Page 52 of Wings of Betrayal

I nod. “I will. Promise. Now go. I don’t want you to be late and give your parents another reason to dislike me.”

Once he’s gone, I turn to head back over to the gateway when voices cut through the still night air. I duck down behind a fallenlog and watch as Amaros forcefully hauls Astelle by her arm toward the gateway.

My skin prickles. What in gods is going on here?

CHAPTER TWELVE

“Let go of me!” Astelle demands as Amaros continues to drag her through the clearing toward the gateway.

I peer over the top of the fallen log I’m hiding behind and stare in shock at what I’m witnessing. What is he doing with her?

The gateway glows, and Zalore steps through it, flanked by two watchers.

Okay, this can’t be good. Do I help?

I hesitate for a moment before deciding to lie low and just watch for now. I don’t want to rush out and put myself in danger unnecessarily. Maybe they’re just having a chat. Maybe it’s nothing.

Although the feeling gnawing away inside my gut tells me that’s not what this is.

“Amaros, let me go!” she begs him once more.

“Zalore,” Amaros says in greeting with a dip of his head, ignoring Astelle.

“Amaros. And you must be Astelle. I remember you from the meeting I hosted in my Kingdom. I don’t think I could forget a face as beautiful as yours…” His voice lingers in the air as he eyes her up and down like a piece of meat.

Gross.

“What the hell’s going on here?” she asks.

Zalore lets out a deep, throaty laugh. “You didn’t tell her?”

Amaros remains silent.

“You’re my new mate,” Zalore states.

Um, come again?

“Excuse me?” Astelle gives Zalore a death stare before turning her gaze to Amaros. “Like hell I am.”

Zalore reaches out and strokes her cheek, and she rears back.

“Don’t be rude,” Amaros growls. “What he speaks of is true.”

Astelle’s mouth drops open, and then she slaps Amaros hard across the face. He simply rubs his cheek.

Zalore smirks. “I like a female with a bit of fight. Makes it more interesting.”

Amaros shoves Astelle into Zalore’s arms. “As promised.”

Hell no. This isn’t happening. I step out from behind the log and storm toward them.

The two watchers immediately shift into defensive mode, drawing their swords, but Amaros waves them off. They stand down.

“Let her be,” he instructs them. “She isn’t a threat.”

I snort. “Oh, I think I am.”

Zarla, everything okay?Finlay’s voice fills my mind.

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