An Angel in Hiding

Lit Up — December Prompt

Beneath the warmth of Lillie’s crimson cloak she breathed deeply to calm her frazzled nerves. Darting her eyes left and right she searched the glade for her beloved with a heavy heart. She had deceived him, and hoped amid the beauty, surrounding them, he would forgive her transgression. She bowed her head in a silent prayer. Can he find it in his heart to accept me as I am?

The weight of her velvet cape shielded her from the early morning chill. She hugged it to her tight but the cold seeped through and she trembled with worry.

Trees rustled, and the clap of hooves echoed in the distance. Daniel rode in on a black horse, ducking under the low branches. His smile radiated brighter than the sun as he rested his eyes on Lillie. He swung his leg over the saddle and landed at her feet. Sweat beaded on his forehead and worry creased his forehead. “Are you all right, dearest?” He held her at arm’s length, checking up and down with a quizzical expression. “I came as quickly as I could. What’s the matter?”

Lillie lowered her head and smiled at the fairies gathering at her feet. Small fragile beings, smaller than the eye could see, smaller than Daniel’s eyes could ever fathom.

“I have something to tell you.” She said, gazing into his grey blue eyes.

“Are you ill?” He took her hand and sat with her on a nearby rock while the miniature beings floated around her, their wings twinkling in the sunlight. A rainbow of blue and turquoise shone through the paper-thin membrane of their delicate wings.

“You may think me ill when I speak what is in my heart.”

He kissed their intertwined fingers. “I love you, dearest. If you are ill, I will care for you till the end of my days.”

Lillie’s heart fluttered in her chest. “I want to take you to a place beyond the glade. The home of my dear departed parents. The place I was raised.”

“I would be honored.”

Lillie gazed longingly in his eyes. “But it is not of This World.” She bit her lip.

Daniel furrowed his brow, but no malice appeared. “Take me to this place. I want to know all there is to know of you.”

Hope sprung in her heart and her eyes glistened with love. “If you are sure.” A delicate whisper brushed her neck and her guardian fairy landed softly on her shoulder.

“Tell me of what you speak,” he pleaded.

“Your heart is so open and pure, I only wish for you to feel all the joy and love I feel for you at this moment.”

Daniel kissed her cheek as softly as a fairy wing. “You could never know how much joy you bring. Just to hear the lilt of your voice sustains me.”

A tear ran down her cheek and dampened the cloak beneath her chin. Lillie’s heart swelled with a thousand years of yearning, praying that he was strong enough to accept her truth.

“Take me,” he said.

Only a few yards away was a hidden trail that led to the enchanted forest. Nature’s blooming trellis appeared before them as they walked through the archway to Lillie’s home.

Lillie leaned into Daniel’s open embrace, relishing the last moments before she unveiled the truth. She tilted her head back and basked in the glow of dawn’s early mist. “I’ll not begrudge you your choice. I only want to give you a piece of me to cherish or deny as you wish.”

They walked hand in hand through the archway to a glorious garden in full bloom. The fragrance danced through the air, and with a sweetness of honey and rose they breathed in the gift of life. A symphony of colours sang in harmony. Their eyes feasted on the blessings; varying shades of purple, chartreuse and red,all under a wash of gold from the sunlight streaming through the trees.

Daniel walked behind as she lifted her eyes to the heavens, and shed her cloak of crimson. Lillie’s golden wings fluttered in the breeze. She dared not say a word, quivering in the shadow of Daniel’s presence.

A soft kiss caressed her cheek. “I am here, my lovely.”

She ventured a peek over her shoulder and witnessed the blessing that was her mate.

Daniel stood taller than the trees and as wide as a two men. The brook bubbled at their feet, sounding their approval. “Your secret is mine. I am all that you dreamed of. Your Angel come to life.”

Lillie wept with joy and held her wings tight against her tiny frame as Daniel enveloped her in his, raven feathers glistening in the sun. He held her close, comforting her from all her worry. “I promise to take us to the heights of heaven, beyond the stars. I have always known you were my Angel, but you needed to trust me enough to share your secret.”

She pressed her cheek to his chest and leaned in close. “My prayers have been answered. Please forgive my mistrust.”

“Your trust now means more to me because it was yours to choose. Never apologize for being wary.” He held her close and with a push of his feet they lifted high above the glade and soared to the heights of heaven.