Angel Kisses

5. Raven Reminder

After being bombarded by praise, cheers, and handshakes from all of the townspeople I left the raucous streets to go outside the small town so I could once again spread my wings.

Reaching a dry meadow with nothing but a group of cows lounging under a cluster of trees I decided to stop and my my switch. Snapping my fingers my clothes once again transformed into my white backless dress with a gold top. My wing necklace dangled over my chest. I was barefoot and the grass tickled my feet. The empty satchel was still hung over my shoulder. Taking in a big breath I forced my pearly wings and spread them wide. The cows continued to stare at me lazily as the chewed the grass in their mouths. In one gracefully leap I was in the sky soaring towards heaven.

I breathed in the fresh air that whipped around my face and blew my hair around making it look like a halo of flames. When I landed on the clouds I closed my eyes and paused to appreciate the soft cushion on my feet and the warm feeling of comfort and home. Home, I couldn't wait to go back home and sleep in my feathery bed.

I opened my eyes and what I saw made have out an exasperated huff. Of course the oh so stubborn Rowan stood there leaning against the gates of heaven with a huge grin permanently spread across his face.

"I told you I'd wait as long as I needed to, Nova."

"Yes, I suppose you did."

He chuckled at my response,"and I have a very special surprise for you, my darling."

The endearment he used somewhat caused me to smile but my heart did not leap as it did when the mystery stranger addressed me. I sighed in defeat and decided to go along with his plans.

"Lead me then"

If it were possible his grin got even larger as he took my hand and pulled me through the gates of heaven. He pulled me past the messenger's hall, the temple, and the deserted market square. Soon his infectious smile and happy attitude pulled me in and I found myself smiling and running along barely behind him instead of being dragged.

We shrally turned into the forest along a stony path and I immediately realized where we were headed. The wishing well. Unlike the earthly wishing wells and fountains this is where the wishes go.

As we made our way fireflies danced around us and the low hanging tree branches created a beautiful canopy over our heads. We called this path the tunnel of dreams, I know it sounds cheesy but it's anything but. Mist flooded the ground at our feet and whispers could be heard calling you to walk into the untamed trees. If you listen and go to touch the trunk of a tree you will see the dream of a mortal. It was a magical atmosphere as we ran through hand in hand he glanced back at me smiling like a little bit on Christmas day. Finally we reached the brran in the trees which came to a small open area. In the middle was the wishing well. As I looked I realized that Rowan had decorated the area with white lights. He had a blanket laid across the grass in front of the well with a picnic basket on top.

He led me over to the blanket with his hand on the small of my back. We sat down and he started fishing items out of the basket. First he pulled out bread and cheese the he extracted a bottle of wine and two glasses setting the basket aside he looked up to gauge my reaction. I was speechless but as I looked at the arrangement and tried to convince myself that he was not so bad and that I should accept him as my pair feather all I could think about was that stranger and the kiss he gave me.

"Do you like it, Nova?"

"Umm, yeah...w-wow." His face somewhat fell at my hesitant answer. I moved to sit beside him trying to make him feel better.

"Rowan, I really do, you shocked me that's all." He smiled at me once again and uncorked the wine bottle and filled each of our glasses.

"Well then, a toast to your 'important' blessings and your goal of being a miracle worker" I smiled and took my glass taking a sip in toast. I realized at that moment how little she knwe about him.