Page 109 of Wings of Death

My father narrows his eyes at me. “I have followed your advice and removed her markings. She will no longer be able to leave this Kingdom,” he says and levels his stare at Amaros. “I trust you will watch her properly this time?”

“I will, my King.”

My father stumbles a little as he crosses the room back through to his bedroom and climbs under the covers of his bed.

I meet Amaros’s worried eyes.

“Are you okay?” he asks.

I shake my head, unable to speak yet, and he picks me up and carries me through the doors. I can’t stop shaking, and the burning sensation in my arms is still there, only not as intense now. We pass through the guards who escorted me to myfather’s quarters, and I keep my eyes down, focused on Amaros’s armour instead.

Amaros carries me all the way to my quarters and places me down on my bed. I climb under the covers without meeting his eyes. He sits on the edge of my bed and reaches out to me, but I flinch away.

“I’m sorry, Zarla. I didn’t know?—”

“Was it really your idea? To remove my markings and trap me within the Kingdom?”

He’s silent, and I almost ask it again, but when he meets my gaze, I find my answer in the regret within his eyes.

“How could you?” I ask, and my voice breaks.

He slumps his shoulders and presses his lips together. “I was just trying to protect you.”

“Get out,” I whisper.

His brows knit together. “What?”

I level my eyes at him. “Get. Out,” I repeat, louder this time as a sob escapes my lips.

He swallows hard but doesn’t move.

“Get out!” I demand while tears flow down my cheeks.

He reaches out to me and then pulls back as a pained look crosses his features. Giving me a nod, he stands before slowly moving to the door. He pauses and looks back at me, and I glance away. He opens the door and closes it, and then I break down. Screams rip out through my lungs as tears stain my pillow.

Kyle was right, after all. This was a trap, a way to lure me back to the Kingdom so my father could remove my markings and trap me here. I should have stayed with Kyle, and I probably would have if I hadn’t watched him and Em kiss.

Who am I kidding? She kissed him. He didn’t kiss her back. I knew it all along, and yet I blamed him and left. This is my fault. I’ve done this to myself.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Ispend the next week curled up in my bed, barely able to eat. For the first few days, I didn’t eat any of the food the healers brought me, but I eventually gave in on day four and ate a little. I tried to leave my room twice, only to find my door locked. I know Amaros is keeping guard outside anyway, so it’s pointless.

The doors to my balcony are locked too, and even the dark magic won’t open them.

I slowly walk into my bathroom, my body weak from lack of food. The shower feels good against my skin, but after a while, I’m too tired to stand. I shuffle out into the steamy air and brace myself against the vanity. I wipe the mirror down and gasp at the sight of myself. My frame is thin, and my complexion is pale. There’s a deep sadness set into my features, and I have to look away. I towel myself off and comb my hair.

And then an idea comes to me.

I throw on my guardian leathers, strap my daggers to my thighs, and grab my locket. This has to work. I press my locket against the door to my balcony, just like I did in my mother’s wardrobe to unlock the secret door hidden in the wall. It glows as green magic seeps from the locket into the lock, and sureenough, the lock clicks open. Smiling, I attach the locket around my neck and step out onto my balcony.

The cool night air whips my hair across my face, sending a welcome chill over my skin. I squeeze my eyes closed and take in a deep breath, allowing my wings to spring free. I dive off my balcony and soar high into the sky to hide within the darkness. The Kingdom is silent this evening, and it concerns me. There are usually some sounds, whether they are from the city or from the Dark Forest.

I fly over the Dark Forest and eventually glide down when I spot a small clearing and land with a thud near the ancient stone site. This has to work. I step over the stone boundary, feeling the weight of the air as it presses down heavily on my shoulders, and move into the centre of the stones. I close my eyes and call upon the God of Death.

There’s a shift in the air, and I know he’s here. I blink my eyes open, and a pair of red eyes stare back at me.

“Hello, little angel,” he purrs, his voice just as alluring as I remember.

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