beautiful. Thank you, Michael." She smiled at him and leaned toward him, pressing her lips against his.

Michael's eyes widened in surprise and then closed in ecstasy. Her soft lips pressed against his own. He leaned forward, closer to Ravenna. He felt her breathing hitch, and she moved closer. Michael gently placed his hand on her back, kissing her more intensely. She matched his enthusiasm and pushed her hands to his neck. Michael felt his entire body turn flush; he had hoped for this moment but could have never prepared himself. She was asking for more. He could feel her intensity matching his own in her kisses every time he gave her more. Michael thought about how he had originally found her – he could not push her too far; he had promised himself everything must be on her terms.

Ravenna stopped and pulled back, looking at Michael. Her freckles made a pattern of constellations across her face. Michael reached out and gently traced some designs between the freckles on her right cheek. She smiled, and he moved his hand to her jaw, leaning in to kiss her again. He slipped his arm underneath her legs and moved his hand from her face to her back. Ravenna wound her arms around Michael's neck, and he gently lifted her. Michael sat on the log in her place, setting her across his lap. Once she was settled, he removed his arm from under her legs, not wanting her to feel uncomfortable with him. He supported her on his lap, keeping his arm around her body, his hand on her shoulder. "Is this still okay?"

The young woman in his lap smiled, answering his question by pulling him closer to her. Michael's heart swelled. He had not pushed her too far after her ordeal, and she was eager for more. He wondered if Ravenna could feel the grin in his kiss. Michael coaxed Ravenna's lips to part and teased the tip of her tongue with his. He felt her melt in his arms, the way he had imagined many times but never thought he would experience.

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Ravenna looked up at Michael and smiled. He was considerate; he remembered the ordeal she had been through and wanted to make sure she was still comfortable with their situation. She reached up to him, touched his jaw, and pulled him closer. She smiled against his lips, letting him know she felt comfortable and safe. He deepened their kiss, and she could feel his lips parting hers. She allowed him, and she felt Michael's tongue cautiously, then more confidently, tease its tip against her own. Ravenna squirmed a little in Michael's lap and continued, meeting his tongue with her own, dancing with him in a passionate kiss.

Ravenna felt Michael's golden curls flirt with her fingers as her hands wound around his neck. Her fingers found their way into his soft hair as they kissed, pulling him closer to her. She wanted him closer, their kisses deeper, more passionate. It was her first true kiss, and she wanted to embrace every moment, every touch, every caress.

Michael's arm was supportive around her, his thumb brushed over her shoulder as he held her carefully in place on his lap. She was grateful for the support - she could feel herself wanting to melt. Ravenna felt her body react to his, she craved more from the angel that held her. She wanted to know him more, have him know her; she wanted to experience more of life with this man. Ravenna pulled back from Michael for a moment, a quick attempt to catch her breath. The Seraphim looked down at her, his eyes full of affection and desire, and placed a kiss between her large eyes, on the tip of her nose, before his lips found hers again.