Everyone rushed back into the area, and Alaine was the last to enter. She didn’t say a word as she ran to me, but tears were flowing from her eyes.
“Are you alright?” she cried, her face was filled with fear and concern.
“Not a scratch. See?” I showed her my arms. “But my hair is sort of a mess, and my dress is a bit damaged.”
She gathered me in her arms. “Emma,” she sobbed. “I was terrified. But you have proven to everyone that you have fulfilled the prophecy. You’ve become utterly transcendent.”
Thomas stepped forward with Lia in his arms. She was lying limp, her mouth wide open.
“Did you put the sleeper on her?” I gasped.
“No, she did this herself. She fainted as soon as she saw your wings.”
“And the photographer?” I asked, pointing to her still body, flailed out on the ground.
“Dom put her out right before the action started. We didn’t want photos of us flying floating around the internet,” he laughed.
“Emma?” Jeremy asked, stepping around Thomas.
“Hey Jeremy,” I grinned apologetically.
“How?” He shook his head in disbelief, his eyes locked onto my wings. “What—?”
My face twisted a bit, knowing I had to give him an answer.
“I know,” I exhaled. “Well, for starters… I’m not entirely human.”
He pushed his glassed up on his nose. “I can clearly see that.”
I turned to Samuel, Alaine, and then Kade. “We’re angels. Immortals.”
“And you were like this the whole time?”
“No. I transformed on my eighteenth birthday.”
His brow furrowed. “But, your birthday isn’t for a few more months.”
I shook my head. “My true birthday was a month ago.”
He exhaled loudly. “Well, I guess that makes a lot more sense. I thought it might be a little fast; you know… getting married at seventeen and all.”
“Are you mad?” I asked.
His eyes looked at me, and then the hugest smile filled his face. “Are you kidding? Our best friend is immortal. That’s the most freaking amazing thing ever!”
“Good,” I said, walking to him. I hid my wings, and then hugged him.
Behind Jeremy, Dominic stood shaking his head.
“What?” I asked.
“I’ve got nothing. You have rendered me speechless.” He grinned and shrugged.
“Now that is a miracle,” Kade laughed, and everyone else joined him.
“I know we all have some major questions and things we need to discuss, but there are guests and a celebration that needs to be attended to first.” Alaine said, wiping the black mascara from under her eyes. “So, let’s all head to the ballroom!” She then paused and turned. “Dom, will you please take the photographer to the kitchen and revive her first. Give her some of your charm, and hopefully she’ll stick around.”
“You got it,” he said, tossing the limp photographer over one shoulder, and holding her camera in the other.
Everyone started out of the Labyrinth and when I turned to Kade, his eyes were fastened on mine. A look of passion and desire swirled within them.
“Come here,” he said, stepping closer.
His arms wrapped tightly around my waist, pulling me firmly against him.
“Wings?” he asked, his eyes smiling with adoration.
I nodded.
“When did you know?”
“The day I showed you my other gifts. They were the reason I was on the floor.”
He laughed. “I had a feeling something was up. You’re very sneaky.”
“I wanted it to be a surprise,” I said.
“Well, you totally pulled off the surprise factor. Even the Fallen were shocked. They weren’t ready for you.”
“Are you ready for me?” I asked.
“Are you kidding? I’ve been ready since the day we first touched.”
“Well, I’m not sure if I’m ready for you,” I grinned.
“Oh, you won’t be,” he affirmed. I narrowed my eyes and shook my head. “Are you ready to go to the reception?”
“No. How about we ditch the party and find a place to be alone?”
“Alaine will kill us,” he answered slowly.
“I know,” I sighed. “But it sounds like a great plan.”
“Don’t worry,” he whispered softly in my ear. “Tonight, I will give you an after party you will never forget.”
His words left me blushing and breathless.
“Let’s go,” he said, swooping me up into his arms, and carrying me out of the labyrinth.
As he carried me down the hall toward the ballroom, I could hear soft classical music playing in the background.