Macy POV
Destin grabs my hand and rushes through the darkened hallways of the palace. I have the feeling that we aren't supposed to be here, but I don't question it, not if he is going to get me outside. With each passing step, he tightens his grip on my hand as if he is afraid that I will change my mind or let go.
He pauses in front of a massive door and grins over his shoulder at me. It is the type of grin that would make other girls swoon, but not me. I have mates coming for me, I remind myself. When I don't return his smile, the corners of his lips drop slightly, but he still holds onto my hand.
"Do you remember what the Human Realm looked like?" He asks excitedly.
My lips purse together as I think about what my home looked like, and I hate that I can't remember all of it. The loss of my memories is frustrating, and I am struggling with how to deal with it. When I don't immediately answer Destin, he tilts my head up by my chin. His thumb runs across my cheek, and I realize he is wiping away a tear.
I jerk my head away from him and wipe my cheeks. "So, where are we going?"
"It is a surprise," he smiles.
I am hesitant to walk out of the door with him. He is practically a stranger, but when he opens the door the fresh air hits my face, and all of my doubts melt away. I don't know what it is about the Immortal Realm, but I fear it is changing me.
When I step outside, I let the warm rays of the sky warm my face. While it was winter when I left the Human Realm, it feels like summer here. Immediately, I kick off my shoes and wiggle my toes in the grass. The blades feel like silk against my toes, and I catch myself having a good time.
"That isn't very princess-like," Destin muses from behind me.
Glancing over my shoulder, I narrow my eyes at him. Destin holds up his hands in defense, but his brilliant smile tells me he isn't intimidated by me. In an act of solidarity, he takes off his boots, too.
"Do you trust me?" He asks.
"Not in the slightest," I laugh.
He pretends to pout, but the look in his green eyes tells me he doesn't care. Closing the distance between us in long strides, he wraps his arms around my waist. Our bodies are too close, and I should push him away, but I don't.
"Are you ready?" He asks.
"For what?" I respond. My stomach is bubbling with anxiety and excitement. Even though his face is inches from mine, I know he won't kiss me. Not without my permission.
Destin bends his knees and jumps into the air. A scream leaves my lips when my feet leave the ground and don't return. His massive wings flap behind us, carrying us higher into the sky. Keeping my eyes closed tightly, I cling to Destin's shoulders. I don't like heights.
"You are missing the view," he chuckles.
I shake my head, refusing to look. "You are going to drop me."
"If I did, you could simply flap your wings and fly beside me," he says.
"I don't know how," I whimper.
"What better time to learn," he retorts.
His arms loosen around my waist, and I scream. My eyes fly open, and I see Destin's are full of amusement. "I swear if you drop me, I will never forgive you."
Destin tightens his arms around me. "I would hate that," he whispers next to my ear.
His hot breath on my neck stirs something within me. Closing my eyes again and try not to think about his hands pressing against me or how my head is lying on his chest. It would be easy to fall for Destin. He is funny and caring. But most of all, he is sexy, and he looks at me like I am the only woman in the world. Yes, he is perfect for me, and I hate him for it.
The flapping of his wings slows, and my stomach feels queasy as we drop from the sky. My fingers dig into Destin's shoulders, and I hold myself tight to his chest so I won't fall. Or at least that is what I tell myself.
We land on the ground with a soft thud, but I am still not brave enough to open my eyes. My head feels fuzzy, and my knees are weak.
Destin unwraps his arms from around me and steadies me. "Open your eyes, Princess. You are safely on the ground."
I open my right eye first, then my left. Destin is no longer in front of me, but a massive lake is. I step to the edge of the water and look in. The water is so clear I can see straight to the bottom. It looks like a thin sheet of glass is covering the lake, not water. Bending down, I dip my finger in, and gentle ripples travel across the lake.
"Cannonball!" Destin shouts, and I am suddenly drenched.
I stand up and wipe the water from my face. My eyes dance across the lake, looking for Destin. He isn't hard to find beneath the surface. He tries to shield himself from view with his wings, but the bubbles from his laughter burst on the surface giving him away.
With my hands on my hips, I wait until he runs out of air and resurfaces.
"Was that necessary?" I hiss. I try to sound harsh, but the truth is, I am having fun.
"Are you coming in?" He asks.
Chewing on the inside of my cheek, I weigh my options. I could protest, but this gown is impossibly hot in the morning sun. Plus, I have on a bra and panties. That's basically a bikini.
"Turn around," I tell him.
"But..." he protests.
"Spin!" I shout.
"Fine," he grumbles, but the grin on his lips tells me he is having as much as I am.
Destin turns in the water, and I fight with the buttons on the dress. Why do the clothes in this Realm have to be so complicated? I let out a groan of frustration.
"Destin," I whisper, almost hoping he doesn't hear me.
No such luck. He spins so quickly he slips on the rocks at the bottom of the lake. He falls dramatically into the water, and I giggle.
Crawling out of the water like some sort of swamp monster, he sits at my feet and looks up at me. "Yes, Princess?"
"I can't get my dress off," I respond, not daring to meet his gaze.
He slowly gets to his feet and walks behind me. Sweeping my hair off my shoulder, he places a kiss on my neck. I stiffen, but I don't stop him as he releases me from my dress. His fingers brush against my skin as he unfastens each button and I try to tell myself I don't like it. The gown falls to my feet, and I shiver despite the warm air.
His fingers trail over my arms, and goosebumps rise on my skin. This has gone too far. I let things go too far.
"I'm not ready," I blurt out.
Instantly, he steps away from me, and I miss his touch. He races around me and jumps back into the water. When his head pops out of the water, he splashes me, breaking the tension between us. Throwing caution to the wind, I jump into the water, making sure to splash him in return.