Gilded Wings(92)
When we entered the room, Kade paused at the entrance.
“Wow,” he gasped.
I was dazed and incapable of words.
The ballroom had been transformed into an enchanted dreamland, filled with the most exotic trees and flower arrangements, all done in white. Thousands upon thousands of golden twinkle lights filled the room. The light from the chandelier was dimmed, while up-lights, lowlights, and spotlights accentuated every floral masterpiece with a soft golden glow.
In the center of the room were five circular tables, with golden table cloths and white china table settings. The center of each table held tall crystal vases, filled with bouquets of white roses.
It looked like a golden wonderland, a place of magic.
As soon as everyone saw us, they began clapping.
Kade set me down, and I wrapped my arm around his. As we made our way in, the song we had our first dance to, the night of the masquerade ball, started playing.
Kade turned to me with a smile, then unhooked his arm. He bowed in front of me, then held out his hand.
“May I have this dance?” he asked.
I placed my hand in his and he led me over to the dance floor.
The music played, but the world around us began to fade away. Wrapped in his strong arms, I laid my head on his chest and curled my arms around his neck, never wanting the music to stop. His sweet scent swirled around me, and with every inhale, filled me with desire. I wanted to disappear, and finally be alone with him.
As the night continued, there was so much laughter and happiness, it was the celebration of our lives. But before we knew it, it was over.
AFTER ALL THE GUESTS LEFT and everyone else went to bed, Kade held my hand and walked me outside. The night air was cool and crisp, enlivening me as it brushed against my bare skin.
“Where do you want to go?” he asked.
“What do you mean?”
“For our honeymoon,” he replied, as a crooked grin adorned his perfect lips. “Where would you like to go?”
“What are my options?”
His magnificent white wings appeared behind his back.
“Anywhere your heart desires.”
“Right now?” I squeaked.
“Yes, right now.” He winked making my pulse race. “I don’t want to wait another minute.”
“What about packing?”
“You don’t need to pack,” he answered.
“How long will we be gone?”
“As long as we like. Alaine and Samuel already know.”
“Well,” I said, knowing there was no way of making a decision. “Why don’t you surprise me?”
His lips turned up on both sides. “I was hoping you’d say that.” He grabbed me by the waist and secured me firmly against the length of his hard body. I wrapped my arms around his neck, and he shot up into the air. I screamed and laughed as we entered the darkened sky. The stars sparkled extra bright tonight, as if they were celebrating with us.
He secured me in his arms, against his solid chest; his silky white wings glistened lightly under the stars and moonlight. The cool night air whispered in my ear, sending a chill down my spine, so I hugged him closer. Each flap of his wings sent a charge through me, filling me with want and desire. I felt his arms tighten even more, pressing our bodies even closer.
His eyes were secured on mine and I was spellbound, mesmerized by the swirling liquid gold within them. His lips brushed against my cheek, and slowly found my lips, kissing me ever so gently.
“Where are you taking me?” I breathed.
“To our place,” he answered.
“We have a place?”
“We do,” he grinned.
“And where exactly is this place?”
“You’ll see in just a minute.” He kissed the tip of my nose, and flapped his wings, flying faster and higher.
“You aren’t taking me to the moon, are you?”
“I could, if that’s where you want to go,” he grinned.
But then I saw it, a tiny shimmer in the atmosphere, a ripple which was invisible to the human eye.
“Is that a portal?”
“It is. I’m taking you home.”
With another flap of his wings, we entered the portal and went from darkness to a brilliant light.
“This has to be heaven,” I said breathless.
He placed his warm cheek against mine and whispered in my ear.
“Welcome to Grandia, Emma.”
Excitement and anticipation filled me and then he asked, “Would you like to fly?”
My answer was quick. “No,” I breathed, “I don’t want to leave your arms.”
He kissed me and carefully twisted me around so I could take it all in.
Each one of my senses were on overload. The air was filled with the most unbelievable and indescribable sweetness. As I breathed in, I felt an overwhelming serenity come over me. There was a constant but gentle charge in the air, a transcendental promise of peace.