The first thing I feel is the throbbing of my head, it was painful, and I shifted to my side, which just caused me more pain, but it stirs with the cold wind that soothes me but not enough.

I squint my eyes open, trying to figure out where I was but my pupil dilates and I have to blink a few times before my eyes adjust to the brightness of the room.

Moving my hands from my sides, lift them in front of my face and stare at them in a daze, they shake slightly and I get the feeling as if I was dreaming, until it all came back to me.

Then pain rushes back to me and stuns me so much that I drop down to the bed again. Finding my breathing fastening and there was beeping behind me making me worry more as I try to move faster. He wasn't here. Where is he? Where am I?

I tried to move out of the bed I was in but was stopped by cords tangled around my body and when I tried to move, the door of the room slammed open, making me freeze and look up slowly.

I was greeted with stressed eyes and eyebags under them.

My lips quiver as he approaches me and wraps his hand around me and I break out in tears. My hands brush through his hair in desperation to make sure that I wasn't dreaming, and once I confirm it, my lips pressed together as to supress my sobs.

"Oh Angel..." he whispered tenderly as he caressed my back but his hand trails to my face to wipe my tears. "Why are you crying?"

I had to stifle my cries to talk, and my head tilts up as my eyes clear to see his pearly smile and the stress now gone from his gaze. "I'm just glad you're okay." I blurt and he looks at my humorously and then gestured to my wounded chest.

"Even if you're not?" he asks and I nod without any second hesitation, just making him smile helplessly and I shrug to myself, pulling him onto the bed and closer to me. His arms curling around me with ease, I melt into him and hold him for- I don't even know how long. "At least we're even now." I say and I could feel him smiling against my skin when he rests his head on my shoulder until we were interrupted by a knock at the door, his lips forming into a scowl when the person came in without any waiting for an answer.

Francis groans to this as his grip tightens around me, not letting me look up to see who it was to which I laughed to.

"Christ, Francis! Move over, will you?" I heard a voice scoff before Francis finally released me form his death grip and allowed me to see who it was, bringing tears to brim my eyes when I see her.

"Quinn?" I shuddered quietly and looked at her in awe as she stood before me. She no longer had the long, blood red hair that she always pulled off, but short black hair to her shoulders. She looked amazing, but the guilt ripped me from the inside as I saw how much I missed out on.

She pushes past Francis as soon as I say that, squeezing me into a hug and pushing the breath out of me so I couldn't speak, all I could do was come back.

"I hate that you left," she whispered, pain lacing her voice as she rested her chin on my shoulders and I frowned to myself, but she squeezes tighter. "But I missed you so much." She said finally lifting some guilt off my shoulders as we stay like that for what felt like hours until there was, yet another, knock at the door is hears before it bursts open?

"Valentina!?"

Chris, Keisha, and Xavier said the word in sync making me tilt my head with a smile until I was crushed with hugs, but Francis's fingers stayed intertwined with mine.

When everyone stood back, I could practically feel the tension as Quinn and Xavier stood together as did Chris and Keisha.

Now that I looked at, they were both similar, the two girls being my best friends and the guys being like older brothers.

"They're similar, aren't they?" Francis said leaning over and whispering into my ear, as if reading my mind. I nod silently as they glare at each other but when I dare let out a giggle, they all turn to me, but it only lasts for a second as their gaze moves to Francis.

I could feel his cold arm slither around me and in the corner of my eyes, I could see in the corner of his eyes that his eyes darken to the group until they shuffle out of the door awkwardly. Once they leave, Francis pulls me into his lap, pushing my back to his chest, allowing him to rest his face on the crook of my neck and I squirm with a breathily laugh on my lips.

When I look out the window and see that we're still in Los Angeles.

"Where are we?" I asked and then looked around the room to find it was fully furnished with dark oak and modern items, similar to Francis's room at home.

"The base I was talking about." Francis said stiffly and looks out the large window plastered all over the wall where it over viewed the other skyscrapers. "After you passed out, backup was already on its way, and you were flown out." it seemed to pain him as he continued. "You lost too much blood, so I had to donate some. But you're safe, and you're in my room in the penthouse now," It all made sense after he said that but then one thing was turned wrong.

"Where have you been sleeping then?" I ask, looking at the eyebags looming under his eyes making him frown. "In a guest room." he shrugged.

"I could've used one. I know you have multiple." I say confidently and he shrugs before brushing his hand on my wound lightly.

"You needed it more." he says, some muffled as he nestles into my neck more, and I feeling him breathing in my scent, relaxing after he does.

We sit in comfortable silence as I fiddle with his hand in mine. My mind is a land of thoughts, all of them wondering around the mansion.

I wondered if it had changed, were there knew people? And had rooms been shifted around? There was guilt pinching my heart as I lean back in him more to feel him. I had left without saying anything, not even wanting to listen to his side of things.

My heaves a sigh and Francis moves his face so I could see it, concerned. "What's wrong darling?"

I look at him for a moment before pulling away and looking back at the city. "I'm sorry for leaving-"

Before I could even finish speaking, he had spun me around to face him and leaned over, his lips pushing against mine. I melted to him instantly and put my arms around his neck to bring myself closer. He ends it roughly and breathily but stares into my eyes with all seriousness.

"I've told you not to apologise or say sorry." he said crossly and I just thin my lips and put my head to his chest to avoid his gaze.

"But I am," I mutter, and he stays silent this time, running his fingers through my hair and placing soft kisses on my head, handling me as if I were porcelain.

I had given up on speaking and rested my head, becoming sleepier by the second

It had been three days since I had woken up in the second location and it was nearly impossible to get Francis to leave my side since then.

I recalled once I had left my room without telling him and had to calm him down as he yelled and threatened to shoot workers, his wings were flared, and eyes blinded with anger. I had to yell at him to stop, it eventually working.

And now, I was on my way home.

Quinn had said that nothing had changed over there but I was still nervous.

It was my fault that Francis had flew into a rage and given a hard time to the workers, they would hate me for that.

My fingers that were interlaced with each other grew more tense as I look out the tinted window.

Francis saw this and put his hand on top of mine and pulled me closed, I turned my face and was met with a short kiss, but none the less breath taking.

After I pulled away, I lean onto Francis and he does the same.

We were nearing the destination and I felt myself shaking so when my love tries to look at me, I shield my face by facing the window.

"Are you ready?" He whispers to me even though we were alone in the back of the limousine.

My heart pounds as I feel his breath caressing my neck and the shivers travel in my body wildly.

My head nods without thinking and I stop after.

"As I'll ever be." I sigh and slide my hand into his, gripping it tightly as I feel the car jerk to a stop.

The driver walks to the door and opens it, and I allow Francis to get out and put his hand forward to me.

I take it delicately and slide out of the car, brushing of my dress as I do.

It was a deep emerald silk with a slight v neckline and gold jewellery to match it.

When I was getting ready, both Quinn and Keisha said that I must dress up for this and I did as they asked.

When I straighten and look ahead of Francis, there are lines of guards, fighters and maids waiting for me. They all looked at me eagerly and with glee. Then, once I'd stepped in front of their parted lines they bowed, making my cheeks flush in embarrassment.

I wave my hands frantically and stumble upon my words "You don't need to bow for me-" I say shyly but Francis grabs my hands with his and pull them down, then gesturing to the others that happily stood before me.

"Let them show pride in who they serve." he says, and I nod hesitantly but feel the cold of Francis's fingers running up my spine until they press my pressure point and make my wings curl out of me and the workers gawked in awe.

Francis leads me through the crowd barefaced as a wide smile covered mine, I waved to those I caught eyes with. Finally, when I had reached the grand door, the workers rose and followed us inside, resuming to their normal positions and I watched around in awe as they did.

It'd been so long since I'd been here, and it gave me happiness.

I tore myself from Francis's grasp making him halt and look onward to me as I go to an elderly maid. She was carrying what looked like a heavy box and she was straining her back to do so. I blocked the staircase in front of her and took the box from her, much to her surprise.

"My Lady, please hand me the box, I don't want you hurting yourself." She stresses, but I shake my head with a bright smile.

"This is the least I can do for your work." I say and with that, she looks frantic, but she was worrying about the gaze that Francis had cast upon us, so I leaned closer to her and side eyed Francis whilst doing so.

"Don't worry, just come to me if he gives you any trouble." Whispering, quiet enough so that he couldn't hear, and he cocked an eyebrow, but I shook my head and turned to the side of the maid. "You can lead the way!"

The lady looked tired, so she'd given up and ended up leading me to her way and when I had arrived, they were preparing a dining room, and she explained the welcoming dinner that was planned.

I was thrilled and went to help the others to set up the table which they denied at first, but I insisted that this was the least I could do which seemed to be enough for them. I talked with the workers I had seen around before and eventually walked into the kitchen and helped with what I could, making soups and setting the table and didn't see Francis during any of it.

Just when I laid down the final platter of food, the doors creaks opening, making heads turns and posture straighten at the sight of the winged criminal.

The workers bow attentively as I watch him as his eyes scan the room, to finally lay on me.

After they connect, he doesn't look away and neither do I. He circles around the table and finally stands before me, breaking the eye contact to look at the neatly set table.

He then stepped toward me briskly, making others behind me step back but I stay and stare at the aggression in his eyes.

They flicker to the maid standing behind me that I had helped, and he opened his mouth.

"You shouldn't be working. You just got back." His voice was gruff, and I could tell he was agitated so I slipped his hands into mine to grab his attention.

"It's time for dinner." I said sweetly and tugged his hand, guiding him to his chair and plonking him down on it by the shoulders.

I look up to see Quinn and Xavier walking in hand in hand and followed by Keisha, Chris, and... Tara!

My eyes lit as I saw her and I rushed to hug her, throwing my hands around her neck and her doing the same.

We squeeze each other and lost for words, she sits a seat over from Francis, leaving one for me as I wiz of into the kitchen.

I bring out the plates and place them around the oak table before finally sitting down and starting to eat myself.

I felt eyes on me and when I looked to my side, I could see Tara staring at me intently.

I raised an eyebrow and turned to her as a small smile curled her lips.

"You look happier." She breathed out, and looked away after and for whatever reason, I was taken aback.

No knowing how to respond, I nod my head and turn back to face my dinner but find myself thinking instead.

I look happier? My head turned to Francis to see him already looking at me adoringly. My lips form a small curve and I look back at my dinner, feeling a sensation of a cold hand being placed on my thigh.

"Is the food not to your liking?" he asks quietly and caressed my skin making my cheeks flush and I shook my head.

He straightens his posture, lifting his hand from my thigh and his eyes cross the long table, eyeing the people seated before leaning down and whispering into my ear again.

"Then would you like to get out of here?" he says with a mischievous hint to his tone, but I smile and nod.

I hadn't admitted it to myself yet but all I wanted to do was spend time with Francis in peace, nobody else. We both arise from our seats slowly and manage to arrive at the door undetected, until it open with a large creek.

Heads turn to us, and I stand still awkwardly with my hand stiff on the bar on the door. I glance around nervously and open my mouth to muster up an excuse, but Francis beats me too it.

"Valentina doesn't feel so well, I'm going to guide her to rest." He said in a deep voice, as if to be suggestive and my heart flutters as his hand presses on my back as he guides me out of the door and closes it softly.

I spin around with flushed cheeks and stare him in the eyes daringly. "What?" he asked as he approached me with his arms outstretched to hug me, but I step and turn away, surprising him. I crossed my arms over my chest, making his eyes wander but I flick my head away from him dramatically.

"You said that as if we were going to do something." I said in a low tone, acting as if I was angry but I fully turned away from him when a smile broke onto my face. But he had me contained in his eyes within second and tilted my head up to face him.

"Are we not?" he said with mischief in his tone, and I couldn't help but let a wide grin take over my face as I squirm out of Francis and book it down the hallway. I didn't bother to look back, but I heard a groan erupt from the back of his throat and the patter of his feet close behind me soon followed after.

"You're not going to win this game Angel."

To this, my laughs only became louder