Afterlife - Stephanie Hudson Page 0,290

me understand.

“I'm not...not dead?” I asked letting myself hope as I have never hoped before!

“NO! Keira I caught you...wings remember!” He said and this made me cry out with relief that I couldn't believe I was allowed to feel. I stupidly opened my eyes but screamed out at the sight of being hundreds of feet up in the air with the black forest below. Draven cradled me in his arms but he shook me a little trying to get me to look back at him.

“KEIRA don't look, close your eyes until I tell you or you really will be sick and that won't be pleasant for either one of us!” He said with a bit of humour in his voice. I did as I was told not having any want to see how high up I was as my fear of heights made me feel nauseous. I could now feel the motion of his wings moving up and down and then catching the current of the wind. Because of the height the wind hit our bodies with a greater force but the heat that coursed through him kept us both warm. I had my arms around his neck and interlocked my fingers to hold on tighter. I nestled my head into his shoulder and the side of his neck, breathing in his intoxicating scent, which was having more than just a calming effect on me.

“I thought I was going to lose you,” he said in the saddest voice I had ever heard from his sweet lips.

“I thought I had lost you too and wasn't going to get a chance to say goodbye,” I said and my reply was muffled as my head was buried safely into his neck.

“Is that what you meant, when you said you didn't want to leave?” He asked and I was shocked, what else could he have thought I meant.

“Yes of course, what else…?”

“I thought you meant Morgan,” Draven said, pleased he had it wrong.

“So Morgan’s definitely dead then?” I asked holding my breath at the name that just left my lips for the last time!

“OH yes and trust me when I say he is most definitely gone.” He said gritting his teeth at the mention of him. I shuddered at the thought of his mangled broken bloody corpse on the rocks below.

“So that means I'm free..... I am finally free!” I said lifting my head up seeing his huge wings gracefully moving in the night air catching the moon on his silky black feathers. I also caught a glimpse or what must have been Ava flying close behind us and I smiled at the sight.

“Yes you are, he is never coming to get you again Keira, I promise you that.” He said kissing my head as my hair flew around his neck, touching his bareback.

“Now let’s get you home.” His voice sounded tired from worry and now finally saying this brought closure making the nightmare end. But I just snuggled closer and said in a satisfied voice.

“I am already home...I'm with you.” This made him make his own satisfied noise as we descended down through the sky. He held me tighter and my stomach felt as if it was moving up into my throat. The same feeling you get in an aeroplane coming in to land. But unlike a conventional flight, I didn't realise when we were safely back on the ground as his feet came in contact with the balcony outside his bed chamber.

“Keira, you can open your eyes now,” he said chuckling softly as he tried to pry my fingers from his neck. He placed my feet on the ground and I couldn't help but cry in pain as the pressure to the cut skin beneath hurt at the slightest touch.

“Sorry!” He said lifting me again, holding me by the waist.

“It's ok, I will be fine to walk,” I said through my teeth, as my feet were still stinging.

“Oh no you won't, no need to be brave now my little fighter.” He said carrying me through the glass doors inside to a well lit room. I couldn't help but cringe, as I must have looked as awful as I felt. He walked up to the bed and placed me gently down as if I was going to break into a million pieces. I had my feet hung over the sides like a child on a seat that was too big for me. Then the door burst open with Vincent striding in followed by