Chapter 26

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

I spend the next week curled up in my bed, barely able to eat. For the first few days, I didn’t eat any of the food the healers brought me, but I eventually gave in on day four and ate a little. I tried to leave my room twice, only to find my door locked. I know Amaros is keeping guard outside anyway, so it’s pointless.

The doors to my balcony are locked too, and even the dark magic won’t open them.

I slowly walk into my bathroom, my body weak from lack of food. The shower feels good against my skin, but after a while, I’m too tired to stand. I shuffle out into the steamy air and brace myself against the vanity. I wipe the mirror down and gasp at the sight of myself. My frame is thin, and my complexion is pale. There’s a deep sadness set into my features, and I have to look away. I towel myself off and comb my hair.

And then an idea comes to me.

I throw on my guardian leathers, strap my daggers to my thighs, and grab my locket. This has to work. I press my locket against the door to my balcony, just like I did in my mother’s wardrobe to unlock the secret door hidden in the wall. It glows as green magic seeps from the locket into the lock, and sure enough, the lock clicks open. Smiling, I attach the locket around my neck and step out onto my balcony.

The cool night air whips my hair across my face, sending a welcome chill over my skin. I squeeze my eyes closed and take in a deep breath, allowing my wings to spring free. I dive off my balcony and soar high into the sky to hide within the darkness. The Kingdom is silent this evening, and it concerns me. There are usually some sounds, whether they are from the city or from the Dark Forest.

I fly over the Dark Forest and eventually glide down when I spot a small clearing and land with a thud near the ancient stone site. This has to work. I step over the stone boundary, feeling the weight of the air as it presses down heavily on my shoulders, and move into the centre of the stones. I close my eyes and call upon the God of Death.

There’s a shift in the air, and I know he’s here. I blink my eyes open, and a pair of red eyes stare back at me.

“Hello, little angel,” he purrs, his voice just as alluring as I remember.

I unknowingly move closer to him, and he chuckles. His lips curl into a smirk, showing his perfect white teeth, and he reaches down and strokes my cheek with his icy fingers. My skin prickles at his touch, and I shiver.

“To what do I owe this unexpected pleasure?”

Despite the dim lighting, the glow of the moonlight is just enough to illuminate the clearing so I can see him. He’s wearing the same black clothing, his hair styled to the side.

“Something bad is happening in the Kingdom. I can feel it,” I say.

He circles me like a predator does its prey, and anxiety creeps into my chest.

“Have you been enjoying the dark magic?” he asks, ignoring what I have said.

“It has been very helpful so far. How long can I use it?”

He chuckles, and his cool breath tickles my neck. “It has no bounds or limitations. Use it at will. But be warned, little angel. You may not be able to part with it, even when you feel you are done.”

He moves around to stand in front of me once more and reaches out to pick up a lock of my hair. His gaze trails down my body and back up again, meeting my own.

“Do you have a name?” I quietly ask.

He drops the lock of my hair and smirks. There’s something as equally unnatural about it as it is alluring. “I do, and I rarely give it out, but for you, I will.”

I eagerly wait for him to tell me as the sounds of the forest intensify. Zelons yelp in the distance, causing me to jump, and I swallow the fear down.

“Alaron,” he tells me

“My father removed my guardian markings and has forbidden me from leaving the Kingdom. Do you know of a way I can leave?” I ask, my voice hopeful.

He’s silent as he studies me, and I wonder if he’s not going to answer me.

“You know the answer to that already, deep inside yourself.” He presses a kiss to my forehead and then vanishes.

Once he’s gone, I suck in a deep breath of fresh air as the pressure subsides. I walk to the edge of the rocks and brace my hand against one before I step through them and back into the clearing. The pressure immediately lifts, but before I can relax, a branch snaps. My focus shifts to the tree line as several Zelons saunter into the clearing.

The one in front is male, flanked by two females. One female bares her teeth while a low growl rumbles from her chest. She lowers her head as I stand as still as possible. Will they see me as prey under the guise of darkness? Will they remember our last encounter with the watchers and see me as an enemy?

The male moves forward, as leaves and twigs crunch beneath the weight of his paws. He sniffs my neck and then licks me. I let out a long breath as I relax and reach up to scratch him behind the ears. I’m almost certain he’s the same Zelon I rode over the Dark Forest last time.

“Hey, boy,” I say, and he purrs in response.

He nudges me with his nose several times, and I know it’s an invitation. He wants to take me somewhere. I climb up onto his back as the two females spread their wings out and take off into the air above the trees, and he follows. I curl my arms around his neck and hold on tight while he soars high above the forest.

The cool autumn air whips at my face as we speed over the forest before touching down in the familiar clearing. Fear courses through me at the memories I now hold for this place. I can practically see Zalore standing at the Gateway of the Gods. I blink, refocusing on the gateway, and climb down off the Zelon. He yelps and nudges me forward.

“Okay, okay.” I laugh and walk toward the gateway.

In the darkness, it’s difficult to see, but that same shift in the air is evident, and there’s a slight glow to it that’s only just visible to my knowing eyes. I stop right at the entrance and reach my hand out to the gateway. There’s a strange buzzing sound, and when my fingers pass through it, a tingling sensation washes over me.

I step back as my mouth gapes open. Am I able to pass through the Gateway of the Gods? Fear freezes me in place, and I’m unsure what to do. Do I risk trying to make my way back to Zarquon, to Kyle? What if I end up in Galespo with Zalore? The thought sends chills slithering down my spine.

It occurs to me I don’t have a choice. I’m out of options, and it’s a risk I have to take. My father’s not willing to listen to what I have to say about my mother’s murder. I’m unable to get back to Kyle, and this may well be the only chance I have.

I bring a picture of Kyle’s Kingdom to the forefront of my mind and jump through the gateway. My body swirls as I free-fall through the darkness. A scream ripples out of my chest before a bright light appears below me, growing from a speck to an opening eight feet wide. I drop through it and land with a thud on soft grass. I blink my eyes as they adjust to the light and scan my surroundings.

The sounds of water running nearby fill my ears, and a strong familiarity settles inside me. I’ve been here before.

“Zarla?”

I spin around to face my mother, wearing that same gold dress. “Mum?”

She opens her arms wide, and I don’t hesitate as I run right to her. She holds me against her chest while I break down, sobbing like a child. I don’t realise how much I need her until this moment.

She strokes my back, whispering soothing words into my ear, and after a few minutes, I finally settle down. I pull back and stare at her, and she gives me a wide smile.

“How did you get here?” she asks, her expression twisted with concern.

“The Gateway of the Gods,” I tell her. “I just jumped through it and ended up here.”

Her gaze drops to my arms, and her brows furrow. “Where are your guardian markings?”

I glance down at my arms and bite my bottom lip. “Father removed them. He has forbidden me from leaving the Kingdom. I tried to tell him it was Hethenos who murdered you, but he refused to listen to me,” I say, and a sob escapes my lips. “I was with Kyle in Zarquon, and I met his parents. They knew you.”

She reaches up and wipes my tears away. “Yes, I remember them. Zeta was a dear friend of mine. Apollon is a strong and stern male, but he too is kind, and you can trust him.”

“Did you know he’s a god?” I ask.

She stares at me without blinking, and I almost ask her again.

“I did,” she finally says.

“And Zalore from Galespo, too. How many gods are there?”

Her expression softens, and she cups my cheek. “You are inquisitive, my beautiful daughter.”

Okay, so that feels like she’s avoiding the question.

She drops her hand to her side and wanders toward the trees as I follow her. I realise she’s taking me to the waterfall, and once we reach it, she stops near the edge. The sounds of cascading water are peaceful to my ears while I gaze out across its sparkling surface.

“There is much I cannot tell you, Zarla,” she says as she looks out over the water, “but you will learn of it in time.”

I notice how light is reflecting off the surface of the water onto her dress, causing it to sparkle in the most magical way. She turns and smiles at me over her shoulder, as if reading my thoughts. I don’t know if I’ll get used to that in a hurry.

She laughs, and it’s a wonderful sound. She holds her dress up and steps into the water to just below her knees.

“Come in. The water is quite lovely.”

I glance down at my guardian leathers, decide screw it, and walk in. It’s the perfect temperature, and I barely notice it’s water at all as it blends against my skin. How interesting. It’s almost like it’s the same temperature as my body.

“There’s something wrong in the Kingdom,” I tell her. “I can sense it.”

She nods but doesn’t look at me. “You must trust your intuition, Zarla. Trust yourself, but no one else.”

“Why did the Gateway of the Gods take me here? I visualised Kyle’s Kingdom, Zarquon, but I ended up here instead.”

She reaches her hand down and glides her fingers across the surface of the water, and it shimmers with the movement. “The gateway is a magical portal. There is one in each Kingdom. Any angel can pass through it, but it takes a special ability to come here. One harnessed by the gods.”

I frown at her words. “So how did I pass through it, then?” And then the realisation hits me.

Hold on a second. I’m a descendant of a god too?

She turns to face me and lets her dress fall into the water as she takes my hands. I need her to explain this to me right now.

“I can see you have put the pieces together in your own mind. I am a goddess, Zarla.”

My lips part while I take in a sharp breath. “Why didn’t you tell me that? Not in your note, or the last time I visited you?”

She tilts her head to the side and gently squeezes my hands. “It is something we needed to discuss in person, not through a note, and I am limited to what I can share with you here, especially if you do not ask. But some things I just cannot explain.”

“Did my father know?” I ask.

Her expression changes, and I see the pain in her eyes. “He did.”

Anger bubbles inside me as the reality of her words sets in. Father knew about me this entire time and never told me? Why didn’t he ever talk to me about this?

“What does it mean for me to be a descendant of a goddess?”

She releases one of my hands and tucks her hair behind her ear while she stares out over the water again. “It means you are much more powerful than other angels. And you will have special abilities that others do not.”

I remember how her daggers had leached into me the power to heal, how I have been able to use her locket to unlock doors that have been sealed, as well as harnessing my own powers too, which seem vastly stronger than most angels.

“I wish you were still around to guide me through this time,” I say, the sadness clear in my voice.

There’s a sudden boom as thunder tears across the sky and the sun disappears behind thick, thunderous clouds. My mother looks at me, her features twisted with concern.

“You must go, Zarla.” She grabs my hand and pulls me out of the water and up onto the grass bank.

I scan our surroundings as fear prickles my skin. The wind picks up with a howl, blowing leaves around our feet.

“Now, Zarla. Get to the gateway,” she urges.

I glance around with no clue where to find it. “Where?”

She pulls me toward the trees and points toward something in the forest. I squint my eyes and spot it. There’s that clear shift in the air, and I can see the gateway glowing a little.

Fear seeps into my chest. “I’m afraid.”

She pulls me into a hug. “I know,” she softly says, “but you have to. Just visualise the gateway in the Dark Forest, and it will take you there.”

Panic tugs at my insides. “But that didn’t work when I tried to go to Zarquon. I came here instead.”

There’s another thunderous roar across the sky, and we both look up before she tugs me toward the trees. “You must go now, Zarla. Hurry.”

I hurry toward the gateway, but she calls out, “Zarla, your memories can be found using the dark magic. Trust it.”

Her words confuse me, which soon morphs into horror as a huge male, over seven foot tall crashes into her and sends her flying back. My focus shifts to the enormous male who’s glaring at me through dark, angry eyes. He’s shirtless, and his muscles ripple across his body as his chest heaves with rapid breaths.

Nope. No way, I think as I make a beeline for the trees, picturing the Gateway of the Gods back in the Dark Forest.

I’m about to jump through when a large hand grips my ankle. I scream as I fall down onto my stomach and spin around to see the male laying across the ground, holding onto my ankle. His head is clean shaven, covered in markings and symbols, and his eyes hold a darkness in them that asserts pure dominance.

I screech and kick him in the head, but he doesn’t let me go, totally unphased by my feeble attempts to escape his grasp. And then I spot my mother running toward him. She leaps onto his back, and he releases me and turns on her.

“Go now, Zarla!” she demands.

I stare in terror at the male, who now has his eyes set on her. Who in the gods is he? The last thing I want to do is leave her here to defend herself alone, but something tells me she can handle it and has done so before. I hurry to my feet, picturing Silanthia, and jump through the gateway.

I free-fall through the darkness until the same speck of bright light appears below me, growing larger until it’s the same eight-foot-wide portal again. I fall through it and land with a hard thud on the grass in the clearing of the Dark Forest, and let out a sigh of relief as I roll onto my back.

My chest heaves up and down while I struggle to control my breathing.

A pair of familiar boots storm toward me. “There you are,” a deep voice says.

I roll onto my stomach and climb to my feet as Amaros approaches me.

“What in the gods are you doing? Did you just come through that gateway?” he asks, his tone harsh.

I swallow hard as I try to come up with an excuse, any excuse, so I don’t have to explain that I am a descendent of a goddess. That my mother was a freakin’ goddess.

And then it occurs to me he probably already knows.

I narrow my eyes at him. “Did you know about my mother?”

His brows knit together in confusion.

“That she was a goddess,” I fill him in.

His expression turns knowing, and I have my answer.

I cross my arms over my chest and nod. “Of course you did.”

He reaches out to me, but I flinch away.

“Don’t touch me.”

“Zarla,” he pleads, “it wasn’t my secret to tell. I knew you’d probably find out eventually.”

“Oh, so it was okay to keep it from me because I would have found out eventually? Do you have any idea how it feels to find out after this long? She’s my mother. I deserved to know.”

He rakes a hand through his hair and paces around in front of me before facing me again. “I agreed not to, okay?”

I drop my arms to my side. “Agreed not to? Who had you agree to that?”

“Your father,” he states.

I shake my head, releasing my wings, and he grabs my hand.

“Please don’t go,” he begs. “I hate when you’re mad at me. I didn’t do it to hurt you.”

I don’t answer, and he doesn’t release my hand.

“Hang on. How did you find out?” he asks.

I finally look at him. “It doesn’t matter how,” I say. “Now let me go.”

“No.”

I yank my hand back, but he doesn’t release it. “Amaros. Let me go. Now.”

He pulls me toward him and plants a kiss to my lips, but I shove him back.

“Don’t,” I warn him.

Sadness settles in his eyes, and he glances down. “I’m sorry. You have no idea how much I care about you. It kills me when you’re mad at me.”

“I know you care, okay? But I’m with Kyle. He’s my fated mate?—”

A growl rumbles from his chest, and I take a step back in shock. I’ve never seen him look so animalistic than right now in this moment. He grits his teeth together as his chest rises with each deep breath.

“Do not say that,” he warns.

I take another step back, suddenly afraid.

“I’m not going to hurt you,” he assures me when he notices my apprehension.

“I’m going now. Do not follow me.” I run a few feet away and then take off up into the air, thankful when I don’t hear him follow.

I don’t know what’s up with him, but I can’t deal right now. I have too much information buzzing around in my head for his bullshit, and my mother’s words are playing in my mind.

Your memories can be found using the dark magic. Trust it.

I know exactly what she means by that, and I’m going to get my memories back.