Zev growled. “We don’t have an hour.”
“By the time you run through all the legal channels, it may be too late for him and the entire reclusivity of Celestials,” Lucenna added.
Von’s hand stalled over the page, sweat sprouting on his forehead. “But I—I cannot simply release…”
Princess Keena laid a small hand on his thumb. “Veron, you know no poacher would wait to sell divine blood. The prince may already be headed for the market as we speak.”
Dyna came to stand in front of his desk, forcing him to look at her. “King Yoel bore witness to The Decimation of his people. He lost so many to the greed of humans, including his mother. He willneverforgive another loss, especially that of his son. Cassiel is to be the future High King of Hilos.”
Veron stiffened in his chair.
Zev shot her a surprised look. She hadn’t had the time to share that with him, not that it was her news to share.
“Do you understand what is at stake?” Rawn said before the commissioner could reply. “If we do not stop this, the Azure Kingdom will have violated the Accords. Allow the death of their heir, and that egregious move will not go unanswered. The High King would annihilate the port and the entire kingdom into obscurity.”
The color drained from the commissioner’s face, and he swallowed. “The grounds for your arrest are speculation at best. Most likely, they will drop the changes. If you run, you’ll become fugitives of Azure.”
Dyna braced her hands on his desk, holding his gaze. “With all due respect, sir, we don’t bloody care.”
She waited for his answer, their hope riding on his decision to break the law for them.
Veron dragged a hand down the length of his face. “The gods forbid I am responsible for a war that could have been prevented.”
A collective sigh of relief sounded in the room.
“Go. You have until noon before I raise the alarm of your escape. That is the only help I can give you.”
Keena flitted in the air. “I’ll help—”
“No. After this, they will become fugitives. You cannot publicly involve yourself with them any further.” Veron looked at Dyna and her companions. “The Azure Guard will search for you, beginning with the pier and at every port along our coasts. Get the Celestial prince out of my city and don’t return.” He stood and nodded to Zev, straightening his uniform. “Going out the front door isn’t an option, nor can it appear that I aided your escape.”
A wry smile crossed Zev’s face. He clenched his fists, making the knuckles crack. “I apologize in advance.”
He swung, and the punch sent Veron crashing across the room. He slumped against the wall, falling unconscious.
Princess Keena winced. “That’s going to leave a mark.”
Lucenna threw a containment spell at the office door, coating the surface in a rippling purple sheen. Guards banged on it from the other side, shouting in alarm.
“Time to go.” Zev grabbed the bench and threw it through the window.
The loud shatter of glass rained down below. Rawn knocked away the remaining jagged pieces on the edges. He grabbed a rope out of his pack and secured it to an exposed rafter on the ceiling before tossing it outside. He motioned for Lucenna to come first. She grabbed the rope and climbed out the window as the Azure Guards started breaking down the door. Then Zev followed at Rawn’s instruction and he held out his hand for Dyna to come next.
The fairy princess smiled at her. “Come visit the Morphos Court once this mess is sorted. My father would gladly receive you. We’re within your debt.”
“There is no debt to speak of.”
“Wait,” the fairy called when Dyna moved to take Rawn’s hand. Uncertainty crossed Keena’s expression, and she sighed. “If he hasn’t reached it yet, you will find Leoake in Willows Grove, a day outside of the city. There is a hidden portal in the largest willow tree. A fae secret. It’s how we travel between the courts.”
By this, it was clear the fairy had known more than she let on. Their meeting couldn’t have been a coincidence, but now wasn’t the time to question it.
Dyna bowed her head. “Thank you. The both of you.”
Keena nodded. “Good luck to you.”
“And to you.” Then Dyna leaped out of the window.
Chapter 48
