Page 20 of Wings of Betrayal

He slowly turns his head and locks eyes with mine. “I’m so sorry.”

I frown at his words. I open my mouth to protest but find my throat is too dry to talk.

Why isn’t my body healing itself? A chill prickles my skin when I realise maybe I can’t heal myself from a lost one’s slash.

Voices sound in the hallway outside. It’s Finlay and Nilo.

Zarla, can you hear me? Are you okay?Finlay asks through my mind.

I wet my lips and try to swallow, but my mouth is too dry.

“Water,” I choke out, and a healer brings a glass to my lips.

I attempt to sit up and immediately regret the decision, so instead, I sip the water slowly while remaining on my stomach.

Zarla?Finlay says, his voice urgent.

I’m awake,I tell him.In pain, but I’m alive. I’m okay.

The door bursts open, and Finlay stands in the doorway with Nilo’s muscular arms wrapped around him, attempting to haul him back out. Finlay’s eyes find mine, and we stare at one another for a moment.

There’s a clang as Kyle knocks something off his table while trying to stand, and the healers attempt to restrain him.

“You!” Kyle’s voice booms as he points at him, and the healers advance on Finlay.

“Get out!” the one in charge yells, but Finlay doesn’t move as his gaze darts to mine.

I’m okay,I say.You’d better wait outside.

He gives the healer a sharp nod, and Nilo apologizes, then drags him outside and closes the doors. Kyle sits on his table and raises his hands in surrender as the healers scold him.

“Was that necessary?” I ask, my voice still raspy.

His jaw tenses, and he takes a long pause before responding. “Yes, it was.”

I can sense through the bond his ring provides that he blames himself for what happened to me. He feels responsible, even though he isn’t. I rushed into the fight, and I’d do it again in a heartbeat if he was in trouble.

“Kyle, this isn’t your fault.” I cough to clear my throat.

He lies on his back at the healer’s request and stares at the ceiling.

“You could’ve been killed. I put your life in danger.” His voice is quiet, almost distant.

“No, that’s not true.Youcould’ve been killed if we hadn’t shown up. You and the rest of your team. I could sense you were in trouble, and I don’t regret my actions. I’d do it again.”

He turns his head and stares at me.

“I wouldn’t hesitate to jump into any situation to save your life, and I know you would do the same for me.”

Before he can respond, Zeta bursts through the doors and hurries to Kyle’s side, scanning his body for injuries. “Thank the gods you’re all right.”

She takes his hand and gives it a squeeze, then looks over at me. “Zarla, thank you for being there. I’m glad you’re okay. The guards told me what happened.”

“Of course.”

“I have received word that Harlum and Zalore have agreed to meet. Thank you for initiating this, Zarla. I don’t doubt the weight your word had on Harlum. This situation is more serious than we realised, and we must act now.” She moves to my side. “Rest up, then get back to your Kingdom when you can. They will expect you at the meeting.”

After several more hours of sleep, the healers give us the all clear. They said they have never seen injuries like ours before, but they have done their best.

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