Shattered Souls (Guardians of the Maiden Book 3)

If Dyna could name one simple joy in life, it would be this moment with Cassiel’s gloved hand in hers. They were on their third day hiking up the low pass of Hermon Ridge. The afternoon sun lay hidden behind a thick veil of clouds. Misty fog hovered over the pine trees, thickening as they rose higher. They reached a flattened terrain on the edge of the ridge. If not for the fog, she might have glimpsed Hallow’s Nest far in the distance.

“Here?” she asked. Sowmya and the others had flown ahead yesterday, saying they would meet them at the ledge.

Cassiel nodded. “The Valkyrie will arrive shortly to escort us the rest of the way.”

Zev shared a frown with Rawn. “I thought they had left to announce our arrival so we weren’t killed on sight.”

“That as well.”

“How will they escort us?” Dyna asked him. “Are they to carry us?”

A mischievous grin played on his lips. “Something of the sorts.”

Lucenna shook her head at that and waved her hands to ward off the offending suggestion. “No, thank you. I will walk.”

Cassiel snorted. “My, this is a day to remember. Are you afraid of heights?”

She huffed, her mouth pinching. “I wasn’t born with wings. So, I won’t be flown anywhere. My feet stay on the ground.”

“Hermon Ridge is the highest mountain in Azure. The climb is long, grueling, and highly dangerous. I don’t recommend it.”

Lucenna sat on a log and crossed her arms and legs. “Then I will wait right here with our new tent.”

“If you stay behind you will pass up the chance to see a Celestial Realm,” Dyna said. “If it’s anything like Hilos, it will be a marvel.”

“It’s much more beautiful than Hilos,” her mate told her.

Rawn cleared his throat. “Pardon, Prince Cassiel. What will happen to Fair?”

“That has all been sorted, Lord Norrlen. I have secured a ride for all of us to make it up the mountain.” Cassiel searched the sky and he nodded. “And it has arrived.”

They all looked up, and from the clouds appeared the Valkyrie, riding a herd of white horses—with massive, white wings. Dyna’s mouth fell open as they watched them gallop through the air. At the tail end, were six more of the winged horses pulling a large carriage.

“G-god of Urn…” Zev sputtered next to her.

Lucenna slowly stood, her eyes bulging wide. “Are those…?”

“Pegasus,” Rawn said.

Their hooves beat on the ground as they landed in the ledge’s clearing.

The Valkyrie dismounted, their heavy, golden armor clanking. The scale mail along their shoulders glinted in the light.

One approached them and removed her helmet, revealing a new female Dyna hadn’t met yet. Her dark blond hair stuck to the sweat on her flushed face. Her honeyed brown wings brushed the ground as she bowed low to Cassiel—and Dyna noticed—to her.

“We have arrived, Your Highness. With everything you have requested. They only need an hour’s rest before we prepare to fly to Hermon Ridge.”

“Thank you, Lieutenant Janel.”

“I don’t see the Captain or Lieutenant Sowmya among you,” Dyna said.

“They have resumed their duties, my lady.” She bowed again, before moving on to give orders. The Valkyrie led the winged creatures to the pool of water for a drink.

“There are three factions of the Valkyrie,” Cassiel explained at her confusion. “The Castle Guard, the Watchers, and the Legion. Yelrakel oversees it all, and any additional missions granted by the Lord of Hermon Ridge.”

Like hunting down a runaway prince, Dyna mused.

“As her second, Sowmya is Head of the Castle Guard, and will now be overseeing the safety procedures of the castle with Hermon’s numerous guests. Janel leads the Watchers, therefore she is here to escort us to Hermon.”

“Are there no males among them?”

“Within the Valkyrie, no. The males belong to a different faction.”

She found that all very interesting, but at the moment, she couldn’t stop looking at the beautiful creatures. “You never told us the Celestials kept Pegasai. I didn’t know they still existed.”

“It’s a well-kept secret,” Cassiel said. “They’re sensitive creatures and require special care for survival. The last that remain live only in Hermon as they can fly freely in the mountain’s fog without being spotted.”

It must be why they had to climb a part of the range before the Valkyrie could meet them.

“Unfortunately, their wings are too sensitive to cold. Because of it, they cannot fly for four months out of the year due to the frigid temperatures. My uncle is considering having them migrate to another Realm. Perhaps Nazar or Hilos with more tepid weather.”

Did that mean his wings were also as sensitive?

“But what would Celestials want with a Pegasus when you have wings of your own?” Zev asked him.

“For the same reason others use horses. To travel fast.”

“How fast?” Dyna asked next, wringing her hands.

“The hike that would take us weeks on foot will only take them half a day.” He smirked at Lucenna. “I had them bring a carriage as a precaution. I take it you and Zev would prefer it?”

She glowered back. “Yes, thank you. Who knew you were so considerate?”

Zev rubbed the back of his head. “Aye, as amazing as it would be to fly, I don’t think they would want me riding them.”

“There is a trailer compartment for Fair, Lord Norrlen.” Cassiel led him to the back half of the carriage to reveal a separate section with double-doors. It had ample space inside, big enough to fit a horse and it had already been layered with hay. “He will be safe inside.”

“Thank you, Prince Cassiel,” Rawn said, visibly relieved.

You thought of everything, Dyna said through the bond.

He took her hand, their gloved fingers intertwining. Want to see them up close?

They left the others to arrange their belongings in the carriage. He led her to the nearest creature and she awed at its velvety white hide, and long sleeked feathers. Sunlight shone over its silky mane as it nickered at her approach. It had pink skin around its muzzle and pale blue eyes that tracked her movement. Fair had some gray tones to his nose and brown eyes in comparison.

“Can I?” Dyna asked.

Cassiel gently laid her hand on the Pegasus’s neck. It whinnied faintly, eyeing her as its ears twitched. He crooned soothingly in his language as they continued to stroke its mane.

“What did you tell him?”

His mouth quirked in a faint smile. “Are you nervous?”

“A little,” she admitted. “I have already flown with you, but I imagine this will be different.”

“It certainly will be. I still remember my first time riding one. For you, it may almost feel as if you have wings of your own.”

“I’ve always wondered what that felt like,” she said, moving on to pet another. “Could you tell me?”

“Tell you what?”

“What does it feel like to fly?”

Cassiel looked up at the sky and the light caught the silver in his eyes, making them gleam. “It feels like catching the wind, and nothing else can touch you.”

The hour went by quickly. Lucenna and Zev settled in the carriage, and Fair was placed inside in the back. Rawn chose to ride a Pegasus. It was an opportunity he couldn’t decline, he told them. The Valkyrie mounted, and Cassiel and Dyna took the two at the middle of the procession. He added his jacket over her cloak and a scarf around her neck before helping her mount. Cassiel made sure to fasten her into the saddle with special-made belts that assured she wouldn’t fall.

Still, her heart was already racing.

Cassiel mounted the Pegasus beside her. “It’s all right. I will be with you the whole way.”

The wind picked up, tousling his clothing and hair. He looked ahead at the edge of the cliff with giddy anticipation.

Dyna widened her eyes. “No.”

“Yes.” Cassiel grinned.

Dyna gasped, but they were already moving. The Valkyrie led the gallop—right off the ledge.

“Wait. Wait. Waaaaa—” Dyna broke off in a shriek as her Pegasus leaped off the cliff into the fog. Roaring wind rushed to meet her as they dove. The fog cleared, and she found herself falling head first down the high ravine. Screaming, Dyna squeezed her eyes shut, fingers clutching the reins for dear life. The wind pulled at her clothing and hair. If not for the harness, it would have pulled her off, too. Her Pegasus straightened out, and she felt the cool mist of water on her skin.

Cassiel whooped beside her, laughing. “Dyna,” he called above the wind. “You’re missing the best part. Look!”

She shook her head.

“Dynalya Astron, open your eyes this instant!”

She peeked. The herd flew across the shimmering river, their massive wings beating. The ravine narrowed and Dyna instinctively yanked on the reins, and they banked to the right, then to the left as they followed the current of the river.

“Good!” Cassiel called above the wind. “You’re doing well. Trust your instincts. Feel how the Pegasus moves. Lean with the turns and lead.”

It felt about the same as riding a horse, only the ground was the air, and there was no limit to how high they could go.

As if the Pegasus understood, they began to climb. The ground grew more distant beneath them, trees becoming a carpet of dark green. She was flying. Dyna laughed and held out her arms, her heart fully elated as they soared.

This isn’t so bad, she sent out the thought. I thought you promised me fast.

He flashed her a wicked grin. Hold on tight.

Cassiel said a command in his language, and the herd of Pegasi ascended with a burst of speed for the Heavens. Their pearlescent wings caught the wind and hurtled them straight up the mountain’s slope with an inconceivable speed. Dyna clutched the reins as the raging wind threatened to uproot her from the saddle.

They leveled out with the herd for a moment, then she was diving again for the earth. Dyna grinned and yanked on the reins. Her Pegasus zoomed over the trees and spun through the air at her lead as they rode for the horizon. Cassiel cheered her on, watching her go.

The wind was hers in this moment. She caught it, and she was riding it for all it was worth. She was weightless. Every worry, every fear, and doubt left behind on the ground as they soared for the freedom of the sky.

Cassiel drew up beside her, nodding for her to follow. He rose higher and she went after him, leaving the herd to fall behind. They raced through the sky together, arcing and whirling. The horizon stretched out as far as they could see, washed out by greens and blues. She could barely distinguish the faint gray silhouette of the Zafiro Mountains.

One day, she would see North Star again.

“Are you all right?” Cassiel called.

Dyna nodded, flashing him a big smile. “I have never been more all right than right now.”

A soft look crossed his face, and she felt the bond thrum. They rose higher still, and Dyna knew where he was taking her. Their Pegasus worked harder as they fought against gravity. She looked up at the rapidly incoming ceiling of clouds and closed her eyes.

The icy mist brushed her face, coating her skin. Then they broke through and entered another land. The land of clouds was ever changing, moving like fluffy white waves. The sun shone bright in the clear blue sky. It was as magnificent as the first time, leaving her breathless. Cassiel sailed her along the plane and she reached down to run her fingers through the clouds.

They returned to the herd and flew through the day. When the temperature dropped and evening arrived, they began to descend.

We are almost there, Cassiel said.

They passed through the misty veil, flying over a vast crop of tall redwoods. The Pegasai carried them over the canopy, and she spotted houses built into the trees. Several rope bridges were suspended between them, some spiraling down the trunks. Celestials flew among the branches, all with various shades of wings; some had rich auburn feathers with black streaks, others grayish blue, some bright red, and light brown with dark brown stripes or yellow with white undertones. Their hair and eyes too were anything but the typical blond and blue.

This was why Cassiel felt so at home here.

Beyond it rose the peak of the Hermon Mountain, layered in snow. Within the rocky slope was a great stone castle built into the cliff. It had large round towers and sharp pointed roofs with blue flags flickering in the wind. Several large, open balconies decorated along the side of the castle, high and low, with many stone bridges between the landings.

Smaller trees grew along the ridges in the cliff, and next to the castle poured a grand waterfall into a crystal pool far below. The water roared as it cascaded down and casted a light mist in the air. Beside it stood an immense stone monument of a Celestial shaped into the cliff. A crown was carved on top of the face set with a stern glower and beard. The statue held out an arm, palm open against the horizon as if to ward off whatever threat may want to come from beyond, the other arm raised above it held a sword ready to strike. The carving of its large bare feet rested on the ground against the ridge.

King Rael, Cassiel told her. My grandfather.

They circled the castle, high above the rooftops, giving them a wide view of the kingdom. At the zenith of the mountain grew a familiar white tree with sprawling branches. Sunlight glittered off the iridescent leaves that looked like glass. A Hyalus tree.

You have one here, too? she asked.

Every Realm has one.

Janel steered the herd to a wide, hexagonal platform extending on the south end of the mountainside. It was connected to a stone bridge that led to the castle. Hooves beat on the surface as they landed. Zev, and Lucenna stepped out of the carriage as Rawn dismounted. Like Dyna, all of their mouths were slackened as they gawked at the beauty of this place.

Cassiel turned to them. “Welcome to Hermon Ridge.”