Page 74 of Wings of Betrayal
They glance at one another, and I see the sympathy in their expressions that tell me they believe me.
“We’ve been asked to bring you in. You can explain what happened when we do.”
Like hell. “I know how this works. As soon as you have me, you’ll never let me go. I’ll be blamed for this. I know I will. It’s a setup.”
I’ve got to escape, and this is the only chance I’ll get. I blast my powers at the guards and leap into the air, flying overtop of them. Gods above, please let me make it through. The gateway glows in the magical way that it does, and as I draw closer, I picture Kyle and Zarquon and then fly straight through it.
A scream ripples from my chest as I free-fall in the darkness. The familiar small opening appears, growing in size, and before I prepare for it, I land hard on my side on the grass near the forest. My heart thumps so darn fast that I feel as though it may stop altogether. I scan the forest as I scurry back, half expecting the two guards to land on the grass before me. But they don’t.
My body shakes uncontrollably, and then the reality of what’s just happened kicks in. I let out a scream. Tears wet my cheeks as my mind reels. How did this happen?
Kyle, I need you.
Just as the thought passes through my mind, Kyle swoops down and lands next to me, his black wings stretched out wide at his sides. I meet his worried gaze, and without a word, he scoops me up and lifts off into the sky. I wrap my arms around his neck and bury my face into his shoulder as uncontrollable sobs wrack my body.
“I’ve got you,” he whispers.
When he lands, I can’t tear myself away from him. He carries me for a bit before setting me down somewhere soft. His bed. Then he climbs next to me and pulls me against him.
“It’s okay. You’re safe,” he gently reassures me.
I spend the next few minutes taking deep breaths, trying to calm myself enough to explain what’s happened. Images of Harlum’s lifeless body haunt my mind. Lying in a pool of his own blood, pale, staring back at me. Sure, he wasn’t the best father figure, but he has been my father for my entire life, and now he’s gone.
Kyle strokes his hand up and down my arm, soothing me enough to stop my shaking. “I need to know what happened. You’re scaring me.”
I wipe my fingers under my eyes, drying my tears, and reposition myself so I can look at him. But when I open my mouth to say it, I can’t. It’s like my throat is too dry and raw and won’t allow the words to pass through. My lip quivers as the tears start again.
He tucks me under his arm and holds me for a while longer. “How about I get you some of my mother’s tea? It should help calm you enough so you can at least explain what’s happened.”
I give him a small nod and then move over so he can get up. He disappears from the room and reappears a while later. He holds a tray with a pale-blue teapot and two gold teacups with swirls of deep blue over them, representing the waves in the ocean. They’re beautiful. Kyle pours some tea into the two cups and then holds one out to me.
I sit up against the pillows and take the hot cup between my hands, breathing in the delicious floral scent that immediately reminds me of Zeta. I take a sip, and sure enough, the warm liquid travels down my throat, and with it, a wave of calming energy flows over me.
“Harlum’s dead.”
Kyle’s mouth gapes open, and he drops onto the bed next to me.
“I found him.”
He takes my teacup from my hands, sets it down next to the bed, and then pulls me into his chest and holds me. Surprisingly, no more tears come, and I know it’s the tea working its magic.
“I’m so sorry.”
I pull back from him and tuck my hair behind my ears. “I found him dead in his quarters, and Amaros and some guards walked in. They think I did it. So I escaped and came here through the gateway.”
He takes my hand and gives it a squeeze. “It’s okay. We’ll figure this out.”
“I think Amaros killed him. The way he looked at me, as if he knew he had me exactly where he wanted me. It was all part of his plan.”
He strokes my cheek with his free hand. “We need to tell my parents about this.”
I reluctantly agree, knowing it’s the right thing to do. But what if they think I did it? They don’t know me well enough yet to just take my word that I didn’t.
Sensing my worry, Kyle hands me my teacup, and I take another sip. The warm liquid calms me once more, and I relax.
“They won’t judge you. They know Amaros is bad news. Come on. The sooner we get this over with, the better.” He takes my teacup and sets it down, then holds his hand out to me and pulls me up off the bed. He links his fingers through mine. “We’ll get through this together.”
Kyle’s parents agree I should remain within their Kingdom, knowing it isn’t safe back in mine. The thought of going back to Silanthia now feels daunting. Amaros has probably already alerted half the Kingdom, maybe even The Throne. Warning them of the dangerous fugitive on the run who killed her own father, and their King, Harlum. How can I ever go back?