“Oh, it’s beautiful,” I had exclaimed when I opened Sapphire’s gift at the ball. He gave me a betrothal necklace. It was made of a thick, rounded silver chain with a crystal blue pendant in the shape of a teardrop. Along the edges of the necklace were stones that reflected brilliant rainbow colors.

“I had it made special for you, Dear Princess,” he said.

“Thank you.” I felt a heaviness weighing in my heart as I fastened the piece of jewelry around my neck. I was interested in Prince Sapphire, but he seemed to love me far more than made sense considering this was our first meeting. He took my hand and we danced the rest of the evening. He tried to engage me in conversation, but I was too preoccupied the rest of the night, having only simple or one worded answers to his questions and remarks. I felt terrible about it.

And then there was the day Beryl attacked, for the second time. Sapphire was prepared to risk his life to protect me. To be honest, I probably would have too, but for different reasons. He was a sweet, kind angel with nothing unlovable inside of him. It would be too sad if someone as pure as he was died. But was I in love with Sapphire, truly? He was definitely attractive, but the speed at which our relationship was progressing was giving me second thoughts.

And then there was the archangel. The archangel helped Swarovsky raise me. I suppose I should have thought of him as a parental figure and less like a lovely friend. But Michael was able to be present in multiple places at once, helping to raise all the angels. Could he really be my family member if he was like everybody’s family? He was always there for me when I needed comfort or love. I sometimes wondered why he never married.

Images from the ball flashed in my head. Zomerald had said that Beryl was originally supposed to marry the archangel. But how? Beryl hadn’t always been wicked, I suppose, but she had been self-centered and unusually indulgent for as long as I had known her. Not to mention that Beryl married my brother thousands of years ago, long before I was born. How could Michael still feel that way after so long? Didn’t that hurt him?

Then, it hit me. The archangel was selfless. He loved like no one else ever could and was always thinking of other people. He was completely pure in heart and there was no one like him. I still hadn’t seen God the Father, but I often found myself feeling guilty for wishing he was something like Michael the Archangel. I hoped Michael didn’t find out I was thinking like that. He would probably be upset and tell me to let God be himself.

“Why don’t you just ask me what I would say, Selena?” he appeared all of a sudden.

“Archangel!” I said in shock. Michael was definitely telepathic.

“Absolutely,” he smiled. “I try not to intrude unless it’s necessary, but when someone thinks about me, it’s hard to ignore.”

“Oh,” I said. I felt warmth rising into my face, blushing from embarrassment.

“You really should give Sapphire a chance. He’s perfect for you,” he said. “I won’t force you to marry, but every angel has a soulmate.”

“Um, Archangel,” I began. I did not dare try to address him on by first name basis. “Is it true what Zomerald said? That you were once engaged to Beryl?”

“Um, yes,” he pulled at his collar in discomfort. “Did you have anything else you wanted to talk about with me?”

“Do you still love her,” I pressed. “Like, in love in love with her?”

Michael sighed. “Selena, why do you ask?”

I can’t believe I asked him that. He looked embarrassed and in pain. Of course he still loved Beryl!

“I’m sorry, I…I…” I began to cry. “I thought. I hoped…”

“Selena, you can’t possibly mean…I know you just turned eighteen, but you’re still just a little…Selena, no, you can’t,” the archangel said as he was starting to put together what was happening. “I thought you and Sapphire were getting along well.”

My heart raced. What was I thinking? “I’m sorry.” I broke out in tears. “I don’t know what’s gotten into me. You’re the archangel and some sort of king in the universe and I’m just…”

“Selena it’s not that. You’re beautiful, you’re lovely, but no. You’re the last angel my father ever created. I love you, but as his youngest, you’re like the baby of the family, you know?” he explained. “I know it hurts to hear this. Please try to understand.”

“I’m sorry, Archangel.” I sniffled.

“It’s okay,” he said. “I’m not mad at you. I would hug you, but I don’t think that would be helpful under the circumstances. But can I ask you one question?”

I nodded, embarrassed.

“Why did you fall in love with me?” he said. “Didn’t you like your betrothed fiancé?”

“I’m sorry. I know it’s bad and I don’t want to hurt him. He’s wonderful. It’s just that when I was hurt or sad or afraid, you were always the one who was there for me. You always did your best to love others and even when things go wrong because people don’t listen to you, you still worked so hard. You’re the most loving and kind angel I’ve ever met.” I heaved a sigh, trying in vain to stop crying. The archangel was thousands of years older than me. He must have found this very inappropriate. “I’m so sorry.”

“Angel?” he said with a raised eyebrow. “You still don’t know who I am, do you?”

“What do you mean?” I asked. “Aren’t you an angel?”

He gave a slight laugh. “I’m definitely an archangel in the sense of being the ruler of angels, which is what that word means.”

“Yes,” I nodded. “But I thought only God was the supreme ruler of the angels.”

Michael smiled. “God can appear in different forms and do anything he wants or needs to do, Selena,” he then explained. “Father knew that the angels, most of them anyway, would be overwhelmed by his glory, so he sent me to take on angelic form and interact with them. I love you and I’m here to take care of the angels and give them whatever they need. Usually, they figure out at one point or another who I am as they start to sense it.” He paused. “But you never knew that I am…oh, Selena. But I’m supposed to be selflessly loving and kind. I’m responsible for everyone. Why would you fall in love with me?”

I was too embarrassed to compose myself. I rubbed my tears away with my hands, just wanting to run and hide under a desk somewhere. I didn’t have the strength to answer him anymore than I had.

He waited for me to answer, but I said nothing. I just started crying again, as he wore an expression of confusion and pity across his face. Even he didn’t know how wonderful he was, and now, I felt ashamed for accidentally falling for the highest-ranking person in the universe. I didn’t even take the time to realize archangel meant, “angel-ruler” and was not a type of angel. What was wrong with me?