Page 80 of Wings of Betrayal
I’m on my way back to the castle,I tell him and quickly change directions.
I could actually do with a shower and a change of leathers before I venture back into Galespo. And if I don’t meet with Finlay, he will suspect something, I’m sure.
I’ll meet you there,he replies.
I fly to my balcony, the quickest way in and the best way to avoid bumping into Amaros. I strip down and have a quick shower before changing into fresh leathers. As soon as my corset is on, there’s a knock on my balcony door, and Finlay waves at me through the glass.
I let him in, and he hugs me.
“You didn’t have to clean up on my behalf,” he jokes as he steps into my quarters.
I roll my eyes. “Ha-ha. Very funny.”
He folds his arms and tilts his head as he studies me. “You’re up to something.”
Dammit. How does he do that?
Because I can get inside your head, remember?
I throw my arms in the air and storm into my wardrobe to find my leather boots. “Fine. I was planning to go back to Galespo.”
“Like hell you are!”
Finlay draws closer to stand in the doorway to my walk-in wardrobe. Ignoring him, I tug my leather boots on and strap my daggers to my thighs.
“I mean it, Zarla. You can’t just go there on a whim whenever you feel like it. Especially on your own. Zalore could have taken you as his prisoner.”
I snatch up my mother’s locket and fasten it around my neck. “He wouldn’t have been able to. Trust me.”
He snorts. “Yeah, because you can totally fend off a seven-foot god.”
I spin around. Sarcastic prick.
“You know I’m right,” he says.
Rolling my eyes, I push past him on my way out. “No actually, I don’t. And for the record, I don’t plan to bump into him this time.”
Finlay follows me into my room and sits on the end of my bed as I move about, getting myself ready to go. “Seriously, though. Let me come with you.”
I swing my cloak over my shoulders and fasten the buttons down my front. “No.”
He raises his brows. “When did you get so damn stubborn?”
I can’t help but laugh at that. Then, letting out a sigh, I sit down next to him. “Look, I know you’re only trying to help. And I appreciate it. I really do. But I will not risk your life after everything you’ve been through.”
He runs a hand through his blond hair in frustration. “That’s for me to decide, not you. I chose to be your guard for a reason. I’m supposed to protect you, to be there for you when you need me. And I feel like I haven’t been able to do that lately. You keep rushing off and doing your own thing, endangering your life and having no one there to help you when things go pear-shaped.”
I rest my hand on his knee. “I love how seriously you take being my guard. How much you care about keeping me safe. But some things I must go at alone. And this is one of those. I have never met my real father, and if I find him, it’s just something I have to do myself. I hope you understand that.”
He leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “I still think I should go with you. But I can see you don’t want that.”
I reach out and cup his cheek, forcing him to look at me. “It’s not about not wanting you to come with me. It’s about me needing to do this alone.”
Understanding crosses his features as he nods. “Okay, I get it. But by the gods, be careful.”
I get to my feet and tug him up with me. “I will, I promise.”
“Because I cannot mind-link with you when you’re there.”