Gilded Wings (3 page)

“I can’t tell you.” My heart was breaking, and a tear trickled down my face. “You just have to trust me.”

“I do trust you, but you need to tell me why.”

I shook my head. “I can’t. I want to, but I can’t. Please don’t ask. You just have to believe me.”

“Okay,” he said, pulling me back into his arms, and kissing my forehead. “Can you at least tell me where you’re headed?”

I stepped back and looked into his concerned eyes. “Midway.”

“Midway? Why?”

“Please. I’ll go alone, just tell me how much further it is.”

“No way. You aren’t going alone. I’m your Guardian and will take you there. I need to make sure you’re safe. It’s about ten miles away.”

“Thank you,” I whispered.

“You’re welcome.” He extended his hand toward me. “We better get moving.”

Kade had me by the hand, running through the trees. I would never have been running this fast, but he seemed to know exactly where he was going. Ten miles. If we kept this up, we could be there in a few hours.

After running for what seemed like an hour, Kade stopped.

“Why are we stopping?” I panted.

“You need water and rest for just a minute, and then we’ll get going again.” He took the satchel and pulled out the blue flask. “Here, take a sip.”

“I’m fine… and by the way, how did you know the flask was in there. Who brought it to me?” I questioned, looking deep into his eyes.

He paused, his eyes locking onto mine. “You have things you can’t divulge at the moment, and so do I.”

“Fair enough,” I said, and he smiled.

I took a sip from the flask and instantly felt my heart and pulse rate slow. I felt good as new, and ready to run the rest of the way. “You’re turn.” I handed him the flask and he hesitated, but I stood firm. He finally took it and sipped, then twisted the cap back on.

“Where are the others?” I asked.

“Probably busy keeping the Fallen away. There were only a handful of them. Nothing they can’t handle.”

“Are you sure they’ll be okay?” I asked.

“There hasn’t been any Fallen who can beat our group. Especially with Samuel…” he paused, “and Ethon. They’ll be just fine.”

“That’s good. I wouldn’t want any of them to die over me.”

“They’ll be fine and those going up against them will get what’s coming to them. Most of the time the Fallen are so filled with pride, it becomes their downfall.”

“Well, I’m glad you’re here. Thank you for coming for me, and not taking me back.”

“I’m still yours… your Guardian that is. At least until you make your final decision.” He flashed a half smile.

“Hey,” I said, grabbing hold of his hand. “Yes, you are most definitely my Guardian, and right now I need you.”

He glanced at me and nodded, then pulled me closer to him. “We really need to talk when we get back.”

I sighed and nodded, knowing I was bound from telling him the truth. “I know.”

He smiled, his eyes slowly slipping downward.

“What?”

“That suit. You know what it does to me,” he said flirtatiously. 

My face flushed with heat. “It’s impenetrable,” I answered.

“Nothing is completely impenetrable. There’s always a weak spot.”

“And
you
think you know where it is?”

“Oh, I’m pretty sure.” He grinned and I blushed.

He softly lifted my chin with his fingers until my eyes met his. “Emma, I want you to know that my heart had never felt fulfilled, never felt whole, until I met you. After being in existence for nearly two centuries, you were the only one to unlock something deep inside of me; something I never knew I possessed. My heart is no longer my own. It now belongs to you, and will remain yours, even if you decide to give it back.” Leaning forward, he leveled his beautiful eyes to mine. They were swirling with so much emotion. His closeness was my weakness. “I love you, Emma, and I would do anything to keep you safe and make you happy.”

“I know. You’ve already proven yourself, and I cannot thank you enough,” I looked deeper into his eyes, “And, I—”

He stopped me, by placing his finger to my lips. “You don’t have to tell me you love me back. I know the strength of the bond, and how it only allows you to love your bonded. I didn’t say it to you, expecting a response. I just wanted you to know in case—” he paused, weighing his words.

“In case what?” I questioned.

“It’s nothing. I’m just rambling.”

“Kade Anders, you better not be looking for a way out of my life,” I said, grabbing hold of his arms, forcing him to look at me.

“Never,” he assured, stepping closer.

As soon as his hazel eyes locked onto mine, I was captured. It was so damn hard to resist him, even without the bond. I wanted to step away. I didn’t want to get too close, knowing I might have to break his heart - and mine. But I couldn’t move. I was frozen under his bewitching spell.

He gently lifted his hands and placed them on either side of my face. I closed my eyes as his soft, warm lips pressed against mine. Lips, tongues, and breath intertwined. I had fallen hard for him, even without the bond.

I wrapped my fingers in his thick hair, locking him in place. There was something about him that took me to a high which was so damn hard to come down from.

Kade gently pulled back, leaving me breathless.

“I could do this all day, but we have to get moving.” He rested his forehead against mine, wrapping me in a tight embrace.

“Yeah, good idea,” I agreed.

I wished it were this easy, to stay encased and protected in his arms. But somewhere out there was another who was fighting for me, making sure I was safe. Even though my life had its few good moments, it had also been cruel and unfair. But it was the life destined to me, and I’d just have to wait and see how it all played out.

We continued on, and just when I thought we were in the clear, the ground thundered. I turned as a Fallen landed. His evil eyes were glaring at us with dark intentions.

“Emma,
run
,” Kade ordered, stepping in front of me and unsheathing his sword.

“I’m not going anywhere without you,” I answered.

“It’s not debatable. Go now,” he urged.

The Fallen growled. “She can run, but it will only be a matter of time before I catch her.”

“Not if I kill you first, bastard.” Kade crouched, ready to attack.

Behind us to the left I noticed something familiar. A ginormous tree stood out of place in the midst of the spruce trees. It wasn’t the portal we were seeking, but I knew it was the portal to Ethon’s secret place.

“Emma, you’re not moving,” Kade stressed.

“I told you, I’m not leaving you.” There was no way I was going to leave him alone. 

Three more Fallen dropped out from the sky, surrounding us. The suit wasn’t making me invisible, but it was already too late. Even if I disappeared, they knew I was here. They were all herculean, towering over us.

“Just hand over the girl and we’ll leave you alone,” the first Fallen spoke.

“That’s not going to happen,” Kade answered.

“Then you will have to die.”

“If it is my destiny to die saving the one I love, then I will do it with honor.”

The Fallen shook his head and narrowed his eyes.

“Love,” he spat. “It makes one weak.”

“Oh, but you’re wrong. Its love which gives me strength,” Kade answered.

“Kade, don’t,” I begged.

“Do you have your dagger?” he asked, his eyes locked forward.

“Yes,” I answered.

“Then use it, and don’t be afraid,” he said turning back, his eyes softening as they met mine.

“Kade!” I screamed, pulling him out of the way of the Fallen who had charged toward him. His sword whizzed right past Kade’s head. He immediately turned and swung again, but Kade was ready, their swords clashing. Over and over the Fallen struck, but Kade countered, blocking his attacks, taking him further and further away from me.

Another Fallen rushed at me from behind. I automatically turned and ducked; his blade whizzing past my side, nearly missing its mark. As the momentum of his swing pulled him forward, I thrust my dagger upward, sinking it deep into his chest.

He dropped his weapon and fell to his knees, grasping for my neck. I leaned out of his reach, and yanked the blade free from his chest, using it to slice his neck.

He gasped, bringing his hand up over the gushing laceration.

I was in shock, watching him die from a wound I’d just delivered. Blood seeped through his fingers and down his chest. The sounds of his gasping and gurgling through the blood filling his lungs, made my stomach churn.

A scream from behind threw me back into the moment. I had to clear my head. We were in a battle. I twisted back and saw another Fallen charging at me. Without warning, I was thrust backward by an unseen force; my body slid under the advancing blade. I felt the breeze as it passed right over my face, slicing a few stray hairs.

I rolled to my hands and knees, scrambling to get to my feet. A bashing assault from behind knocked me flat. I rolled over as the Fallen’s blade came crashing down, right on my chest.

I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t scream. The pain was too agonizing.

“Emma!” Kade yelled.

I turned toward him. He tried to run, but was kicked in the gut and thrown further away.

The Fallen who dealt the blow bounded toward him, but Kade’s rage had him back on his feet. With a quick twist and perfect precision, he sliced right through the Fallen’s neck, severing the head from its owner.

Holding my breath, I glanced down to see if I’d been impaled. The suit kept the blade from piercing my chest and heart.

“Vestimentum Angelorum?” the Fallen who struck me asked in disbelief.

“Yeah, asshole. It’s my super suit,” I said, jumping up through the pain and thrusting my blade into his forehead. His eyes rolled back and he dropped to the ground. I quickly pulled the blade from his face and pushed it into his heart. It was easier than slicing off a head.

I dropped to my knees. The pain in my chest radiating.

Kade pulled his blade from the last one and ran over to me.

“Emma, are you okay?” He knelt down.

“Fine. I think he broke my ribs.” My words were short and labored.

“I need to get you out of here,” he said with urgency.

Two more Fallen landed and looked at their dead brothers. Their eyes locked onto us with burning revenge.

“Kade?” I turned toward him before someone grabbed me from behind, swooping me into the air.

“I’ve got you,” Ethon said, holding me tightly.

In mere seconds we were at his safe haven. He slowly landed near the lake, laying me in the soft grass under the tree.

“You’re safe,” he said, gently letting go. “Are you hurt?”

“You need to go back and help him. They’ll kill him,” I pleaded. Tears fell from my eyes – a combination of pain and knowing Kade was out there alone.

“That would make things a whole lot easier for us,” he smirked.

My stomach twisted at his disturbing response.

“If he dies out there, I—I will
never
forgive you,” I snapped, my emotions seemed to be dulling the bond.

“Easy. I was only joking,” he said rolling his eyes. “The other Guardians and your father were right behind me.”

“I don’t care. I need to make sure he’s safe.”

He sighed dramatically. “So you’re taking role of Guardian now? Which is which?”

“If you don’t go, I will.” Pushing myself up, I groaned and fell backward as a stabbing pain shot through my chest.

“You cannot leave this place without me. You’ll need wings. The exit is way up there,” he noted, pointing to the distortion in the sky thirty feet above us.

“Ethon, please,” I begged.

He stepped forward and knelt. “Let me fix you first.”

I nodded, trying to hold back the tears of pain.

His eyes softened as he looked at me, and then they closed. When he opened them again, they were flaming, small wisps of smoke curled and twisted from the edges, disappearing as they touched the air. I would never get used to seeing him like this, all terrifyingly beautiful.

“Are you ready?” he softly spoke, slowly lifting his hands. They were glowing red with heat.

“Yes,” I lied, knowing more pain would soon follow.

He laid his hands on my ribs. A heat, torched my insides, but only for a few moments. I gasped in pain as my ribs popped back into place, and only until the last one returned to its position, could I finally breathe freely.

I took in a deep breath, and watched him smile.

“Thank you,” I said in all sincerity.

A crooked grin adorned his lips before he closed his eyes again. When they reopened, the flame was gone, replaced with his normal crimson color. “I have never met anyone in all my years who has broken as many ribs as you.”