Page 38 of Wings of Betrayal

She closes her eyes and takes in a deep breath before letting the air whoosh out of her lungs. “Oh, Zarla. I know this is messy, but in time, Kyle will forgive you. I am sure of it. Amaros is an older male. He should have known better.”

“You can’t stay in here like this. It isn’t healthy,” Finlay says as he fiddles with an apple, passing it from one hand to the other in the most annoying way possible.

I’m lying in bed, trying to pretend he isn’t here, but it’s not working.

First, he got into my head, literally, telling me to get outside for some fresh air. When that didn’t work, he came to my room and has been coming here every day for the past week to coerce me to go with him. He’s getting on my nerves to the point that I may just have to give in to get him off my case.

He takes a bite of the apple, and the crunch of it is too much.

I throw the covers off and leap to my feet. “All right, all right. Just get out already!”

He smirks and runs his tongue over his teeth. “Thatta girl. Now, I have a surprise for you. Something that’ll be sure to cheer you up. Get your leathers on and meet me out front in ten.”

He leaves the room, and I let out a sigh. Finally, some peace and quiet. I take a quick shower and get ready.

Although I don’t really feel like whatever it is he has planned, he’s right. I can’t just stay in here for the rest of my life, despitehow tempting that may sound right about now. I dress in my leathers as instructed and head for the door.

Ticktock,Finlay’s annoying voice says in my head.

Oh, shut it! I’m coming,I reply, and he laughs.

I find Finlay waiting for me near the gates to the castle, and I storm over to him, fidgeting with my daggers. He eyes them somewhat cautiously, as if he thinks I may just stab him. I must admit, the thought crossed my mind.

“So what is this surprise, then? It had better be good, Finlay.” I roll my eyes and slip my daggers into their holsters.

He strums his fingers together as a wide grin spreads across his lips. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

I scoff and impatiently fold my arms across my chest. “Ah, yes, I would. Hence why I just asked.”

“Just follow me, okay?” He releases his wings and takes off toward the Kingdom gates, and I follow.

A spark ignites inside me when I realise we’re going to Earth. What has he got planned? We free-fall through the clouds until an unfamiliar city appears before us, and I put my veil in place as we glide down and land on the cobblestone street. It’s beautiful, wherever we are, and the air is fresh here. I take in a deep breath, and the scent of fresh-cut flowers fills my nose from a flower stall on the corner.

Finlay takes my hand, and I smile at him.

“Thank you for this,” I tell him, sweat beading on my forehead beneath the sun’s rays. “It wasn’t what I expected.”

He jiggles his brows up and down. “Pretty good, huh? But this isn’t the surprise. Come on.”

Curious, I follow along as he drags me down several streets past small storefronts selling various things from baked goods to jewelry. We round another corner, and there’s a beautiful park up ahead with lush green grass framed by tall trees.

I’m wondering what in the gods we’re doing here when I spot Demetros and Lacinda on a park bench about a hundred feet away.

My eyes must’ve grown twice their size as I quickly look at Finlay. He shoots me a wink and nods in their direction, and I run toward them. Lacinda spots me first, and she leaps to her feet and sprints to me. We crash into one another in a tight embrace.

“Oh my gosh, I have missed you so much!” she squeals.

“Me too!” I pull back and grab her hands, giving them a squeeze. “How have you been?”

Two enormous arms wrap around me from behind, lifting me up, and I let out a squeak as the air squeezes from my lungs.

“Hey, girl, long time no see!”

“Demetros! Put me down!” I say through a laugh.

He sets me down, and I wrap my arms around him. It feels so damn good to see them. I can’t remember the last time I did, but it’s been way too long.

Finlay soon joins us, and Demetros gives him a fist bump.

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