Chapter 17

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

“ H ello, Zarla. I didn’t expect to see you again so soon,” Atlas says with a smirk.

The other dragons grunt. One stands on its back legs and then slams its front paws into the ground, shaking it beneath our feet. Atlas gestures for them to calm down with a wave of his hand.

“Why are you here?” he asks.

“I have to speak to Drakon. It’s urgent.”

He studies me for a moment and then walks closer. “Why?”

“It’s not your concern. He said I was welcome back any time. I need protection from the heat, and then I need you to take me to him.”

He throws his head back and laughs. “Are you making demands of me? Because I don’t take demands from females. Or anyone, for that matter.”

I roll my eyes. Stubborn male. “No, but I will sizzle up and die if you don’t, and I don’t think your father would be too happy about that.”

“Or maybe he won’t give two shits about the death of an outsider,” he counters.

I glance at the other dragons who stare at me like I’m their next meal. Sweat trickles down my back while I struggle to handle the heat.

Atlas narrows his gaze at me, as if he’s considering what to do.

“Fine.” He chants low under his breath, and a wave washes over me, and with it, a reprieve from the heat.

“Thank you,” I tell him.

“I’ll give you a ride in so I can keep an eye on you.” He shifts into his dragon and leans down, allowing me to climb up onto his back, and then he flies us to the castle.

Several guards surround the entrance of the main doors into the castle where Atlas and the other three dragons land. Atlas’s dragon leans down and allows me to climb off, and then they all shift back into their male forms.

“Follow me,” Atlas says, striding through the entrance.

I hurry to keep up with him as he leads me through the castle to find Drakon. Atlas doesn’t say a word to me, which I’m happy about. We find Drakon in his office, seated behind his desk, and he doesn’t appear surprised when he looks up from his papers.

A wide grin spreads across his face. “Ahh, Zarla. What a pleasure it is to see you again. And so soon, too.”

I cross the room and take a seat in front of his desk. “I need your help.”

He links his fingers together on the surface of the desk and leans forward. “I’m listening.”

I glance across at Atlas, who stands near the side of the room, staring at me. “It’s about my mate, Kyle. There’s something strange happening to him.”

Drakon’s brows pull together in confusion. “Your mate? I thought Amaros was your mate.”

“No, he isn’t. He forced an unwanted mating bond on me. My true mate, Kyle, is who I speak of. And he’s in trouble.”

“A forced mating bond? I don’t think I’ve heard of such a thing. Only a weak male would have to force an unwanted bond.”

“I agree,” I say.

He tilts his head and sits back in his chair, placing his feet on the desk. “Very well. Carry on.”

“I know this doesn’t make much sense, but there’s something wrong with him. His body temperature is way hotter than it should be, and the other day, his skin set alight and healed his wounds.”

He squeezes his fists, and his knuckles click. “Doesn’t sound like much of a problem to me. Who is this male? Is he from Silanthia?”

I side-eye Atlas, wishing I were having this conversation in private. “No, he’s from Zarquon. His father is Apollon, the King.”

Drakon’s expression shifts as rage seeps into his gaze, and his eyes flash red. “Apollon is my brother.”

Oh no. This is bad.

“We had many differences, my brother and I, back in the original Kingdom, Gallerria. I left to forge my own Kingdom, Pyrrhus, and Apollon chose to remain there. If Kyle is Apollon’s son, then he is a dragon shifter. And if he hasn’t already shifted, he will do so soon.”

My mouth gapes open. “What? So Apollon is a dragon shifter, too?”

He removes his feet from the desk, walks around to the front, and leans against it. “Correct. It is both a burden and a gift. In time, Kyle will understand why.”

I stand and pace around the room as I take in this new information that has my head spinning. “What do we do?”

He clasps his hands together in front of himself. “I can help him, if you like.”

I stop pacing as I consider the idea, but I know I have no other choice. “Okay.”

“Bring him to me.”

I open a portal into Gallerria in the corridor of the castle outside my room. When I open the door, I find Kyle’s still in bed.

My mind reels from what Drakon told me, and I don’t know how to tell Kyle. His father is Drakon’s brother and a dragon shifter. And so is he. Although I still don’t trust Drakon, what he’s saying makes sense and would explain what’s been happening to Kyle.

His body is preparing to shift.

I pad across the room and sink down on the bed next to him. He groans and rolls around, and I touch the back of my hand to his forehead. He’s still burning up like he has a serious fever, and he’s drenched in sweat. How am I to explain the reason why? And if he doesn’t want this, there’s nothing he can do about it.

A knock sounds at the door, and I hurry to answer it.

Atticus glances over my shoulder at Kyle. “Is he all right?”

I slip out into the corridor, closing the door behind me. “He will be. I need to speak with you.”

He gestures down the corridor, and I walk alongside him. “What is it?”

“I went to Pyrrhus.”

He stops walking and stares at me, his eyes blazing. “You what ?”

With my hands on my hips, I take a deep breath and then go for it. “Something strange is going on with Kyle. He’s been burning up, and the other day his skin caught alight, and he healed his wounds. I have been having visions, and one of them was when I looked at him. It was a vision of a dragon. And I know it sounds insane, but I had to go to Drakon to talk to him. Because I had a feeling?—”

“That what? Kyle could be a dragon shifter?”

I don’t respond, which is response enough.

“You shouldn’t be leaving this Kingdom without telling someone. Without telling me . If something happened to you?—”

I touch his arm. “I’m fine. Drakon wouldn’t hurt me. Somehow I know that.”

He rakes a hand through his hair. “What did he say?”

I narrow my eyes at him. “I think you know. Drakon is Apollon’s brother. So he’s a dragon shifter, too. Just like Kyle.”

He runs his fingers along his jawline. “I suppose it makes sense.”

I fold my arms across my chest and lean against the corridor wall. “Why didn’t you tell me Drakon was Apollon’s brother?”

He leans up against the corridor wall opposite me. “I realise now that I probably should have mentioned it, but at the time, it didn’t seem relevant.”

I push off from the wall. “How could Apollon keep this from Kyle? His own son? How could he keep it from anyone?”

He slips his hands into his pockets. “He knew the dangers. Dragons are powerful creatures. If there was even a chance that Kyle wasn’t going to shift, he likely didn’t want him to know about it. And for a time, he likely didn’t think he would shift. But from what you’re saying he’s experiencing, he will.”

My hair’s been in a tight bun for hours now ever since the ceremony, and I start to undo it, desperate for the release I know it will bring.

“Drakon said he can help him, but I don’t know how to tell Kyle. What if he doesn’t want this?” I let my hair fall down my back and then run my fingers through it.

“There’s not much he can do about it if the shift is going to happen. Now, I don’t trust Drakon, but unless Kyle wants to go to his father about this, Drakon is a good start.”

The air shifts, and a male appears out of nowhere.

I squeal and jump back, my heart racing.

The guard bows low. “Apologies. I didn’t mean to frighten you, miss. Atticus, we have a situation on Earth.”

Atticus steps away from the wall. “What is it?”

The guard eyes me, as if unsure whether to speak in my presence, and Atticus nods. “We’re not sure exactly, but we do know that none of the angel races are responsible for it.”

Atticus frowns. “What do you mean?”

“We know they aren’t involved because all of them are being targeted.”

My mind immediately shifts to Drakon and the other dragon shifters. Could they be responsible for whatever is happening on Earth? It didn’t make much sense. From what I’ve learnt of them, they don’t venture outside of their Kingdom in order to protect their race.

Atticus scratches his chin. “Assemble a group to send down to Earth and figure it out.”

I gently touch my father’s arm. “I want to go with them.”

He glares at me. “Absolutely not. It isn’t safe. Amaros could use the opportunity to take you.”

“I will assemble a group immediately and prepare to depart at dusk.” The guard bows low and then disappears.

I let out a low whistle. “That’s a neat trick.”

Atticus laughs. “That it is. However, you have some pretty neat tricks of your own that not many other angels have. Don’t forget that. Now, I better get going. But I meant what I said. It’s not safe for you on Earth right now.”

I make my way back to my room, curious about what in the gods is happening on Earth. Kyle’s sound asleep, and when I feel him, he’s not as hot. I’m not sure how to bring up the fact that he is probably preparing to shift into a dragon, but I decide to wait until morning. He needs his rest.

So instead, I curl up behind him and just enjoy being in his presence. I haven’t had the chance to cuddle him like this in forever, and I’m going to savour every bit of it.

I must drift off at some stage, but when I open my eyes, Kyle is right there. I smile at him, and he brushes his fingers over my cheek.

“Good morning, beautiful,” he whispers.

I press my lips to his, and he tugs me closer. His warmth comforts me, and I’m thankful to find he seems much more himself. Maybe the sleep did him some good.

“Everything all right?” he asks.

I bite my bottom lip as an internal battle rages inside me. Kyle needs to know what may be happening to him, but I don’t know how to tell him. I can’t bear to break such a huge family secret to him. A secret he should’ve been told long ago by his own father.

He frowns at me. “What’s wrong?”

I wrap my leg over him and snuggle closer, needing more time to tell him the truth that may break him.

“I’m not sure. One of the guards showed up when I was speaking with Atticus last night and said there’s something happening on Earth. They’re sending a group down to suss it out at dusk, and I think we should go if you’re feeling up to it.”

He twists a lock of my hair around his finger and gently tugs. “And Atticus is okay with that?”

“No. But it’s not up to him.”

He rolls on top of me, pinning my arms down. “What if I said no, hmm? Would you obey me?”

I attempt an angry glare and end up laughing instead.

“What’s so funny? Would you not like to obey me?”

Struggling beneath him, I know I won’t be able to get away, so I relax, enjoying the feel of his weight on my body. “Oh, in some cases, I would obey you. But in this case, no. I’m going down there, with or without you, my mate.”

He leans down and licks my bottom lip before tracing kisses across my neck. I arch up against him, feeling his arousal as it presses into me. I’m desperate to touch him, but he has my arms firmly pinned at my sides. A soft moan escapes my lips, my body reacting to him instantly. I need him.

“You aren’t going down there without me.” He tugs the front of my dress down and pulls my nipple into his mouth, biting down on it.

I moan, and he sucks at it, swirling his tongue over the sensitive skin.

“Please…” I beg him, desperate for more.

He glances over to the window. “It’s nearly dusk.”

I arch my hips up, grinding my core into his desire. “Then you’d better make it quick.”

He releases one of my arms and tugs his pants down, then bunches my dress up and rubs the tip of his hard length against my slick folds. I move against him, gliding myself across his length, and then he pushes himself inside me.

I dig my nails into his back, tugging him closer as he thrusts his hips. Moans escape my lips, and I arch up to meet each thrust, allowing him to go deeper. His lips crush mine, with each brush of his tongue mirroring the thrust of his hips, and I devour his kiss.

My desire builds. I grab onto him, knowing my release is close.

“I love you,” he says, staring down into my eyes

I grip his face between my hands. “I love you, too.”

He stills inside me as his release syncs with my own, and then he collapses on top of me.

“I’ll never get sick of doing that,” I say, panting hard.

He chuckles. “Good. I hope not. We’d better get ready if we want to make it in time.”

We both have a quick rinse in the shower and then dress in fresh leathers. I miss my mother’s daggers, knowing Amaros has them back in Silanthia somewhere. Along with her locket. I’ll get them back soon enough. I glance at the ring on my finger, the one he could never take, the one that burns those who attempt to touch it.

“Ready?” Kyle asks, pulling my focus. He’s standing near the doorway to the balcony.

I slip my leather boots on and cross the room toward him. “Sure am. Let’s go.”

We step out onto the balcony and release our gold wings. It still shocks me to see them. It’ll take some getting used to, but they’re magnificent. Especially on Kyle.

He takes my hand and presses it to his lips. “Be safe. Don’t do anything stupid, okay?”

I pout. “Who, me? Course not.”

He rolls his eyes mockingly and then dives off the balcony ledge. I follow, and we glide down to the front of the castle. I don’t see any guards around, and I wonder if we’ve missed them.

“Shit. We’re too late,” he says.

I jog around the side of the castle, but he’s right. We must be too late. “I could open a portal, but I just don’t know where on Earth they’ve gone.”

“Just open one, and we’ll go from there. Try visualising where they could have gone.”

I close my eyes and attempt what he’s suggesting. A vision of watchers, archangels, guardians, and seconds grouped together in a heated discussion on the street flashes in my mind. That’s never happened before, me trying to call forth a vision. But it’s all we have to work with, so I focus everything I have into opening a portal in the street where I saw them.

“It’s working,” Kyle says, and I open my eyes once I feel it’s complete.

Sure enough, there’s a portal to Earth, and through it, I see them all staring back at us.

“Come on,” I tell Kyle, grabbing his arm and leading him through the portal.

I allow it to snap shut behind us, and we wander over to the angels who are all watching us.

A guard I recognise from Silanthia walks over to meet us. “Zarla? What are you doing here?”

He’s so familiar, but I can’t recall his name.

“We heard about what’s been going on down here and wanted to check it out,” I tell him.

Kyle protectively places his hand on my lower back, and it’s comforting knowing he’s at my side.

The guard gives him a nod. “Amaros is furious. He’s sent guards out in all directions searching for you. You have a high price on your head. You shouldn’t be down here.”

I hadn’t thought of that as a possibility, but of course he would have done that, and I already trust this male for telling me.

“Thank you for letting me know, but it’s okay. He doesn’t own me. He has no right to force me to do anything against my will.”

Several thuds sound behind us, and I spin around to find the group of guards from Gallerria. Will these other angels even understand who they are or where they’re from? My entire life I didn’t know their Kingdom even existed, and now here they are, their gold wings a stark contrast to the black and white wings of the angels surrounding us.

The other angels eye our wings with curiosity.

“Zarla? Atticus won’t be pleased to know you are down here,” one of the Gallerrian guards says, heading our way.

“Well, it wasn’t his decision to make,” I say.

The guard gives a nod, clearly willing to drop it, and walks up to the group of angels.

“Who are you?” one of the archangels asks, eying the Gallerrian guard’s gold wings.

“My name is Jikel.”

The archangel narrows his gaze at Jikel and gestures to his gold wings. “Where are you from?”

“That is not of importance. We have heard of the incidents taking place on Earth, and we must figure out what is killing the angels. What do you know of this?”

The archangel looks to the others. “No one has seen it. It’s some kind of creature, and it’s hunting us. It has killed many angels.”

Kyle leans down to whisper in my ear, “Someone must know something.”

He’s right. How else would they know it’s a creature? Something feels off. And then I notice the second from Silanthia is visibly shaking, her gaze darting around like she’s terrified. Like she’s witnessed something awful.

I slowly walk over to her while the others continue to discuss what they know. She forces a smile at me, but I see right through it.

“Hi, what’s your name?” I ask.

She folds her arms across herself and nervously shifts from one foot to the other. “Lil.”

“Hi, Lil. My name’s Zarla. I’m from Silanthia, too.”

She shakes her head. “I know who you are, but we have white and silver wings in Silanthia. Why are yours gold?”

Crap. “Yes, they were once white, when I was a guardian. Are you all right? You seem frightened.”

She scratches her head as if thinking about what to say. “I’m the only one who’s survived it.”

I glance over to Kyle, who’s heading my way. “Survived it? What was it?”

She shakes her head fast, pressing her hands against her temples. “I don’t know. It all happened so fast.”

Kyle curls his arm around me.

“Lil, did you see what it was?” I ask.

She bites her bottom lip, tears welling in her eyes. “It moved so fast, it was like a blur. It killed everyone. Except me.”

Kyle stumbles, almost falling over, and I grab him for support. His skin is burning up again, and the other angels have noticed and are watching us.

Shit.

I rub his back. “Hey, are you okay?”

He rakes a hand over his face, sweat already beading on his forehead. “I don’t know. We should go back.”

Lil backs away. “What’s wrong with him?”

I try to take as much of Kyle’s weight as I can. “Nothing. He’s fine.”

She snorts. “He’s not fine.”

Kyle grips his chest and winces, then hunches over.

Some of the other angels hurry over to us.

“What’s wrong?” Jikel asks.

Shit. I can’t exactly tell them. Even Kyle doesn’t know yet. This was a bad idea.

Flames lick across Kyle’s skin, burning the clothes from his back and engulfing his entire body.

And me.