I look down to realize we’re just thirty feet from the courtyard pavement below, and hoards of soldiers are running toward us from all directions. Many have their wings out with weapons in hand, ready to fight.

“Hold onto me,” I command.

Zella obeys, wrapping her arms around my neck.

As I fly higher, I bring the storm back. The high winds near the ground will prevent anyone from being able to fly and follow us. The clouds will hide our location, but first, we have to get above them.

Zella gasps when the mist clears, and she glances down at the foggy blanket below. Clear blue skies are above us, and Zella flaps her wings as she separates from me.

Hand in hand, we go east, heading to Dawn and Dusk where I intend to make her mine in every way.

CHAPTER 3

Zella

We don’t get very far before I feel a sharp pain in my right wing. Crying out, I falter and start to fall. Eyes wide with fear, I watch as Keryth becomes smaller. He dives, catching me by the wrist, his eyebrows furrowed with confusion.

When I try to expand my wing, we both see the iron arrow piercing it.

I can’t fly. Not like this.

But that’s not our biggest problem.

A few of my father’s best archers have made it above the cloud cover with their bow and arrows. I recognize them and feel a stab of betrayal. They shot me, and it wasn’t a mistake. Their aim is always on point, so they were obviously trying to hurt me.

These men have known me since I was a baby. They’re the ones with the strongest wings. The feathered lengths are twice as big as mine, giving them better speed and control.

Not all faerie wings are the same. Some are iridescent and see-through, like an insect. Others are leathery like mine and Keryth’s, and they come in all colors and sizes.

And some are made of feathers. While that might help them to fly better, it puts them at a disadvantage when they come up against my power—fire.

Feathers are highly flammable.

A roar or rage comes from Keryth as he pulls me up, anchoring me to his side with one arm. Flicking his free hand, he makes a bolt of lightning shoot up toward the men. It splits into sections, hitting three of the four soldiers.

They immediately fall from the sky.

The stunned fae will probably break a few bones when they land, but they won’t suffer any long-term damage.

I can’t say the same for the remaining soldier, who’s nocking his next arrow right now with his gloved hands.

His name is Sedrick. He’ll pay for injuring me.

A wing for a wing.