A dark-haired guard saluted and led the remaining group of guards down the steps. Lucenna watched them go, hoping Veron would send the others away too. They were not the only people the Azure Guards were pursuing.
He led them inside to a spacious foyer with polished travertine floors. Ahead of them stood two guards at the attendant’s desk. They saluted when Commissioner Moreland walked past.
To the left of the foyer, other guards were forcing people into rooms with barred doors. They headed to the right end of the building to another set of stairs. They walked several flights until they reached the fifth floor. Tapestries of Azure’s sigil hung on the stone walls. Commissioner Moreland came to another door, and a guard held it open for them to go in.
A large window took over the southern wall. It had a vast view of the city and the ocean in the distance. The tips of the boat sails at the pier peeked out above the rooftops. At one end of the office was Moreland’s large wooden desk. Behind it were bookshelves full of rolled scrolls and books. On the opposite wall was a large map displaying the city roads, ordinance laws, and a full display of wanted posters with their faces among them.
Veron lowered into the wingback chair at his desk and slipped off his white gloves as he began gathering the loose paperwork on his desk into a neat pile. “Sit.”
The guards shoved Rawn and Zev forward. Well, they tried, but Zev’s large frame didn’t budge from their efforts. Lucenna didn’t want to go in. If she did, it would leave her trapped. Rawn gently took her arm and gave Zev a reassuring nod. They came forward and sat on the bench placed in front of the desk.
Commissioner Moreland looked at them, and his gaze narrowed. “Now, do you wish to tell me why the most wanted man in the Kingdom of Azure has placed a bounty on your heads?”
Chapter 46
Dynalya
Dyna listened to the waves crash on the shore, letting the salted wind dry her eyes. Cassiel had been cold with her before. This time it was different. His words, the look on his face when he threw them at her, crushed something in her chest. That pain mirrored his when she claimed there was nothing between them. His family told him he was nothing, and to hear it from her had penetrated so deeply it struck the bond.
Sighing, she pulled her hood over her head against the chilly breeze as she looked out at the pier, where she sat at the tables outside of the fish shops. How could she tell Cassiel that it wasn’t true at all?
“How much do you think the Morphos Court would pay for their princess?” someone asked behind her as they walked by.
The sinister meaning in that question made Dyna focus on them.
Another answered with a gleeful snicker. “Enough to bloody retire. She’s the only heir.”
Morphos…Her mind raced to recall where she had heard that before. The thought drew the thought of the beautiful, dark-skinned fairy with golden wings.
Hello, Dynalya. I am Princess Keenali of the Morphos Court. Please, call me Keena.
Dyna inhaled a sharp breath.
When the voices grew distant, Dyna dared to peer behind her and recognized two of Draven’s dwarves as they climbed the gangplank to their ship. She narrowed her eyes. After they had attempted to take her last night, she wouldn’t put it past them to abduct someone. If they had Keena, then she wouldn’t sit by idly.
Dyna watched the ship, debating how she could board undetected. The answer came when Draven appeared. He clambered down the gangplank with his crew. They meandered away, laughing and cheering, perhaps celebrating a new fortune.
As soon as they were out of view, Dyna crept up the gangplank to the ship and peeked over the banister at the deck. It was empty. Nothing but her and the cages of animals. Her heartbeat quickened. No sane person would be here. It was stupid and dangerous, but no matter how scared she was, Cassiel was right about one thing.
She was reckless.
Dyna crept behind barrels and crates on the deck, listening for any sounds beyond the cries and mewling of the animals.
“Princess Keena?” she whispered. “Are you here?”
The boat creaked in the silence, swaying with the soft rock of the waves. Wind fluttered the sails, and seagulls cried overhead. She crept further on the ship.
“Keena?” Dyna called louder this time. She held her breath, waiting, hoping, praying. Maybe she was too late.
“Help me,” came a weak whimper.
Dyna spun towards the direction of the voice, a cold wash of dread and relief churning through her at the sound of the familiar voice. “Oh, gods! You are here.”
“Please … Please help me.”
“I can’t see you,” Dyna called, spinning in place. “Where are you?”
“Up here.”
