Page 77 of Wings of Death

My body shakes as my jaw tenses. “That’s not true.”

His gaze drops to my lips while he reaches up and strokes his thumb across them. I swallow hard as I close my eyes, enjoying his touch more than I should. His arm snakes around my waist as he tugs me against his body, but something snaps me out of it. I shove him back. There’s a longing in his eyes before his features shift back into their usual serious form.

“You are forbidden to be with an angel from our enemy Kingdom.”

I open my mouth to respond when he turns and storms out of my quarters, leaving me even more confused than the last time he visited me here.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Another week passes, and after several failed attempts to evade Amaros to sneak out and visit Finlay in the cells, I find an opportunity. Amaros spent the past week avoiding eye contact or conversation where possible, and I’m starting to wonder if he regrets his advancements. Although, I still catch him watching me more often than not, that same longing in his eyes.

I’m walking back from visiting the Great Library, Amaros in tow, when I come up with a plan. I brace my hand against the stone wall of the corridor, pressing my other hand into my head. Amaros is at my side in an instant.

“Are you all right?” he asks as he places a hand on my back.

I wince before meeting his concerned eyes. “I’ve got a splitting headache,” I say, my voice strained.

“Here, let’s get you back to your room.” He wraps an arm around my waist and leads me back down the corridor toward my room.

Once we get there, he opens the door and guides me over to my bed. I climb under the covers and close my eyes for a few seconds. When I look at him, he appears torn.

“I can stay, if you need?” he says, somewhat hopeful.

I shake my head. “I think I just need to sleep it off.”

“Anything I can get for you? I could send one of the healers.”

Strange. He knows how easily I can heal myself. “I’m okay. I should be fine in a little while.”

He pours me a glass of water and places it on my bedside table before stroking my hair. “I’ll wait outside. Call out if you need anything.”

Oh no, what if he checks on me? “No, no, I’m okay. I’m sure you have more important things to do. I’ll be fine.”

He hesitates before moving toward the door. “I have a few things to attend to. I’ll check on you in a couple of hours.”

I agree, and he leaves me to it. Once I’m sure he’s gone, I leap out of bed and make a beeline for the door to my balcony, but find it locked. No matter what I do, it won’t open.

What in the gods? Someone’s trying to prevent me from leaving. Likely Amaros at my father’s request. I’m about to give up when a thought occurs to me. I close my eyes and place my hands against the doorframe while I picture it opening.

Dark smoky swirls leave my fingertips and graze over the wood. I try the door once more and find it’s unlocked. Now that’s some handy dark magic. Without another thought, I hurry to the edge of my balcony and leap off as my wings spring free. I shoot up into the air as high as I can and glide towards the far side of the Kingdom.

I haven’t been near the cells since my father caught Demetros, Lacinda, and me playing there when we were younger. We were in so much trouble, we never went back again. I didn’t understand at the time that we keep dangerous angels there.

A thought occurs to me.Finlay, are you there?

I’m greeted with nothing but silence. Typical. I despise the mind link, but the one time I actually need it, it doesn’t work. The sky is growing darker by the second, and I can see a stormbrewing. Thick, thunderous clouds roar in the distance, and the sky lights up with the crackle of lightning.

I spot the caves along the edge of the cliffside and swoop down, and then I land on the crimson rock ledge just as heavy rain begins to fall.

Two large male angels are standing guard, and I try to hide my shock. Of course they would be guarding the cells.

I casually walk over to them and plaster a smile on my face. “Afternoon. I’m here to visit Finlay Kallis.”

The guards don’t reply, instead giving me stern looks. They’re both young, and I wonder if they trained at the academy with me. Not all seconds are bonded to guardians, as sometimes the numbers are unbalanced, and those who aren’t are given guard duties instead. But I don’t recognise either of them.

“We were told no visitors,” one of them states.

Crap. “I understand, but he’s my second, and I have unfinished business to which I must attend.”

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