Page 97 of Wings of Betrayal

“Zarla, it’s good to see you again. I have been worried about you,” she says with a kind smile before embracing me.

“It’s good to see you both, too.”

Apollon gives me a nod rather than a hug, as per usual, and gestures for us to sit. “I can sense something is wrong. I take it that’s why you have come, Zarla?”

Kyle sits on the couch opposite his parents and gently tugs me down next to him. His parents set their drinks down on a large carved wooden coffee table positioned between the couches.

“I’m not sure if you have already heard,” I begin, “but Amaros has taken the throne. He’s the new King of Silanthia. He’s out of control. I spoke with a watcher in Galespo who told me Zalore and Amaros are working together. They’re using the fifth weapon of the gods to open portals and build an army of lost ones.”

They both glance at one another, concern etched on their faces.

“We heard about Amaros being voted in as King by The Throne angels,” Apollon says. “However, he and Zalore working together is news to us both.”

Kyle leans forward. “Zarla said this watcher overheard a conversation between the two of them. They are planning to kill us, Father.”

Apollon roars with laughter. “Let them try, son.”

Relief washes over me at how unconcerned Apollon appears to be by this.

“Zalore has my sister,” I explain. “Amaros gave her to him in return for Zalore sending his watchers to attack Kyle and my Kingdom. I have to save her. The way she’s being treated is disgusting.”

Apollon leans back on the couch and stretches his arm over the back. “That is typical of the watchers. Particularly Zalore. He is a ruthless male. However, attempting to take something of his won’t go down well.”

“She is nothis,” I firmly state.

Kyle rubs my back, somehow calming me down. “We just need a solid plan, that’s all. It can be done.”

Apollon stands, holding out his hand to help Zeta up off the couch. “We will speak with the council about all of this and make a plan from there.”

Kyle and I stand too, and once Apollon and Zeta have left, he lifts me into the air and kisses me. “I want to take you somewhere. While all of this is being discussed, we have time. And I want to spend it with you. Alone.”

Warmth spreads through me at the thought of spending time alone with him. “I’d like that.”

Kyle takes me out to the forest, and we land amongst enormous trees. It’s a part of Zarquon I haven’t been to before, and it’s stunning. A blanket of green moss covers everything in sight, from the forest floor to the fallen logs. This section of the forest overlooks the ocean, and I can scent the salty air as it gently blows through the trees.

“I want to show you something,” he says with an excited glint in his eyes.

I link my fingers through his, and his large hand consumes mine. “Okay.”

He gently tugs me along through the trees until we arrive at the base of a hill, where a vast stone face stretches along the entire hillside. There’s an opening in the stone wall; it’s a cave. It instantly reminds me of the one in the Spirit Realm, sending a shiver up my spine. But it’s not the same. This one doesn’t have that sinister feeling about it like the other one.

Kyle leads me into the opening, and a soft green glow illuminates the cave ahead.

“Where are you taking me?” I ask.

He chuckles. “You’ll see.”

We venture farther into the cave, and then I spot them. Tiny glowing spots cover the roof of the cave, like stars in the nightsky. I gasp in awe at how beautiful it is. I’ve never seen anything like it.

“What is that?” I ask, staring up at them.

I glance over at Kyle, and he’s watching me with interest.

“They’re glow beetles.”

“They’re beautiful.”

“Come on.” He leads me farther into the cave toward a deep natural pool, about the size of my quarters back in my castle.

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