A War Worth Fighting For

Raynes POV
“Why would you ask that? Of course I love you. You’re my mate, I’d love you no matter what!”
I released his knees with a long sigh of relief. He rolls his shoulders bit testing out his muscles, then his head drops. “It’s been so long. It’s going to be so strange to not have my wings.”
I crawled up onto the bed next to him. “You’ll get used to it baby.” I wanted to so badly tell him that it would not be for long. That his wings would eventually grow back but I know I couldn’t. He had to realize what a precious gift they are.
“You know Father, I understand the need for punishment if he was careless, but that’s not why he lost his wings. He shouldn’t be punished for something out of his control.”
“Rest easy my great warrior, and see the gift you both have been given.”
I lean back a bit and take a good look at Jinxx and think back. We both wanted time away from being warriors, to spend time with one another. With him being human, I guess it really works out in our favor but geez, it’s not the best timing.
Andy shook me from my thoughts, “Rayne, I can see your mind going, what are you thinking about?”
“Huh? Oh, it’s nothing.”
He raised his eye brow with the ‘you’re a bad liar Rayne’ look. I just smiled and shrugged, “It wasn’t important. I swear.”
Ash and Katie smile at Jinxx before heading out of the room, Ash giving a pat on the back to Jinxx before he walked out. Andy followed with Jules behind them, Jules giving us a weak smile and Adny nodding his head.
Jake and Ella also left after Jake giving Jinxx a big tight hug. Shawna just hung her head and walked out, but before she could make it to the door Jinxx stopped her. “I’m sorry Shawna.”
“For what Jinxx?”
“I would never wish for CC to take Raynes place. I heard everything that was going on around me, and please know, that I would have tried to stop him. I would not have let him go without a fight. But also know that I wouldn’t trust any other warrior to do what Rayne does if Andy will not. He is one of the best warriors we have and can keep level headed I the worst situations. I know he will come home to us safely.”
She had tears in her eyes, and she shook with the strain of holding back a sob, “Thank you Jinxx, that means a lot to me.”
She stood after hugging us, and my heart broke. I know she is feeling the pain of being away from her mate. A pain none of us enjoy, but being mated to warriors we get used to it.
I wrap my arms around Jinxx and then my wings. Holding him close, letting him know that in was still here. Trying to comfort him from the turmoil in his mind. “You will be fine Jinxx. I promise you.”
“I know my love. It just feels so weird being mortal after so long. I guess the tables have turned now. You will see what it’s like to have a mortal for a mate.”
I look at him, seeing the corner of his mouth tick up and the playful gleam in his eyes. I couldn’t help but let out a small giggle, which turned his smirk into a full out smile. “Wise ass.”
“Better to be a wise ass than a dumbass.”
“Point proven.”
He laughed a bit and hugged into me. “I know I’ve been out for a while but I’m so tired of just laying here. Can we do somethiing?”
“Yeah of course, what would you like to do?”
“Let’s go shopping.”
“Shopping…really?”
“Yes.”
“Uh oh, I have a feeling we’ll be hitting Hot Topic.”
“Uh huh. If there still is a Hot Topic.”
“I wonder if the mall is still there.”
He just shrugged his shoulders.
“Ok, if shopping is what you really want to do, we’ll go shopping.”
He smiled and gave me a quick kiss, “Let’s see if everyone else wants to go. We’ll be safer that way in case anything happens.”
~
We finally arrived home and see Michael sitting with Wes on the couch. They have not been here since the day after the battle. Michael has been keeping him in a secret location that literally, only he and Wes know.
“Welcome home everyone. We have some news.”
Andy steps up next to me, “And what would that be?”
“Your friend CC has found a large group of those creatures not too far from where Wes and I were staying. We had to vacate and head back here until we are able to find a safe location.”
I steal a look at Wes, he looks tired and hungry. “Wes, honey, when was the last time you ate a decent meal.”
“Well, I’ve been eating, just what we can. Michael can only scrounge up so much without totally giving away our location.”
Come to think of it, Michael isn’t looking so great himself.
“Well then I need to hit the grocery store, because you both look like shit and I will not have you wither away to nothing on my watch. Michael, relay to Andy everything you know, he can brief me when I come back.”
I walked away feeling everyone’s stares on my back. I can almost hear their jaws hitting the floor. Did they not realize I meant what I said when I resigned? Until Jinxx’s wings grow back, I only want to be kept informed on what was going on to keep us safe and so I can relieve CC knowing everything that has happened and that needs to happen.
“My love, I’ll come with you.’
“Ok.”
I stepped out onto the porch and took a deep breath when I was out of earshot. I know they can feel what emotions are pouring through me at the moment but I don’t need them to see how much it affects me.
“What’s wrong Rayne?”
I jump startled, mentally cursing myself for let me thoughts get away from me.
“It’s nothing baby, just lost in thought and worried about CC.
“We all are my love but from what I was able to hear of Andy and Michael’s conversation, he’s doing really well. They have not attacked, right now they are just watching and waiting. Really learning the enemy.”
“That’s good.”
“Rayne, I may be mortal now, and I may not be able to feel your emotions anymore, but you are my mate and my wife, I know when something is wrong.”
“You can’t feel my emotions anymore?”
He shakes his head slowly, a very sad expression crosses his face, “No and it bothers me greatly. Promise me you’ll show me.”
“Of course baby.”
I reach out and put my hand around the back of his neck, pulling him to me. Pressing my forehead against his, I close my eyes and project all of my love to him.
“I love you too Rayne.”
He steps down off the porch, and on a whim to see if it would still work, I drag my finger down the middle of his back, between where his wings used to be. He stops and turns to me, coming back up the stairs he pushes me against the wall.
“Rayne that spot on my back has always pushed me towards the edge, long before I was an Angel. Now let’s hurry, I want my promised alone time with you. I don’t know how long I’ll get it before you have to take up arms again. I want to savor ever moment, and every inch of your skin.”
He backs away with an evil grin before turning to walk towards the car and I just stood there with my mouth hanging open.
When he gets to the car door he turns to me again, ‘Well, are we going or what?”
I smile at him, and walk towards the car. Tonight should be interesting.

Notes