Patch's lost letter to Nora

My Angel,

My greatest hope is that you never have to read this. Vee knows to give you this letter only if my feather is burned and I’m chained in hell, or if Blakely develops a devilcraft prototype strong enough to kill me. When war between our races ignites, I don’t know what will become of our future. When I think about you and our plans, I feel a desperate aching. Never have I wanted things to turn out right as much as I do now.

Before I leave this world, I need to make certain you know that all my love belongs to you. You are the same to me now as you were before you swore the Changeover Vow. You are mine. Always. I love the strength, courage, and gentleness of your soul. I love your body, too. How could someone so sexy and perfect be mine? With you I have purpose – someone to love, cherish, and protect.

There are secrets in my past that weigh on your mind. You’ve trusted me enough not to ask them, and it’s your faith that has made me a better man. I don’t want to leave you with anything hidden between us. I told you I was banished from heaven for falling in love with a human girl. The way I explained it, I risked everything to be with her. I said those words because they simplified my motivations. But they weren’t the truth. The truth is I had become disenchanted with the archangels’ shifting goals and wanted to push back against them and their rules. That girl was an excuse to let go of an old way of living and accept a new journey that would eventually lead me to you. I believe in destiny, Angel. I believe every choice I’ve made has brought me closer to you. I looked for you for a very long time. I may have fallen from heaven, but I fell for you.

I will do whatever it takes to make you sure you win this war. Nephilim will come out on top. 

You’ll fulfill your vow to the Black Hand and be safe. This is my priority even if the cost is my life. I suspect reading this will maky you angry. It may be hard to forgive me. I promised that we would be together at the end of this, and you may resent me for breaking my word. As I write this I am going over every possibility that will see us through this. I hope I find a way. But if the choice I have to make comes down to you or me, I chose you.

I always have.

All my love,

Patch