The Greatest Gift

Only when a mortal called upon Heaven for help was permission given for an angel to send a thought to comfort or to reassure. Only in the most dire of situations was one of the Seraphim permitted to penetrate the veil that protected the living. Then, only for a second, and never more than once. 

Septimus can bend time, see whatever he chooses, and single out one mortal from all the millions who've lived throughout the ages. 

He'd never intended to see her.

Julia was terrified because of her aunt's decree that she marry a loathsome man. How could she bear it? Was it her despair that made her see things that weren't there? Surely her savior wasn't an angel? 

What does an angel do when he falls desperately in love? 

What does a mortal do when she yearns for an angel?