Page 81 of Wings of Death

The crowd erupts into gasps, and his father covers his face as his mother cries out from the front row.

“You will have your wings torn off and be thrown down to Earth. You will remain on Earth for fifty years before your sentence will be revoked and you can return to the Kingdom of Silanthia.”

Finlay’s gaze meets mine, his eyes filled with sadness as tears spill down his cheeks.

A sob breaks through my lips, and Demetros pulls me into his side, wrapping his arm around me.

Two guards grab Finlay under the arms, haul him to his feet, and lead him from The Throne room as his mother rushes to his father and collapses in his arms. They hold one another as the crowds disperse, but I can’t bring myself to leave.

This is all my fault. I should have done more to stop it.

Lacinda is at my side in an instant, and she and Demetros gently guide me out of The Throne room. I collapse on the grass outside as sobs wrack my body. Despite how difficult our relationship has been, Finlay and I are bonded. We share a connection that no one else can ever understand, and I let him down.

“I can’t believe they are allowing angels to watch it,” Lacinda is saying as my mind refocuses. “It’s disgusting.”

I blink back the tears and look at them. “What?”

Demetros raises his brows. “It’s pretty messed up.”

Lacinda rubs my back and shoots a look at Demetros. “Let’s not talk about it. How you holding up?”

I wipe my cheeks, unsure how I’m feeling as a numbness takes hold. “I’m not sure.”

She pulls me in for a hug, and Demetros moves closer, taking my hand.

“We’re here for you, always,” he says.

After a few minutes, once the tears have stopped, I sit up.

“I know this isn’t the best time,” Lacinda says gently, “but I am dying to know what happened with Kyle. Did you restore his wings?”

A fresh wave of pain ignites inside me, and I grab my stomach to hold myself together.

“I’m sorry. It’s not a good time. We can talk about it later,” she quickly says.

I shake my head and meet her eyes. “No, it’s okay. I restored his wings.” My voice is quiet, weak, and it doesn’t sound like mine.

Her eyes widen, and she grabs my hands. “Oh my gods, Zarla! That’s amazing!”

I swallow the lump forming in my throat. “Then Finlay and the watchers attacked, and Amaros took me back to Silanthia, leaving Kyle injured and alone on Earth.”

Her mouth drops open as my lips quiver, and I feel a fresh wave of tears coming on.

“I’m sure he’s fine,” Demetros says, and I know he’s only trying to make me feel better.

Lacinda tucks her hair behind her ears. “I’m so sorry, Zarla. What can we do?”

My vision blurs as tears fill my eyes before spilling over. “I don’t know. My father has forbidden me to leave the Kingdom. He’s used some kind of powerful magic to prevent it.”

She squeezes my hand and looks at Demetros.

“I think I need some space,” I say and get to my feet.

Before they can say anything else, I release my wings and take off into the sky, heading for the one place I know will help to settle me. The Dark Forest comes into view, and I glide down to a clearing near the boundary and land with a soft thud on the grass. Autumn leaves dance around my feet as a gentle breeze blows by.

I close my eyes and breathe in the earthy scents of the forest. Being out here is freeing, and I can finally breathe again. Today has been big, and it’s taken a huge toll on me. Hell, these past few weeks have taken a huge toll on me. I feel so alone. I have lost Kyle, and now Finlay.

“Zarla…”

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