Page 67 of Shadow Wings

Kamoi crossed the dirt patch leading up to the large elm and scooped me into his arms. “Curse the night, what happened?” He breathed into my hair, the thudding of his heart tangible where our chests touched. He continued to hold me close as he said, “One minute my father is throwing fruit at you, and then chaos ensues. How did you getaway?”

I drew back, tapping him on the chest at the same time. He set me down, a sad smile resting on hislips.

Drak. How was I supposed to tell him I’d killed his parents? “Uh, I . . .uh,”

He shook his head, jaw clenched. “I know what happened in the clearing. I watchedit.”

“I’m sorry,” I said, and in my mind I added,your parents died. Because I wasn’t sorry I’d killed them. Not sorry atall.

The guards continued to hover inside the tree line, their attention focused on the prince andKamini.

Kamoi shook his head again. “I’m not. I mean . . .” He swallowed before continuing, “I’m sorry they’re dead, but they were terrible leaders for our people as I’m sure you saw. That might be wrong of me tosay—”

His eyes grew dark and hard for an instant before he glanced up at me with a softened gaze, and my heart squeezed at the conflict that must be rampant inside him. “What will happen to the Phaetyn now?” I asked. “The golden barrier isdown.”

Kamoi’s gaze went from me to Dyter and then back to me. “You are the only Phaetyn with ancestral powers.” Kamoi glanced at Kamini before turning back to me. “Will you lead our people,Ryn?”

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Iclosedmy eyes to control the overwhelming urge to burst out into bitter laughter. Would I rule these people who had made me feel uneasy and unwelcome from day one? Would I help the people who had drained an unconscious Drae of blood just to properly kill each other? “No,” I said. “There are so many reasons, but the short answer isno.”

“Please,” Kamoi said, reaching for my hands. He entwined his fingers with mine and held them to his chest. “Please come back. We can figure this out; together we can rebuild a betterZivost.”

I extracted my hands. “I can’t, Kamoi. I’m not Phaetyn, not really. I can’t ignore the problems of this world to solve your people’s problems. I need to leave. I need to help Tyrrik get better, and we need to go to Gemond to talk with their king. We have a war towage.”

Dyter glanced at me, and I nodded at him. I’d made my choice. I was part of this world whether I liked it or not. I couldn’t stand by while the emperor drove this realm and its people into theground.

Kamoi nodded. “I understand. You are needed elsewhere now, but when you are done, I hope you’ll comeback.”

I shook my head, repeating, “I’m notPhaetyn.”

He smiled, his gaze taking me in. “You are Phaetyn in every way that matters. You’ve captured my heart. Just promise me you’ll come back and we cantry.”

I’d captured his heart? When?I took a deep breath and told him the truth. “I’m sorry, Kamoi. If I promised you anything, it would be a lie. There is no we, and there won’t be a we. My heart is Drae; it beats as a Drae. To tell you anything else would bemisleading.”

The Phaetyn prince studied my face. “I understand. You can’t reason with the heart. But there may come a time when you feel differently. I’ll not lose hope. Notyet.”

“So you’ll let us go?” Iasked.

Kamoi frowned. “Of course I’ll let you go. I was trying to find you to help make sure you got outsafely.”

“I’m sorry,” I said, bowing my head. I didn’t know who to trust anymore. I was relying on the judgment of freakin’trees.

“Don’t apologize,” he said. “I’m surprised you’ll even talk with me after I brought you here. If anyone should be apologizing, it should beme.”

“You defended me in the end, Kamoi.” I smiled at him, a tightness clamping my heart at the thought of what he’d lost tonight. “Thank you for saving mylife.”

“Thank you, Highness,” Dyter said. “Perhaps you could convey my message to whomever rises topower?”

The Phaetyn prince turned to Kamini who stood quietly watching the scene. “If we’re lucky, the Phaetyn will recognize Kamini as our queen.” He put his hand on his sister. “She’s the highest-ranking female belowRyn.”

I looked back and forth between the two of them and met Kamini’s gaze. “Your mother was Luna, not Alani.” I glanced at Kamoi, and even though I knew the answer, I asked, “You know she’s Luna’sdaughter?”

“Yes,” he said simply. “But she doesn’t have ancestral powers.” He faced his cousin and said, “I didn’t realize you knew,Kami.”

“I’ve known for a long time. It’s not hard to piece together when your supposed parents hate the sight of you. Kaelan tended to divulge too much when his ire was raised.” Tears gathered in Kamini’seyes.

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, Kami, but I didn’t want you to have to shoulder a weight you were never meant to carry.” Kamoi hung hishead.

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