Not sure if she was dreaming, Dyna reached out to touch him, needing to prove he was truly there. The moment her fingertips brushed his cool cheek, a gentle electric current pulsed between them. He flinched, inhaling a sharp breath. His ethereal features tightened into a scowl, and he withdrew his arms, leaving her to fall.
She hit the ground ungracefully. Wincing, she rolled onto her knees, inches from touching his toes nestled in the grass. Light caught on the silver trim of his silk robes as a cool breeze fluttered them over his legs, the hem brushing his bare feet. Sunlight gleamed on the sapphire ring dangling on a thin chain around his neck. But nothing compared to the magnificence of his black wings. She could not help but marvel at how the light caught on the sleek feathers.
He was beautiful.
His gaze swept over her, and his mouth twisted. She felt his disgust as much as she saw it. “You are an incredibly stupid human.”
Dyna barely registered the insult, for she was too stunned by his voice. It was smooth, lilting, carrying a faint accent not spoken in the eastern quadrants of Urn—and it was the same voice in the forest who had spared her life.
Chapter 5
Cassiel
Every curse known to man rang in Cassiel’s head. He groaned and kneaded on his temples. He didn’t expect much to happen when he’d been ordered to accompany the Watchers to the border.
“It is time you learn the governance of our kingdom,”the High King had announced,“including the ways we protect our people from intruders.”
But no one ventured into Hilos, not anymore. The bones of those who had rested beneath the roots of the trees. Yet Cassiel was now glowering at an intruder who gaped at him like a dead fish.
She remained unmoving where she kneeled. Her dress was dirty and torn, cuts marking her ankles and hands. Tiny freckles speckled her flushed cheeks and the bridge of her perked nose. Her full lips were cracked and dry from thirst. She was young, younger than him, possibly. Her wavy tresses were the color of flames, the ends curling past her shoulders. His gaze fell on her eyes, and stayed there, bewildered by the stunning color. They were a deep green, rivaling the purest of emeralds.
Gods, who cared about her eyes? By sparing her life, he broke laws that had been in place for half a millennium. He could lose his wings.
Damn.
What had overcome him? Why did he save her?
Cassiel glared at the dainty human and rubbed his cheek to rid himself of the tingling sensation she left behind. It felt as if her hand had imprinted on his skin.
The moment she touched him, it triggered a second sight, and he had seen through the blaze of her life force to her soul. It was a quick flash, but he didn’t perceive any ill intentions in her heart, only the terrible pain clouding it.
He looked her over, searching for any hidden weapons. She didn’t appear to be armed or trained in any sense.
She still hadn’t stopped gawking at him.
“Have you lost the means to speak?”
Awareness returned to her face and she smiled. “You were the Seraph in theHyalustree.”
“I amnota Seraph.”
She frowned and tilted her head. “Oh … are you the Nephilim?”
By asking such a question, she as well as spat in his face. He had to tolerate the slur hissed at him by his brothers and other celestials, but he would not tolerate it from a human.
“Call me that again and I will kill you myself.”
She balked from his dark promise. “I—I’m sorry. I meant no offense. The captain, he …”
Cassiel scowled at the trees. He had wondered what Captain Gareel whispered to her.
Her brow furrowed as she glanced between him, and the forest. Did she not understand what she had said?
“Never speak that word again.”
The human nodded fervently. She studied him again, her eyes widening further when she took notice of the circlet resting on his brow. Standing, she bobbed in a clumsy curtsy. “It’s a great pleasure to meet you, Your Majesty. I’m Dynalya—”
Cassiel raised a hand, cutting her off. This would be the last he would see her so there was no purpose in the acquaintance. Her name repeated in his head anyhow. Dynalya. It was the name of an Elvish flower, oddly enough.
