Daryl's Angel: Saviour (Book Two)

Chapter 58: A Red Situation

The Kingdom is alive and bustling, and I can see why anyone would want it to stay that way. Soldiers in sports padding run laps around the perimeter. Men and women practice archery, some aided by metal prosthetics. Others weed their plentiful gardens. I hear a choir singing, music on the wind.

I wish I could stay. I wish I were as blissfully ignorant as these people are of the Saviours.

We meet King Ezekiel by the archery range, led to him by Richard. A teenage girl with one leg sits on a stool, practicing with a standard bow that's far simpler than the compound bow I took from Len. A leather quiver full of homemade arrows hangs on her shoulder. Another girl practices at her side, and they high-five when one of them gets a near bullseye.

"This is life here," Ezekiel says as we watch the archers. "But it came at a cost." He turns to us, lips pursed. "I wanted more of this. I wanted to expand. To create more places like this." His dark eyes fall on Rick. "Men and women lost their limbs. Children lost their parents because I sent them into battle against the wasted when I did not need to."

"This is different," Rick says.

"It isn't."

Rick shakes his head. "It is. The dead don't rule us. The world doesn't look like this outside your walls," he says. "People don't have it as good. Some people don't have it good at all."

Ezekiel's expression doesn't change, although I see the sympathy in his eyes. "I have to worry about my people," he says.

Rick turns away, visibly frustrated. I hoped for help just like the rest of us, but I don't blame Ezekiel for wanting to protect his people first. God knows I would in his position.

"You call yourself a damn king," Daryl says. "You sure as hell don't act like one."

Ezekiel comes closer, brow furrowed. Daryl holds his gaze.

"All of this," Ezekiel starts, "came at a cost. It was lives, arms, legs." He points to his people, to the prosthetics replacing what was once flesh. He turns back to Rick. "The peace we have with the Saviours is uneasy, but it is peace. I have to hold on to it. I have to try."

Rick's head droops, hands on his hips, as he lets out a long breath. His expression is still pinched, brow furrowed with anger, and Ezekiel looks out at the rest of us. I catch his eye for just a second, and I swear he smiles a little.

"Although the Kingdom cannot grant you the aid you desire, the King is sympathetic to your plight," Ezekiel declares, clasping his hands over his walking stick. "I offer our friend Daryl asylum for as long as he requires it."

Silver lining. Relief is the first thing that hits me, but I can't deny the agony that follows as I bow my head in thanks to Ezekiel. Daryl can stay, but I can't, just as I feared. I prepare to tear my heart in two yet again.

"He will be safe here. The Saviours do not set foot inside our walls." Ezekiel's gaze combs over Daryl and me as I raise my head, shocked. I had no idea.

"How long d'you think that's gonna last?" Daryl sneers.

He storms off. My body reacts as if to follow him, but my steps stutter. The others are quick to follow, including Richard, but I approach Ezekiel. Again, I duck my head to him.

"Thank you," I murmur.

Ezekiel sighs. "There is no need. I cannot help you."

He has helped me more than he can know, despite everything, and deserves at least a hint of gratitude for that. I follow after my family without another word.

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I catch up to Daryl at the head of the group, his footsteps firm and determined. He huffs out his nose as I reach his side, shaking his head.