As I lay quiet and still, I was filled with a sudden charge of warmth and tingles flowing through me, causing a wave of dizziness, making my breath quicken. I sat up, addled and shaken.
An invisible force slammed me again, forcing me backward into my bed. I frantically struggled to sit back up, my arms weak, I felt like I’d just been struck with a lightning bolt. I was disoriented, gasping for air. I felt as if I had been shot up with adrenaline; my pulse quickened, my insides were tingling, and I became dizzy. I closed my eyes and took in long deep breaths.
What the hell?
When I opened my eyes, a brilliant white light illuminated from the closet.
Michael must have sent someone to help.
As the door swung open, my eyes were blinded by the brilliance of the purest light. I could feel the frantic beating of my heart coursing through my veins. The room filled with warmth, and electricity buzzed heavily in the air. I struggled to focus, but had to shield my eyes.
As I lowered my hand and narrowed my eyes, the figure stepped forward.
My eyes began to water, my heart palpitated, and a cold sweat overcame me. My fingers gripped the edge of the bed, my body trembling uncontrollably.
A familiar sweet scent filled the room, enveloping me. I suddenly felt like I was being ripped from the depths of darkness and the pieces of my heart slowly began to mend as the most mesmerizing eyes fastened upon mine.
As the light diminished, the figure came into focus.
My breath seized, my heart stopped, and I was frozen.
It was as if I were looking at a ghost.
He smiled and slowly raised his arms, opening them up to me.
“Kade?” My voice was quivering and unsure.
He nodded and stepped forward. My insides reacted like they were entrapped and being lured toward him. His smile was enchanting, captivating every part of me.
“How? I watched you die?”
“The Creator brought me back to life. He told me my time wasn’t over; that I needed to come back to you.”
I couldn’t speak. Tears erupted from my eyes, and emotions overwhelmed me.
“Come to me, Emma,” he spoke softly.
I didn’t hesitate. I leapt from the bed, directly into his arms. As soon as he caught me, I was zapped. A million tingles surged through my body.
“It is you,” I cried. “It’s really you. You’re alive. You’ve come back to me,” I sobbed and clutched tightly to his frame.
I felt his warm breath on my neck as he hugged me. “I’m here now, and will always be.”
He pulled back a little, causing me to look at him. With no hesitation, he leaned over and kissed me. Words could not describe the sensation as soon as our lips touched. It was magical, and took me to a place we had never been before. It felt like love was being wrapped around us, intertwining us, and binding our hearts together.
He pulled back and grinned.
“What’s happening?” I gasped, breathless.
“Don’t you know by now?”
I shook my head, unsure. “The bond?”
He smiled and nodded.
“But I thought—”
“When the creator resurrected me, he told me he had been watching. He said he knew about my decision to change from immortal to mortal. Because I was willing to risk everything, including my immortality, along with the fact my father and your grandfather are his Archangels — he made me immortal.”
“Oh, Kade,” I wailed, throwing my arms around him.
“I promised you, if it was within my power, I would be here for your transformation,” he whispered.
“I didn’t want to share it with anyone but you,” I wept. “It was you. It was always you.”
His lips turned up and his face beamed. He then turned to the clock. “You still have a few more minutes. I’d like to show you something before your transformation begins.”
“Alright,” I said, shaking with excitement.
“Step back a bit.”
I took a few steps back and paused.
He grinned at me.
“What?” I smiled.
He held his arms out to his sides, and then in the still silence, two of the most beautiful wings magically appeared behind him. Layer upon layer of flawless white feathers looked as soft as silk, and shimmered in the dim light of my lamp. I was completely spellbound by him in all of his glory.
An ethereal golden glow encircled him. This is who he truly was. Who I’d always envisioned him to be. He had been reborn and was now complete.
“Emma?” he spoke softly.
Uncontrollable tears filled my eyes, and there were only two words I could manage to push out.
“You’re beautiful.”
Kade’s eyes were filled with so much love, compassion, and tenderness.
“It’s time,” he said.
His wings folded around me, encasing me in a cocoon of white. His protective arms held me tight.
As soon as he did, I felt like I was bashed in the chest. My body went limp, but Kade held me tight. Intense pain began to rain down on me, igniting the top of my head. Inch by inch the pain blazed, slowly torching everything on its way down. As much as I tried to relax, I couldn’t; my body was rigid, tensed and trying to cope with the pain.
“Kade,” I moaned. “It burns.”
“I’m here. We’ll get through this together.”
An unexpected gentle breeze brushed against my face, cooling me and taking some of the pain away. It was Kade, blowing his magic on me.
When the fire hit my chest it settled, and then a force slammed me again, jolting my body backward. It felt like something was punching a hole straight through my heart. I moaned, and Kade’s arms tightened around me.
“I’m here, Emma,” he whispered, trying to comfort me.
The fire raged on, consuming me, incinerating what was left of my mortality. As it passed below my chest, I began to bear the pain a bit, but it depleted nearly all my energy. I kept my breathing steady as it continued down my legs, thighs, calves, and exited out my toes.
When the pain finally subsided, I slowly opened my eyes.
I was face to face, inches away, from the most beautiful angel I’d ever seen.
He was perfect, and he was alive. This wasn’t a dream.
I thought I’d lost him forever, but here he was, holding me, covering me, and protecting me, like he had from the very beginning. I could feel his unconditional love. He was my soul mate. My one true love. My bonded.
His hazel eyes, swirling with gold, were narrowed with concern and distress.
“Is it over?”
“No. It’s just beginning,” I whispered.
His brow furrowed.
“My life… with you,” I explained, giving him a weak smile.
His eyes softened, and then he leaned forward and kissed me. As soon as his lips touched mine, something inside of me awakened. At first it was a small tingling sensation, but as his kiss deepened, the feeling intensified. It was as if refreshing cold water was pouring over me, washing away my internal blaze.
His kiss was healing me, from the inside out.
When I could breathe easy, I slowly pulled back.
Kade’s eyes carefully studied mine. “Are you okay?”
“I am now,” I answered, breathless.
“Can I ask you something?” he said, kissing my forehead.
“Of course.”
He placed his hands on my shoulders and stepped backward. He then folded his beautiful wings behind his back and knelt down on one knee.
“Kade?” I was trembling, my knees weak.
He took hold of both of my hands and looked into my eyes with sincerity. His touch immediately strengthened me.
“We’ve both been reborn, transformed from one life and one being, into something much greater. I once made a decision which nearly took you away from me. It will never happen again.
“Emma, I want to spend the rest of eternity with you. I want to wake up every d
ay and see your beautiful smile, feel your touch, and wrap you in my arms whenever you need strength. I want to be your protector for the rest of our immortal lives.”
His face was blurred from the flood of tears in my eyes. My stomach twisted with a million butterflies, and my knees became weak.
He kissed my hands. “Emma Wise, will you marry me?”
It felt as if the floor disappeared from beneath me. I collapsed and fell into his arms.
“Oh, Kade,” I wept, throwing my arms around him, kissing him.
“Was that a yes?” he chuckled against my lips.
“Yes. Yes. A million times, yes!” I exclaimed. Then, for the first time, I saw his mark. It was simple; a spiral with six triangles around it. It reminded me of a sun. A perfect symbol for Kade and who he was to me – my light in the darkness. Since the day we met, his presence brightened and filled me with such warmth and hope.
I kissed his mark and then wrapped my arms around him. As my fingers grazed up his back I gasped.
“Kade?” I exhaled.
“They’re gone,” he answered. “I guess a new body came with the transformation. No more scars.”
I leaned back, laughing and crying at the same time. “I still can’t believe all of this is happening. I – I can’t believe you’re here, and we’re going to be married.”
“I still have to ask Samuel. I know it’s a mortal tradition, but Alaine is half-mortal, so I don’t want to offend.”
“They don’t even know you’re alive.” I said, wondering what they would think when they saw him, raised from the dead.
“No, they don’t,” he grinned. “And I can’t wait to see the looks on all their faces, especially Malachi and Dom.”
My face suddenly dropped, and my heart began to ache.
“Emma? What is it? Are you unwell?”
I shook my head, fighting my emotions.
“You don’t remember?”
“Remember what?” he asked, his brow furrowed.
“I’m so sorry, Kade. Malachi and James are gone, and Alex is barely holding on to life as we speak.”
“What?” His face turned sorrowful, filled with grief.
I nodded, hating to dampen his spirit, but he needed to know.
He closed his eyes for a long time, and when he opened them again, his face brightened.
“They will be missed, but their memories will live on forever.”
“They will never be forgotten. Not in our lifetime,” I said.
“Yes,” he breathed. “Now, you need to rest. Your gifts will be revealed once you’ve healed from the transformation. You’ll be much stronger when you wake in the morning.”
“I’m afraid to close my eyes.”
“Why?” he questioned
“Because if this is a dream, I don’t want it to end.”
His fingers softly grazed the side of my cheek. “This is not a dream. I promise to be here when you wake.”
“Will you stay with me?”
“Forever,” he smiled as he swept me off my feet. Up into his strong arms he carried me to bed. Once I was situated under the covers, he crawled in next to me. We held onto each other tight, and it felt so natural and so unbelievably magical to be in his arms again.
I yawned, starting to feel the effects of the transformation weighing heavy on me.
“Want me to put the sleeper on you?” he asked.
“You can do that?”
“Of course I can. Whatever I did before, I can do now… only much better.” He winked, and my heart melted.
“Assure me you’re real,” I whispered.
“I’m real alright. And once you heal, I’ll show you exactly how real I am.”
My insides twisted. “I can’t wait to be married to you, Mr. Anders. Wait, is Anders your real last name?”
“No,” he chuckled. “Angels don’t have last names. We are just given titles. Like Archangel or Cherubim or—”
“Aren’t Cherubim those cute little angels?” I asked.
His brow raised. “There is no such thing as a cute, little Cherubim. They are actually very offended how the mortal world has painted them to be as such. Cherubim are large, strong, and powerful beings. They are skilled warriors who surround the Creator, and are highly trained to defend him from any contaminations of sin.”
“Wow,” I exhaled. “I guess I still have a lot of learning to do.”
“You have a lifetime, and I will gladly be your instructor. If you’re good, I may even give you some hands-on training,” he said, wiggling his brow.
“I can’t wait to start, professor.” I giggled, then automatically yawned. I could feel my body quickly draining of energy.
“You need to rest,” he said.
I nodded, knowing as much as I wanted to stay awake and talk to him all night, the healing wouldn’t allow it. My eyes were already getting heavy and my body was weakening.
“Don’t leave me, okay?”
“Never again,” he whispered.
“Thank you,” I breathed, closing my eyes.
“Goodnight, my Emma. Sleep sweet.”
“Goodnight,” I whispered, fading into a deep, restful sleep.
I OPENED MY EYES, AND noticed the bed next to me was empty… fear flooded me, my limbs tensing.
“Kade?” I whispered to myself.
The door to the bathroom opened, and he stepped out.
“Don’t worry, I’m still here,” he said with a grin. He’d taken a shower, and I had no idea why he thought he needed one. Steam escaped around him, and the only thing he was wearing was a towel wrapped around his waist. Lucky towel.
My face burned with embarrassment as he caught me gawking at his perfect body. I couldn’t help it. He was magnificent, as if God had chiseled him himself. A flawless masterpiece… and he was mine.
His hair was towel dried and disheveled; his body was glistening and damp.
“I thought—”
“I promised I’d never leave you.”
“I know, but I still can’t believe it. I almost had a mini heart attack wondering if it was all just a dream.”
“I’m sorry,” he said, coming closer. As he did, I could feel my insides twisting.
“How are you feeling?” he asked.
I stretched. “Much better.”
“Rested?”
“Mostly. I still feel a little tired.”
“Give it another day, and you’ll be showing off your new self.”
I smiled. “I wonder what new gift I’ll have? How will I know?”
“You’ll figure it out, and whatever it is, it will be amazing. I’m sure of it.”
“How can you be so sure?” I asked, raising my brow.
“Even without any gift, you’re already amazing. The gift is just a bonus.”
I shook my head. “You are the one who is amazing.”
He smiled and held out his hand to me. “You should get ready. The others will be waking soon, and coming by to check up on you.”
“You’re right,” I said. “They were really worried about me last night.”
As soon as I grabbed his hand, an electrical current shot through me, sending me falling forward into his strong arms.
“I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to that,” I said nearly breathless.
“You will once you’ve healed,” he said with a sexy crooked grin.
I looked up into his mesmerizing eyes and became lost.
“Emma?” he said softly.
I shook my head. “How did I get so lucky?” Emotions began to bubble. “God must love me… enough to have given me my heart’s desire.”
“Yes, he does.” He leaned over and kissed me.
“One day I will thank him,” I said, hugging him. “And thank you for helping me through it all last night.”
“It was my pleasure.”
I inhaled deeply as a thought crossed my mind.
“Do your parents know about you? Do they know you’re alive?”
His smil
e widened. “Yes, they do… and they told me they met you.”
“And?” I questioned, wondering what they thought of me.
“They absolutely loved you,” he answered.
“Are you sure?”
“Positive. I also told them I was going to ask you to marry me.”
“What did they say?”
“That they were proud you were going to be part of our family, and they can’t wait for us to visit them in Grandia.”
“I’d love that.” I smiled and took his hand. “Did they tell you I met my grandfather?”
His eyes softened. “Yes, they did. And?” he asked, his lips rising into a half smile.
“He was even greater than I expected, but I bet you already knew that,” I answered.
“Your grandfather and my father have been very close friends and allies for centuries. They’ve worked very closely together.”
“Which is the reason why I met you,” I said.
“Yes. But I didn’t know he was the one who had given the order to appoint me as your Guardian. Ephraim is the one who gave me the orders while I was at Midway. I swear… I didn’t even know Michael was your grandfather until recently.”
A door slammed shut outside, reminding me about the others.
“I better get ready,” I said, grabbing my clothes and running for the bathroom. “Hey, where are your clothes?” I noticed the bathroom was clean.
He grasped the edge of the towel, and ripped it away.
I gasped and then realized he was wearing shorts, so I quickly snapped my mouth shut.
“Tease.”
He laughed. “You should have seen the look on your face.”
“Well, I was expecting a different outcome,” I said, as heat rushed to my face.
“Maybe next time,” he winked.
“Maybe,” I giggled, and shut the bathroom door. I pressed my back against it and took in a deep breath, still trying to wrap my head around the fact that Kade was back. He was back and so was the bond… stronger than ever.
I quickly showered and brushed my teeth, then dressed in jeans, and a long-sleeved, plain white T-shirt. I wiped the steam from the mirror and looked at myself. I didn’t see anything different. I looked like the same girl.
As soon as I exited, Kade was sitting on the bed, staring at me.