Page 69 of Wings of Betrayal

“Amaros wouldn’t be pleased, but I hardly care at this point.”

The nerve of this male.

“No!” a loud but strained voice shouts.

We both stare at Astelle.

She drags her gaze from the floor and shifts it up to meet mine. “I would allow no one to go through what I have had to endure. Even you, Zarla.”

Zalore shifts toward her, raising his hand, but I grab his wrist.

“Don’t! Please!” I beg.

He reluctantly drops his hand and faces me. “You are overstepping your place, female.”

Usually I would reply with something smart, but I can’t afford to anger the male any further. He’d just take it out on Astelle once I’m gone, and I won’t allow that.

“But the offer still stands,” he says.

I would take her place in a heartbeat if I could, but I can’t. Something untoward is going on, and Amaros seems to be at the heart of it, along with Zalore. If he takes me as his prisoner, or whatever it is he’s done to Astelle, I’ll never be able to find out the truth. I’ll never be able to find my father.

I swallow hard, praying to the gods that she’ll forgive me for this. “No, I can’t take her place.”

Astelle and I stare at one another for a moment, and I try my best to convey to her that I will return, and I will save her from this. She seems to understand, and she eventually stares back down at the floor.

“Very well, then,” Zalore states. “Was there anything else?”

I tear my focus from Astelle and take in a deep breath. “I think I know where my father is.”

Zalore frowns. “Harlum? I’m sure he’s sitting comfortably in his Kingdom, surrounded by females.”

I snort. “No, my real father. Large gold wings, blond hair, green eyes. Ring any bells?”

Astelle looks up, confusion etched into her perfect features. Perhaps now she will believe me.

Zalore laughs, running his gaze up and down my body. “No, that can’t be true.”

Something about his reaction tells me he knows exactly who I’m talking about.

“I cannot give you what you seek,” he says.

Without thinking, I reach out and touch his arm, and he flinches, eying my hand. “Please. I can tell you know him. He’s here, isn’t he? Just tell me where I can find him.”

He yanks his arm back, and I drop my hand. “Enough. You need to leave now, before I change my mind and decide to keep you after all.”

He is definitely lying. That much is obvious. But why? Why is it such a secret who my father is? Why can’t anyone give me any answers?

I take one last look at Astelle and attempt to reaffirm with her Iwillcome back, and Iwillsave her. I glance around at the other females, and they look back with helpless eyes, pleading for me to save them, too. And I will.

Enough is enough. If Zalore won’t give me any answers, Amaros will, even if I have to beat them out of him.

After I make it back into Silanthia, I storm through the castle hallways in search of Amaros. He’s not in Harlum’s quarters or the Great Library.

Great. Where in the gods is this male? I head to the academy, watching the sunset on the horizon as I fly high above the Kingdom. It’s the very end of the day now, so students will be finishing up and heading home.

Zarla! What the fuck!Finlay’s angry voice sounds in my mind.

Shoot. I had almost forgotten.I’m sorry about that, but I had to go.