Fear was a shroud she would peel away, one piece at a time.
“Thank you.” Dyna inhaled the crisp morning air and released the last of her anger with the next exhale. She glanced at Zev and the others, who watched them warily. “You had to know the others would have tried to kill you.”
Lucenna closed her eyes. “If it’s not worth dying for, then it’s not worth fighting for.”
It was the same thing Azeran once said when he risked it all for what was right.
With a soft smile, Dyna sat on the log and rested her head against Lucenna’s shoulder. “You will be the redemption of House Astron, Lucenna. I’m looking forward to seeing it.”
They said no more as they watched the sunrise on the horizon, and Dyna pretended she didn’t hear Lucenna cry.
Chapter 35
Zev
Zev’s paws stopped at the edge of a rocky precipice as he sniffed the chilly air, the wind pulling at his thick fur. Evening’s amber light bathed the small fishing town of Argos Valley in the gorge below. For three days, they had traveled across the Moors. After nothing but endless trees and stone, he was glad to see some sign of civilization.
A thin strip of washed-out blue painted the distant horizon.
“The Saxe Sea,” Dyna said beside him. “We’re close.”
It seemed a lifetime ago since they left their little corner of Azure. The world was much bigger than he could have imagined. Instead of wonder, it only made him feel small and insignificant.
“Zev.” Dyna rested a hand on his head, massaging his ears. “What are you thinking?”
He moved back, and she dropped her hand with a sigh. He had avoided Dyna, lacking the bravery to speak to her. Staying a wolf meant he didn’t have to talk with anyone. In this form, most of his thoughts were scents and sounds, dulling even the Madness.
Dyna wrapped her arms around his neck. “I’m sorry for being so cross with you. Whatever happened at the fjord, you don’t need to explain it to me, but please don’t push me away, Zev.” She buried her face in his fur, stifling the pain in her voice. “Please talk to me. I miss your voice.”
But Zev didn’t shift. He wasn’t ready to face her or the mad thoughts. If only he could stifle the voice that condemned him for every horrifying sin he’d committed.
At his silence, Dyna let him go.
“It’s all right. I’ll be waiting when you’re ready.” She lifted his face so he’d met her gaze. “Don’t surrender.”
The plea squeezed his chest, reminding him of his father’s last words.
Don’t surrender, Zev.
She left him and joined Cassiel and Rawn where they were studying the map in the journal. Lucenna held on to Fair’s reins, watching him silently. Zev drew his lips over his teeth. Dyna may have forgiven her, but he hadn’t. His heart wasn’t as good as hers.
“There is a path through the gorge that leads to Argos Valley,” Rawn said as he closed the journal. “We can replenish our wares there and lease a carriage to take us to the Port of Azure. It will be two days’ ride.”
Zev met Rawn’s gaze and nodded. He trusted him to guide them where they needed to go. Dyna mounted Fair’s saddle and followed Lucenna and Rawn down the ridge through the trees. He continued watching the horizon for a moment longer, enjoying the wind ruffling his fur.
Cassiel ambled to his side as he took in the view with him. “I take it you remain angry with Lucenna.”
He answered with a low growl.
“Well, I’m impressed by your restraint. I expected you might attempt to take a bite out of her at any moment.”
Even if he’d wanted to, Lucenna was family, however distant. He scented it during his first breath inside of her tent. She was another Astron descendant. While Zev didn’t like Lucenna at the moment, he had no urge to harm her. At least not now.
When he had seen her attack Dyna, his wolf had wanted to rip out her throat. He had seen Dyna grow, lived with her, loved her like a sister. Their familial ties were stronger. It didn’t matter that Lucenna was trying to help in her own way. All he’d understood was the attack and his need to defend.
Then for Dyna to break under the weight of her fear, he hadn’t been able to bear it. She was petrified of the dark, but to see the extent of how deep her trauma had gone saddened him.
“What happened the night the Shadow came, Zev?”
