Page 30 of Wings of Betrayal

Take care.

I head for the balcony of my quarters when I change my mind and decide to visit Amaros. I have been enjoying spending time with him, and we have rebuilt some of the trust that was lost. Of course, I have many unanswered questions about his involvement with Hethenos, but I know I will be ready to ask about that soon.

I land with a soft thud on his balcony and cross towards the windows, but when I spot him with Astelle, I frown. He has her pinned up against the wall, kissing her with such passion it makes my heart ache.

What am I doing? I know I should leave, but I can’t.

He reaches his hand down, slides it through the split in her dress, and then moves it between her legs. Her head falls back, seemingly enjoying his touch. He traces kisses down her neck before slipping the strap of her dress down, revealing her breast. He takes her nipple into his mouth, nipping at her delicate skin.

What are you doing? Just leave!I tell myself.

He then glides his hands down her thighs, gathers her dress up, and lifts her. She wraps her legs around his waist.

Finally, my shock breaks enough that I can move. I run to the edge of the balcony and dive off.

That lying bastard. How many times has he told me Astelle is nothing to him? He knows she tried to kill me. He acted as if he wanted to mend things with me. But that doesn’t mean he wants to be with me. Gods above, what an idiot.

I make my way to the Great Library, needing a distraction. Suda is nowhere to be found, so I scan the aisles of books myself looking for anything about the lost ones. But no matter how hard I try, I can’t get the image of Amaros and Astelle out of my mind.

I slam a book back into place and let out a frustrated grunt.Get it together already,I tell myself.

Then a book catches my eye. I step forward and gently pull it from the shelf. It’s thick with a worn leather cover, but unlike most books in this place, it’s not dusty. Someone has read it recently. I’m sure of it. I take it over to a nearby table and flip through the pages before an image jumps out at me. It looks just like a lost one. I read out the section next to the picture.

Once angels of the gods, lost ones are dangerous souls with whom there is no redemption. With no escape, they now reside in the Realm of Lost Souls for all eternity.

“Zarla?”

I jump as Amaros appears before me. His face is flushed, and it sickens me at the thought of why. I get to my feet and shove the book back onto the shelf, ignoring him completely as I leave the Great Library.

“Zarla, wait!” he calls out after me.

He grabs hold of my arm, and I shake him loose as I spin around to face him. I grit my teeth and glare at him.

His brows draw together, apparently confused at my reaction. “What’s wrong?”

“Where were you just now? Before you came to find me?”

A knowing look crosses his features, and I can practically see his mind racing as he attempts to come up with a good enough lie.

He scratches the back of his head. “Oh, I was…ah… I was just with Harlum. Why’s that?”

I shake my head and storm away from him. Bastard. He’s seriously going to start with the lies again? After everything he’s already put me through? And to think I was beginning to trust this male again. I mentally slap myself.

His hand wraps around my arm once more, but this time, he doesn’t let go. I fight against his grip, but he manhandles me up against the corridor wall, pinning my arms up by my head.

“Zarla, stop!”

I breathe heavily through my nose while I glare at the lying bastard.

“I don’t understand. What’s wrong?”

I scoff. “Seriously? You’re going to stand before me and lie to my face? Again?”

He closes his eyes as the realisation sets in that I know.

“You bastard! I saw you with her!”

“It isn’t what you think.”

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