Page 101 of Wings of Death

He cracks an eye open and looks at me before closing it again. “It seems strange. Apollon, Atticus, Stavros, and Zalore are their names. Apollon created Zarquon. Stavros created your Kingdom, Silanthia. Zalore created Galespo, and Atticus… Well, they say he created the Kingdom of Gods. But no one knows anything about it, so it’s a bit of a myth.”

This is blowing my mind. It seems like important history that they should have taught us growing up, especially at the academy. I have never heard of Stavros, yet he’s the god who created our Kingdom. It bothers me that my father kept this from me.

And then an image of King Zalore from Galespo pops into my mind from the day they attacked in the clearing of the Dark Forest.

I stare at Kyle with wide eyes. “I met Zalore. He tried to take me back to Galespo when he and the other watchers attacked in the Dark Forest. Is he really a god?”

Kyle’s brows furrow, and he opens his mouth to answer when another voice speaks.

“Well, hello there.”

I jump to my feet to see two older angels walking toward us. The male is tall and muscular with broad shoulders, and he’s wearing a black shirt unbuttoned to reveal a toned and tanned chest with gold chains hanging around his neck, black trousers, and black polished shoes. His hands are buried in his pockets, and his expression is serious and somewhat frightening. He looks so much like Kyle.

I glance at the female, who is absolutely stunning, wearing a flowing white silk dress with a dipped neckline and a hem that grazes her ankles. Her long dark hair hangs to her waist, a slight wave showcasing the lighter tones. Her features are perfect, and she looks young, but I can tell by the way she holds herself that she isn’t.

Her lips curl into a wide smile, and her eyes hold a kindness that helps me relax a little.

“Mother, Father,” Kyle greets them, “this is Zarla Quinn.”

I swallow hard. “It’s lovely to meet you both,” I say as I shake hands with his mother, followed by his father, who still doesn’t smile.

“You can call me Zeta,” she says, “and this is my husband, Apollon.”

I try to hide my shock at his name. Surely it’s just a coincidence, and he’s not a god. I almost laugh at the thought. Of course he’s not.

I smile at them both. “Your Kingdom is beautiful. Kyle showed me around earlier.”

Apollon removes one hand from his trouser pocket and scratches his chin. “We rarely have outsiders to visit.”

I can tell my presence is difficult for him, and I don’t blame him. I’m sure my father would find it difficult to have an angel from Zarquon visit, too.

“Father, Zarla was injured. I had no choice but to bring her —”

He holds his hand up to silence him, and Kyle obeys. “I have already heard it, son. Although I do not condone it, I understand the circumstances, and I will allow it.”

His voice is deep and has an unfamiliar accent to it.

I give him a small smile. “Thank you.”

Zeta clasps her hands together. “Well then, Zarla, you are very welcome here, for as long as you need. Kyle’s told us a lot about you, and I must say, I am impressed. I also want to thank you for saving our son.”

I wave my hand. “Oh, no need to thank me. I was just doing my job protecting him.”

Well, that is true, but it’s much, much more than just a job to me. Kyle is everything to me. And I’m starting to believe he may be my fated mate. The one I am destined to be with.

She looks at me, and there’s a glint in her eye that tells me she knows it’s much more than just a job to me. “Well, regardless of the reasons, we have our son back. And I have you to thank for it.”

Kyle threads his fingers through mine and kisses me on the cheek. I feel myself blush and glance down.

“Gosh, you look just like your mother,” Zeta says.

My eyes snap up to meet hers. “You knew my mother?”

She steps closer and cups my cheek, and her gold bangles clang together. “I did. We were close friends. I am very happy to see you are okay, and I am thrilled to have you in our Kingdom.”

Apollon walks to Kyle’s side and gives him a half hug and a slap on the back. “I’ve got some business to attend to. I will see you tonight?”

“Yeah, we’ll see you then,” Kyle says.