Page 145 of Wings of Betrayal

“I know. Thank you,” she says. “So you found our real father?”

I note the change of subject, and I’m sure she can handle talking about her ordeal for only so long.

“I did,” I tell her as I look up at the night sky. “But I have no idea where he is now. I’d like to say he’ll be back, but I really don’t know.”

Nilo hovers nearby, and I can sense how protective he seems to be of Astelle. He was the one who took her back to Zarquon after everything that went down in Galespo, and it appears they have grown closer since then.

Astelle smiles at him, and it warms my heart to see her happy. Especially with a male of worth.

“Nilo is an amazing male,” I tell her.

“He’s really been there for me.”

I slip my arm around her shoulder, and we stand together for some time.

“You deserve all the happiness in the world, Astelle,” I finally say. “And I mean that.”

“As do you.”

Nilo is still hovering there, waiting for her. She looks back at him, and her cheeks flush.

“Go,” I tell her. “We can chat more later.”

She gives my arm a gentle squeeze then heads over to Nilo. I’m about to join Kyle by the fire when I catch Em watching me again. But then she stalks off and disappears through the crowd.

What is she even doing here? She doesn’t want to celebrate with us.

“Be careful with that one,” Lacinda says from beside me, and I immediately know she’s referring to Em.

“I know. I don’t trust the female, and I don’t think I ever will.” I take another sip of my bubbles, finishing it off.

Demetros heads over to join us and lifts me up into a big bear hug. “The ceremony was epic. I’m so happy we were here for it.”

I giggle as he sets me down. “I’m happy you were both here for it, too.”

Demetros shoots Lacinda a look as if to say,Should we bring it up or not?, and I narrow my eyes in suspicion.

“What is it?” I ask.

He scratches his chin. “This probably isn’t the best time, but we may not see you for a while after tonight.”

I look between them. “Just tell me.”

Demetros’s brows pull together. “We’re both anxious about what’s going on back in Silanthia. We talked about it, and we know it’s dangerous to go back, but we don’t feel that we have a choice. We have to speak to The Throne angels about Amaros. He cannot be allowed to rule. It’s our home, and he’s going to destroy it.”

I understand what he’s saying because I, too, have had the same thoughts. “It is dangerous to go back. I wish I could, but I can’t.”

Lacinda rubs my arm. “We don’t expect you to go back. It’s very different for you than it is for us. We would never expect you to. It’s just something we have to do.” She pauses as if deciding whether to say more. “We also feel we should escort the messenger angels back with Finlay’s body.”

My throat tightens, and a sad smile touches my lips because I know she’s right. Finlay deserves people who know him to take him home, and it angers me that Amaros stole that opportunity from me.

“I think that’s a nice idea,” I say.

I say my goodbyes to my friends, and once they’ve gone, I decide to take a walk. I need some space to think. My chest aches, and there’s a void in my mind where Finlay’s voice used to be that feels as though it could swallow me whole at any moment. My vision blurs a little, and I need some air.

I set my empty glass down on a nearby table. Kyle is still sitting by the fire, and I walk over to join him.

I lean down and gently kiss his lips. “I’m going for a walk. I’ll be back soon, okay?”

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