by Fiona Archer
Let me die in a battle, not like this.
Levia poked my forehead. “You. Tell me who holds the Divine Sword, and I’ll put you back into the dungeon. At least you’ll live.”
The archangel Michael had given it to me. That special sword is the only weapon that can truly kill the Order of Angels. Before I was captured, I’d tossed it to Micka. Micka must not have been taken, or Levia wouldn’t have asked about the sword.
I scowled and kept my lips sealed.
“Fine. I gave you a chance.” She curled her lips wickedly and then shoved the sword into my stomach.
I groaned as pain slammed into me. I peered up slowly at her, my glare full of warning and promise to return the favor.
Levia raised the sword, dripping with my golden blood, over her head. I barely heard the assembled cheering and chants of “cut off the wings.” My wound would heal, but it would take all day, and it didn’t matter anyway. I would be dead soon.
“Open up, pretty. The people demand it. And I aim to please.” Her smirk made me want to cut off her tongue.
“Never,” I ground out. “You’re not worthy to see my wings.”
“You must like pain, Little Dove.”
I clenched my teeth. “Don’t call me that.”
How did she know that name? Micka had given me that nickname when we first met. He told me I reminded him of a little dove—gentle and precious. But that was before he had found out I had another side—temperamental and stubborn.
When I craned my neck to the side, she yanked my hair back. “Look at me when I talk to you. Your life is in my hands, and my life is in yours. Listen carefully. When I set you free, you will kneel, and you will open up your wings and embrace me. Do you understand?”
I knew she was showing off for the horde, but her words didn’t make sense. Before I could answer, arrows soared from Dawn and Snow on roof tops, while Micka prepared to jump. People below screamed and ran for their lives.
My team was alive, and no sight was ever more welcome.
Micka’s wings expanded wide and glorious, rays of sun beaming around him like a halo. His ripped muscles flexed and tightened as he swung his sword to block the arrows darting for him. He was a beautiful creature. But unharmed and untouched in the midst of the chaos, he seemed almost god-like. His presence alone commanded attention, and the sight of him shirtless, well, that was a whole different story.
Tank fell from the sky and cracked the earth with his mighty strength. Then he slayed the soldiers that came after him. Otis fought alongside him, positioned back to back, while more demon soldiers poured through.
“Do as I say.” Levia struck through the chains on my wrists and ankles and those of the other two prisoners.
I dropped to my knees and embraced Levia with my wings as she had instructed. I didn’t trust her, but calling me Little Dove could only mean Micka had told her. Micka must have fashioned this rescue mission.
Levia rolled us off the stage just before it exploded. Debris scattered, and flames rose around us, blinding us and hiding us from view.
Levia anchored her arm around my waist, and we ran. I didn’t know where we were going but I assumed somewhere safe.
“Where’s Micka?” I asked through the rumbling and broke away from her.
“Right here.” A husky voice reverberated through my blood. Just the sound of his rough masculine voice warmed my insides to the melting point.
“Micka.” I swallowed a lump in my throat as I turned to him.
His voice was strained. “Little Dove.”
“Micka. You’re safe. You came for me.” I pushed back my tears of gratitude and relief.
Micka’s eyes darkened. “Of course, I would come for you. We need to leave now. This is a rescue mission and not a battlefield.”
“Good point. I’m done here. Remember our deal, Micka. You owe me one.” Levia retreated one step at a time as she spoke, sounding nervous. Everyone did in the presence of Micka, especially when his massive wings began to unfurl as they were now. “I’m going to have to go back and fake an injury or something.”
I smirked, inching toward her. “Maybe I can stab you in the stomach to repay you for the kindness you showed me. Would that work?”
My wound had begun to heal, but that bitch didn’t have to cut me.
She hiked an eyebrow and brushed white powdery dust off her black leather suit. “I had to give the audience what they wanted to see. Just be thankful it was a flesh wound. I could have done worse.”
“A flesh wound?” I was about to wring her neck when air whooshed, indicating Micka was on the move. He was in front of me and then a second later, he appeared behind Levia. She jerked when she bumped into his chest.
“Not so fast.” His voice was gruff and full of warning. “I owe you one, so choose wisely, but do remember you need to keep your end of the bargain. Do you remember it?”
“Yes.” She rolled her eyes and huffed out an annoyed breath. “I will not kill a Watcher or an angel. And I am to inform you if there’s a reason to be concerned. Anything else, your highness?” She gave him a once over and then batted her eyelashes as she seductively ran her hand down his bare chest. “I can promise you more, if you’d like,” she cooed. “I’m sure I’ll be more pleasing than that one.”
I wasn’t a jealous type, but Levia was stunning. Her long dark hair brought out the blue in her eyes, and the tight suit showed off her curvy body. Her husky voice alone could seduce anyone, male or female alike.
I let out a soft growl, but it was short-lived. Twenty demons and humans surrounded us. Levia backed away into the shadows and disappeared, leaving the two of us to defend ourselves.
Coward.
She could have at least given me her sword. I held no weapon and was still weak from the lingering residue of the power of the dampening binds.
Micka rushed in front of me, his wings folded back, engulfing me but not completely. He could take them, but that would leave me exposed. Under different circumstances, this would be an easy battle, but until I regained my strength, I might as well be a damsel in distress. I hated that feeling.
The group inched closer, growling and hissing.
“You have two choices. Leave now, or die by my blade,” Micka said nonchalantly.
Sometimes his arrogance frightened me. Yes, he was powerful, but twenty to one was odds that were not in his favor.
One of the demons laughed. “We’ll take our chances. Attack!”
“So be it,” Micka grumbled.
I’d expected him to leave me unprotected. Instead, he swiped his sword from left to right, blocking blows as they came for him. Then a continuous whoosh rent the air, like a volley of arrows darting across space.
I glanced about, expecting our friends had come to the rescue. But there were no friends, and every demon and human had fallen, blood pooling around their necks.
Micka’s feathers had shot out from him. Sharp as knives and swift as flying arrows, the feathers sliced open twenty necks simultaneously. My God. Micka was powerful beyond imagining.
When I turned around to thank him, his pained expression and the slump in his shoulders worried me. It dawned on me—what he had done was almost like plucking out his own feathers. Losing one feather would not affect him, but losing twenty at once weakened him.
“Micka—”
He swallowed me in the safety of his wings before I could finish. “I wasn’t about to lose you after I just got you back. We should go now.”
Bodies landed behind us. I couldn’t stifle the cry of glee when I saw our friends. Otis, Tank, Dawn, and Snow. They smiled and then glanced about the dead bodies.
“Good to have you back,” Snow said, her voice soft and tender.
I had given her that name because she was gentle and pretty like the snow.
“I second that.” Tank jerked a chin in greeting. “Micka was, how shall I say it, uncontrollable. Now that you’re safe, he’s calm as a deer.”
Micka furrowed his brow. “You’re compar
ing me to a deer?”
“It’s a figure of speech, Micka.” Tank threw up his hands. “Don’t get testy with me, you big beast.” He chuckled.
Micka narrowed his eyes, clearing not understanding human humor. Then his gaze landed on me, heated and predatory, giving me all kinds of shivers. “You guys stay behind for a while. I’m taking Evangeline to our new home.” He winked at me.
“Okay, boss. We do what you say,” Otis said. Humor danced across his face, and he nudged Tank with his elbow.
Tank rolled his eyes. “Why does he get to have all the fun?”
Dawn’s eyes roamed about Micka’s body. “Because you don’t look like him.”
Micka ignored our friends, his mind clearly on something. Like what he was about to do to me. He embraced me with his arms securely around my waist and swallowed me whole with his velvety, supple wings. After he launched us into the ever-blue sky, he showed me how much he missed me with lips that devoured mine.
That kiss drove me wild and crazy for him. I couldn’t wait to thank him properly at our new home.
Chapter Three
Our Sanctuary
Micka spiraled us down, but we didn’t touch land. Instead, we were at the mouth of a cavern high up on a cliff level with the treetops, misty fog shrouding us from probing eyes. In front of me was the entrance to a cave.
Micka’s wing closed with a whoosh, causing a lock of my hair to flap. “This is our new home. Come with me.”
I had expected the cavern to be pitch dark, but light filtered through the cracks from high above the jagged sharp ceiling, reflecting sparkling crystal on the water. Water moved gently downward over the ridges of the rocky structure and collected in a stream that seemed to flow endlessly into a dark place.
With one foot on the gravel, the other planted on a small rock, I dipped my hand to revel in the feel of the water. A patchwork of flat rocks lined the streambed. Water became deeper further out down the cavern.
I had no idea if the water was cold or warm. Unlike humans, angels couldn’t discern the difference in temperature. That came in handy in the prison. I didn’t know how cold it was, but I knew it was winter from the snow on the mountain and the humans with heavy coats.
“Dawn found this hideout when we were searching for you,” Micka said. “The team had split up. Dawn and Snow went to the mountains, while Tank and Otis went to the forest, and …”
“You went to the city to find Levia,” I finished for him.
“I had no choice.”
I whirled to face him, anger in my tone. “But now you owe her.”
I couldn’t believe we were bickering instead of doing things I had imagined when he kissed me, tucked safely in his wings.
Micka’s jaw twitched. “I had no choice. We couldn’t find you.”
“It had been only one day. You could have waited.”
Micka gave me a sidelong glance, pain in his features. “Little Dove, you were missing for a week.”
I blinked. Micka had no reason to lie to me, but it didn’t seem possible. Had I been unconscious for seven days? I remembered being in and out of a daze, but nothing else besides dreaming … I think I was dreaming … about a man. Micka, of course. It had to be his voice that woke me up.
When I didn’t respond and only scowled at the stone floor, Micka said, “You’re safe. You’re here. It’s all that matters.”
I kicked a pebble, showing my displeasure. It flew toward the entrance. I expected it to bounce on the wall, but Tank caught it just as he appeared, Otis, Dawn, and Snow by his side, strutting toward us.
Micka shoved his sword into his sheath.
“Already done?” Tank raised his eyebrow, humor dancing across his face. “Evangeline was gone a week and you couldn’t last longer than it took us to get here?”
A soft growl escaped Micka’s lips. “Careful, Tank. I told you guys to come later. This isn’t later. It’s the first time Little Dove has seen our new home. She needs to be comfortable.”
“Sorry.” Snow came closer, her long golden hair braided to one side. “Asmodeus came shortly after you left. He told me to tell you he had been betrayed by one of his men, who is dead now. He said he’s setting up another meeting, and he will let us know when soon.”
“Men?” Dawn scoffed, her face reddening almost the same color as her hair. “Demons are no men.”
“I still don’t trust him,” I said.
Otis extended his arms outward, his feet crushing the dirt as he came closer to the water. “How do you like our new place?” He took an apple that was tucked somewhere from his wings, took a bite, and said to it, “I couldn’t wait to eat you.”
Unlike humans, angels and demons didn’t have to eat or drink water to survive, but we did have to rest, especially when wounded. When we first arrived, we tried eating human food, but some things were an acquired taste. However, Otis loved apples.
“Anyway, I’m sure you two have lots to talk about,” Snow said, taking a step back toward the entrance, tugging Dawn with her. “We’re going to the local town to scout. We’ll be back later.”
“Wait for me,” Otis said around a mouthful.
Tank dipped his head low to bow and darted faster than he had entered.
Micka shook his head and let out a soft chuckle, then focused on me. “Let me show you our resting place.”
Further into the cavern where the stream rushed deeper and faster, another entrance appeared. Torches were mounted on the wall, and in the far back was a boulder that caved inward at the top.
On top of it were sticks with sheep’s skins—soft and supple like wings laid on top. Beside the boulder was the Divine Sword, safe and secure.
“Is that my bed?” I swallowed, suddenly feeling shy.
Micka and I had only proclaimed our love for each other recently. Both of us were—in human terms—virgins.
There was no law that said that angels couldn’t have a relationship, but it was also frowned upon. It was easier to show affection in the human world when we were surrounded by love, lust, ale, and sex.
“It’s ours,” he said hesitantly. “There is a space like this on the other side reserved for our friends, but this ”—he motioned his hand with a wave—“is all ours. If that is what you want.”
I caressed his cheeks. “Of course it is. Thank you for rescuing me and for all your trouble of building a comfortable, beautiful resting place for us. Now let me show you how thankful I am. Why don’t you join me?” I kissed his lips tenderly, and as I pulled away, I nipped at his bottom lip.
A moan purred from him.
“I need to wash off this stench and the blood.” I walked several feet away from him and wiggled out of my angel warrior uniform crusted with blood.
The material pooled around my ankles, leaving me naked. Something warm swarmed in my belly at the thought of Micka watching my every move. I released my feathers, stretching every muscle that held my massive wings together.
God that felt good.
Micka’s eyes widened with lust, and he took a step.
“No. Not yet.” I shook my index finger at him. “I want to watch you.”
Micka licked his lips and tugged them into a wicked grin, then took his time stripping off his pants. I inhaled a deep breath, taking in his hard form.
“My, my, my, Micka.” I took in the ripple of his muscles, all the hard angles and curves. “Come.” I wiggled my finger.
Micka took my hand, and just as we neared the stream, he cradled me in his arm and took me into the water. “Little Dove. You are mine and I am yours.”
I shuddered a breath, the liquid rippling and splashing around us as we explored what it was like to be human.
Copyright 2020 Mary Ting
About Mary Ting
International Bestselling, Award-Winning Author Mary Ting writes soulful, spellbinding stories that excite the imagination and captivate readers all over the world. Her books run a wide range of genres: science fiction, fantasy, and swoon worthy stories.
Her storytelling talents have won her a devoted legion of fans and garnered critical praise.
Mary was born in Seoul Korea and resides in Southern California with her husband, two children, and two dogs—Mochi and Mocha. She enjoys oil painting and making jewelry. Becoming an author was a way to grieve the death of her beloved grandmother. After realizing she wanted to become a full-time author, she retired from teaching after twenty years.
Published by Rosewind Books
*When the Wind Chimes—contemporary romance—“So much feels from beginning to end. From a broken heart to a heart renewed, When the Wind Chimes tells of the emotional journey of loss and heartache to finding a fresh new start and moving forward.” ~ Movie, Shows, and Books
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*ISAN, HELIX, GENES, CODE (Book 4 Release May 2021).
“Captivating from the very beginning … this thrilling dystopian drama has a splash of romance and tons of action.” ~ School Library Journal
*Jaclyn and the Beanstalk- A mash-up of “Jack and the Beanstalk” and “Lord of the Rings”... RECOMMENDED ~School Library Journal
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*Spin-off to Crossroads Saga—The Angel Knights (Prequel), The Chosen Knights,
The Blessed Knights, The Sacred Knights, Snow Queen
*Descendant Prophecies Series—From Gods, From Deities, From Origins, From Titan
*Watcher Series—Book of Watchers, Book of Enchantresses
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