Page 52 of Wings of Death

I smile. “It was. We just passed through it to enter the Kingdom.”

I’m thankful when I don’t spot any other angels while we fly over the endless fields of grass and flowers on the outskirts of the Kingdom. The fields resemble a rainbow, and my breath catches at the beauty. My father kept the sacred golden fountain outside in a gorgeous garden near the manors. It’s filled with flowers of every kind and colour imaginable, and when the fountain isn’t required for the guardian ceremonies, it’s here. Having it here is a blessing, as it would be far riskier trying to sneak Kyle into the Great Hall without being seen.

Kyle scans his surroundings in awe as he takes everything in.

“Wow…” he breathes. “The air is so fresh, and everything is just so…unbelievable.”

He is practically speechless, and I don’t blame him. I still find beauty in our Kingdom despite growing up here. It truly is magical, and I can’t imagine a more perfect or stunning place. I’m excited to explore it further with Kyle, eventually anyway.

“Not bad, huh?” I say as we pass over the gardens toward the barrier surrounding the manors.

The fountain is up ahead, and I gently guide us down to it. The crystal-clear water spouts out of the golden angel at the top and sprays down like a springtime shower. He walks to it and takes a seat on the ledge surrounding the fountain. I follow and sit next to him. The fountain is enormous and can probably seat about fifty angels around the edge.

“Isn’t it magnificent?” I ask, closing my eyes as I breathe in the floral scent of the flowers surrounding us. “This fountain has been in our Kingdom for generations and generations. No one knows its true age. It was crafted by the gods. That much we do know.”

He opens his mouth, but no words come out. He’s speechless as he studies the intricate details of the fountain. He stares out into the water, his brows knitting together after a moment.

“What is it?” I ask.

He reaches out and grazes his fingers across the surface of the water, and it ripples out in little circles. “I’m not sure. It’s as if it’s calling to me.”

I rub my hand along his back. “Just give in to it. Let it guide you.”

Somehow, he knows what to do as he folds his sleeves back and dips both hands into the water. His forehead creases and he stares into the water.

“I see something…” he whispers, his focus still on the water.

He stares across the water at something only he can see unfolding before his eyes. He abruptly pulls his hands from the water, and his gaze snaps to mine.

“I remember something,” he whispers, blinking like he’s trying to hold on to the memory. “I remember my past. I remember our Kingdoms being at war, and sneaking into Silanthia to see you…”

I take in a sharp breath. We knew each other? I reach my hand out and give his arm a gentle squeeze as he continues.

“I witnessed something, a conversation I shouldn’t have.”

I scan his face as he stares off into the distance. “Between who?”

“I don’t know. A blonde woman. She was angry. The other angel was a male, but it wasn’t clear. I don’t recognise them. Shewas talking to him about how they killed Serona, and how you must never learn the truth, or reach your true potential.”

His eyes find mine, and I release his hand as I jump to my feet and back up slightly. It can’t be true… She wouldn’t have… My vision blurs as I stumble, but Kyle catches me and lowers me to the ground. It was Hethenos, I know it.

“Just breathe, Zarla. Breathe,” he urges.

My chest feels tight, too tight. I can’t breathe. Panic floods my body as my hands tremble until Kyle locks eyes with mine, stealing my focus.

“Breathe, please, Zarla!”

Something snaps me out of my panic attack, and I take a gasp of air as my gaze darts around the gardens. Kyle strokes my face, which feels clammy now, and I restore my breathing to its normal rhythm. A sob escapes my lips as his words come back to me. He saw who killed my mother.

He pulls me against his chest, and I wrap my arms around him, holding on for dear life as the wounds of my past are ripped open. We stay like that for some time before he gently lifts me up and carries me in his arms back to the fountain edge. He sits down with me in his lap as I sob into his shoulder.

Once I calm myself, I look up into his eyes. Why can’t I remember him?

“I’m so sorry,” he says, wiping my tears with the pad of his thumb. “Serona is your mother’s name?”

I nod. “I can’t believe it. Hethenos has always been horrible to me, but…”

Kyle stares at me, and I can feel his excitement. He’s battling an inner torment, feeling my pain, yet happy at his memories returning. “We were friends.”

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