Tarn studied him. Von was careful to keep his face composed, but he tensed at the partial lie. There had been a chance to go after her.
“Send the spies.”
He suppressed his relief. “Yes, Master. Allow me to escort you to camp. After today, the news of your return will spread to all of Azure.”
Tarn flagged down a servant for more wine. “How did you escape?”
“The captain.”
“Then he’ll see any other problems tonight. Go. You know what must be done.”
Chapter 23
Dynalya
Landcaster’s silhouette blended well into the night, despite the faint candlelight glinting from the windows and scattered moonlight trickling over the roofs. A nervous sweat sprouted along Dyna’s skin. The shiver whispering down her spine had nothing to do with the chilly breeze rustling the leaves.
Zev said to wait for him. Why had he gone? He knew she couldn’t stand to be alone in the dark.
Well, she wasn’t alone. Beside her, the silent Celestial Prince leaned against a tree, arms crossed, frowning in the direction of the town.
“Should we light a fire?” she asked, struggling to hide her unease.
He pulled his gaze from Landcaster to her. “It would be pointless to do so. We will not camp here tonight.”
Dyna rubbed her arms, biting her lip. She heard the faint accusatory hint in his voice. He was annoyed at the mistake she made, but revealing the location of their journey had not been on purpose. The words had been plucked from her somehow. She had no explanation.
But how much longer would Zev take?
The shadows grew and stretched in the forest where they waited. Shapes lurked in the foliage, watching. No, there was no one. It was only her unfounded fear. But the darkness was all-consuming.
Dyna squeezed her eyes shut and crouched down on her heels, wrapping her arms tight around her. She pictured herself huddled in the burrow beneath the glowingHyalustree outside of North Star.
It cannot hurt me. It cannot reach me. I am not alone.
“Are you cold?”
She flinched at finding Cassiel suddenly in front of her. He canted his head, skimming her face. She gave a stiff nod. It was not a lie; her arms were prickly, and her limbs were trembling.
“Perhaps a small fire?” she managed. Anything to bring the light.
The Prince stepped back and drew his sword, white flames bursting to life. Dyna yelped. She jerked back from the rupture of heat, falling on her bottom.
Cassiel raised the blade and thrust the point into the dirt. “There.”
The wide band of flame cut through the darkness, banishing all creeping shadows.
She sighed in relief and basked in its warmth. “That’ll … do.”
Rummaging through his pack, Cassiel pulled out his enchanted coat he’d used to hide his wings and unexpectedly draped it around her shoulders. He had taken it off as soon as they had left town. She wasn’t sure if it was whether from her constant questions or from the discomfort of having his wings confined. A brocade jacket now rested on his frame. It was as black as his hair, patterned in silk and trimmed in gold embroidery.
“Thank you,” she murmured, wrapping herself in the coat. It was as large as a blanket. The fine material was unfamiliar, smooth, and lined with what felt like velvet. It carried his unearthly scent she couldn’t help breathe in.
She slid her arms beneath the coat and stretched them behind her. Where she should have felt the back of the coat was instead endless space as though it was an immense cavern.
Stardust.
It was all Cassiel had offered as an explanation. She had read about Stardust in Azeran’s journals. It was a spell in mineral form the mages had created to enchant limitless space where it was needed. It was rather clever of Cassiel to use it on his clothing to conceal his wings. He had looked almost human with the coat on.
