The sound of the music drifting in the air slowly died away, leaving the angels and beings in the room to exit. I was followed by Bridget and the others, along with Casper. My heart was pumping fast at the recent eyes on me. I could still feel her. Her eyes watched my own with such interest that my body began to shake. The feeling was swept away when I met Janus outside of the palace.
She was surrounded by angels and cupids just outside the door. When the others and I exited, her eyes caught mine. With smooth elegance, she walked over to me. The angels parted for her as they watched her approach me.
"Vienna, my angel. Can I escort you back to your cove?"
My heart spiked, and my face felt warm. I didn't want to seem too eager, but my head nodded with enthusiasm. I took her hand, walking alongside her before I said goodbye to my friends. Bridget nodded to me, reassuring me they would meet later to do something.
I felt slightly proud of the eyes that followed us; I couldn't tell if it was jealousy or joy looking back at us. I decided not to focus on that, only on the goddess who led me away. I let myself be dragged into the air, the soft flutter of her wings slowly brushing my bare skin. It took only seconds as the goddess and I drifted into the bright blue sky; the lush leaves came into view just on the horizon.
Janus pulled me over with a gentle touch. I followed with my hands, gliding onto her arms, where her soft skin brought me a sense of warmth. It felt nice and cozy, her holding me close with such love that I felt like I was drunk off it.
I let myself snuggle into her chest, eyes slowly closing with the ease of the atmosphere of angels walking past us, some waving to the goddess, nodding in acknowledgment as we ended up back in my small room. The warmth of the air washed over me, sending a shiver through my body and slowly lowering me onto the mattress below. I thought the warmth would leave me, but to my pleasure, it stayed.
The soft slide of her wings and the small beating of her chest pressed beside me. I felt her all around me and smelled her scent, circling my entire being. I could almost purr at the sensations, but I held it in and instead soaked in the feeling of her body pressed into mine.
She hummed slightly, her hand running through my hair. "I love this color."
I looked up slightly, catching the shining glim of her smile. "Purple?"
She nodded, her head edging gently onto my head, her chin pressed into my hair, and her arms wrapped tightly and safely around my chest. I couldn't help but hold onto her arms; the soft skin felt so nice under my own. I watched the way her pale skin contrasted so much with my darker color; I couldn't help but grimace at a distant thought.
Her hand moved swiftly, gathering my hair as she pressed a kiss to my temple. "I'm here.. does it hurt?"
"No. It doesn't. Not when you're here." My head leaned back into her, my hands coming up to tightly secure her arms wrapped around me so we were connected.
"I will make sure it doesn't.." Her voice dipped slightly.
I couldn't help the slight prickle in my eyes; it held tears that felt too real and too similar for me to let go. I could guess that the goddess knew what was happening; she stayed still, only closing her legs that were over my own so it would hug me.
"You promise?" It came out as a beg. I felt the small tear that threatened to cause more tears.
Her chuckle allowed me to let out a shuddering breath. "Of course. I will never let the pain hurt you," her hand was still running through my hair. "As long as I am here.."
She wouldn't leave me. She wouldn't.
What made me confess that? Why did I go to such lengths to convince myself?
Something was hiding in my feelings, slowly reaching out to try and grasp my sense of knowledge. It had to be memories, the stupid thing that won't leave me alone. It was only numbed with the goddess here; she kept it at bay.
"Will you be gone when I wake up?"
"I will. I am sorry, my angel.."
I couldn't help the small smile, pressing my head farther into her, and I let out a small voice. "You're a goddess. I understand; I don't like it, but I have no right to keep you to myself." A whisper came afterward, "even if I want to..."
Her chuckle sent spikes through my chest, so very strong…
"I will stay as long as I can. You will fall soon after; it will give you the energy you will need for later."
"Later?" My eyes slightly peaked up at her.
Her bright eyes showed slightly behind the bright golden bangs that hindered her from me. "You will continue to explore, will you not?" I nodded. "Your friends seem to enjoy your company. They have a lot of things planned for you, my angel."
"Of course you would know that." The smirk creased my lips as my vision slowly faded.
Her hum was confirmed to me, allowing my eyes to slowly droop in sleep. My yawn was audible, along with her voice gently waving around me. It was nice and smooth; the comforting warmth and soft lullaby of her humming lured me into sleep.
Sleep felt oddly empty. It was a sudden wave that washed me into darkness. It swarmed my entire being; I tried to look at myself, but there was nothing. I was nothing.
It was empty and endless. Everything around me was covered with nothing; a mask also muffled the scent. That mask was strong enough for me to sit and try to stir something up, but there was still... Nothing...
It wasn't bad. It didn't hurt or cause any stress; it just left me feeling very clueless and lost. I tried to look for something—anything—to load into my mind, but nothing did. I wonder if Janus had something to do with this?
She was a goddess; it wouldn't be a shocker if she could control my mind.
Just as suddenly as the emptiness was there, it was gone. Something popped up in my surroundings, and it was a feeling. I felt a small wave of coldness, the cold, damp air that was suddenly pushed into my senses. I missed the warmth as soon as it was gone, along with the sweet and calming scent that allowed my eyes to close and relax.
It was known to me even if I couldn't see it.
Janus must have left..
Now I was alone. All alone.
Weird, it felt oddly lightweight; the cold had resurfaced once again, but something else was there, hindering my own thoughts like it was a cloud of mold. It was gross and invasive. I wanted it gone.
*GASP
My whole body jolted up in bed; my blanket fell off in a heap. I felt the sweat trickling down my back, my wings slightly curled and quivered with fear at the unknown thing making me shake. I had to pull myself together; this couldn't all be real; I wasn't in any pain. The fear couldn't be real; I knew I was safe here..
I continued to tell myself that, as I got up, my body felt hot and stuffy. The once-comforting room suddenly made me feel hot and trapped. I released my wings to spread wide and stretch my sore body. The winding of different emotions and thoughts tried to curl around me, but I didn't listen to the sinking feeling.
Instead, I decided to walk out and look for my friends. There was a strange pull, drawing me to them. I could feel it, which was honestly just instinct that didn't feel odd at all.
An invisible string led me; I found my way near the entrance of the cove. The large hole in the base of the trunk opened to the bright life outside. Angels blew past me, some waving in greeting. I didn't know their names, so I just waved back.
I continued on, suddenly feeling slightly cold. The air shifted, stopping me in my tracks. I looked up, feeling a sudden wave of emotion pulling me up. I steadied my feet before flapping my wings out in a spread and lifting from the ground, circling around the grass before I left completely.
The air guides me on, and a few familiar voices come to my senses. The cold washes away, welcoming a new feeling that allows a shaky, relief-filled sigh to come from my lips.
"Vienna!" Seth waved at me, along with Bridget and Rory, who came by his side. They flew over to me, Rory zooming past them to come colliding with me.
I tripped a little in the air, using the wind to slide through my feathers and steady myself. Rory didn't care to notice, ruffling my hair with a wide grin. "Took you long enough! Let's hurry up and get going."
"Not so rough, Rory," Bridget came over to our side, pushing the hyper angel away, who just giggled. She noticed my odd and confused look and shook her head. "We want to show you another place here. We thought you would like to know where everything is."
"That sounds good," I shrugged, allowing the angels to lead me.
"You are wayyy too hyper." Seth nudged Rory away with a playful groan.
The redhead just nudged him back harder, earning a wince from the taller one. "That is just the way I am, blondie~"
"Stop calling me that!"
His face was as red as it gets, visible even from behind us. Bridget chuckled, pointing out how much the redhead teased the blonde. I turned to her and noticed someone missing. "Where's Casper?"
"Oh-"
"He is already there," Seth called out from in front of us. He slowed his flapping wings to an even glide to land next to me. "Along with some other Heaven Pups."
"Can I ask where we are even going?"
Seth and Bridget shared a look on either side of me. They giggled.
"It's a secret."