“Tend to the mess you have caused,” Captain Gareel barked.
Cassiel dropped the bloodied cloth and moved Dyna aside as the archer approached. He offered the Prince a waterskin he unhooked from his belt. While Cassiel cleaned his hands, the archer nudged the cloth into the puddle of blood and snapped the bloody arrow shaft in half before tossing it on top with a handful of kindling. Then he set it afire.
Zev watched the flames devour it all. They couldn’t allow any trace of their existence for anyone to discover—especially divine blood.
Cassiel shook his head, the fire turning his silhouette orange. “As thrilling as this day has been, we must return to the castle, sire.”
Yoel’s smile broadened. “Yes, you’re quite right. Master Wolf, Fair Maiden, it would be my honor if you would join me for dinner tonight.”
Dinner?
The alarm that crossed every Celestial’s face was not lost on Zev.
Chapter 8
Zev
The Hilos castle rested on a summit. Its sharp-pointed towers rose high in the sky, poking through a veil of stars. Torches blazed in the night, but it was the bioluminescent plant life that highlighted the kingdom embedded in the slope. The summit rested on the edge of the cove. A half-moon shimmered on the surface of the sea. The soft whoosh of the waves lapped against the coast, carrying the scent of brine in the air. The beauty of this place appeared as though a piece of the Heavens had descended to the land of Urn.
Zev kept Dyna close as the Watchers marched them up the summit and brought them to cross a narrow stone bridge leading to the castle. They passed by boisterous cascades that sprayed a fine mist over them. The High King and the Prince flew overhead out of Zev’s earshot, having a private conversation, no doubt about them. The Watchers led them to lofty wrought-iron gates wrapped in rusted chains. Yoel left his son and flew ahead with Captain Gareel.
Another Watcher took out an old set of keys and unlocked the chains. Two others took hold of the thick bars and pulled with the force of their wings. Zev cringed at the sound of the corroded hinges screeching in his ears as they opened.
Prince Cassiel landed beside Dyna. He hadn’t wanted them to come, but his father insisted and there was no gainsaying a king.
“Keep close,” he said.
Zev tried not to gape at the castle’s grandeur as their footsteps echoed through the quiet courtyard. They followed the Prince to the grand entry, and he guided them into the main hall. Inside, all surfaces were constructed of polished marble; gilded vines and leaves adorned the pillars, every detail meticulous and pristine. Chandeliers hung from the soaring cathedral ceilings.
Royal Guards stood at each corner, stiff and almost lifeless in their gold-plated armor that glinted under the candlelight. Their cold gazes followed them as they passed. The atmosphere didn’t feel right here. His wolf paced inside of him, restless and bristling.
Cassiel brought them before a set of massive gold doors. He glanced over his shoulder and said, “Do well to mind yourselves. Do not go anywhere alone, do not speak to anyone,” his cool eyes narrowed on Dyna, “and do nottouchanyone. Above all, do not address Her Majesty unless spoken to. The High King may have invited you here but you are not safe from the Queen if you offend her. Do you understand?”
Zev nodded, wishing he had declined the invitation. It was too late to turn back now.
Cassiel dismissed the Watchers and the Royal Guards marched forward to take their place. They pushed open the doors to reveal an enormous dining room. Much like the rest of the castle, it was adorned in more polished stone and gold. Zev heard the Prince’s heart rate spike, but his outward poise remained indifferent as he led them inside.
Several servants lined the walls, dressed in silk gray robes. Some carried decanters of gold and others empty platters. A massive hearth with a roaring fire. On the walls hung tapestries with the crest of Hilos; expanded wings flanking a crowned shield with a flaming sword through the center.
Set in the middle of the room was an extensive table with the reflective surface of a mirror. The High King sat at the head of the table in a throne of glass. To his left sat a gorgeous woman with a mane of sun-spun locks and an ornate crown. The Queen, Zev presumed.
On the king’s right was the royal family by the take of their similar features. Two males and a young female. They wore silk white robes with shimmering embroidery; the fine garments flowing to their bare feet. Their hair was golden, eyes deep sapphire, each bearing pearlescent wings.
The room was a resonance of racing hearts. Only the king’s heartbeat was steady, but Zev tasted the anger and apprehension in the air. They should not have come.
“Welcome!” King Yoel’s voice echoed in the silence. “Please, come join us.”
Cassiel left them to take his seat at the far end of the table, opposite of the others.
“It’s very kind of you to invite us this evening,” Zev said as he and Dyna bowed. “This is truly an honor.”
“The pleasure is all mine,” the High King replied. He beckoned for them to sit in the two glass chairs the servants placed at the center of the table. Once they settled, he said, “It pleases me to present my family. My wife, Mirah.” He indicated the Queen, then to the others one by one. “My sons, Malakel and Tzuriel, and my daughter, Ariel. I have shared with them how you came to be here, and the story rather intrigued them.”
Of that, Zev had no doubt.
The Queen didn’t bother acknowledging them. The Princes and Princess sat in identical stiff postures with their heads lowered down as if their crowns weighed too heavy.
The King leaned toward Malakel and whispered, “Where is Princess Briel?”
