Gilded Wings (11 page)

That’s all I wanted. His embrace was magical. It warmed me and made me feel as if it were mending all of my broken pieces.

We stood silent, anchored to each other for a lengthy amount of time, and he never once loosened his arms around me. He held me tight, slowly rocking side to side. His steady heartbeat against my ear nearly put me to sleep. I felt so relaxed for the first time in a long time, and wished I could have stayed in his arms forever. It was my safe place. In his arms, I felt peaceful. His love was free, unconstrained, and came with no worry.

When I finally felt strong enough to let go, I slowly released my arms from his neck. “Thank you, for always being here when I need you,” I breathed.

“These arms are yours, and hugs will always be free.” His crooked grin made my heart swell.

“Well, that’s a good thing because I think I’ll need a lot more of them in the near future.”

“Just speak the word, and I’ll be there,” he said, then placed his fingers on my chin and steadied our eyes on each other. “And if you
ever
need me, don’t hesitate to ask. Alright?”

“Alright,” I answered.

“Sleep sweet, my Emma,” he breathed, kissing my forehead before letting me go.

“Sleep sweet,” I returned.

Thomas walked me back to my room, and put a movie on the laptop as he made his bed on the floor. I rolled up the super suit as I was getting ready to shower, tucking it into my pajamas before I carried it into the bathroom. Thankfully, Thomas was too preoccupied to notice.

I stood in the shower, letting the hot water pound down on top of my head, hoping it would numb the growing pain.

Am I doing the right thing going with Ethon?

If I didn’t go, it was possible things could quickly turn south. Lucifer had to believe that no one knew about his plan. I still didn’t know how connected Ethon really was with his father, and really didn’t want to find out.

I needed Ethon and Lucifer to believe I was still going ahead with the plan, and was intent to seal the bond between us. If either of them found out anyone knew about the plan, it would mean the deal was off. Then I, along with everyone in this house, was as good as dead. It terrified me, and was why I needed to see him. I wasn’t going to risk any lives in this house.

AFTER MY SHOWER, I SLIPPED into the super suit and then threw on my pajamas. The top part of the suit was sticking out from the collar, but I doubted Thomas would notice. Just to be sure, I brushed my long, damp hair over it.

When I exited the bathroom, he was lying on the ground half-asleep, watching some movie I’d never seen.

“Do you mind if I turn in early?” I asked.

It was actually already ten, and not very early. But this way I had two hours for him to fall asleep.

“Not at all. I was just about to crash. Don’t forget your earplugs.”

I pulled open the drawer and reached in. “Got them,” I said, waving them in the air.

“Perfect. And don’t worry, I’ve got mine… just in case,” he winked.

“Good night, Thomas,” I said, then clicked off the light.

“Good night, Emma,” he answered.

I rolled over and pulled the blanket over me, pretending to go to sleep. My stomach twisted, and my pulse raced as I watched the clock, trying to lay as still as possible. It took an hour and twenty-two minutes before Thomas fell asleep. I knew because his breathing became heavy and loud. He didn’t snore, but I could tell he wasn’t awake.

When the clock turned to 11:50pm, I slowly pushed the blanket off and sat up. The bed creaked, making Thomas snort, but he rolled over and quickly fell back to sleep.

Slowly, I stood from the bed trying to keep my breath even and my legs from shaking. I quietly tiptoed past him and he didn’t move.

I had this.

I was a few steps from the door when something grabbed my leg. I threw my hand over my mouth and screamed.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

“Thomas,” I quietly scolded, then sighed.

Dammit.
He was good.

“Where?” he questioned again with a look of exasperation.

“Thomas, listen to me. I need to leave for a bit, but I’ll be back.”

“Where?” he pressed in a deeper, non-friendly tone. His hand was still locked tightly around my ankle.

“I have to talk to Ethon,” I finally sighed.

“Oh, hell no,” he said, sitting up. “You are not leaving this house, especially with that demon.”

“I have to. I need to find answers only he can give, and if I don’t talk to him and make him believe I’m still moving forward with our bonding, bad things will happen to everyone here,” I whispered.

“It’s too dangerous. Why do you think Alaine wanted you protected at all times? They all know you’re going to transform soon. They’re watching and waiting.”

“That’s exactly why I need to go. We’ve been bonded, so you know he won’t hurt me. He wants to protect me too, and you know he can outrun any of the Fallen.”

“I will be tortured and killed by Alaine if she ever finds out you left—”

“She won’t,” I cut in. “I promise. I’ll be back before anyone wakes up. Please, Thomas. It’s imperative I talk to him. Like a matter of life or death. It’s for all of us.”

“I don’t like this, Emma.”

“Thomas, you have to trust me.”

“Holy crap. You can’t even begin to understand the insurmountable stress you’re putting me through right now.” He paused and grabbed the sides of his head with his hands. “You better come back, or I am dead. Dead. Dead. Dead,” he repeated, rocking back and forth.

“I promise. I’ll be back way before sunrise. No one will ever know.”

“Fine. If I don’t get my wings, it will be because of you. And if you get caught, I will blame you for all eternity.”

“Deal, but it won’t happen. I’m just going to get some answers and smooth things over to buy us a little more time. That’s it.”

He let out an exaggerated sigh. “Dammit. I can’t believe I’m going to go along with this,” he said, shaking his head in disbelief. “Do you have your dagger?”

“Yes,” I answered, touching the tip.

“I’m only doing this because I believe in you, but you have to make me
one
promise,” he said, thrusting his pointer finger at me.

“What’s that?”

“Do
not
seal that bond,” he said, his blue eyes were cold and dead serious.

“I promise. No bond sealing.” I drew a cross over my heart. “And I will be back soon.”

“You better be because I’ll be freaking stressed out, not sleeping, watching the windows, waiting for you.”

“Thank you, Thomas,” I said, hugging him.

He grudgingly tapped my back.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah.”

I didn’t blame him. He was really putting everything on the line for me. But my mission was to make sure everyone stayed safe.

Against his better judgment, he escorted me down the stairs, sighing stressfully every few seconds. When we reached the bottom he stayed hidden in the darkness and I quietly went the rest of the way to the front door. As soon as my hand touched the knob, I felt him. A rush of tingles and euphoria surged through me. I quietly opened the door, when as I stepped outside, Ethon landed directly in front of the barrier.

His crimson eyes glowed in the darkness as he held out his hand to me. I ran to him, stopping a foot from the barrier.

“You actually came,” he said, almost surprised.

“Did you have any doubt?” I questioned, with a grin.

“Maybe,” he smiled, his hand still open and waiting.

I placed my hand in his, and he yanked me against him, wrapping his arms tightly around my waist, pressing our bodies together. I gasped as the bond sent a wave of electricity over me.

I heard him chuckle. “Are you ready?”

“Yes,” I breathed.

With a flap of his wings, we were in the air, the wind whipping through my hair. The air was cold, and I was glad I had the suit on to keep me warm.

“Emma,” he spoke, his voice carried a tinge of urgency.

“Yes?”

“Hold on tight, and don’t let go.”

“Why? What’s the matter?”

“A few of Lucian’s horde are following us. It looks like there are only two, but I’ll have to lose them or kill them before we start for my place.”

“Kill?” I shrieked. “I think losing them will be much easier.”

“They will alert others if I don’t kill them, and then we will have more to deal with.”

“How will you do it?”

“If you trust me, I will use you as a distraction. They won’t even know what hit them.”

“I don’t think I like the sound of that.” My voice was shaky.

“You would never leave my arms, and I promise you will be safe.”

“Are you sure?” My heart was thumping wildly in my chest.

“Don’t you trust me?”

I paused. He hadn’t given me a reason not to.

“Yes,” I answered.

“Then hold on tight,” he said stopping in mid-air. He turned around and started flying fast, head-on with the Fallen.

Every muscle in my body tensed as my grip tightened around him. My fingers almost embedded themselves into his flesh. I quickly started to second guess leaving the barrier. Was this even worth it?

“Just breathe, and witness my power. Maybe then you won’t worry if I can protect you.” His words both excited and terrified me.

In a matter of seconds we had come to a dead stop, facing off with two overly muscular Fallen. It was dark, but the moon outlined their bulging frames, with sharp metal weapons wielded in their hands.

“Give us the girl,” one spoke. His voice was gruff and deep.

“Why do you think I turned around when I could have easily outrun you?” Ethon responded. “If you want her, come and take her.”

I closed my eyes as his left hand rested on the small of my back, pressing me tighter to him. “Wrap your arms around my neck,” Ethon whispered softly in my ear. I quickly did as he said, and also wrapped my legs around his waist. It would take tons of effort to pry my body from his.

“Well?” the other Fallen snarled.

“She’s afraid. You’ll have to come and take her from me,” he answered. Ethon’s arms left me, and for a moment I was terrified. “Like I said…you want her…come and get her.”

I felt my body tingle.

“Where the hell did they go?” one of the Fallen hissed.

I opened my eyes and realized we were invisible.

“Whoa,” Ethon exhaled. “Hold on, baby. Let’s do this.” He wrapped his arms tightly around my waist, and with a flap of his wings we twisted like a tornado. He spun so fast, it was almost as if we weren’t moving.

He stopped abruptly.

“What happened?” I asked, breathless.

“It’s done.”

“Where are they?”

“Look down,” he replied.

I glanced below and saw two headless bodies plummeting toward the earth.

“Wow. That was fast,” I gasped.

“Emma, look at what kind of power we have when we’re together. We’ll be unstoppable. Imagine what we will do once we’ve sealed the bond and you transform. There will be no one who can match us.” His eyes narrowed and I could see a faint grin rise on his lips. “I just caught a glimpse of our future. It will be amazing.” He grabbed the back of my head, his lips crashed down onto mine, then he quickly pulled back. “You and I will rule the Underworld for all eternity. It will be amazing.” He looked at me with wonderment.

“Yeah,” I breathed, trying to force a smile.

Ruling anything was not what I wanted to do. Actually, it was the furthest thing from my mind. I just wanted to live a simple life – a life without the constant threat of death or war lingering over my head – and to experience every good thing it had to offer.

I did, however, need to take out a few key players if this was going to happen, and little did Ethon know… his father was on my secret hit list. I wouldn’t tell him, of course. It was a super-secret list carved onto my heart.

“We’re safe now. Let’s get to the portal.”

“Okay,” I breathed, slowly releasing my grip. Still face to face, Ethon held tight to my waist; the moon light glistened on his silky, raven wings as we soared high above the trees. I closed my eyes and held my arms out to my sides, imagining I had my own wings.

His lips found their way to my neck, his tongue softly twisted against my skin sending pulses of heat through my body. I inhaled and my arms grasped for his shoulders as his hand caught the back of my neck, steadying me.

Ethon’s crimson eyes were inches from mine, burning deep with passion. I closed my eyes, trying to fight the overwhelming pull of the bond. It was something no normal immortal would ever do. The bond was created for soul mates to find each other, copulate, and begin benefiting completely from its many pleasures.

I just couldn’t allow it to take me. Not yet. It was something I had to fight until I came to a solid decision. Only then, when I was completely certain, would I give in. Until such time, I would have to keep treading, holding my head above the fine line of sealing the bond. If I ever lost control and went under, even for a moment, my world would change. Forever.

“You’re resisting,” he hummed against my neck, making my world spin.

“I have to,” I breathed.

“Why?”

“Because it would be too easy to give you everything.”

I knew the answer satisfied him when a smile grew on his lips.

“I promised you I wouldn’t seal the bond, and I will keep my word. But that doesn’t mean we can’t have a little fun.”

“Alaine will be waking up in a few hours to take Courtney and Caleb to the airport. I’ll need to be back in bed before she wakes. If she finds me missing, I won’t be allowed to see you again.”

“I promise to have you tucked safely in bed before then,” he winked.

“
My
bed,” I clarified, knowing he was the son of the Deceiver.

He laughed deep from his belly. “Yes, love. In
your
bed… all by your lonesome,” he added, playfully nipping my bottom lip. “Since you have a curfew, I guess I should fly faster.”

“Most definitely,” I giggled, and grasped his neck.