Page 75 of Wings of Death

Out of nowhere, Amaros swoops down and smacks the watcher across the jaw, knocking him to the ground. The watcher releases me, stumbling back, before Amaros picks up the sword and plunges it into the watcher’s stomach without hesitation.

The other two watchers attack Amaros as I rush to Kyle’s side. I frantically search for a pulse and breathe a sigh of relief when I find he’s still alive, but his breathing is shallow.

“Kyle,” I cry out, shaking him as my eyes blur.

A sob breaks out through my lips as I blink back tears. Gods above, he’s not moving.

“With any luck, he’s dead.” Finlay’s harsh voice fills the still air.

I grit my teeth as anger courses through my body. “You did this,” I say.

“Enough!” Amaros’s voice booms, and I find he’s fought the two watchers off already. “You will be put before The Throne for treason,” he says, pointing at Finlay.

Finlay laughs, stumbling a little on unsteady feet while blood sleeps from a cut in his leg and drips down his leathers.

“Yes, because my father would allow that to happen,” he says, his voice laced with sarcasm.

Amaros storms toward him and punches him in the face, then pulls a familiar wire from his leather holster and ties it around Finlay’s wrists.

I furrow my brows at the familiarity of the situation.

Amaros snaps his fingers, and two angels appear. They take Finlay and disappear up into the sky. Amaros then moves toward me.

“Leave me alone, Amaros,” I warn.

But he doesn’t.

I blast my powers toward him, but he holds the sword up. It somehow shields him from my power, producing some kind of invisible protection around him that wards it off. I stare wide-eyed when he shoves me to the ground and pins my wrists above my head.

“Let go of me!” I scream and struggle against his grip.

He pulls the same wire out and twists it around my wrists while ignoring my demands.

“Amaros, please! Kyle needs help,” I beg, tears streaming down my cheeks.

“You are to return to the Kingdom with me at once. That is not a request. Angels of Zarquon are not our concern.” His features are cold as he pins me with a hard stare.

I shake my head. “You bastard!”

He ignores me, picking me up and shooting us up into the air with his large wings. Kyle’s figure disappears below me as we move higher into the sky. Pain rips through my heart at the thought of leaving him there, alone.

“Amaros, please don’t do this,” I beg, knowing it’s no use.

He looks down at me, his eyes softening a little. “I’m sorry,” is all he says.

I spend the following week curled up in my bed, crying most days. When I feel as though I have no tears left, my body somehow produces more. They locked Finlay up in the cells, despite his father’s protests. Even Kastal cannot use his influence on The Throne to prevent his son from being punished. Finlay attacked the King’s daughter, and that is inexcusable.

My father has forbidden me to leave our Kingdom. Even if I wanted to, the magic he used will prevent me. I am stuck here in absolute agony, unsure of Kyle’s fate. I can no longer sense him. It’s as if our bond has been broken, and I along with it. My father has tasked Amaros to be my personal guard for now, despite my protests.

There’s a knock at my door, and I wipe my cheeks as Amaros appears.

“Zarla, may I come in?”

I glare at him. “Would my answer really matter?”

He steps into my quarters, closing the door behind him. Being alone in his presence this time feels very different to the last. I can’t help but remember our kiss, and although I may have enjoyed it then, the thought sickens me now.

He is the one responsible for this.

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