Tethered Wings (Hidden Wings Series)
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Authors: Cameo Renae
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Tethered Wings
By Cameo Renae
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, including photocopying, recording, or transmitted by any means without written consent of the author.
This is a work of fiction. Characters, establishments, names, companies, organizations and events were created by the author. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or actual events, companies or organizations is coincidental.
Published by Crushing Hearts and Black Butterfly Publishing
Copyright 2014 Cameo Renae
Edited by Crimson Tide Editorial
First, I have to acknowledge my editor, Victoria Schmitz of Crimson Tide Editorial. She has been such a vital part to this process, and I am so blessed to have her in my life. We seem to gel amazingly well, and feed off of each other. Her jokes and crazy stickers make the editing process a lot less daunting.
Again, I have to also thank my writing buddies and awesome friends, Cambria Hebert and Amber Garza. They inspire me daily. I would have been procrastinating a lot more through this process if it hadn’t been for their pushes and cheers.
Also, HUGE thanks to my PA, Amber Garcia, for working hard to pimp my books and push me towards success. I treasure our friendship. Love you girl!
Also, a huge thank you to my publishing family over at Crushing Hearts and Black Butterfly. Their support has been invaluable, and I love each and every one of them.
And last, but not least, my family. Their constant love and support has made this dream happen.
I love you all!
This one is for my husband, Vance.
His unconditional love and support has given me wings to fly, and helped to create the bond and love inspired between these characters.
He is my soul mate. My protector. My knight in shining armor.
***
My one true love.
His eyes fixed on mine, and the world around me instantly faded away. The thunderous beating of my heart occupied my senses as I ascended the stairway. At the top was Kade, my bonded, the one I was supposed to spend the rest of my life with. How the hell was I going to explain everything? I could see concern on his beautiful face. He had questions, but regrettably, I didn’t have the answers.
My mind was suddenly filled with thoughts of how much I missed him, and how much I missed this place.
Even though my world was filled with a constant, spiraling madness, I’d take it –and him- over Hell any day.
Hell…now
that
was an experience I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. Well, maybe Lucian, but the bastard was already from that hellhole, so I’d just be telling him to go home.
I still couldn’t wrap my head around the fact we had gone to the Underworld. Or that, our week-long trip had totaled, four long months in the mortal world. It was no wonder they all looked at us as if we’d returned from the dead. Four months was a very long time to be missing, especially when you’re on a road trip to visit with Lucifer.
As I reached Kade, every cell in my body went haywire. My pulse raced, my knees felt weak, and my hands were sweaty. It was a different feeling than when I was around Ethon, but no less exhilarating.
I hesitated. My first instinct was to run into his arms. Instead, I paused a few feet away from him, worried how things were going to play out.
His eyes were filled with confusion and relief. He was happy I was alive, but Ethon’s presence threw a wrench into our delicate relationship.
I was already baffled about my Immortal Bond with Kade, and now, I had gone and bonded to the son of Lucifer.
Two bonds.
Like I didn’t have enough complications?
We stood silent, the tension was thick.
“Kade,” I breathed, shaking my head. I didn’t know what to say or how to begin.
In a second, his eyes softened and he immediately closed the space between us. Protective arms folded around me in a warm embrace. His familiar scent enveloped me like a warm blanket. Overwhelmed with emotion, I broke.
“Hey, it’s okay,” he breathed. “You’re safe now.” He pressed his warm lips to my forehead and breathed in. Exhaling, he gently wiped away my tears. Grabbing my hand, he led me into his room, and snapped the door shut behind us. Once alone, he took me to his bed and sat me down, grabbing a chair from the far corner and placing it directly in front of me.
“I was so worried about you, Emma. From the moment I opened my eyes, I realized I wasn’t with you anymore…you have no idea how much it terrified me. I wanted to be with you, but I was too damn weak. Besides, Alaine wouldn’t have allowed it.”
My heart ached hearing him speak those words because I had thought about him every moment I was away, too. The last time I’d seen him, he’d been so pale. I thought I would never see him again, and it had scared the hell out of me.
“I’m fine, really. Just exhausted.”
“Well, when you’re rested, I’d like to hear all about the adventure. I’m so proud of you. When it mattered most, you fought, and you survived.”
My heart swelled as I recognized tenderness and sincerity in his eyes.
I couldn’t take the compassion anymore and looked to my hands. “I promise to tell you everything, but there’s one thing I really wanted to ask you. Something that’s been eating away at me.”
“You know you can ask me anything,” he answered, lifting my chin until our eyes met again.
For a moment I was entranced by his sparkling hazel eyes. I knew I could trust him, and knew he would tell me the truth.
“I need to know why. Why did you have to give up your immortality? You said you had to become mortal to enter Hell with me, but I know that isn’t true. Dominic and Malachi…they didn’t have to give up anything. So, why? Was it really necessary? Help me understand.”
Sadness swept over his face, and my heart shattered.
Keeping his head down, Kade slowly nodded.
“I was faced with a choice. Immortals give off a strong scent, easily detectable by other immortals. If I had escorted you into the Underworld, as an immortal, it could have cost us our lives.”
Gathering confidence, he moved forward and took my face in his hands. “I had an option to minimize the risk and I took it. No regrets. And I would do it again, if it meant your safety. You’ve become so much more than an assignment to me, Emma. You’re part of my life. I will always choose you.”
Sighing, he dropped his arms and grabbed my hands.
“As for Dom and Malachi…they made their own choice.”
“They went in knowing I’d risked everything to keep you safe, not wanting my decision, to become mortal, to be in vain. I would have done the same for any of them, if the situation were reversed. It’s something brothers do for each other. We also have a bond, it’s just different than you and I—” he hesitated, suddenly seeming helpless.
The bond between us had changed when he became mortal. The physical connection - the electrical buzz and overwhelming euphoria – was somehow gone. But physical attributes aside, my heart was still very much tied to his. I experienced strong emotions when he looked at me, or touched me… just minus the fireworks produced by the bond.
“I’m so sorry, Emma.”
“Kade, don’t.
I’m
sorry you were put in a position to make such a decision. You risked your life for me. You gave up your immortality, for
me
. I should be the one apologizing. Ever since I came into your life, I’ve brought nothing but pain.”
“Emma, you have given my life hope and meaning. Up until the time I met you, I was living each day, just doing my job. The moment we touched, I had purpose. I now have a future to look forward to, if you so choose.”
“How can I be so lucky?” I asked.
“
You
are lucky? No one even knows the dormant potential lying within you, which scares them. You could possibly be the key to ending the immortal war… and I am bonded to you.” He slid down to his knees and nestled between my legs. “I happen to think that makes
me
the lucky one.”
His words made me blush. “You’re crazy. And adorable. But I sure don’t feel like I have something hidden in me. If anything, I feel like I’ve lost my identity.”
“No. You’re finding your true identity. And some may have even seen glimpses of it in the Underworld.”
“How would you know?” I asked.
“Because they told me,” he grinned. “Do you realize it’s nearly impossible to slay a Hellhound? Lucifer placed them at the last gate because immortals don’t usually try and go up against them. But you, a mortal girl, comes strolling along and not only attempts an attack, but successfully slaughter them. That’s pretty damn amazing, and just the tip of the iceberg.” He squeezed my hands. “You’re a dark horse, Emma. No one really knows your full potential, but I expect it will be mind-blowing. And, I’m glad I was chosen to be a part of your journey.”
I pulled his hands around my waist and left them there, resting my arms on his shoulders. “We’re lucky to have each other.”
“Everything will work out in the end. We just have to believe,” he said softly.
“I really hope so. I just wish there was some way for you to become immortal again.”
“Hey. Don’t you worry about me. I may not be as strong as I used to be, but I can still kick some serious ass. And, I will always be here to protect you.”
“Thank you. I know you will. I will never doubt that,” I said. “But are you sure there is no way for them to change you back?”
He shook his head. “I realize my decision is not one most immortals would make, but I’m totally fine with it. Besides, I’ve always wondered what it would be like to grow old. Now I’ll get to experience it firsthand.”
“And, what about me?”
“Once your transformation is complete, you’re aging process will slow. It never stops, it just decelerates. Lucifer and Lucian have been around centuries longer than the rest of us, which is why they look a little more… distinguished.”
“So, are there different kinds of Angels?”
“No, but we’re given different titles as we progress. Every level completed brings you closer to the top. Being a Guardian is the first level, so you will notice most of them appear younger…and in Dom’s case…immature. Guardians also take on a lot of human traits because they spend most of their time amongst them, intending to blend in.”
“Well, that explains a lot,” I laughed. Even though our Guardians were centuries old, they acted just like the boys in high school. But I was glad for that. Having them around kept things light and made life bearable. That, and the fact they were all drop-dead gorgeous.
The conversation came to a lull and I could see Kade had his own burning questions.
“I know you’re probably wondering about Ethon,” I whispered.
His eyes lowered. “Yeah. What did he mean when he said you were bonded?”
“Well, I don’t know how or why, but when he introduced himself and our hands touched, I bonded with him. The same way I had with you,” I breathed, butterflies turning madly in my stomach.
Should I tell him about the dreams?
He hadn’t ever lied to me, so I should show him the same courtesy.
“I don’t understand,” he said, wanting specifics.
“After you came back, changed, I started having these strange dreams. You were in them, but there were also these bright red eyes. When I first met him, I realized they belonged to Ethon. Each dream offered me the same choice. I didn’t understand it at the time, but as I’m telling you now, I can see it. I think what Alaine said might be correct. Within me is both good and evil, dark and light. I have been bonded to both sides, and now I have to make a decision. What side do I want to be on?”
Kade squeezed his arms around me and pulled me to the edge of the bed. “You don’t need to make any decisions soon. I realize there isn’t anything serious between us right now, but I hope there will be.”
I slid off the bed and landed on my knees in front of him, bodies pressed tight with the bed at my back. He held me, despite the stench of Hell lingering all over. He never even flinched.
“Hey,” he whispered.
There was an undeniable attraction, pulling us together.
Before I could take another breath, his irresistible mouth took possession of mine. Using the bed as leverage, he trapped me, tight against his body.
The kiss was magical. It was so raw and intense. I parted my lips and our kiss deepened; tongues dancing in perfect unison. Afraid to touch his back, for fear it wasn’t healed yet, I wrapped my arms tightly around his head to hold him in place.
He suddenly stood up, pulling me with him. The movement was so sudden, I gasped and wrapped my legs around his waist.
Shuffling a few steps, Kade placed me on a desk. I put my hands out to support our weight and he began a trail of hot kisses down my neck. My body quivered, and a moan of pleasure escaped my lips. He was pure magic, and I was completely under his spell.
His lips found mine again, our kiss deepening, filled with even stronger passion. I couldn’t begin to imagine the emotion behind the sealing of a bond. The consummation of two, becoming one for all eternity.
Our lips parted suddenly, and he rested his forehead on mine. Both of us were panting heavily.
“God, I missed you, Emma,” he said between breaths.
“I can tell,” I whispered. I saw a grin sneak up on the corners of his mouth. “I missed you too.”
“You have no idea,” he stressed. “Leaving you - not knowing if you were hurt - nearly crushed me. I hated not being able to be there with you. It was the only time I despised my decision of becoming mortal. I prayed, every single day that you would come back to me, so I could hold you again.”
“I know exactly how you were feeling. My heart nearly broke watching you in so much pain. The thought of losing you absolutely terrified me, I came so close to giving up.”
“I’m glad you didn’t. I knew you would make it. But I still can’t believe you’re here. It’s as if you’re back from the dead. Four months was a very, very long wait,” he said, with a pained look.
“I’m here now,” I said. A sudden wave of tiredness made me yawn.
“You must be exhausted,” he observed.
“I am. And I need a really hot shower.”
“Yeah. I’m pretty sure you’ll feel a lot better after taking one,” he chuckled and scrunched his nose.
“I stink, don’t I?”
His lips tightened. “Well, I totally blame that on the Devil and his son. Their stink is nearly impossible to get rid of,” he scoffed.
I laughed. “Then I better prepare for lots of bubbles and an extra-long soak.”
Kade stood up and pulled me off the desk.
“I wish I could help you with that,” he teased, “But, there are too many eyes watching out for you now.” A devious smile rose on his face. “Besides, there is only so much restraint this new mortal body can endure, and I don’t want to push it.”