Branded (28 page)

“Please,” Alex said, and despite his claim of being terrified, his voice sounded confident. “I only want for her to have a normal life. She doesn’t deserve having to stand trial for things she didn’t do. She’s…” his voice filled with emotion and he glanced down at the floor. “She’s one of the most amazing people I’ve ever met. I will do anything.” The council members were silent for a moment but those seated on the stairwell that wound around the cylinder erupted with more noise. The exalted made awing sounds, their faces serene and caring looking. Those with the black eyes hissed and protested with words unknown to human ears.

It was the leader of those with blue eyes who spoke first. “We shall put it to a vote,” he said as he stared intently at Alex. “I vote to grant your request. I also vote to allow you to return to the human world and give you more time with this woman you are willing to trade so much for.” With these words all hell broke loose. Wings bat anxiously and furiously from all around, the hissing grew to shouting and gasps escaped the mouths of most all.

Each of the condemned council members gave their vote, all but the leader of the condemned denying that Alex should be allowed to return and denying Alex’s request for my life to return to normal. The new leader simply did not cast a vote on either matter.

The votes of the remaining four exalted council members took much longer to be heard. They each debated internally as to what both of our fates would be but in the end both counts were voted to be granted.

Shouts of joy and excitement came from one crowd while the other seemed to have had enough. They coiled their powerful wings and plunged into the fiery depths below.

“I would like to make one more request,” Alex suddenly spoke as the sounds of chaos died down. Each of the council members froze as their eyes bored into Alex.

“One of your own is still in her world. With his task failed I fear for what he might do in order to exact revenge. I ask that her family and dearest friend be protected from him somehow.”

Alex’s bold request more than shocked both the council members and me. Had he not already asked something huge and impossible? Now he wanted something more?

While the black eyed council members simply raged in protest, the others debated for several minutes. It was the female council member who spoke this time.

“Young man, what you have already asked is more than should be given. But, we have never seen such a display of selflessness and for that we commend you. You have our guarantee that this woman’s family and friend will not be harmed by the angel who has wrongfully escaped.”

“Thank you,” Alex breathed as his signature smile nearly burst forth on his face. “Thank you.” As soon as he said this, the smile on his face faded and twisted into a look of at first confusion and then into agony.

I could see the skin on his back ripple and shiver and after just a moment a beautiful, massive pair of wings burst from his skin. When he looked back up at the council the blue in his eyes was washed out into grey.

At this the lines that defined everything around me started to fade and blur and the scene seemed to shake.

“You must know you will not be returning as a human.

Your human form has died, things are not going to be…” the voice was fading away as everything turned to a smoky grey and we were suddenly standing back in the forest.

I couldn’t say anything for a very long time as I simply looked into Alex’s face as he still held my hands tightly in his. I didn’t notice nor did I care that tears were slowly rolling down my cheeks. There seemed to be no words grand or sincere enough to express the feelings that were surging inside of me. Knowing I was never going to be able to express in words what I was feeling, I closed that small gap between us, pressing my lips to Alex’s and wrapping my arms around his waist. As my hands drifted over his back, I felt two thick raised scars on the insides of his shoulder blades, evidence of the wings that could appear there.

I felt in no hurry as my lips moved greedily with his and I breathed in the familiar scent that was Alex. It was impossible to comprehend the love that I felt in that moment, the love that I knew would last me through the rest of my days. Alex had sacrificed the greatest thing he could for me and I knew I would have done the same thing in a heartbeat if there had been a chance.

When I did finally pull away, my face was still streaked with tears. I looked intently into Alex’s eyes, my forehead resting against his.

“I don’t deserve you,” I breathed. Before he could protest I continued. “I don’t deserve you but I am going to try and be worthy of you. It’s going to take a lot of work but I am going to do everything I have do to be worthy of you.” That half smile cracked on Alex’s lips before he pressed a short kiss to my lips. “Just be you,” he whispered as he looked back into my eyes. “That’s all it takes. I am yours for forever and even longer.”

“I love you, Alex,” I said as I tightened my arms around him. It should have been impossible, literally holding an angel in my arms. Even more impossible knowing this angel loved me enough to become one in exchange for my survival and freedom.

“And I love you, Jessica,” he breathed. He pressed his lips very gently to mine before he stepped away. Keeping one of my hands in his, he led the way back down the hill to our house.

I knew things weren’t perfect. Cole was still out there somewhere and even though I knew he couldn’t touch those I loved, I still knew what he was capable of doing. And even though I had Alex back, he wasn’t human any more.

There would be complications and challenges. But despite everything that wasn’t right in my world, for the first time, I slept without enduring a trial and branding for things I did not do, in the arms of an angel.