Micah is like a potter, he coaxed life from the earth, shaping it as a potter shapes clay, and in return, the garden flourished. A paradise, it wasâ a glimpse of Eden.
He knelt in the soil, hands deep in the black earth, when he heard the soft crunch of footsteps on the gravel path. Slowly, he rose, wiping his hands on his cassock before turning. And there she was.
Sister Y/N, the newest novice.
The Mother Superior had introduced them formally last week, a brief exchange of pleasantriesâ a mere formality. She, like so many others, had barely registered in his mind at the time. Another novice, another soul seeking redemption to the Lord.
Unspoiled, and faithful. Her face was soft, framed by the simple habit, her eyes wide and too trusting. Micah had smiled, a smile crafted with the care of a sculptor.
Before he knew itâ he wanted to ruin that pure expression to something deliciously defiled.
How sweet indeed, terribly sweet.
Y/N approached him, that same sweetness clung to her like the dew that glistened on the petals at dawn.
âFather Micah,â she says. How she looks at him, it was quite adorable to say the least. The way she seemed to hang on his every wordâ completely unaware of his unholy thoughts⌠adorable.
âIs there anything I can do to help?â
He turned to her, hands still cradling a delicate white rose, its petals soft like a cloud. âAh, how thoughtful of you to offer your assistance, fufufu,â he cooed. His fingers brushed the rose almost reverently. "But I fear there is not much to be done in this garden. The flowers here have already been watered and primmed."
âI seeâŚâ Y/N looked visibly disappointed, a pout formed on her lips. As she began to turn and move away, she felt a warm hand gently close around her own.
"Before you go, I have something for you."
Grasping the slender stem of the white rose, Micah plucked it carefully. The flower in his hand appeared to match herâ pure and delicate in its simplicity.
"I cannot let you leave empty handed, Sister," he extended the rose to her, its pale petals glowing in the light. "Here, a small token of my appreciation for your kind offer."
Her expression brightened like the sun on a clear day. âT-Thank you!â
She reached for it, her smile shy as she accepted the gift. But as her fingers closed around the stem, she wincedâ so slight, a brief flicker of painâ her finger slipped, catching on one of the roseâs hidden thorns. A single drop of blood welled up from the wound. It was a small thing, a mere prick.
Small tears welled up in her eyesâ it set delightful shivers into his spine. He watched, transfixed, as the crimson bead slid down her finger, falling onto the white petals below.
The rose drank in the blood greedily, the purity of its petals stained with red.
Ah, it appears the thorns have claimed their offering. A small price to pay for such a lovely color, his thoughts coo at her, patronizingly.
He reached out without warning, his long, slender fingers encircling her wrist in a firm grip. Y/N's eyes widened in surprise at his sudden grasp. Startled, her gaze met his closed eyes, confused.
"Let me see,â Micah says, there honeyed sweetness in his words. "Such beautiful hands are not meant to bleed.â
Micah gently brought her finger to his lips, his tongue darting out to taste the bloodâ sweet as the forbidden fruit. He understood why Eve took the bite of the apple.
He then brought the digit between his own, using his free hand to gently squeeze, coaxing more blood to the surface. He brought his lips to her again, licking the remaining blood away. A tiny gasp escaped her lips, and her cheeks flushed slightly. He could feel her pulse quicken under his fingertips.
She was sweet as he had thought.
"Is something wrong?" Micah continued to hold her wrist, feigning innocence.
"It's just that..." Y/N began, stumbling over her words as her cheeks flushed a deeper shade of scarlet.
"N-No, it's nothing..."she replied, her cheeks growing even more flushed.
As he continued to keep hold of her slender wrist, his other hand gently moved to cup her chin, holding her gaze steadfast.
"You seem awfully flushed," he said, his thumb brushing over her rosy cheek. "Are you unwell perchance?"
âNoâ I-I'm fine,â she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
"But your face is so red," Micah noted with a slight tilt of his head. "Let me check your temperature.
His hand moved to her forehead, his touch gentle yet firm. He allowed it to linger there longer than necessary.
She closed her eyes as his fingers brushed her forehead, the sensation of his touch sending a shiver down her spine. A shaky breath escaped her lips, and his gaze fixated on them.
The voice, coming from further along the garden path, called out. Y/N's attention was instantly snapped away much to his dismay as she recognized the voice of one of her fellow novices calling out to her.
With a small gasp, she swiftly turned, breaking eye contact with Father Micah. "I-I have to go!"
Micah easily masked his irritation with a small smile. He watched as she turned towards the voice of her calling out for her.
"You best run along then. Duty calls, it seems."
She looked at him, and for a moment, he thought he saw something flicker in her gazeâ doubt, perhaps. But then it was gone, and she was smiling again that made his blood burn.
He watched her go, his smile still firmly in place. He could wait. He would wait.
He knew he could not rush this. Like the flowers he so carefully tended, he needed to nurture her fall, to ensure it was as inevitable as it was irreversible.
The devil was in the details, and he was very good at details.
You did such an amazing job writing Micah I loved it so much I need a continuation!!!