Page 15 of Tortured Royals

~ Princess Blake ~

We exit the forest, walking out onto farmlands, and Prince Callan leads us down a hill to a narrow dirt road. From the lack of footprints and markings, it’s been some time since it’s been traveled. Not that I’m surprised. In a land of angels, I doubt walking is common. We pass farms with trees bursting with golden fruit, and herds of braying four-legged animals that remind me of the cows I’ve seen in the human realm.

Over the following hours, on two occasions the road seems to disappear entirely until Prince Callan finds it again. My wings are heavy as I follow the prince, streams of sunlight beating down on us.

Mason comes up beside me, sweat coating his brown skin. “Will you remind me why we aren’t using my portal ring right now, my mate?”

I stop where I am, my gaze sliding from the golden fields around us and settling on his face.

Nate groans. “Fuck, I forgot about that thing.”

I wipe the sweat from my forehead.

“And you couldn’t have reminded us about it sooner?” Dante asks.

Mason fiddles with the ring on his finger. “I can’t use it as I wouldn’t be able to visualize our end destination. When no one asked, I figured there must be a reason.” He turns to Prince Callan. “But you know where we’re going. You could use it.”

I glare at Prince Callan, who looks more annoyed than relieved at Mason’s reminder.

“I had hoped with time you would all come to your senses,” the archangel says simply.

“Unbelievable,”Shade gripes.“Are you telling me we didn’t need to walk all that way in this heat?”

“To be fair, I think it’s only been a few hours, and you haven’t walked a single step,”I reply.

“That’s not the point.”

Sighing, I pinch the bridge of my nose. “We’re seeing your queen,” I tell Prince Callan. “Now, are you going to use the portal ring or not?”

The prince strides close to me. So close that his chest almost presses against mine. “You’re not taking this seriously.”

“I am,” I say, gritting my teeth. “But you’re not takingmeseriously.” I want to be angry, but his gaze dips to my lips, and his scent makes my head light. I swallow hard. “I’ve told you already. We’re seeing your queen. Once she’s heard us, we’ll be on our way.”

Worry shines in Prince Callan’s eyes, but it’s gone a second later.

He stares at me for a moment longer, and then he steps back, holding his hand out to Mason. “Pass it to me.”

The centaur places the ring on Prince Callan’s palm. As the archangel encloses the ring with his fingers, I blurt, “Theweapon. The angel your mother has under her control. What can they do?”

Prince Callan stiffens, his expression darkening, but he doesn’t reply and steps away from the group. Turning to the stretch of road before him, he closes his eyes, muttering something under his breath. A moment later, a portal appears, a circle of flames flickering in the light breeze carrying over the fields.

“Where does it go?” Alaric growls.

Prince Callan keeps his focus on the portal. “To the front gates of the palace.”

“Oh, thank god,”Shade mutters, stretching out her wings from her position on my shoulder.“I wasn’t sure how much longer I could last in this heat.”

I grin.“You know, you could have gone back to Seral with Dad.”

She squawks in my head.“And miss out on all the fun? I don’t think so.”

When I look up, Prince Callan pins me with a stare. “Keep close to me, and when we meet the queen, let me do the talking.”

I open my mouth to protest, but he turns, stepping into the portal.

Cursing, I share a look with the others before I follow him.

I emerge from the portal onto a white stone bridge, and my hands immediately fly to my weapons. At least half a dozen armored guards circle the gateway, but before I can draw my blades, Prince Callan is by my side.

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