Page 35 of Wings of Betrayal

A smile tugs at my lips as the memories of being here with Kyle filter through my mind. Warmth swells my chest to have them back. He reaches out and tucks my hair behind my ear so he can better study my face, and I turn to him.

“I can’t believe we knew one another. It’s no wonder you felt so familiar to me that first time I saw you,” I say quietly.

A gust blows past the door and ruffles the trees outside, and I huddle closer to Kyle. He wraps an arm around me as I lean against him.

“Pretty crazy, right?” he says. “And also pretty special.”

I stroke his muscular arm wrapped across my chest, circling the dragon tail tattoo there with my finger. It’s mesmerizing and stunning all at the same time.

“Really special,” I agree.

Footsteps sound outside the hut, and Kyle immediately climbs out the entrance and draws his sword. I follow quickly behind him to see two messenger angels, looking a little uneasy in the presence of Kyle.

“Miss Quinn,” one of them says and clears his throat as he eyes Kyle’s sword. “Your father has requested that you and your…guest join him and Lissian for dinner this evening.”

Kyle and I look at one another, and he puts his sword away.

“Oh, okay, sure,” I respond. “Where will it be?”

He eyes Kyle cautiously. “In the red dining room at the castle, miss. In one hour.”

The messenger angels both nod before taking off and disappearing into the sky.

“Are you okay having dinner with us?” I ask nervously.

Kyle takes hold of my hand and gives it a squeeze. “More than okay with it. It would be good to get to know Harlum better.”

My heart warms at that. “Okay, then. Well, we’d better go.”

We head back to my quarters where Lissian has kindly left a change of clothes for Kyle, and I’m amazed she knows his size. The black tux fits him like a glove, and I can’t stop gawking at how handsome he looks in it. I’m wearing a fitted golden gown that just touches the floor. My hair is clipped to the side, and my thick waves hang over my left shoulder. We look pretty good together.

“Stunning,” Kyle says as he eyes me up and down, and my cheeks flush.

He extends his elbow out, and I link my arm through his, then we make our way down to the red dining room. Harlum and Lissian are already there, seated at the table, and they both stand as we enter. The room is, of course, red, hence the name. From the walls, to the carpet, to the candle and flower display in the center of the table. Red and gold are the royal colours of our Kingdom, and Harlum wanted a room to represent that.

“My beautiful daughter.” Harlum embraces me with a kiss on my cheek. He then extends his hand out to Kyle. “Kyle. It’s good to finally meet you.”

“And you, sir.”

Lissian hugs me and then hugs Kyle too, who for a moment seems unsure how to respond. I know he’s probably worried whether Harlum will mind, but he eventually returns the hug.

“It’s lovely to see you again, Kyle,” Lissian says. “I remember how cute you were as a young angel, and here you are as big and handsome as ever.”

Harlum clears his throat, and she swats his arm, then gestures to the table.

“Shall we?” she asks.

We sit down at the table set for four, and I wonder why Astelle isn’t here. But before I can ask, the keepers enter the dining room and place a small salad in front of each of us.

“So, Kyle. How have you found Silanthia?” Harlum asks before tucking into his salad.

Kyle absent-mindedly drags his fork around his plate, moving the lettuce leaves about. “It’s been great. Zarla showed me through the city earlier, and we visited the Dark Forest. I have fond memories of this place. Now, at least.”

“I’m glad to hear it.” Harlum takes the last bite of his salad, and the keepers return to clear the plates away, despite the rest of us not being finished yet.

Always on the King’s terms.

“I know it must be strange being here,” Lissian says. “We are all on edge after everything that has happened with the lost ones. I’m sure Zarla appreciates your company during these dark times.”

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