Chapter 22

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

I ’m standing near the back entrance of the hall, and the idea of sneaking out the door to find Kyle passes through my mind for the millionth time. I’m almost certain I can go unnoticed. That is, until I spot Amaros across the room, watching me again.

Shoot. How am I going to escape him? He’s been watching me like a hawk ever since my father handed him off to be my first guard.

I never needed personal guards before, so why now?

My glass is almost empty, and I decide to hell with it, downing the last of it. Amaros shoots me a disapproving glare, but I ignore him.

Astelle is on the dance floor with her friends, and they keep looking at me. I can only imagine what she’s said about Amaros and me. They probably think I’m some evil bitch trying to steal her male from her.

I move through the crowds toward the bar, desperate for another drink. I’ll have one more drink, I decide, and then I’m out. There’s only so much of this I can take. I can’t get Kyle out of my mind, and I need to find him. To hell with Amaros and everyone else. I am a grown-ass guardian. I can make my own decisions.

The keeper slides another bubbly over to me, and I notice the napkin beneath it has a message scribbled across it. I subtly pick it up and lower it below the bar to read it.

Zarla, meet me in private in the spare kitchen out the back. Come alone.

I frown and scan the hall and then glance at the keeper behind the bar. He doesn’t look my way, likely just as in the dark who the note is from as I. I screw it up and toss it into a fire on my way toward the back.

Amaros is preoccupied with Astelle, who is trying to convince him to dance. He takes his eyes off me to talk to her, and I take the opportunity to duck behind a group of angels. I peek out to see him looking around the hall for me as he’s dragged onto the dance floor.

Perfect.

I slip out the back and remove one of my daggers from my straps. Despite my curiosity, I still have to be careful. This could very well be a trap. The lighting is dim back here as I pass the main kitchen and carry on down the corridor toward the second kitchen. I used to hang out back here a bit when I was younger, and the keepers would make me snacks.

As if sensing my trepidation, dark magic swirls from my fingertips, reassuring me. Ever since harnessing the dark magic, I have felt safer. Stronger.

The door to the spare kitchen is up ahead, and the lights are off. I peer through the small window in the door but can’t see much. Taking a deep breath, I press my hand against the door, and it swings open without a sound as I step into the dark space.

“Zarla?”

I jump at the familiar voice and place a hand over my racing heart, squinting through the darkness as I walk forward and see Mikel, one of my father’s first guards, hovering near the back bench.

Woah. Not who I was expecting. Although, this can still be a trap, so I need to keep my distance.

“I trust you got my notes,” he says, immediately diminishing any concerns I have about it being a trap.

“It was you? This entire time?” I ask in amazement, and then slip my dagger back into my straps.

“I’m sorry I wasn’t able to let you know sooner. I had to be careful. Someone is always watching.”

Using my powers, I create a ball of white light between my hands and illuminate the kitchen. Mikel’s features are torn with concern, and I can sense that it has been a burden for him holding on to these secrets.

“Where did you find my mother’s locket?”

His eyes soften. “I was there the night she was murdered.”

The shock I feel must show on my face. Mikel takes my hand.

“Not in her quarters, but out in the corridor,” he assures me. “I heard a commotion followed by a scream, and several angels fled her quarters. I couldn’t see clearly from where I was, and the darkness didn’t help. But I am almost certain I saw a female and two males.”

My mouth gapes open. Two males? So two other males helped Hethenos. I ball my fists as anger ignites inside me like a raging inferno.

“I know it’s a lot to take in. But I felt it was time you knew.”

I nod, taking deep breaths to calm myself. “Thank you for telling me,” I say. “What did you do?”

He drags a hand down the side of his face, seeming to replay the memory in his mind. “I crept into her quarters and found your mother lying in a pool of blood on the floor, and you were crying in your cot. I knew her locket was powerful. She told me as much. She also told me if anything ever happened to her, to ensure I kept it safe for you. So I took it.”

Fresh pain slices through my heart, and I take in a sharp breath, picturing the scene as my ball of light power dissipates.

Pain stabs at my head, and I stumble against the bench. Mikel takes my arm to steady me as I cry out, pressing my hand into my head.

“Are you all right?” he asks as he continues to hold me up.

I crease my brows with worry. “I don’t know. It’s my head,” I explain as the pain slowly eases to a dull ache.

“Can I get you to a healer?” he frantically asks.

The pain gradually subsides, and I’m able to think straight again. What in the gods was that?

“No, no. I think I’m okay now.”

“You’re sure?”

I nod, and once he’s sure I’m okay, he lets me go and continues.

“It was strange, though. When I told your father of what I saw, he was very calm about it. Almost too calm, in my opinion, and simply said he would look into it.”

I frown at his words. That seems like a strange reaction to have. Shouldn’t he have rushed out of there and gone to find her, to see for himself? Was he not concerned about me?

“He eventually told everyone that it was an angel from our enemy Kingdom, Zarquon, who killed your mother.” He pauses for a moment. “There was no inquiry into her death. We never saw her body, or I didn’t see it again, at least. And no one was arrested or put before The Throne. I don’t even think anyone tried to communicate with the angels from Zarquon about it. It was all very fishy, and it never felt right to me. Who was this angel, and how did they get into the Kingdom, let alone the castle?”

I relight my ball of power, illuminating the kitchen in a soft glow once more.

“This is a lot,” I say, and then decide I better explain what I know.

I tell Mikel about Kyle, how he isn’t human. I tell him about the conversation he witnessed with whom we believe was between Hethenos and another male, discussing my mother’s murder. And I tell him of the watcher attacks, what Finlay did, and how I think someone put him up to it. His eyes widen, and he gasps now and again as he listens.

“I’ve always suspected Hethenos was involved. She was quite jealous of your mother.”

I pull my daggers from my straps. “Do you know much about these?”

Recognition flashes in his features. “They were your mothers,” he says as his eyes briefly meet mine before dropping back to the daggers. “They were very special to her, and I knew she wanted you to have them. Did the Guardian Master give them to you?”

I nod.

“She trusted him,” he states. “I know they are powerful, but that’s about all I know of them, I’m afraid.”

I slip them back into my straps. “They gave me the power to heal,” I tell him, and his mouth drops open.

There’s a bang out in the corridor, and we both look toward the door.

“Must be the keepers,” he says.

Although I am worried someone could come in here at any moment, I still have many questions. “Did you know about her journals?”

He folds his arms over his chest and leans up against the steel bench. “I would often watch over her, not at your father’s request, but because I cared about her. She was always kind to me, so in return, I looked out for her. She didn’t trust easily, and she was concerned about her welfare. I would often find her writing in her journals.

“One day I asked her about them, and she showed me a hidden space in her wardrobe where she kept them. She told me if anything ever happened to her, to ensure I kept them hidden and to one day tell you about them.”

I feel even more comfortable with Mikel than I already did, knowing my mother trusted him this much. “And you knew about the ring?” I ask, holding it up.

I’ve been careful not to draw too much attention to it, but I decided I had to wear it now because of the danger I’m in. It’s not safe for me anymore, and the ring will at least alert me to any impending danger.

Mikel takes my hand and studies the ring, careful not to touch it. “It is a magnificent ring. And weapon.” His eyes meet mine.

“So you know about the weapons of the gods?”

His expression turns serious, as though we are speaking of something highly taboo. “I do. She told me about them. But before you ask, she did not mention where she got them from.”

Shoot. I was hoping she had confided in him about them.

“Are you hungry?” he suddenly asks. “Because I could probably sneak us some snacks from the other kitchen if you like. I remember how much you enjoyed hanging around the kitchen.” He gives me a wink.

I can’t help but laugh at his way of lightening the mood. “I’m fine, really, but thanks.”

He gives me a nod and folds his arms over his chest as he leans against the bench.

“What am I supposed to do, Mikel? Hethenos most likely killed my mother, along with two other males by the sound of it. She can’t get away with this, but I don’t know what I can do. We have no proof other than what you and Kyle witnessed all those years ago, and The Throne is unlikely to be willing to listen to testimony from an archangel of Zarquon.”

The thought of Kyle stabs at my heart as I close my eyes and take a deep breath. I feel Mikel’s hand on my arm, and I open my eyes.

“It will be okay. The gods are watching over us all, and they will want justice. The time will come, Zarla. Be patient.”

I wrap my arms around him as my throat closes in, and I try to swallow back my tears. “Thank you, Mikel,” I whisper.

He returns the hug and gently pats me on the back. “Serona was a wonderful angel, and a wonderful mother,” he says as I pull back. “I swore to her I would look out for you. I have, and I will continue to do so.”

He brushes a tear from my cheek.

“Gods, I miss her. I wish I could have known her,” I say.

I don’t tell him I did, in fact, get to spend time with her recently. I don’t know that he will understand, and it somehow feels private. Just between the two of us.

His focus shifts toward the door, anxiety lacing his features. “You’d better get back before someone notices you’re missing.”

I move toward the door, and when I turn to thank him, he’s gone. I hurry back out into the ball, realising it’s too late. Someone already noticed I was missing. Amaros is moving from crowd to crowd, questioning angels, no doubt asking if they have seen me.

I subtly make my way to the bar for another drink, pretending I’ve been there the entire time. It’s not long before Amaros is standing before me, glaring down at me. I take a long sip of my bubbly, maintaining eye contact with him. If he wants a stare down, I can do that.

His shoulders slump as he gives in and orders himself a drink. I smile, enjoying the win. He drinks the entire thing, places his empty glass down on the bar, and then tugs me by the arm to the side of the room.

“Hey, easy,” I protest, pulling my arm free.

He braces one hand against the wall next to my head and leans in close, and my breath catches at his proximity.

“Where were you?” he demands.

I study his face and find genuine concern there. What does he think happened to me? There is no danger here. We’re in the castle, surrounded by guards and guardian angels, all of whom know how to fight, and almost all of whom have powers to defend the Kingdom from whatever threat surfaces.

And one who murdered my mother , I mentally remind myself.

“I have been here the entire time,” I say, a half-truth. It’s not like I left the ball or anything.

He takes my chin in his fingers and tilts my head up to him so he can look me in the eye. “Don’t play games with me. I have been looking for you everywhere.”

I move my head to the side, and he drops his hand. “I’m not.”

His gaze drops to my lips, hovering there for a moment, and then traces down my body as he moves in a little closer. Gods above, not again. We need to keep our distance. He cannot be my guard if this is to happen every time we are around one another.

I swallow hard, biting my bottom lip. Kyle’s face shifts to the forefront of my mind, and it’s enough to clear my clouded judgement. I slip out of Amaros’s hold and move to the side.

I spot Demetros through the crowd, watching us. Confusion twists his features, and he quickly looks away.

Shoot. Things are far too complicated already without having to explain this to him.

“Stay where I can see you, or I’m going to have to stick much, much closer,” he says, as if it’s a threat, but we both know it’s exactly what he wants to do.

I don’t respond, and he leaves me alone and moves back to the bar, where he continues to watch me from afar.

“There you are.”

I turn to find my father approaching, his long grey hair pulled back into a bun. He’s wearing white and gold robes. He opens his arms, and I reluctantly hug him.

“Father,” I say, still mad at him after our last encounter.

He glances over my dress, and recognition flashes in his eyes. “Your mother looked beautiful in that dress,” he says with a pause, “as do you.”

I lean my back up against the wall. “You have a good memory.”

He chuckles and glances out at the crowds. “It’s not that. If you saw her, you wouldn’t have forgotten either. She was very memorable like that. Always the most fashionable female in the room. Hethenos was—” He stops midsentence when he sees me tense at the mention of her name, and frowns. “I know the two of you haven’t had the best relationship…”

I step off from the wall and clench my fists. “No, we haven’t. I do not want to speak about her.”

He scans the room and spots her near the dance floor chatting with several male angels. I notice the twins are hovering close by, almost like they’re her guards.

He watches her for a moment before looking at me. “I know you don’t understand my affections for her?—”

I can’t help but laugh.

“ But ,” he continues, emphasising the word, “she is a very passionate female. She cares for me a great deal. She is my wife, Zarla. We have a daughter together.”

I cringe at his words. “I am well aware of that, believe me.”

He sighs. “She was never good to you. I know that. I was thankful Lissian stepped in when she did. She stepped in, and she raised you.” He pauses, and I almost wonder if he’s finished talking when he suddenly continues. “I know I haven’t been the best father to you, but that doesn’t mean I don’t care. You know I love you, and I will always care about you. I may not agree with certain choices that you make, but I am proud of you. I am proud of the strong female you have become, and I know your mother would be proud too.”

I squeeze my eyes closed. “Yes, she is,” I say and walk off through the crowds.

I’m not ready for that conversation. I need more time. And until I can prove what I suspect about Hethenos, I can’t risk mentioning it. And I wouldn’t at a ball anyway. I have my doubts about whether he’ll believe me, regardless of whatever evidence I present to him. But I have to try at some point.

Astelle and four of her friends surround me.

“Sister,” Astelle greets me, practically spitting the word out.

I don’t respond, knowing she has no intention of being nice.

She looks at her friends and then back at me. “Are you wearing your mother’s gown? That’s a bit tacky, isn’t it?”

I grit my teeth together as my powers surge within me.

Contain yourself, Zarla , the voice in my mind tells me.

Although it’s almost impossible when she is such a bitch all the time. How dare she.

Her red lips curl up at the sides, pleased to get a reaction out of me. It always appears to be her goal in life, to upset me or prod at old wounds. It’s some sort of sick and twisted game to her.

I eye her up and down. “I don’t think you’re one to comment on being tacky, and my mother’s choice in dresses is anything but.”

Her friends all giggle, and she glares at them before setting her blue eyes on me.

She takes a step forward. “I saw you with Amaros earlier. Do you really think he has any interest in you when he can have me ?”

Is she for real? She’s totally and utterly delusional. “I’ve told you there is nothing between Amaros and me.”

She stares down her nose at me. “You could never be worthy of him. You have no idea how special he is.”

I swallow, trying to hide the small smile threatening my lips. “If you have to be this concerned about Amaros being into me, then if I were you, I would take a look in the mirror. Because clearly there’s something missing if his eyes are elsewhere.”

With that, I turn to leave, but she grips my arm, digging her nails in.

“You think you’re better than me?” she taunts. “Look at me. I’m better than you in every way. I’m a better fighter, I’m a better daughter, I’m better looking, and I’m better at giving him what he wants.”

I yank my arm free as tears threaten to fall.

“Amaros only wants you because it’s a challenge for him. He enjoys the hunt. He will tire of you eventually, and when he does, I will be waiting for him.”

I hurry away from her and run right into Amaros. When my eyes meet his, I find they are laced with concern and anger.

He steps past me and storms toward Astelle. “You do not speak to her again, do you understand? If I hear of anything like this happening again, there will be repercussions.”

His voice is harsh, but I don’t care. She deserves it.

I cross the floor, making a beeline for the exit when Amaros catches up to me.

“Are you all right?” he asks, gently taking my arm to stop me.

I wipe my cheeks, hoping he didn’t see the tears. “I’m fine.”

He studies my face before responding. “I heard what she said back there, and none of it’s true. I’ve seen you fight, and I know you’d kick her bony ass now. Your father adores you, and dare I say it, more so than her. You are the most beautiful female I have ever laid eyes on, and although you can be severely stubborn, I know for certain that you could give me everything I want, desire, and need.”

He strokes my cheek as our gazes lock, and I believe his words. He abruptly drops his hand and takes a step back when I notice many eyes watching us.

I open my mouth to speak when a sudden explosion rips through the Great Hall. I’m thrown back as darkness and screams descend upon us.