Page 29 of Fallen Angels

“The forest?” Cambion repeats, doubt lacing his tone.

“The forest,” Dragan responds.

“Have you forgotten what’s in the Forest in the Clouds?” Cambion asks.

Dragan turns to face him with an angry expression, no doubt exacerbated by the fact that Eilish hasn’t left my side since I returned. “Of course, I haven’t forgotten,” he responds.

“Then you’d realize what you’re proposing is pure idiocy,” Cambion continues.

“Returning to that palace is pure idiocy,” Dragan argues. “Or trying our luck against the Possession Runes is pure idiocy. At least we have a chance in the forest.”

“The forest it is,” I say as I watch Eilish swallow hard.

Dragan says nothing but assumes the role of leader and our ragtag group moves from the cover of the shed to the cover of the forest just bordering the palace.

***

CAMBION

The Forest in the Sky

We slept for four days in those cells. Lost time we will never regain. The guilt of Raflamir’s disloyalty rests heavily on my shoulders. I know they blame me. They aren’t exactly subtle—I can see the truth in their eyes. And it’s a truth that shames me to the depths of my being. Raflamir will pay for his treachery. He will pay for making a mockery of me.

My gaze shifts to Eilish. I wonder what favors she performed in the privacy of Variant’s chambers that persuaded the false king to keep her alive. Not only alive but it appeared he’d become quite fond of her during the short time of their association. Her shimmering gown is proof enough. Yes, there must be a reason. Perhaps she willingly spread her legs for him, whispering sweet lies to stroke his ego.

Variant has had his choice of women for as long as I can remember, and a good fuck was never capable of winning him over. Could it be that sex with the demoness is beyond good? It must be! If I’m to take Baron and Dragan as examples, the two of them are clearly blindsided by the Succubus.

I will never allow myself to fall under her spell. I know the treachery that lies in the heart of the Succubae.

She is no different.

My thoughts return to the same subject that has been haunting me ever since we were captured—Theren, my brother.

Aima’s arrival at Raflamir’s home only confirmed my suspicions that Theren played a starring role in our betrayal. I would not be surprised if Raflamir reported to Theren that we were housed under his roof and Theren sent Aima to gather proof. Then, once he had that proof, Theren reported us to Variant, who then ordered his soldiers to attack and take us prisoner.

Aima…

I’ve known Aima most my life, but she seems quite different from the woman I once loved. She was soft and passive then, a scholar more than a fighter, but she knew how to defend herself. Now, it’s as if that person no longer exists. And, yet, I saw glimpses of the sweet, young woman I had known all those years ago before my brother turned her into the person she is today.

I have to admit I found myself staring at Aima more than I was comfortable. When she appeared at Raflamir’s door, Iwas wholly taken aback and once the surprise settled, I was overcome with old and raw feelings and memories. I had cared for her once. I had loved her.

Perhaps Aima still has some sort of hold over me? A hold that protects me from Eilish’s seduction? It’s obvious that both Dragan and Baron, men who have never truly loved before, struggle much harder than I when it comes to resisting Eilish’s feminine wiles.

But Aima is not mine and she never was. I loved her, yes, but she never returned the feelings. She loved Theren, instead.

The years have lessened the pain. It is a beautiful truth about time—it does help to heal wounds. And the affection I once felt for Aima has certainly lessened as well.

My eyes stray to Eilish once more. I feel the beat of my heart quickening when she glances my way. The sway of her hips is tantalizing, hypnotizing in the way she strolls through the tall grass.

We walk among the rolling amber hills as the sun continues its descent beyond the mountains in the distance. Soon we will find ourselves in survival mode as the abominations of this forest take notice of us.

Eilish stumbles, jostling me out of my thoughts, and I reach out to catch her. Once my hand touches her arm, I see a flash of white and a vision of Variant being thrown across the floor. Shocked, I jump away from her and she faces me with wide eyes.

“What did you see?” she asks, fear in her expression.

“Nothing,” I say, not in the mood to discuss anything with her. Instead, I prefer to avoid her wherever possible.

I don’t allow her time to argue. Instead, I hurry past her and move in time with Dragan. “There’s nowhere to hide,” I say, motioning to the endless trees that surround us.

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