Von sighed. “Stand down.”
Cassiel’s eyes churned like molten steel in the firelight. “You can cut me a thousand ways. I will never let you have her.”
A cold, terrifying rage boiled inside of the bond, sending goosebumps across Dyna’s skin. There was nothing in his mind but the impenetrable need to protect his mate.
Esh Zayinblazed.
The cerulean roots seeped through the white, turning the flames brilliant blue. Everyone gawked at the Seraph sword. Cassiel inhaled sharply as his disbelief struck her, followed by a splash of confusion. It quickly receded under a riptide of steely determination.
His grip tightened on the hilt, the edges of his face sharpening. “I will protect what is mine,” he said, his voice so deathly calm. “Until my last breath.”
A ball of emotion flooded Dyna’s chest as her vision blurred.
Von set her behind him and took out two knives. “If you wish to die, we will comply.”
But Cassiel wouldn’t surrender. He would never stop fighting until one of them was dead.
“No.” Dyna clung to Von’s arm. She shook her head at Rawn pleadingly. “You cannot fight them.”
Not without another casualty. Rawn might stop the mage with his enchanted sword, but that would leave Cassiel to face Elon and Von. A fight he would surely lose. If he died, it would destroy her.
Rawn lowered his sword. The sky darkened as the sun dipped on the horizon. Rain pelted down harder, soaking her through.
“Don’t follow us,” Von said. “I’ll not hesitate to kill you if you do.”
“The only one dying here is you.” Cassiel shot forward, his teeth bared. Rawn threw himself at Cassiel and tackled him to the ground. “What are you doing? Release me!”
“Lady Dyna is right,” Rawn said, locking his arms around Cassiel’s neck. “This is not a battle to be won. We must yield today.”
He reared under him, nearly throwing him off with his wings. “Get off!”
Cassiel, look at me.
He did, enraged and anguished. His fingers clawed through the mud. “No,” he said, the single word falling like a shard.
This is the only way.
Do not do this,he pleaded.I swore to protect you.
Tears streamed down her face.Now it’s my turn to protect you.
Von pulled her away, and they walked backward with the others. Dyna held Cassiel’s gaze, conveying much more than could be said aloud. She memorized his face, the color of his eyes, his hair, his voice. If today would be the last time she would see him, then she would remember him as he was by the willow.
With each step she took away from him, her body shuddered in protest.
When they reached the tree line, Cassiel peeled his gaze away from hers to Von. His next words were a quiet, seething promise in the rain. “I will be the darkness behind your steps. The shadow over your head. Wherever you take her, I will follow. If she comes to any harm, I willburneverything you hold dear.”
Von’s hold on her stiffened. He hauled her onto his shoulder. With his men flanking him, they ran into the trees.
Wait for me.Cassiel’s broken thoughts brushed against hers.There is nowhere he can take you that I will not find you.
I’ll wait for you.She strained to keep him in sight, holding on to the stars shining in his eyes until the forest swallowed them from view.Always.
Chapter 58
Cassiel
Cassiel roared a curse. He punched the ground and his entire body shook as his pulse pounded in his ears.
