Page 34 of Fated

He opened his arms toward me, and it took a moment for realization to hit.

“Oh! Oh God, you want to—fly with me?” My voice shook and stammered.

Now, I was afraid.

“It’s the only way to get you out of here unnoticed, but we need to hurry,” he said with urgency in his voice.

I was terrified of heights, just looking out the window of a tall building frightened me, and now—now, he actually wanted me to fly with him?

I bit down on my lip, anxiety pulsing through me, but there was no other choice. He was getting me out of here, away from where the king would come looking for me. Drawing in a deep breath, I steeled myself, and forcing down the fear, stepped closer.

With surprising gentleness, he slipped one arm under my legs, the other around my back and lifted me to his chest. I sank into the magic making me want to be close to him, letting it wash over me, praying for it to calm the panic threatening to overwhelm me. Ash’s wings began to beat in the air with a powerful grace, the ground disappearing beneath us.

My stomach twisted and flipped so violently I felt like I might be sick. Trembling from head to toe, I glanced up at him.

His eyes caught my gaze, striking me with their soft, sorrowful expression—every trace of his usual cocky arrogance gone. “I won’t drop you, Areya.”

I nodded, believing him, but one more look at the rapidly shrinking ground below sent my stomach plummeting again. I threw my arms around his neck, burying my face in his chest. Myteeth chattered as I gulped down shaky breaths, trying to calm the terror.

I felt Ash’s chin rest atop my head, and we stayed that way until a gentle thud broke the silence. We had landed, but I still didn’t move.

“I can set you down now.”

Slowly, I lifted my head and looked around. Before us stood a solid rock wall, another hidden doorway, no doubt. He set me on my feet, but the second I tried to step forward, a wave of dizziness washed over me, making me stumble. Ash caught me by the waist, steadying me.

“You ok?” he asked, raising one brow.

My face flushed with embarrassment, and I nodded.

But on seeing where exactly I was standing, a tidal wave of fear washed over me. We weren’t on solid ground at all, but on a narrow ledge, jutting out some hundreds of feet above the ground. I glanced toward the edge, my eyes trailing to the steep drop into oblivion.

Panic surged anew, making me latch onto Ash’s arm with a death grip.

He glanced down, and for a fleeting second, there seemed to be the faintest hint of a smile. But then it vanished, replaced by that sad expression again.

“It’s not funny,” my small voice whimpered.

He said nothing, just wrapped his arm around my waist and guided me toward the rock wall. With a swift motion, he waved his hand over the stone, revealing a hidden door. He slid it open, and we stepped inside. It was dark, and the air was cool and quiet. Ash pulled a lighter from his pocket, igniting a lantern on the wall, its warm glow casting flickering shadows. He thenlit several more lanterns around the space, revealing a spacious cave with a domed roof.

The inside of the cave was immaculate, not a cobweb in sight. It had to be some type of magic. In the very center of the cavernous void was a black leather couch.

“What is this place?” I asked.

“Calyx and I used to come here in the early days, back when we were training. We came to escape the other rippers. No one knows it exists besides Calyx, but he’d never lead anyone here.”

He crossed the room, his wings vanishing before he fell back on the couch with a heavy sigh.

I followed, hesitating a moment before sitting down next to him.

“What exactly is happening here?” My voice was barely steady.

“I honestly don’t know,” he muttered, bowing his head into his hands. “I just kidnapped the king’s most wanted person. No one has ever betrayed the king.”

He lifted his head and ran his hand through his hair. “Shit.”

“Why did you do it?”

“I don’t really know, Areya. I guess I lost my fucking mind. Do you know why no one has ever betrayed the king?” He looked directly at me.

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