“I am not the king. Nor do I care to know who you are.”
Her cheeks bloomed pink, and she fidgeted with her fingers. “Oh, well. Is the captain all right?”
He frowned, surprised the human cared to ask. She had appeared helpless against the Watchers until she hit Captain Gareel with green fire. If Cassiel had not borne witness to it himself, he would have thought it impossible. Humans didn’t have magic. They were weak, pitiable beings. She too had appeared shocked it came from her.
His feather.
She must have absorbed its magic. It was the only explanation, but how did she manage to wield it?
“His injuries may be fatal if not treated,” she said. “He needs tending.”
Though Cassiel had enjoyed seeing him thrown clear across the forest, the only injury Captain Gareel sustained was to his pride. Their kind was not so easily killed.
“He will live.”
“Why did he want to hurt me?” Her wide eyes searched his, awaiting an answer. Did she truly not know? Well, five centuries had passed since they had any contact with the outside world.
“You should not be here.”
She hesitated before asking, “Why?”
He crossed his arms, contemplating how much to reveal. She was not a poacher, that much was clear. Regardless, Captain Gareel had been ready to take her head.
Cassiel had not witnessed an execution before, but it had reminded him of the last trespasser who came through these woods two decades ago. The thought elicited a wispy image of a woman with black hair, calling his name.
“This is Hilos, the high court of the Celestials,” he said.
The girl canted her head. “In our tales of old, we refer to your kind as the Seraphim.”
“Celestials and Seraphim are not one and the same. You’ll do well to remember that.”
Her mouth opened, possibly to ask more about it, but at his glower, she bit her lip.
“How did you cross the Realm as far as you did? You’re fortunate the Watchers have grown careless.”
“The Watchers?”
“The Celestials who guard our borders.”
She lifted one corner of her cloak to show him the faded archaic runes sown on the hem. “I was not sure if the concealment spell weaved through it would still work. I tried to be quiet and not disturb the forest.”
He hadn’t memorized all the runes and their meanings, but he knew a magic cloak protected the wearer. The tattered fabric seemed to be one color only to change when she moved, blending into the surroundings as though to conceal her from anyone looking too closely. Only the elves or the mages could make such cloaks, and they cost a small fortune. It was not something this human could possibly afford, even in its poor condition.
“But then I heard the music,” she said, glancing at his flute.
Cassiel tightened his hand around the cool metal. He had not intended to draw her with it. He had played the flute merely to pass the time and because it irritated Captain Gareel.
“That song, I have heard it before.”
“I doubt that, stupid human.” The song was his. No other outside of the castle had heard it.
She frowned. “I beg your pardon?”
“It’s a befitting name as you nearly lost your life twice in preventable circumstances.”
“Thank you for saving me,” she replied stiffly. “I am within your debt. How may I repay your kindness?”
“I want nothing from you.”
