Page 54 of Wings of Death

“Who was that?” Kyle asks with a hint of protectiveness lacing his words.

“He’s my father’s first guard, and he’s very protective of me. A little over the top, to be honest.” I roll my eyes.

Kyle stands and helps me up with him, but he doesn’t move away from me. We’re so close I can almost feel his heartbeat. There’s an electricity that flows between us whenever we’re together that ignites a fire inside me, and I find myself moving into him just as he leans down and presses his soft lips to mine.

The kiss is gentle at first, then a fiery passion takes hold of us both, and I give in to it. Kyle deepens the kiss and moves us toward my bed. He lifts me and I wrap my legs around his waist as we fall back onto the covers. His body fits against mine like we are made for one another. He braces his hands on either side of my head and pulls back, staring into my eyes as we both breathe hard. There’s a deep yearning in his gaze that sends warmth through my body to where my desire burns.

“Believe me when I say I don’t want to stop, but I need you to remember me,” he says through rapid breaths.

I nod, and he presses one last kiss to my lips before he climbs off the bed and helps me up. Gods above, this male is everything. Gorgeous, respectful, and kind. I need to remember him, too, and I will. There must be another way to regain my memories, if not through the sacred golden fountain, and I’m going to find it.

Someone calls my name from outside in the corridor, and I quickly hide Kyle under the veil as the door swings open and Amaros enters.

“I’ve been looking for you. Where have you been?” Accusation laces his words and his eyes bore into mine.

Shoot. What do I tell him? “Oh, I only just got in.”

His forehead creases slightly, as if he doesn’t believe me, but he doesn’t push it. I clear my throat, waiting for him to say something.

“Your father needs to see you. Immediately.” He stares at me, waiting for me to follow him out of the room, but I don’t.

“Okay, thank you. I will come and find him soon.”

He takes a step toward me and shakes his head. “No, he needs to see you right now, actually.”

I haven’t seen Amaros this demanding before, and it surprises me he would speak to me this way. I risk a glance at Kyle behind me, silently telling him I will be back soon. Just as I wonder whether he even understands, I can sense that he does.

I turn back to Amaros, and without a word, I leave my room and stop in the corridor, folding my arms across my chest as I wait for him to lead the way.

He closes my door and walks right up to me, his features laced with concern. “Are you all right?”

I swallow the lump in my throat. “I’m fine.”

He arches a brow. “Where have you been? Did you return to Earth?”

This male is infuriating. I can’t figure him out. Sometimes he’s gentle toward me, and other times he’s rude and demanding, as if he somehow controls me. It’s none of his concern where I have or haven’t been. My father allowed me to return to Earth, and Amaros was there when he said it.

“If you must know, then yes, I returned to Earth,” I say, before adding, “which is my job, as a guardian.”

He turns away from me and runs a hand through his hair. “It isn’t safe, Zarla,” he says, turning to face me once more. “Youaren’t strong enough to keep fighting if rogue watchers continue to attack.”

I drop my arms to my sides. “You know, I’m getting sick and tired of being told I cannot handle myself, or I’m not strong enough. I have fought many watchers now and survived every attack. I am more than capable of not only doing it again, but of protecting Kyle.”

Something flickers in Amaros’s eyes, and he closes the distance between us, his fingers grazing my cheek as he tucks a wave of my hair behind my ear. “I’m only looking out for you, Zarla. I don’t want to see you hurt.”

He stares intently into my eyes and, for a moment, I wonder if he’s expecting me to say or do something. I open my mouth to respond when Astelle appears. And she looks pissed.

“What’s going on here?” she demands, her blue eyes blazing as they practically burn a hole through Amaros.

I take a step back, realising I’m closer to Amaros than I should be. Astelle’s focus darts between Amaros and me, awaiting an answer. I look at Amaros, and as our eyes meet, I can see how sorry he is about this situation. And then he turns on Astelle.

“What’s going on here is none of your damn business, Astelle,” he says, pointing his finger as he storms toward her. “You do not speak to the King’s guard that way again. Do you hear me?”

My eyes widen while the situation unfolds. The tension in the air is thick, and I have never seen Amaros act like this. It’s a side of him that scares me a little.

Astelle pouts, crossing her arms across her chest. “May I remind you I am the King’sdaughter,and you best rememberthat.” She glares at me before turning and storming off in a huff.

Amaros looks back at me and rubs his chin. “Are you all right?”

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