Page 88 of Wings of Betrayal

Gods above, poor male. “It’s fine, honestly. I’m sorry. I just felt you needed comforting.”

He wipes his eyes, and when he finally faces me again, he’s composed but a little flushed. It’s cute, I must admit. Gosh, never thought I’d be describing a watcher as cute.

“As just friends,” he states with a smirk. “That male of yours is one lucky bastard. I’ll give him that.”

I chuckle and hug him once more. “I like you. You’re one of the good ones.”

He rubs my back. “Yeah, I know. Thank fuck I found you before anyone else did. We’re not very common.”

I try not to think too hard on that, knowing what most males here are like and how they seem to treat females. If I wasn’t with Kyle, I would happily stay here with Grazen. He definitely makes me feel safe. I’ll have to keep an eye out for a female who could be worthy of him.

“Thank you,” I say, glancing up at him. “You’re pretty special. I appreciate all your help.”

He gently nudges my arm. “You’re not bad yourself. For a female.”

I roll my eyes. “So where exactly are my leathers, and are they dry? I really should get back.”

He crosses the room and grabs them off a drying rack hanging from the ceiling in the corner I hadn’t even noticed, andhe hands them to me. Thankfully, they are dry. I smile at him then take them back into the room to get changed. I throw his T-shirt back over the top, deciding it wouldn’t hurt to keep it, and then tie my cloak around my neck.

When I step out into the living area, he hands me my daggers. “Can’t forget these. I know what they are, by the way. Never thought I’d hold them in my hands.”

I strap them to my thighs. “Yeah, they’re very special. They were my mother’s, but it was wise to take them from me. I probably would have stabbed you.”

He arches a brow at me then picks up his leather jacket from the back of one of the dining chairs and slips it on. “I don’t doubt it. Come on. I’ll get you back safely.”

He opens the door, and I follow him outside, thankful to find the sun already making its descent. It helps to blend in when it’s darker.

He takes my hand and tugs me through the streets while I keep my head down. In less than twenty minutes, we’re at the familiar large gate on the outskirts of the city. We pass through it and continue on toward the mountain.

“I wish you could stay,” he breathes, a note of sadness in his voice.

I glance up at the large, handsome, stubborn, yet incredibly sweet male. A part of me wishes I could stay, too. But there’s only one male for me, and I know he’ll be incredibly worried. I need to get back to Silanthia, and I just hope no one noticed I was gone. Especially Amaros. Maybe Finlay covered for me somehow.

“I’ve really enjoyed spending time with you,” I tell him, and I mean it.

He glances down at me just before we get to the base of the mountain. “So have I.”

Silence passes between us for the next few minutes as we head up the mountainside, his large hand clutching mine the entire time.

“Why is Zalore like that with females?” I ask to break the silence.

His full lips press firmly together in a line. “I cannot begin to understand why that male is the way he is. I don’t know if there is an explanation for it. Some are just born cruel, and others are made that way, molded into it throughout childhood and beyond. I do not know which one it is for Zalore.”

I swallow hard. “He has my sister.”

His gaze shifts to mine as his lips part. “Zarla, why didn’t you say something?”

I avert my gaze, kicking a rock across the path as we continue to climb the mountain. We’re not too far from the top now.

I shrug. “I don’t know. There’s nothing you could have done about it.”

He lets out a long breath. “He’s an evil male, and without trying to frighten you, I fear for any female within his presence.”

“I’m going to get her back.”

He stops walking, pulling me to a halt along with him. “Zarla, you cannot attempt to rescue her. You can’t put your life on the line like that, no matter who it’s for.”

I bite my bottom lip and look away from him, knowing he’s right, but knowing I don’t have a choice either way. He will kill her if he has her much longer.

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