Page 33 of Wings of Death

Someone enters the room, and relief floods through me when I see Mikel.

He storms towards Rimel and shoves him aside. “Get out. Now,” he demands.

It’s only then I realise I’m shaking. My gaze darts around the room to see Rimel is gone. It’s just Mikel and me now. He walks towards me, and I back up into my bathroom.

He raises his hands. “Zarla, it’s okay. I’m not going to hurt you. I want you to lock this door. I’m going to get Lissian, all right?”

I nod. “Okay.”

After he leaves, I lock the door, then lock myself in my bathroom.

I’m still reeling from what just happened, and my hands won’t stop shaking. What the hell is wrong with them? Astelle is deluded, and her mother is crazy. I glance at my reflection in the mirror. My cheek is red where Astelle slapped me, and my eyes are glistening a little in the light.

Don’t cry, I tell myself.It’ll be okay.They don’t deserve your tears.

Zarla, I swear by the gods if you don’t answer me, I’m going to leave Kyle and come and find you.

His words do the trick, snapping me back to reality.Don’t you dare leave. I’m fine.

I’m not buying it, but okay. I’m here if you need me.

I don’t respond to him and instead unlock the bathroom door, walk to my bed on shaky legs, and take a seat.

“How dare they,” Lissian says, her voice laced with anger. “She has no right to touch you. Those guards are out of control. Hethenos is out of control. Just wait until Harlum hears about this.”

I leap to my feet, dropping the bag of ice I have been holding against my cheek. The skin feels numb, which is better. “Pleasedon’t say anything. I don’t want to cause any more trouble than I already have.”

Lissian takes my hands in hers and stares into my eyes. “Zarla, dear, listen to me. What they did was not okay. It was intimidating and out of line. You are the King’s daughter?—”

“And so is she,” I interrupt.

Lissian tilts her head to the side. “Serona, your mother, was the love of his life.Youare their daughter. He would not stand for this treatment.”

The bag of ice is slowly melting in the heat. I pick it up and place it down next to my bed. “Please don’t say anything. I can handle it.” I look at her, pleading with her to do as I ask.

She glances over to Mikel, who is guarding the door, and he shakes his head.

“Please,” I beg. “It’ll only cause more harm than good.”

Lissian pulls me into her arms and strokes my hair. “I will do as you ask. But I won’t hesitate to talk to Harlum if anything even remotely like this happens again. You hear me?”

After I agree to her terms, they reluctantly leave me alone. Mikel insisted he stay and guard outside my quarters, but I said there was no need, that I was heading out for some air. I glide over the Kingdom toward the Dark Forest, a place I have always felt at peace. Of course, I never go into the forest, but I love how calm it is there.

I land on the soft grass near the edge of the tree line, feeling better already. I breathe in the forest’s earthy scents of moss and leaves and close my eyes, taking a moment to relax.

Get yourself together, Zarla. Kyle needs you.

The wind picks up, blowing my hair around my face, and I shiver a little in the autumn chill. Reaching into my pocket, I pull my ring out, which is no longer glowing, and I slip it back onto my finger. I need more information about this ring. Why does it glow at random? Until I know more, I need to be careful withit. It could be dangerous, and instinct tells me it’s powerful. Not something I want the wrong person to get their hands on.

I wander down the edge of the tree line, basking in the beauty. This forest is ancient, and I can practically hear the trees speaking to one another as their leaves dance around in the breeze. And then I spot them. Several small makeshift huts made from sticks and branches, tucked inside the tree line. My brows knit together as I study them. They have a sense of familiarity about them. Did I make them?

I step into the forest and pause. Maybe it’s not the best idea going into the Dark Forest alone. But it’s not like I’m going that far in. I can see the huts from here. I shake off the doubt creeping its way into my stomach, and make my way through the trees to the huts.

A smile spreads across my lips when I reach them. It’s clear young angels made them, judging by how small they are. How long have they been here? There are many branches all leaning in on one another to make a triangle, and there’s a small opening to crawl through.

I crouch down to peek inside, my heart warming at the drawings on the branches and the purple ribbons hanging around the roof. Purple is one of my favourite colours.

A low growl startles me, and I freeze, fearing what it could be.

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