Lend an ear ye maid fair
Fortune is lost to the shimmering sea
Heed these wails of woe
Let nothing else consume thee
Lest ye never return whole
Listen to me, my dearest
Lest ye never return whole
The haunting song ended, releasing Dyna from its trance. She shuddered at the odd crawl that skittered along her spine. The melody left something cold and clammy on her skin. Then the bard began another song about a king who begat a son born from cruelty and ice.
“Do you believe in fate?”
Dyna jumped, having forgotten the fae beside her. “I … well, I’m not sure.”
Aston laughed, and the twinkling lights reflected off his painted cheekbones as he leaned in close. “That is the question, isn’t it? An interesting debate. The fates present us with a path of destiny, but do you reach it because of chance—” he cocked his head, grinning, “or choice?”
Was the future predetermined or brought about by action? If she believed in fate, was her father was meant to die on that frozen hill? He chose to sacrifice his life for her, for North Star. She left her village to find the means to defeat the Shadow. She chose to come here.
“Perhaps the fates plan our destinies, but I believe we ultimately reach our futures by will,” she said. “We have a say over our lives.”
“If so, why seek the Druid to tell you of your fate?”
“Another seer has given a divination about my life,” Dyna said. “I would like to ask him if he could reveal its details so I may decide what to do next.”
“I see.” Aston stroke her crown of white flowers and loosely coiled a red lock of her hair around his finger. “Then shall we make a deal? I’ll find the Druid for you in exchange for a favor of my choosing.”
Dyna dug her nails in her palms at the tempting offer. She needed Leoake to discover who the rest of her Guardians were, but at what cost? Aston clearly was attempting to trap her in some agreement. His expression of mischief grew predatory at her wavering will when she didn’t answer right away.
Leave no advantage against you.
“I—”
Awareness prickled down her spine, and she knew Cassiel was near before he yanked her from Aston. Her back collided against the hard wall of his chest as black wings enveloped her in a cocoon. Menace rolled off him in waves. His arm around her waist was like a brand, his palm hot against her ribs.
Protective.
Possessive.
Her face blazed with heat, and she attempted to pull away, but he held her firmly against him. Through the splayed feathers, she saw Aston’s golden eyes widen. Not with fear, but with interest.
“Ah, the other end of the string.” He gave a slight nod in greeting, wearing a conspiring smirk as he admired the sleek wings.
Cassiel’s steely gaze pinned on the fae, threat oozing from his pores.
Aston grinned and took a step back. “Well, I must be on my way. Before I do—” He slipped off his jacket, exposing his bare skin to the night air.
Dyna’s eyes snagged on many faintly glowing markings across his chest, shoulders, and arms in whirling vines and symbols. Geases. Markings of deals he had made with others and had yet to collect on. A quiver passed through her at the thought of almost becoming another mark on his body.
“I expect you to return it as good as new.” Aston passed her the jacket, giving her a wink. “Protect your head, clever mortal. It’s the only one you’ll get.”
It sounded like advice—or maybe a threat.
Suppressing another shudder, she accepted his jacket and vowed to return it by tomorrow. Best not to get involved with the fae any more than necessary. Aston walked away, revealing the geas of a tree running from his neck to the end of his spine, the branches spanning the entire width of his back. As if he sensed Dyna’s stare, he raised his hand in a lazy wave as he stepped into the throng and vanished from view.
