Page 67 of To Tame An Angel

“This angel belongs to me by law. He carries my mark and you’ll not come near him!” I stepped before Tannor.

The leader remained unmoved. “You’ve forfeited your claim, titles, and lands. You have no rights under the law you’ve so carelessly broken.”

The magic spread from my stomach, running through my veins, up my shoulders, and down my arms.

“The same magic which traps you in servitude?” I snarled.

The guard didn’t move. “I’m not the lawbreaker here, my lady. Step away or be killed.”

I planted my feet wide, feeling the magic invade my fingers. The rage and pain of Tannor dying and me not being able to save him erupted inside of me. Of losing my father and brother, of being separated from my sisters and mother. All because of a law. All because of people.

“You’ll not touch him!” I screamed, opening my arms.

The angels aimed their bows, their fingers on the latch. I bottled my anger and frustration mingled with pain and loss and directed my magic at them with a yell. The magic was funneled from my body with a piercing light, exploding from my hands.

It was as if the world turned slow motion. I felt an intense heat come off me like a giant blade that cut through the land. It traveled faster than any weapon, and the moment it hit the guards, it decapitated them, making their heads roll on the ground. The magic took down trees and rock, creating and explosion that knocked me back until the universe went dark.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

NALLA

My eyes fluttered open when I was lifted by someone’s gentle touch. I grimaced, pain invading my senses. But the person was careful and warm. Their arms curled around me, and I was pressed into a chest. I was dimly aware that we were flying, and I panicked.

“Tannor!” I gasped but felt my body convulse in pain and consciousness leaving me. My grip was weak, my heartbeat low, and I feared death would claim me in my sleep.

“Stay with me, Nalla.”

I didn’t know the voice, I’d never heard it before, but I latched on to it, petrified of letting go and getting lost in the dark.

The darkness came regardless, and I lingered there for many days. So many days that when I finally woke, my mouth was parched, and my limbs felt sluggish and numb. But I woke. Full woke, blinking up and taking in the patterns of a simple wooden ceiling. Feeling the warmth of a fire and the comfort of a soft bed.

“You’re awake,” a voice said, and it took a lot for me to turn my head.

There stood a man, tall and wide, with thick dark brown hair and skin, and soft gray eyes. His wings were a tawny brown and they settled proudly behind him. He was handsome when he smiled in relief and came quickly to sit by me.

“You’ve been asleep for days, we were afraid it was too late,” he said with a strong voice. His wings distracted me because they looked so bright and strong, like they’d never been broken or hidden.

“Where’s Tannor?” I asked in a whisper.

He filled me a cup with water and set it against my hand for me to drink. I drank greedily, feeling the water coat my desperate insides.

“Your angel lives,” the man said with a smile. “He’s still recovering. He was badly hurt, but we’re hoping with time, he’ll heal.”

Relief washed over me and inexplicably, I began to cry. Large sobs for all the happenings of the past few days. The man leaned forward and pushed my hair back from my forehead staring down at me with a very concerned look.

“Don’t cry, Nalla,” he said gently. “You’re safe now.”

“Why did you help us? Who are you?” I asked between hitching breaths.

He smiled and a dimple dented his cheek. “You haven’t figured it out?” Then he held up something small and brown between his fingers. I recognized it as the small tuff of hair mother kept in her trunk. The one I’d taken. The one belonging to my brother.

Slowly, I calmed, and met his eyes. “You’re…”

“Allon, your brother.” His gaze softened when I gasped. “I always wanted to meet you. I never expected to hear your voice in my head and heart a few nights ago. I felt when you set off your magic and I knew exactly where to find you.”

I stared at him uncomprehendingly. “You heard me?”

He nodded, still leaning down and brushing my hair back. “I did. I knew it was you and I knew you needed help. I knew one day you would get away, I just felt it.” He gave me a wide smile, but there was pride painted there. “So father and I searched for hours until we finally found the mess you left behind.”

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