“Then why bring it into the castle?” Prince Malakel shot to his feet, launching his glass chair across the sleek floor. The servants scurried out of the way before it shattered against the wall. Zev winced at the sound stabbing his ears, and Dyna stifled a yelp.
Malakel whirled on Cassiel next. “How dare you risk all our lives by sparing it? And you see fit to grant itimmunity? You’ve spat in the face of our kinsmen and everything they died for. You’re a traitor!”
The taut muscles in Cassiel’s jaw flexed. His indifferent expression didn’t falter, but his fists set on either side of his plate, curled so tightly his knuckles turned white.
Malakel continued to berate him, his words reverberating against the walls. “You have defiled the kingdom and dishonored the Soaraway family! You are not fit to bear the name! You disgust me, you filthy, vile Neph—”
“Silence!” King Yoel barked. “You will not speakthatword in my presence.”
Malakel sneered at his father. “And I will not sit here to dine with a human and a beast. It is intolerable. When I succeed the throne, all those who show mercy to humans will be sentenced to death.”
The Queen smiled at her son’s proclamation. Ariel and Tzuriel gawked at him with slacked mouths.
The High King’s eyes simmered with icy rage, but his words were nothing short of calm. “Tell me, Malakel, when have I said the throne would go to you?” He stood, never looking away from his son. “That human girl has accomplished more in her life than you have in all your years in this world. You have yet to prove to me you would make a wise ruler. Of your brothers, you are the least deserving to rulemykingdom.”
Queen Mirah glared at him through narrow slits. “He is the heir apparent. By the law of succession—”
“Imakethe law!” They all cowed at King Yoel’s deafening bellow. He loomed over the stunned Prince, his expanded wings casting menacing shadows. Prince Malakel shrunk back. “I am the High King and I am your father. Conduct yourself to that esteem. One more word out of your mouth and I’ll have you exiled with the removal of your wings. Then you will resemble the very humans you loathe so much.”
The color drained from Prince Malakel’s face. He flinched at the jarring clatter of the Queen’s golden utensils hitting her plate, the sound echoing within the hushed room.
The King reined his fury and evened his expression as though he had not made a threat against his son. “This is the last time you ever show me such disrespect, Malakel. Now remove yourself from my sight.”
The eldest Prince lowered in a stiff bow then pivoted on his heel and headed for another golden door. No one stirred for a long stretch once he left. Zev didn’t move a muscle or raise his gaze. Dyna followed his example.
The Queen was the first to speak, her faint hiss reaching Zev’s ears. “You would be so barbaric as to exile your son, Yoel? Shearing of the wings is worse than death.”
The High King’s glare cut to her. “Question me again and I’ll show you the same favor, Mirah.”
The Queen gasped in outrage. Her chair screeched as she stood and pinned her eyes on Prince Tzuriel and Princess Ariel. They rose at the silent command. The whisper of their footsteps crossed the room then vanished with the slam of the heavy door closing behind them.
After another drag of silence, the servants approached to clear the dishes. The movement slowly dispelled some tension trapped in the confines of the air.
King Yoel exhaled a long breath and ran his hand down the length of his face. “Please disregard that unfortunate display. Perhaps I was too hasty in this gathering.”
“I’m sorry for any offense our presence may have caused, Your Majesty,” Dyna said.
He waved her apology away. “Do not pay Malakel any mind. He is my eldest and the most foolish.”
Zev caught Cassiel’s barely audible scoff. Prince Malakel’s reaction had not been meaningless.
“It’s not your fault,” Zev told Dyna. “There is an unfortunate history between humans and Celestials.”
The servants paused and the room once again filled with heavy quiet and the scent of nervous sweat.
“Why?”
He hesitated to answer. She had seen enough horrors without him burdening her with the ones of others, and this was not the place to speak of it either.
The High King was studying her again, his expression indiscernible. He turned away and headed for a westward entryway. “It is best we move the remainder of this evening to my study. Come, my son will escort you.”
They stood but Zev paused, hesitant to go any further. The King planned to answer her question?
King Yoel strode out of the dining room without another word. Cassiel came around the table, staring after his father as though he too couldn’t believe it. He nodded for them to follow. Zev took a deep breath. Dyna linked her arm through his and they trailed after the dark Prince.
Chapter 9
Dynalya
