“One of the first villages in the kingdom of Heaven,” Roth answered. “It’s really something, isn’t it?”
It was amazing. Nothing about the village screamed fancy, but it was just as stunning as any room in the palace. Its charm ran deeper than gilding or gems ever could. Something about this place felt raw and real. It was the exact opposite of a human mansion designed to impress. This village hadsoul. Just standing on the streets, I could feel it. The work and sweat and love that had built this place was palpable.
“Who lives here?” I asked.
“I don’t know anymore,” Roth said.
“You’ve been here before.” It wasn’t a question. It was obvious he’d not only been here but had loved it. He looked at the houses the same way he’d looked at the plants in the garden.
He nodded. “A very long time ago.”
“What are we doing here?”
“Nothing in particular.” He shook his head as if trying to clear it. “I just wanted to show it to you. And I wanted to see it again.”
We visited a few more places without running into a single other person. I was starting to think it was downright odd how empty it all was when Roth pulled me into an elevator.
“I want to show you something, but you have to promise not to freak out on me.”
Considering I was in an enclosed space with him, that really wasn’t what I wanted to hear come out of his mouth.
“Show me what?” I asked warily.
“Earth.”
I could feel my eyes trying to pop out of my head. A few hours ago, I’d never been outside God’s court, and now Roth was talking about leaving Heaven altogether. “But what about my wings?” I knew I could retract them, but I’d honestly never tried before.
Roth’s thumb brushed over my cheekbone. “They’re beautiful.”
“But humans don’t have wings.”
He grinned. “We’ll be somewhere private. You don’t have to worry about the humans seeing them or asking questions.”
I let out a long breath. “Okay.”
His eyes sparkled and his hand slid from my cheek down my neck and over my side until his fingers were curling around my hip. “I won’t let anything happen to you while we’re on Earth, Laila. I promise.”
I nodded just as the doors opened to a carpeted hallway. There was a floor-to-ceiling window at the other end, and Roth tugged me in that direction.
“It’s one-way glass,” he explained. “Welcome to New York City.”
My mouth fell open as I looked over the crowds of people. They looked like dots from this high up, and there were so many of them it was a wonder they all fit on the street. Despite the people looking tiny, the screens that flashed ads and announced musicals and other entertainment were easy to see and read even up here.
“It so… loud.”
Roth chuckled. “That it is.”
“What are they celebrating?”
“The end of the year and the start of the next one. See that clock up there?” He pointed to the top of a tower of screens. “It’s almost time.”
“What happens at midnight?”
“You’ll see.” He moved behind me, his hands settling on my hips, and leaned forward so I could feel his breath on the shell of my ear. “Ten. Nine. Eight. Seven.” He counted down in a husky murmur. “Six. Five. Four. Three. Two. One.”
Outside the window, the sky exploded in color and light. The roar of the crowd and boom of fireworks was deafening even through the glass that separated me from them.
“Happy New Year,” Roth said.
