Shattered Souls (Guardians of the Maiden Book 3)

“It’s beautiful,” Dyna breathed as Cassiel released the belts and helped her down the Pegasus.

“It is, isn’t it?”

“Aye,” Zev agreed, his mouth still gaping open. “It rivals your father’s castle.”

“It appears as though we are on the edge of the Heavens,” Rawn said. “I must write about this to my wife. She very well may not believe me.”

“I thought the ride here was the greatest experience of my life,” Lucenna said, her wide eyes taking it all in. “I have changed my mind.”

More Valkyrie had flown in to join them. Dyna recognized the Lieutenant at the removal of her helmet. Her eyes, as dark as cloves, focused on Cassiel as she came forward, powerful wine-red wings looming behind her. “Little prince.”

Cassiel arched an eyebrow at her. “We are the same height now, Sowmya.”

“I’m sure I’m an inch taller,” she teased, but she looked uneasy. Her voice lowered. “We have not disclosed your bond as you asked. That is a private matter to be discussed with Lord Jophiel and the High King.”

“Thank you.” He squeezed Dyna’s hand gently before letting go. They would bide their time revealing that secret until his sentencing was sorted.

But a tightening formed in her chest as the bond stirred with worry.

Cassiel hesitated before asking, “How did he take the news about the port?”

By his grimace, Dyna guessed he meant his uncle. Cassiel hadn’t spoken very much of Lord Jophiel. From the little he did mention, it was clear how much he respected him.

“I wish you all the best,” Sowmya said, giving him a playful frown. Her gaze flickered to Dyna again. “However, I’m concerned this may not be the best time to bring outsiders here.”

Heat rose off Cassiel as his expression hardened.

The lieutenant inclined her head. “Pardon, Your Highness. I merely mean we have guests from every Realm in attendance, and not all share our views. Other than them, there is also the concern of—”

“Leave Asiel to me,” Cassiel said, his tone darkening.

Dyna caught a severity flickering in Zev and Rawn’s faces. But why?

“If any of you see him lurking around, make sure that he stays away from Dynalya. All in my company are under my protection and will be respected as my honored guests.”

The Valkyrie bowed deeply.

“Has the High King arrived?”

“Not yet.” Sowmya straightened from her bow. There was a pause before she said, “A representative has arrived in his stead.”

The reply was too careful, and it made Dyna grow wary. But Cassiel’s relief reached her, though beneath it was a hint of irritation.

Is that a good thing? she asked him through the bond.

It means my uncle will pass my sentencing.

Then that may be in their favor. Cassiel was much closer to Lord Jophiel than his father.

Sowmya seemed to want to say something more, but turned away for the bridge. “Please accompany me to the castle. You are to present yourself immediately upon arrival. Leave everything. The belongings of your companions will be placed in the guest wing, and the horse will be taken to our stables.”

Only six Valkyries accompanied them. Half flew back to their posts in the trees, and the other half led the Pegasus away.

Zev reached for her arm and his finger brushed the sliver of exposed skin past her glove. He winced, his green eyes flashing to a glowing yellow.

Dyna sighed. “I’m sorry, Zev.”

“It’s all right. I think it’s a good thing that you can do that, leastways while we’re here.”

“What do you mean?”

“Never mind.”

Dyna frowned at her cousin. Were they aware of something she wasn’t? She managed to catch Lucenna’s eye, and the sorceress only shook her head.

“I will fly ahead to announce your arrival, Little Prince.” Sowmya said. Her red wings flared open, and she soared into the sky. She flew for the castle and landed on an open platform, disappearing from view.

Why does she call you ‘Little Prince’ Dyna asked.

His mouth twitched. She has always done so. I was ten winters old when I came to live here. Compared to her height at the time, I was little.

They followed him to the stone bridge leading up to the castle. It was suspended hundreds of feet high in the air with no banisters. Lucenna clutched Zev’s arm, looking a little green.

Dyna looked out at the many homes residing high up in the redwood trees. They were beautiful intricate wooden houses. People with no wings crossed the roped bridges suspended between them.

“Humans,” Zev said, following her gaze.

Rawn and Lucenna were watching too.

“My father withheld some truth of what happened during the destruction of Gamor,” Cassiel said beside her. “The reason Lord Jophiel left Hilos was to save the half-breed children he was ordered to slaughter. He brought them here and they became the first citizens of Hermon.”

“But those humans appear young,” Dyna mentioned, “They aren’t the ones that arrived with the decimation survivors, are they?”

“No. Occasionally a Celestial that has been out traveling Urn will return with a human love-mate. Occasionally, some wander into our territory, and they can never leave to preserve the secret of our existence here. They live with us, and most eventually marry. My uncle prefers to avoid bloodshed when possible.”

Dyna met Zev’s gaze, and he affectionately patted her back. Maybe everything would be all right.

They arrived in front of two tall round towers with a set of wrought iron gates and a lifted drawbridge.

Once the Valkyrie guardians the towers saw Cassiel, the drawbridge groaned and creaked loudly as it slowly made its descent. They flew out to unlock the iron gates as the drawbridge landed down with a heavy thud. The castle loomed above them, casting them in a shadow of its outline. The sunset beyond began to streak the sky in blue, purple and bright orange.

Dyna glanced at Cassiel and he nodded encouragingly. But a nervous worry lingered in the edges of their bond. One they both tried to ignore.

They crossed into a vast stone courtyard leading to the castle’s massive stone entryway. A new arrival waited by the entrance. A Celestial female with a striking beauty that made Dyna’s mind stall. Her honey hair fell in rivers down her shoulders. It framed the perfect complexion of her face and slender frame.

Her pink lips split in a stunning smile. “Prince Cassiel,” she called. “You have returned.”

He nodded politely. “Lady Sarrai, you look well.”

“I’m perfectly well now that you have returned to us safely.”

Each step she made was done with effortless grace. Thin gold chains adorning her arms glittered in the light. The layers of her sapphire dress flowed like the petals of a tulip. A delicate layer of tulle hung over it; the bodice embroidered elegantly with golden floral designs. Dyna thought Lady Sarrai was a pureblood until she saw her wings. They were the deep grey of early dawn, and glimmered as if coated in a fine diamond dust.

“Oh, how I have missed you.” Sarrai threw her arms around him in an embrace.

Cassiel stiffened. Dyna stiffened too, and something that felt like protectiveness flickered in her chest.

“I have not been gone too long.” Stepping out of her arms, Cassiel cleared his throat and glanced at Dyna and the others. “Everyone, please allow me introduce Sarrai Nephele of Nazar, and one of the few I call friend. We both were raised here in Hermon together. Lady Sarrai, these are my travel companions—”

“Pardon me, we should save introductions when we are not outside in such dreadful cold,” Sarrai said. She held out her hand for Cassiel to take, and gold bracelets glinted at her wrists with delicate chains attached to her rings. “Come. They are waiting for us.”

Sarrai urged him along into the towering entryway without giving them a passing glance. Dyna exchanged a look with the others. It was as if they were invisible…or merely not worth the acknowledgement.

They followed them onto a stone overpass suspended above a garden below. Fountains rose on either side of it with bushes of colorful flowers and shrubbery trimmed neatly. The overpass took them to another set of doors where two male castle guards stood watch. They wore plated blue armor with a golden crest of a Hyalus tree within a mountain on the breastplates.

Their wings twitched slightly at the sight of their arrival, their dark eyes watching Dyna and her friends closely as they approached. The guards bowed to Cassiel, then opened the doors to reveal a vast stone hallway with a long blue and gold rug running down the entire length of it. Torches lit the way, and on the walls hung grand golden frames of life-size paintings.

They were portraits of pureblooded Celestials.

All wore crowns.

“King Kāhssiel,” Cassiel told them when they stopped in front of the first one. “The first to rule Hilos. My namesake.”

Dyna hadn’t known he was named after the first king. The male in the painting had familiar features passed onto his descendants. Now that she looked at him beside Cassiel, she found they had a striking resemblance. The same chin, same nose, same steel eyes. Every feature was a near match, as though this was what he would have looked like if Cassiel had been born a pureblood.

He pointed out the portrait of his grandfather. King Rael stood stern with a thick gray beard. The old king matched the monument carved into the cliff side. The following portrait was of a beautiful Celestial female with a golden crown, who Dyna guessed must be Cassiel’s grandmother, Queen Sapphira. It was followed by a portrait of another Celestial king, this one with strong traces of King Rael in his features.

“King Yoel,” she heard Zev whisper under his breath to Rawn. “His father.”

Cassiel ignored that portrait completely and stopped in front of another next to it with Sarrai.

“This one is my favorite painting,” she said to him. “Lord Jophiel looks so dignified, does he not?”

“He does.”

Lord Jophiel also shared similar features with his brother and father. In the portrait, he was young and handsome with a square jaw. A gold crown sat over his long blond hair, just above his striking gaze.

“We should not dally,” Sarrai said with a sigh, sounding almost reluctant. Cassiel continued with her down the hallway where more castle guards waited. Dyna knew they were old friends, but the sight of them together made her ache a little.

Yet that wasn’t what truly bothered her. The anxiety she had been hiding grew in her chest with every step she took. This plan would never work. Why did she even suggest it? Magic sparked at her fingertips. They should turn back. They had to leave. Dyna scanned the area for a quick escape. But then Cassiel was there.

His gloved hands came over her face. Lev sheli.

She shook her head mutely. Her stomach churned. God of Urn, she was going to spew. I can’t go in there. Please, let’s go.

It will be all right. We will do it together.

Hearing that eased her heart a little. Her eyes held his and she forced herself to take a breath. Cassiel’s hand took her gloved one, sending her a wave of assurance. But Dyna met Sarrai’s narrow stare and she tugged her hand free.

His brow furrowed. Are you ready?

She shook her head again. Are you?

He offered her a small smile. No, but as long as you are with me, I can face anything.

Then so could she.

The guards opened the doors for them, and finally they reached the throne room where the Lord of Hermon Ridge waited.