White Wings

by Aimee Jessica Russ

  “Here you go,” Lilly said, putting an egg and cheese omelette on the small, dark brown table next to her.

  “Thank you,” Millie said with a smile. A minute later, Mace was eating an omelette as well.

  Fourteen

  Feelings

  Millie lay on the couch whilst Mace had a shower. Her eyes were about to close with sleep deprivation, until she felt someone sitting down next to her. She looked over and saw Lilly staring at her with a worried face.

  “What’s wrong?” Millie asked, sitting up.

  “Why did that Fallen warn us?” Lilly said, creasing her brow.

  “Zeke?”

  “Yes, him.”

  “He wanted to protect me,” Millie said.

  “The Fallen are after you. Why is he protecting you? It’s against his nature.” Lilly swiped her hair back behind her ear.

  “I think he doesn’t want me to get hurt.”

  “I don’t understand,” Lilly said, confused.

  “You can trust him,” Millie said.

  “Angels don’t trust the Fallen. They fell from God’s grace to follow Lucifer. They are evil.”

  “I didn’t trust him either in the beginning, since he dragged me to Hell and all,” Millie said, remembering.

  “What? That was him?” Lilly said, enraged. “Why do you trust him? He brought you to the most evil place in existence.”

  “How’d you know I went to Hell?” Millie asked.

  “Angel gossip, remember? And answer my question,” Lilly ordered.

  “He has saved me twice now. I trust him with my life.”

  “He is not to be trusted. He is dangerous,” Lilly insisted.

  “He warned us that the Fallen were on their way. Isn’t that enough to make you trust him?”

  “No. It could all be part of his plan.”

  “Well, I trust him. That’s all that matters,” Millie said, becoming angry with Lilly. She got that Lilly didn’t trust him, but he had saved their lives.

  “Is that all?” Lilly asked honestly.

  “What do you mean?” Millie asked.

  “When I went to you in the field back in Texas, I saw something in your eyes that I did not like.”

  “What did you see?” Millie asked, puzzled.

  “You care about him more than you should, Millie,” Lilly said, looking emotionless at Millie.

  She was very confused about her feelings towards Zeke. She cared for him but she didn’t know how much. A Demon was risking his life to save me. Why? But she knew that she only loved Mace.

  “That’s what I thought. Mace is breaking the law of Heaven for you. He is deeply in love with you. If you hurt him, he will be in agony for eternity.”

  Millie realised that there would have been a suspicious moment of silence that Lilly would have taken the wrong way.

  “I love Mace, Lilly. I am not going to leave him. My heart belongs to him,” Millie pleaded.

  “I want to believe that is true, but Zeke cares for you, which means he obviously has feelings for you as well. If your feelings are mutual, you are going to break Mace’s heart.”

  “There…” Millie was about to say that the feelings definitely weren’t mutual when Mace interrupted. She hoped Lilly didn’t get the wrong idea.

  “What are you guys talking about?” Mace interrupted, walking into the living room. He was wearing long, dark denim pants with a pale yellow V-neck shirt. His hair was wet from the shower, and droplets of water ran down his cheekbones which he wiped them off.

  “Girly business that guys aren’t allowed to know,” Lilly said, smiling.

  “Oh, I get it,” Mace said, squeezing next to Millie and Lilly. His freshly cleaned lips kissed Millie’s.

  “Did you miss me?” Mace asked.

  “Of course I did,” Millie said. She kissed his lips once more and then they embraced. Millie glanced at Lilly, who stared back with concern. Lilly looked away from Millie, hopped up from the couch, and walked into the kitchen.

  * * * * *

  Teal had returned, and Lilly had left to look after her charges. Millie left Mace and Teal to talk things over. She walked over and picked up the bag she had dropped on the floor near the door when they first got to the house. She unzipped it and found a change of clothes, a pair of shoes, and her phone. She was glad there was a pair of shoes in there. With all the rush, she had forgotten to put some on before they left the Texas safe house. Millie was also glad her phone had only just survived drowning in the pool. Half of the screen was now blurry. She turned it on and saw she had missed twenty calls from Isabel. She gasped but was also thankful that her phone still worked. She had forgotten to call Isabel and tell her not to worry. The bag fell to the ground as she walked into the living room.

  “I’m just going to go in the backyard to call Isabel--and yes, I will stay close,” Millie said, not waiting for a reply.

  She opened the back door and went into the backyard. The yard was small. It had a small patch of grass with two empty pots next to either side of the back door. There was one large tree in the corner. She called up Isabel.

  “Millie! I’ve been trying to call you, but you never picked up. How are you?” Isabel said loudly in her ear.

  “Hey, Isabel. Sorry that I haven’t called; I have been distracted.” Millie said, pacing the yard.

  “Distracted by what exactly?”

  “I will tell you soon,” Millie promised.

  “That’s what you always say,” Isabel said, pouting.

  “Sorry, but soon, I promise.”

  “Okay, then.”

  “What have you been up to?” Millie asked.

  “Nothing much. Just been lazing around and doing homework. How exciting.”

  “Sounds very exciting,” Millie giggled.

  “So are you safe?” Isabel asked, concerned.

  “Yes, I am perfectly fine. Don’t worry, Isabel. I am safe.”

  “That’s good to hear. The last conversation scared me a little but I knew you would be safe,” Isabel said with relief. “Is Benjamin still with you?” Millie stopped walking. She remembered calling him Benjamin. She smiled at the thought. “Yes, he is here with me.”

  “Okay. I’m glad he is with you. Even though I’m not his biggest fan, I can see he cares about you.”

  “Yeah, he does. He’s really great, Isabel.”

  “That’s good to hear,” Isabel said. “Well, I have to get back to doing schoolwork. Call soon, please. I worry about you, missy.”

  “Okay, I will. Have fun.”

  “Oh, yeah, totally,” Isabel said sarcastically.

  “Bye.”

  “Bye, Millie. Be safe.”

  “I will,” Millie said, hanging up the phone.

  Teal slept on the couch as Millie and Mace lay on the double bed in the only bedroom of the house. The room was plain and small, and the sheets were as white as the walls were. There was a small, brown cupboard that matched the bedside table.

  “We have to leave early in the morning again for your safety.”

  “I understand,” Millie said, yawning. “Will we ever be safe?”

  “I’ll make sure that will happen,” Mace said, kissing her forehead.

  “Thank you.”

  “I’ll do anything for you,” Mace said, tightening his arm around her shoulder. Her head lay on his chest.

  “You’re too kind to me,” Millie said, feeling bad as she remembered the conversation she had with Lilly earlier.

  “You deserve everything, Millie.”

  “I love you,” Millie said, frowning. She was madly in love with Mace, but Zeke was on her mind. She wanted Zeke out of her head, but he wouldn’t disappear.

  “I love you, Millie.” Mace said sweetly.

  Millie closed her eyes, picturing Mace’s face. Zeke’s face kept on coming and going, but all she wanted to envision was Mace’s face before she went to sleep. She opened her eyes and stared at him before tiredness forced her eyes shut once more.

  * * * * *


  Millie slept till morning without a toss or turn. She whined as Mace woke her up.

  “We have to keep moving,” Mace said, whispering softly in her ear. His soft lips pressed against her cheek. Millie smiled at his kiss; it felt pleasant against her skin. With her eyes barely opened, she saw the room was black. The sun had not risen. She stretched her muscles as she yawned.

  “What time is it?” Millie asked in a croaky voice.

  “You don’t want to know,” Mace said with a smile.

  “That early?” Millie rolled her eyes.

  Mace handed her the backpack. Millie rubbed her eyes and grabbed it. He slid his perfectly warm hands under her back and picked her up. Her sleepy head lay firmly against his chest. She opened her eyes to find Teal standing in the backyard. Mace walked out and greeted him. Their wings instantly tore out of their skin. Millie closed her tired eyes and put all of her trust in Mace.

  * * * * *

  She woke to find the sun shining into her eyes. She rolled over with a moan and fell off the bed. With a thud, she hit the ground.

  “Ow,” Millie said, rubbing her arm.

  She slowly stood up. She looked around and saw the white-sheeted double bed she had just been laying on. There were two bamboo bedside tables with flowers laid on them. The shutters were open and the blazing sun was shining through. She smelt the ocean. She looked down to find sand scattered all along the floor and then opened the door to find the beach a few feet away. She walked onto a small porch with one long chair next to her. She could hear waves crashing on the sand. The palm trees swayed in the slight breeze, and a crab slowly made its way around her, like she was in the way of its path. Millie smiled with glee. She looked up to find a perfect blue sky with birds flying around. She walked off the small porch outside the room and onto the sand. Her feet dug into the sand and it rubbed in-between her toes.

  “Morning, beautiful,” Mace said, walking up from the beach.

  He placed a frangipani in her right ear and kissed her lips.

  “Where are we?” Millie looked around in amazement.

  “Hawaii,” Mace said with a smile.

  “Wow,” Millie said, excited.

  “I hope you had a good sleep,” Mace said, placing his arm around her waist. They started walking towards the beach.

  “It was pretty good,” Millie said, looking around.

  “That’s good to hear. I didn’t want to disturb you, so I just sat on the beach to leave you to sleep.” He shot her a smile.

  Millie smiled back as she dipped her feet into the ocean. “Feels so nice.”

  “I’m glad you’re happy,” Mace said, picking her up and twirling her around. He brought her face to his and their lips met. The kiss was soft and loving.

  “I love you, Millie,” Mace said, pulling his lips away from hers.

  “I love you,” Millie said with a sweet smile.

  “I’m sorry that we have to keep moving like this,” Mace apologised as he put Millie back down on the ground.

  “I’m not complaining. I get to miss out on school and I get to have a holiday,” Millie said, trying not to think of all the evil that was chasing them.

  “I suppose.” Mace kissed her forehead. “Let’s go swimming.”

  “The last time I went swimming, I was dragged to Hell,” Millie said tilting her head.

  “You’re right. I’m sorry. I should have remembered . . .”

  “Don’t be silly,” Millie said, interrupting Mace. “I am definitely swimming in Hawaii. One problem though--I don’t have anything to swim in.”

  “Are you sure you want to swim?” he asked, looking worried.

  “Yes, I am sure,” Millie said confidently.

  “Okay. There is a bikini in the top drawer in the bathroom.”

  Millie smiled and ran into the hut. She walked past the bedroom and opened a door. It led to a large bathroom with a shower and a spa bath. Millie saw a tall set of drawers and opened the top one.

  She came running out of the hut with a peach-coloured bikini on. She threw the towels she had collected from the bathroom onto the sand and jumped into the water. Mace followed her quickly. Millie felt so happy and alive. Her mouth turned up into a smile. Mace grabbed her hips and pulled her body close to his.

  “You look so beautiful,” he said.

  “Thank you.” She kissed his soft lips.

  “The bikini looks wonderful on you,” Mace said with his sexy half-smile.

  “I’m sure it does.” Millie returned a cheeky grin.

  Her hand glided over the aqua-coloured water. It looked stunning in the sunshine. She glanced around and admired what was in her view.

  “Where is everyone?” Millie wondered out loud.

  “Teal’s checking out the island. Lilly and Lexi are still looking after their charges.”

  “Oh, okay,” Millie said, looking at Mace. His crystal-blue eyes shone in the sun like they were sapphires. His cheekbones looked more defined than ever.

  “I can’t believe I am with you,” Millie said, smiling. “You’re just so beautiful and kind to me.”

  “You are beautiful and kind, too,” Mace said with a smile.

  “Thanks, but you’re an Angel. You’re made to be perfect.”

  “You’re perfect, too.”

  “Mace, I’m not. I am not an Angel.”

  “I know you’re not an Angel, and that’s why I love you. I didn’t know a human could be as wonderful and amazing as you. You are stunning and caring. You’re beautiful--too beautiful to be a human.”

  “You know how to make my heart stop,” Millie said with a sigh.

  Their lips almost touched, but suddenly there was a large bang and water sprayed on them.

  “I hope I didn’t interrupt anything,” Teal said, rubbing his hand through his wet hair.

  “Real smooth,” Mace said bluntly.

  Millie sunbathed and walked around for the rest of the day. Lexi popped in for an hour but had to leave again.

  Later that day, Millie took in the fresh air and smiled as she lay on the chair on the porch.

  “I have to go now, Millie. I will be back,” Teal said.

  “Okay. See you later.”

  He smiled, showing his dimples, and walked past her. He walked out of sight and into the distance. Mace sat down on the end of the chair and started massaging her feet.

  “Is this what Heaven feels like?” she asked luxuriously.

  “It feels a hundred times better,” Mace replied.

  “Wow!” Millie said loudly.

  “I have a surprise for you.”

  “Oh, really now? And it is?” Millie asked mischievously.

  “It wouldn’t be a surprise then, would it?” Mace said. “How about you get cleaned up and put on the dress that’s on the bed.”

  “What?” Millie asked, surprised.

  She hopped up immediately and went into the bedroom. There lay a long, flowing, white dress with an orange and yellow flower pattern throughout it. Millie squealed and grabbed the dress. She walked into the bathroom and had a shower.

  After dressing, she found some mascara in a drawer and put some on. She let her wavy hair fall over the beautiful dress. Finally ready, Millie opened the door to find Mace standing there with black pants and a white short-sleeve shirt. He had another frangipani in his hand. Millie walked over to him. She couldn’t wipe the smile off her face. He tucked her hair behind her ear and gently placed the flower there.

  “You look amazing,” he said, kissing her cheek.

  “You look gorgeous as always,” Millie said, hugging him.

  “Let’s get going.” He gripped her hand.

  Millie walked alongside of Mace in awe. He looked beautiful in the evening light as the sun disappeared over the horizon. Millie could hear music in the distance. Mace picked Millie up and carried her up some stairs. He placed her back on her feet. Millie giggled and blushed. She looked in front of her to find a dining area. There were three other couples listening to
music and eating dinner. A waiter took them to their seat. Millie looked around and saw that the whole place was open, and the first stars were appearing above them. A live band played native music. Millie looked around at the other couples and saw how much in love they were with each other.

  A waiter came over in a blue-and-green flowered shirt. “What drinks would you like?”

  “I would love a piña colada,” Millie said with a smile, hoping they didn’t ask for her ID.

  “Make that two,” Mace agreed.

  “I shall be right back,” the man said. He was bald and very much tanned.

  “You shouldn’t start drinking until the legal age, Millie,” Mace said quietly.

  “But because you love me so much, you will let me.” She gave him a sassy smile.

  “You’re too beautiful to say no to,” he sighed, grabbing her hand.

  Millie felt warm sparks going through her body.

  They looked through their menus as the waiter came over and gave them their drinks.

  “We shall have the seafood platter for two,” Mace said, handing the waiter his menu.

  “Good choice,” the man said, taking Millie’s menu as well. Millie was annoyed that she didn't get to choose what she wanted to eat.

  “I shall pick the food if I’m going to let you drink,” Mace said with his sexy half-smile.

  “I can’t stay mad at you with that smile, damn you,” she said with a giggle.

  “I don’t really want to be damned,” Mace said with a slight smile.

  “Oops, didn’t mean it in that way.” Millie tried a smile but it quickly disappeared. Her thoughts turned to Autumn, how she said he would have to fall to be with her.

  “What wrong?” Mace asked quickly, noticing her change of mood.

  “Nothing,” Millie said, trying to smile.

  “You sure?”

  “Yes, I am sure, Mace. Everything’s fine.” Millie sipped her drink.

  As they ate their dinner, Millie fell quiet. Mace noticed and knew something was wrong. He wanted to ask, but he knew she wouldn’t tell him.

  “You know we’re all alone tonight,” he said, trying to think of something to cheer her up.

  “What?” Millie asked.

  “Teal, Lilly, and Lexi are all taking care of their charges. We shall be alone tonight.” He reached for her hand and gently placed his on top.