Page 16 of Imbalance
Didn't that make her mine? I was positive it did.
The guards offered the others dark looks, and I knew if it wasn't for me, they wouldn't be getting in. However, the kingdom itself was sentient and had the ability to recognize those with hybrid blood, as well as allies. So, in a way, I felt a bit better bringing them in because, even if I had wanted to let them in—which I hadn't, but I had decided to anyway, for my mate—and they turned out to have nefarious intentions regarding the hybrids here, the kingdom would not have let them in. No matter what I did.
"They bowed," Ama noted and let out a surprised sound, "Are you someone important?"
You could say that.
"Everyone is close here. You learn who people are," I explained softly, continuing down the pathway towards the city, lush gardens surrounding us on all sides. While I knew the others were close behind us, Ama was walking next to me happily, allowing me the fantasy that I was bringing my mate back home without any of the annoyance of reality.
Ama nodded eagerly before looking up at the dark sky, "Is that an illusion?"
"It's hard to explain." I tilted my head, "Not so much of an illusion as a pocket within a different universe. Both exist, but the entrance to this one is hidden from anyone lacking hybrid blood."
"For safety," she murmured.
"For safety," I agreed.
Then she was off. I let out a chuckle as Ama stripped off the shirt she had on, revealing a black tank top beneath. Her wings sprang from her back, and she soared upwards. I paused, in awe of how beautiful she looked silhouetted by the moonlight, and I was distracted enough that when Finias stopped next to me, I was taken off guard.
"I have no idea what the fuck you are playing at," Finias’ voice was a sharp hiss, "but after we get the help we came here for, we are leaving. With her. So stay the fuck away."
My lips pressed into a smile as he stalked ahead. I understood why he thought that, but what he didn't realize was the lengths to which I would go to ensure my mate's safety and wellbeing.
They would all realize soon enough exactly what I was willing to do.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Ama
Utopia.It was the only way this place could be described.
I imagined this was what a human's version of “Heaven” must look like. Hell, this was sort ofmyversion of Heaven, too. Everything was vibrant and beautiful here, full of colors and life, the moonlight and hellfire that seemed to reflect off the city structures only making it stand out that much more. Damn. A city full of hybrids. The concept seemed insane to me.
I would never stand out here. Here... everyone was unique.
"Ama!" Drayven's voice echoed through space, calling up to me from where I was circling above them, getting a literal birds-eye view of the massive metropolis situated on either side of a broad river that reflected the moon flawlessly.
Rather than an interruption, the city seemed to be an extension of the nature surrounding it. Each building was made of tan stone with flowers growing up and around it, creating a perfumed scent that reached me, even high in the air. The flowers weren’t ones I’d ever seen before, their petals glowing a moonlight silver shade that lit up the city nearly as much as the hellfire torches—the light from which cast the buildings in bright hues, contrasting with the cool silver from the flowers. My eyebrows rose when I saw a castle on the far side of the river, the flag a deep gold and purple.
There. That was where we needed to go to appeal for help.
I startled, pulled from my thoughts as another set of wings appeared in my periphery. Turning my head, I saw Colt suspended in the air beside me, his eyes on the castle as well.
"That's where we need to go," I told him. He nodded and met my gaze before glancing down at the others, who were walking along the path and growing closer to where we hovered in the air.
"Do me a favor, Princess," Colt grunted. "Stay far away from that asshole."
"Why?" My nose twitched as I crossed my arms and arched a brow. I mean, don't get me wrong, the man certainly seemed dangerous, so I didn't disagree—even without including the nonsense about being mates or whatever.
Or whatever.Right, Ama, because you are just that relaxed about his claim. Keep telling yourself that.
"Because I don't trust him," he snapped, and when he looked at me, his gaze filled with something dark.
"Why not?" I pushed.
His temper sparked, and the tension between us thickened, "I just don't, Ama."
"Okay, well, sorry for wanting you to explain your extremely vague statement. My bad," I rolled my eyes and looked back towards the city.
