Page 43 of Wings of Betrayal

Thanks for letting me know. Be careful,I reply.

I think I may need to pay Astelle a visit myself. We should clear the air, if at all possible.

I will,Finlay says.

I wait a while until I’m sure the watchers are gone, and Amaros and Finlay are long gone, too, before I emerge from the Dark Forest. I want to check on the Zelons who saved us. Although their healing abilities are impressive, we have to be careful. As long as none of them die anytime soon, we should be okay.

I fly at speed toward the castle and land on my balcony. I decide that to avoid questions, I’ll take a shortcut through my room and head straight for Astelle’s. The castle is quiet, and I only spot a few keepers wandering about tidying, as per usual. Astelle may even be asleep since it’s late.

I stop outside her quarters and calm my nerves by taking a deep breath before knocking. Movement sounds from the other side of the door as she crosses the room to answer.

She takes one look at me and attempts to slam the door in my face, but I’m much quicker, and I shove my leather boot inside the gap before she has the chance.

“It’s important,” I tell her.

She grits her teeth and takes a moment as she considers her options before stepping back. I gently push the door all the way open and walk inside.

I have never been inside Astelle’s quarters before. Everything has an elegant feel to it that matches her entire attitude and the way in which she holds herself. The walls are a turquoise blue with gold trim. Her four-poster bed sits in the center of the room, with luscious white silk draped over the top. There’s a white marble fireplace across the room with two comfortable-looking cream armchairs positioned in front of it.

The decor is simple, yet stylish. It’s very…Astelle.

I follow her across the room, where she sits in the armchair by the lit fire and gestures for me to do the same. She crosses her legs, and the long black nightgown she’s wearing opens to reveal her polished, tanned skin. The warm crackle of the firewood helps to calm some of the tension.

“I’m going to get straight to the point,” I say, and she raises her brows. “Why did you stab me?”

She smirks, and I can tell it’s a fond memory of hers.

Right. Okay, then.

“It seemed like a good idea at the time. No one would question it, given the injuries caused by the explosion.”

I scratch my chin as I mull over her blasé way of explaining it, as if it’s no big deal.

She watches me closely and folds her arms across her chest while the smirk leaves her lips. “Iamsorry for it, by the way. I shouldn’t have done it. But my entire life, you have stolen the spotlight from me. And now you’re trying to steal the one male I actually care about.”

I lean forward on the edge of my chair. “That’s not what’s going on here. Amaros told me he loves me. There have been many things I have learned about him, and I don’t trust him like I once did. He’s being sneaky, and it seems like he’s saying the same things to the both of us.”

Astelle narrows her eyes at me then glances down at her perfectly manicured gold nails. “I don’t believe you. Why would he tell me he loves me if he loves you?”

I shake my head. “I don’t really know what he’s trying to do, but I plan to find out. There’s a lot to talk about, more important matters.”

I pause to survey her expression before I continue. “My mother told me that Harlum isn’t our real father.”

Her eyes widen, and she parts her lips and sits forward. “Why would you lie about such a thing?”

“I’m not lying, Astelle. It’s true. In my mother’s journals, she wrote about how I had my father’s green eyes. Harlum’s eyes aren’t green. And…your mother confirmed it as well.”

She glares at me without saying a word, and I decide while I have her attention, and before she potentially kicks me out of her room, I better finish.

“A memory came back to me from when I was young.” I swallow hard. “The memory of Hethenos killing my mother. I’m sorry to tell you this, but it’s true. I remember, and Hethenos admitted it. And…Amaros was there, too. Then my real father,ourreal father, showed up and took my mother away. He had green eyes, just like mine. You look like him, too. He’s a very handsome male. He has blond hair, and he’s huge. A powerful male, with these amazing gold wings. I think… I think he’s a god.”

Astelle abruptly stands, pinching the bridge of her nose as she squeezes her eyes closed for a moment. “I have no idea what kind of kick you’re getting out of telling such lies, but I won’t listen to any more of them.” She presses her hands on her hips and glares at me. “It’s your fault my mother is dead, and now you’re trying to take my father, and Amaros, away from me too!”

“Astelle—”

“My mother warned me about you. She warned me you might try to lie to me about important parts of my life, and to never believe you.”

I get to my feet and hold my hands up in defence. “Astelle, that’s not what I’m doing?—”

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