Page 8 of Wings of Death

I have never thought too much about what powers I want. I always assumed the sacred golden fountain will choose them for us, whatever they are to be. What would I choose? I haven’t yet told him about my mother’s daggers, or that I have, in fact, harnessed my first power. The last thing I want is more attention on me, especially when this ceremony is about the both of us.

He arches a brow at me, and I open my mouth to speak when my father’s voice fills the air.

“Welcome, angels, to another guardian angel ceremony!”

The room fills with applause, and after a moment, he raises his hands, and there is an almost instant silence. I glance around the Grand Hall, which can seat a thousand angels. But tonight, it holds several hundred, most of which are angels from the academy, their families, and the high-level angel families.

The Grand Hall has impossibly high ceilings. Etched into the white walls are various images of angels dancing, epic feasts, and beautiful landscapes from within the Kingdom. The floor is polished marble, and there are several enormous chandeliers spaced around the hall, hanging in mid-air thanks to some sort of magic. It’s one of the most impressive places within the entire Kingdom and is the usual place for events of the utmost importance.

My focus shifts back to my father as he continues.

“Now, as you all know, my beautiful daughter Zarla is here this evening, and I want to wish her a happy birthday. Eighteen years old today, and I couldn’t be more proud.”

My cheeks flush, and Demetros glares at me, clearly not impressed. I may have neglected to mention that it’s my birthday. But in my defence, I’ve never been that big into celebrating them anyway.

“And as tradition goes,” my father continues, “I call upon her to join me up here and be the first angel of the evening to become a guardian!”

My cheeks burn as I stand and make my way up to the stage. My father and I aren’t close, but he doesn’t miss the opportunity to pretend otherwise. Appearances are important to him. I catch Astelle glaring at me and can’t help but feel for her. She’s to become a guardian this evening, too. Why did my father have to single me out?

I’m starting to understand why she feels the way she does about me. Our father hardly makes it easy for her, clearly displaying at every opportunity that I am his favourite. Hell, he didn’t even allow her to take his last name. It makes no sense to me, as it’s only during public displays and never in private. He doesn’t hate me or anything, but he puts in little effort with me.

My father takes my hand as I bow to him, and he then holds it up high in the air. Applause fills the hall once more, and he guides me toward the sacred golden fountain. It’s as if time slows as I make my way toward it, my red and gold robes gliding along the stage behind me. The fountain takes up most of the stage and could pass for a swimming pool due to its size.

It’s deep, too. I gulp as he releases my hand and takes a step back. It’s up to me now. Instinct kicks in as I take in a deep breath and step forward, placing my hands on the edge of the fountain. My reflection peers back at me, and my eyes show the fear and uncertainty circulating throughout my body.

And then I hear it. The gentle sobs of a human. A male.

I furrow my brows as I search the water, unsure of what I am hearing or what I am supposed to be seeing, and then a light shines up out of the water, so bright I have to shield myself from it. I blink a few times and soon adjust to it. And then I see him, my human. He is sitting in a chair next to a bed in a small white room. There’s a woman in the bed, and she’s dying. That much I know.

The male is gorgeous. I have never seen a male like him before. My breath catches as I watch him, and a strong need grows deep inside me to be with him. I dip my hand into the water, reaching out to him, and a pain like no other rips through my body.

It’s his pain. I am feeling what he is feeling. The grief and sorrow are almost unbearable. I cry out and cover my mouth for a moment as I desperately try to adjust to it. The strong need togo to him builds inside me. I want to comfort him, to be there for him. I reach farther into the water, and the image disappears before my eyes as the water ripples back to my reflection.

A white light shines up out of the water, and I slip my other hand in on instinct. As I do, light bursts from the water, snaking up my arms, and a burning sensation grates up my skin along with it. I scream as markings form from my fingers and trace up my arms. I immediately recognise these as my guardian markings, which allow me to travel between our Kingdom and Earth.

My heart races as I frantically search the water, and I become aware of my father’s hand on my shoulder.

“Congratulations, my daughter. That is your human, Kyle Smith. You are now bonded to him, and these markings will allow you to travel freely between Earth and our Kingdom.”

Tears threaten to fall as I stare into my father’s eyes, before remembering I am being watched by an entire hall full of angels. I need to compose myself.

I swallow the lump in my throat and bow my head to my father. “Thank you, my King.”

He ushers me back to the centre of the stage, and I kneel before him as he takes his gold, diamond-encrusted sword and gently places it down on my shoulder.

“Zarla Quinn, daughter of mine, I, Harlum Quinn, ruler of this Kingdom, hereby name you Guardian Zarla Quinn. The magic of the gods within the sacred golden fountain has bonded you to a human with whom you are to protect. You will abide by the ancient angel laws and guardian over him. Do you accept?”

I lock my gaze with his and nod. “Yes, my King. I accept.”

He takes my hand and gently pulls me to my feet while the audience applauds. All but one, I notice, as my eyes meet Astelle’s. She looks unimpressed, as usual. Lacinda steals my attention, and I smile as she claps furiously in the crowd.

“Now, you must be bonded to your second.”

This is the moment I have been dreading. Nerves swirl in the pit of my stomach as I take deep breaths and await my fate.

My father waves his hand across the crowd and red magic flows from his fingers out into the room, swarming around the tables of angels, before finally encircling my chosen second. My heart sinks when I see who it is. Finlay. His lips curl up at the sides into a sadistic smirk, and I somehow feel it was planned. Impossible, though. The gods who forged the Kingdoms made this decision. Their power resides over us all, and their decision is final.

He stands and makes his way to the stage. I try to avoid eye contact, unsuccessfully, as his cold amethyst eyes bore into mine. He grips my hand and holds it up in the air. His grip is tighter than needed, and I wince at the pain before he loosens his hold on me.

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