Page 93 of Wings of Betrayal

I stay put. “Fuck you.”

He laughs. “If you wish.”

I shuffle back and lean up against the pillows. If I’m going to be forced to stay on his stupid bed, I’m going to be comfortable. “You will never be King in my eyes.”

He leans forward with his hands on the bed. “Well, get used to it. Because I am your King. And you will recognise me as such. In fact, finding out that your ‘father’ isn’t actually your real father, and that he’s lied to you your entire life, is quite the motive for murder, don’t you think?”

My eyes well up, and I bite my bottom lip, refusing to allow the tears to spill over. He doesn’t deserve my tears. I will my body to cooperate for once. Just once.

“Who the hell are you?” I ask.

He smirks. “You know exactly who I am. And I think deep down, you like it.”

I angrily wipe my eyes and huddle my knees into my chest, thankful I’m wearing Grazen’s T-shirt, the only comfort I have in here.

“It’s not too late to rule at my side. We could easily find Harlum’s killer, if you so choose.” He heads for the door then turns to face me. “When I get back, I want that watcher’s name.”

He raises his hand, and his black powers seep from his fingertips like a smoky vine. They travel across the room toward the balcony doors. The smoke-like vines find their way into the lock and seal me in.

I raise my hand and build my power, holding it at bay. “I will not be locked in here like a prisoner.”

“Just try it. Let’s see once and for all who’s really stronger,” he says, continuing to use his powers to lock me in.

I grit my teeth and blast my powers at him, but he’s faster and blocks them with his own. His powers override mine and I fall back on the bed.

Laughing, he steps outside the main door of his quarters and closes it behind him. His black smoky vines travel through that lock too, trapping me inside.

Tears sting my eyes. Kyle will sense something’s wrong. Hell, Finlay will too. Where is he?

I leap off the bed and try the door, despite knowing it will not open.

Okay, Finlay, I might be in trouble. Where are you?

Minutes pass, but there’s no response. Then I remember something. I rush over to the balcony doors and reach for my mother’s locket, tucked safely under Grazen’s T-shirt. I hold it up against the lock, and it immediately clicks open. Closing my eyes, I press the locket to my lips.

Thank you.

I find my cloak and throw it over my shoulders. It drips a trail of rainwater across his floor as I make my way back to the balcony. Good. I hope he slips in it and breaks his damn neck.

Sorry, what’s up? Amaros has his guards following me.

Bastard. I carefully open the doors and step out onto the balcony. If Amaros sees me, I’m screwed. But I’ve got to do something.

He locked me in his quarters, but I’ve just escaped out onto his balcony. I’m going to Zarquon.

Fuck. Be careful. I’ll come if I can lose these guards,he tells me.

I creep across the balcony and peek over the ledge to ensure there’s no one around. Rain pelts down on me, but I’m still wet from earlier, so it doesn’t matter.

I know. You be careful too,I tell him.It’s not safe here anymore. For any of us.

I will. If I can get away, I’ll meet you in Zarquon.

Leaping off the balcony, I spread my wings and shoot up high above the castle grounds. Raindrops hit my face like tiny bullets, but I ignore the discomfort. I’ve got to get higher. Once I’m where I need to be, I fly as fast as my wings can carry me toward the Dark Forest. I don’t dare look behind me for fear I’m being chased. Hell, maybe I am.

Within minutes, I’m at the edge of the forest, and I swoop down lower, flying just above the treetops. I’m so familiar with the forest now, I could probably find the clearing with my eyes closed. But I won’t try that, at least not today. I’ve got to get to the gateway. If I don’t escape now, I don’t know that I ever will.

I spot the gap up ahead where the clearing is, swoop down through it, and land on the grass near the river. I’ve become so familiar with the gateway’s subtle glow, and I head straight for it, scanning my surroundings to make sure I haven’t been followed.

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