Page 38 of Fated for Dawn

The wind rushed past me as I soared through the night sky, my fairy wings fluttering determinedly behind me. Beside me, Rafe’s massive white wings glided effortlessly, their feathers catching the moon’s silver glow.

He was breathtaking.

“Race you to that clearing!” I called, pointing to a grassy patch below.

Rafe’s lips curved into a competitive grin. “You’re on!”

We dove toward the ground, laughter trailing behind us as we weaved through the trees. My wings strained, fluttering with all the determination they could muster, but Rafe landed a heartbeat before me.

“Not fair,” I huffed, though my tone was playful. “Your wings are twice my wings’ size.”

He chuckled, brushing stray leaves from his hair. “And faster. But don’t worry—I may have thrown the first race back at the Luminary Yuletide.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Youwhat?!”

Rafe laughed, the sound warm and unrepentant.

This was exactly what I needed—just the two of us, away from everything, the stars above, and no urgent responsibilities pulling at me for a few precious hours.

“So,” Rafe said, glancing around the clearing, his wings tucked neatly behind him. “What’s the plan for tonight?”

I grinned mischievously. “Oh, I’ve got everything we need for a late-evening picnic.”

His brow furrowed slightly. “I didn’t see you carrying anything. Did we forget the basket at the mansion?”

I smirked, reaching for my magically enhanced sword sheath. I pulled out a blanket from it, followed by some cans of sparkling apple cider, wedges of cheese, charcuterie, freshly baked bread, strawberries, and candles.

Rafe blinked, his mouth falling open. “Okay, I need an explanation.”

I laughed as I spread the blanket. “Lucien brewed an expansion potion for me. Pretty nifty, right? I could probably smuggle an entire kitchen in here if I wanted to.”

Shaking his head, Rafe laughed.

We settled onto the blanket, the stars above. A sharp twinge ran down my neck as I reached for the brie, making me wince.

“You okay?” Rafe asked, his tone laced with concern.

“Yeah,” I said, rubbing the base of my neck. “I guess I’m still getting used to flying. These wings are incredible, but they work out muscles I didn’t even know existed.”

His expression softened. “Turn around.”

I did as he asked, folding my wings carefully. His hands found the base of my wings, and he kneaded the muscles with a practiced touch.

“You’ve got a lot of tension here,” he murmured. “Your wings connect through several muscle groups, and if you’re not careful, you’ll strain them. But don’t worry—I’ve got you.”

His fingers worked magic, easing the tension and drawing a sigh of relief.

“How’s that feel?” he asked after a moment of pure bliss.

“Like heaven,” I murmured, my eyes half-closed. “You’ve got angel hands.”

Rafe chuckled, his warm breath brushing my ear. “There’s a lot more to wing care than this. You must be careful around the more sensitive areas—especially near the joints. And, uh, some zones are…well, let’s just sayeasily stimulated.”

I snorted, remembering the first time Chad had accidentally brushed my wings. “Let’s save the wing kama sutra for another day, okay?”

Rafe laughed softly, bringing my finger to his mouth in a tender kiss. His gaze lingered on me, the amusement in his eyes giving way to something softer.

I tilted my head, studying him for a moment. “You know what I love about you?”

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