Shattered Souls (Guardians of the Maiden Book 3)

It was evening when Dyna made her way downstairs with Lucenna. They spotted Klyde standing in the middle of the grand hall by the fireplace. His broad back was to her as he swayed and crooned dotingly to what he held.

“The poor girl will never have a chance, will she?” Lucenna said. “You will chase away all the lads in town.”

Klyde chuckled. “Perhaps some beatings and threats, too.” He glanced up as they reached the bottom steps and smiled at Dyna. “I take it you haven’t had a chance to meet my niece yet. Come see the wee darling.”

Dyna hesitated before reluctantly walking over. Klyde turned, revealing the small bundle cradled his arms. She inched closer for a better look at the sleeping baby wrapped in a white blanket. Her chubby cheeks were rosy and round. There were a few golden curls over her bald head. She had little lashes, a little nose and tiny puckered lips.

“She’s beautiful,” Dyna said.

“And nothing like you at all,” Lucenna added.

Klyde looked at her and they exchanged another glance, this one lingering. “I will take that as a compliment, love.”

“Don’t call me that. Your sister says it’s time for her feeding, and if you don’t relinquish her baby, I’m to remove one of your limbs.”

He chuckled but his smile turned stoic when he noticed Eagon behind her on the stairs. Wordlessly, Klyde handed her the baby. He walked backwards, motioning Eagon to follow him down the hall. Once they were out in the courtyard, Eagon threw a punch. Klyde tackled him to the ground and they traded blows.

“God of Urn, what is that about?”

Lucenna smirked. “Apparently, this is how they resolve their disagreements.”

Well then.

Dyna carefully proceeded upstairs with the bundle in her arms. The baby was so small. She stroked her tiny fist curled by her chubby cheek. Her warm, little hand wrapped around her finger. A soothing calmness washed over her. The little one was so completely at peace and untainted, Dyna made a silent wish for her to always remain that way.

When they reached Gale’s room, she lightly knocked before going in. Gale sat up with a tired smile, Edith sitting beside her on the bed.

Dyna laid the baby down and did a quick examination. “Is she feeding well?”

“Yes, she eats a lot.”

“Wonderful.” Dyna continued to check the baby’s stomach, her heart, feet and hearing. Her expert hands were quick and proficient. She finished and quickly wrapped the baby again in the blanket. “She’s perfect. I’m grateful the God of Urn kept you here,” Dyna said quietly and passed the baby to them.

Edith took her and Gale pulled Dyna down to hug her, rubbing her back. “I’m so sorry you quarreled with your husband.”

“You have nothing to be sorry about.” She flushed, probably embarrassed they knew about their fight. They were so engrossed by their argument and not aware of how loud they were shouting. Now Dyna was sure everyone in town heard them.

“I understand why he’s angry. You nearly lost your life for saving mine.”

“I will never be sorry for that,” Dyna said. “Even knowing the result, I would do it again. I’ll leave you to rest now, and come back again tomorrow morning.”

Sighing, Dyna left the room with Lucenna as Klyde and Eagon made it up the stairs. They were both beaten bloody, but they were smiling and seemed to have resolve their matters. Eagon nodded to them before going into his room.

Klyde lingered behind. His eyes went to Lucenna first, sweeping over her face a moment, for dripping to Dyna. “Thank you, lass. For what you did. I’m forever in your debt.”

“No debts.” Dyna held a glowing hand to his face and healed the bruising starting to form. He wasn’t in dire need of it, and she had not fully recovered from yesterday, but she didn’t want to feel like she couldn’t use her magic when she wanted to.

“Aye.” Klyde rubbed his jaw when she finished, and grinned. “You are a walking miracle, lass.” His gaze drifted to Lucenna again, as if he couldn’t help it. “Oh, I forgot to mention, half the town is coming to the manor in an hour or so.”

“They are coming here?” Dyna asked, surprised.

Lucenna frowned. “Why?”

Klyde rubbed a spot of leftover blood from his lip. “The townsfolk always gather on the first night of a birth. Life being so fleeting here we like to celebrate when it’s made. We drink all night until the sunrise and dance until we can’t stand. Our festivities do get unruly at times, so expect a few fists fights, if not an engagement.”

Any other day, it might have sounded fun, but Dyna wasn’t looking forward to it now. She wished it was held somewhere else.

“Does it have to be here?” Lucenna asked, mirroring her thoughts.

“Aye, the manor has enough space to hold a good crowd. Besides, I think we all need a night to unwind, lass.” There was a heavy knock at the main door below, and he winked. “It’s begun.”

Klyde bounded back down the stairs to answer the door. Even from the second floor they could hear the boisterous voices of the mercenaries.

Dyna continued to their shared bedroom. It was dark inside with the sun nearly gone outside. She lit the fireplace as Lucenna closed their door on the noise starting to fill the manor. Voices drifted from outside, too. Dyna went to the windows. Townsfolk were strolling up the path to the manor in droves, finely dressed. They looked happy. Excited even.

“Maybe we should go,” Lucenna said. “That ridiculous mercenary is right. I think we all deserve a night to unwind.”

Sighing, Dyna shook her head and plopped on the edge of her bed. “I am not really in the mood for dancing, Lucenna.”

“Lady Dyna of Mopey Mountain.” Lucenna sat next to her. “Cheer up. This is your first quarrel with Cassiel, and that’s a good thing.”

It wasn’t their first argument, but this one felt more serious than all the rest. “In what Realm is that a good thing?”

“It means you’re acknowledging each other.” Lucenna frowned, looking down at her ring. “I don’t think I ever quarreled with Everest.”

Well, that could be due to the face that he didn’t know she was using magic, but Dyna kept that to herself.

“And what is your opinion? Am I wrong or is he?” Dyna asked, because she wasn’t sure anymore.

Lucenna laughed. “Oh, no. I will keep my opinion to myself, thank you. Only thing I will say, when we are angry, we sometimes say things we don’t mean. While struggling to say what we truly want to.”

Dyna thought of Cassiel, and the look on his face when he was shouting. Of the emotions she had not paid attention to when she was busy feeling her own.

He called her reckless because it was the truth. She did have a tendency to rush in head first during high-risk situations, relying on faith that everything would somehow work out in the end. Perhaps that was foolish, but her choices were based off what she felt was right.

If she hadn’t taken that risk Gale would have died. Yet if Lucenna had not been there, if she had not heard Cassiel’s voice, she would have died instead.

Then he would have been left behind to mourn her death.

It finally hit Dyna then, why he had been so hurt by her decision. Because she hadn’t thought of what consequences her actions would have on him.

Your life is not expendable, Dyna. Not to me.

Who knows how many mortal years she would have with him, and she nearly gave them up.

Lucenna wiped the wetness from her lashes. “But sitting here moping won’t make things any better, Dyna. So get up. You are going to reconcile with Cassiel, and we’re going to celebrate a miracle with a drink, then perhaps a dance.” She wore a mischievous smile. “And I have the perfect dress. Once the grumpy prince sees you in it, I can guarantee one of two things happening.”

Dyna’s eyes widened. “What?”

“He will either be furious, or he will forget about your tiff because the only thing he will care about is tearing it off you.”

Oh. Gods.

“How are you feeling?” Lucenna brushed her hair from her face. “You’re still pale. Is your Essence not fully recovered yet?

Dyna shook her head. “It will take a day or so.”

She had used nearly every drop of her power to save Gale. Unfortunately, they ran out of one the herbs used in the tea that helped them recover their magic.

“Well, you do know the other thing that could help with that, right?” Lucenna said slyly.

Dyna she swatted her away. “Do you always think about that?”

Lucenna laughed and hauled her up on her feet. “No, but I do think it’s time you move out of this room.”

It was about time.

Dyna had waited to share a bed with Cassiel until she felt ready for that step. And he took it all in stride, her understanding mate.

She wanted to see him. Needed to. Now she was the one left on the other side of a silent bond and she couldn’t stand it anymore.

They were bathed and dressed within the hour. But the flimsy black thing Lucenna made her change into could hardly be considered a dress. The black fabric seemed to flow and cling to her curves in all the right places, revealing more skin that she was used to. The thin straps lead to a curved neckline, the bodice with gold accents accentuating her cleavage.

Dyna tugged at the high slits that revealed her thighs. “I think this is too much.”

Lucenna swatted her hand away. “Leave it.”

“I feel cold in places I shouldn’t.”

Lucenna snickered as she dusted gold powder on Dyna’s cheeks. “Good. Now stop biting your lip or you will eat away the rogue and ruin all of my work.”

She sighed and let her finish. It was a losing battle anyway. And perhaps, Dyna was curious to see how Cassiel would react to it. Would he look at her the same as he had when she wore the nightgown?

Music and cheering drifted from downstairs, reminding her of their guests invited by their gracious host. One who was equal parts mysterious.

“Have you learned anymore about Klyde?” Dyna asked.

The brush Lucenna had been running through her hair paused, and she glanced at her in the mirror’s reflection then away. “He’s as careful with his secrets, as we are.”

There was something in her tone Dyna couldn’t quite read.

“He’s not careful with you.” She canted her head, taking in the red dress Lucenna wore. It was deep garnet, falling in waves of chiffon. It tied up at her neck, leaving her back exposed. The sorceress looked absolutely beautiful. She always did. And Dyna knew Klyde noticed because his gaze was always on her. “I think he fancies you.”

Lucenna scoffed and crossed her arms. “The only thing that man fancies is himself.”

Yet Dyna had noticed she stole glances at the Captain, too. “Perhaps you might…too?

Lucenna glowered, though her cheeks flushed pink. “Don’t be ridiculous. He’s so…”

Dyna hid a smile at the struggle on her face. “Handsome? Rugged? Charming?” she offered.

“Infuriating, overconfident, and…”

“And?”

Lucenna huffed. “He smells of troll.”

Dyna could tell from her shifted expression that it was a lie. “Hmm. Curious that you didn’t list Everest as a reason,” she said.

Lucenna froze before staring down at her hand with such a horrified expression, Dyna felt bad for the comment. She didn’t know why she mentioned that.

“I’m only teasing.” Dyna slipped into her shoes and looked down at herself. “Well, I suppose…this is it?”

Lucenna nodded absentmindedly, his brow pinched. “Let’s go.”

As they left their room, the buzz of voices mingling and the sound of cheerful music drifted from the main floor. When they reached the bottom of the stairs, they found the manor was packed with townsfolk. The massive crowd was mostly made up of men, and all the ones standing in the hall looked up at them.

“I think we might have overdressed,” Dyna said under her breath when she noticed no one else was in an elaborate grown or brocade jacket. “Everyone is staring.”

“With interest,” Lucenna mused, her mouth curving.

The men were certainly looking very interested. They were smiling up at them, some coming to the stairs to ask them to dance. Women were looking at them too, though their looks were unkind. Most likely due to how revealing their dresses were.

The bond hummed with his energy before Dyna met a pair of silver eyes staring back at her from the end of the hall. They burned like molten steel forged by cerulean flames. As Cassiel slowly took her in, Dyna decided Lucenna was only partially right about the dress.

He looked furious enough to slaughter every male speaking to her now, and like he wanted to devour her alive.

“Have a good night,” Lucenna sang in her ear, then she made her way down the steps. Her new suitors made a path for her, half follow after her.

Dyna stayed still, watching Cassiel prowl through the crowd in her direction. Heat blanketed over them when he stopped in front of her. She wasn’t sure if it was coming off him or if it was her nerves or both.

The remaining men back away at the look Cassiel fixed on them, and quickly moved on.

His gaze returned to her, traveling over her exposed legs, sweeping slowly up the plunging neckline to her bare shoulders, and finally back to her face.

A feral sort of smile curved Cassiel’s mouth. “Lev sheli,” he said, his quiet voice bordering on a growl. “For someone who wishes to save lives, you have put every male in this room in mortal danger.” His fingers lightly took her wrist, and the electricity of his touch jolted her pulse. They continued up her arm, leaving behind a blazing trail. He leaned in as his other hand slid to the small of her back, drawing her closer. “You belong to me. I’m torn between proving it to them, or taking you upstairs and proving it to you.”

She shivered at the flutter of his breath falling on her skin. Dyna had to make herself breathe before she took his hand and climbed one step back up the stairs, then after a pause, she climbed one more.

Then prove it.