Page 87 of Wings of Death

The dress sparkles in the dim glow from the fire, and I can’t help but glide my fingers over the delicate fabric of the dress. I don’t recall seeing this one in her wardrobe, but then again, she had far too many to remember. It reminds me of the golden gown she was wearing earlier when I visited her. Gods, I miss her already.

I spend the next half an hour showering, and when the water cools, I step out and towel myself off. The mirror is foggy, and I dry it off and stare at my reflection. My forest-green eyes stareback at me, and I recall something from my mother’s journal. She mentioned my eyes are the same as my father’s, but his eyes aren’t green, are they?

There’s a knock at the door, disrupting my thoughts, and I tighten my towel around myself as I hurry to answer it. I open it to see Lissian standing before me wearing a gorgeous pale-blue gown.

“Hi, dear, I wanted to check on you and make sure you got your mother’s gown I had delivered,” she says, looking past me to the bed where the gown is laid out.

I glance behind me. “I did. It’s beautiful,” I say and then gesture to her. “Gosh, you look amazing.”

She swirls her dress around to show it off. “I know,” she says with a wink. “Would you like some help to get ready?”

“I think I can manage. Thanks though,” I say.

It’s kind of her to offer, but in the mood I’m in, I need to be alone so I can try to clear my head before the social onslaught.

She gives me a nod but lingers in the doorway, and I can tell there’s something more to her visit.

“Was there something else?” I ask.

She leans in close. “How did you get on in the Great Library looking into fallen angels? I haven’t asked you since our talk.”

I gesture for her to come into my room and then close the door. “I did it. It wasn’t easy, but I harnessed the dark magic and restored his wings.” I hold my hands up to stop her from interrupting and quickly add, “Before you worry, it’s fine. It was perfectly safe, and it worked. Kyle has his wings back.”

She presses her lips together and reaches out to stroke my arm. “I won’t lie and say I am thrilled to hear how you restored them, but I am happy for you both. I am sure it meant the world to Kyle.”

I give her hand a squeeze. “Thanks, Lissian.”

She moves toward the door. “Very well, then. I shall see you at the ball.”

Once she’s gone, I head back into my bathroom and dry my hair. I’m stepping into my mother’s gown when there’s a knock at the door again, and I can’t help but smile. I pull the gown up over my chest and hold it in place as I shuffle over to answer it.

“I don’t need any help—” My heart leaps in my chest when I see Rimel and Yimel, and their eyes trace down my body. Feeling uncomfortable with being half dressed, I close the door slightly and position myself behind it.

“Zarla,” Rimel acknowledges me. “We’re here to escort you to the ball.”

That’s strange. And very unnecessary. I don’t need escorting around my castle, least of all by these creeps.

“Do you need a hand with your dress?” Rimel asks, and my skin crawls.

I bite my lip and try not to show how much that offer unsettles me. “Ah, no thanks, I’ve got it.”

He shoves the door open, causing me to stumble back, and I stare at him in shock.

“Don’t be silly,” he says in a condescending tone. “I know how tricky those things can be.”

I back up as he moves closer, his six-foot-four frame towering over me.

Yimel steps inside after him and closes the door.

My stomach drops. I glance down to see my ring glowing red and mentally prepare myself to use my powers.

“Are you afraid of me?” Rimel asks.

I swallow hard. “No,” I lie, “but I said I don’t need help. Please leave.”

He ignores me, takes my upper arms, and spins me around.

I brace my hands against the wall as my mind races, and I try to think of what to do next. Gods above, if he touches me, I’m going to blast him with my power.

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