he wrapped her bloodied feet with bandages torn from his own tattered shirt

tended her wounds with his gentle hands

bathed her in the light of his love

nursed her back to health with tender shaking fingers

made her whole with every piece of him he had to give

she never spoke a word

he found her in the barn, crumpled on the hay streaked wooden slats

her white diaphonous gown stained with red

and feathered wings splayed beneath her ragged, beautiful shape, a crown of fire smoldering beside her

he carried her as tears streamed down his cheeks into his humble cottage

whispered prayers over her, offering his life in place of hers

he spent days over her, beyond exhaustion, his only thought of her

and as his strength ebbed, a nimbus of light filled the room

energy flooded his weary frame

before his eyes her wounds healed, the flesh knitting itself back together

her eyes opened and he was struck by a sense of immense calm

she reached up and stroked his cheek and placed her full lips upon his brow

a glorious song rang from his soul

majesty and grace unheard by human ears spoke unto his mind

he sat stricken, sobbing in joy

he lifted his head as he felt a hand upon his shoulder

she stood before him, flaming halo erupting into a prism of light

he stood and felt off balance as two wings blossomed from his back

dumbstruck he reached back and felt the feathered protrusions

she beckoned him and together they launched off the ground and he clumsily imitated her graceful movements

they spun and flew about the sky, his confidence grew until she swooped him into her embrace

they hovered high above the trees, lost in one another’s gaze, and after an eternity she leaned in and pressed her lips to his

and he flew ever higher in her love, forever towards the sun of her embrace