After a pause, a tree branch rustled, and a figure dropped to the ground, landing in a crouch only a few feet away from her. As it rose to its full height, wings stretched open behind them, then rested. Sowmya stepped into the light.
Dyna’s pulse drummed at the sight of the Lieutenant. Lowering to one knee, Sowmya bowed her head, her sleek red feathers gleaming in the moonlight.
“I am sure now it was you, wasn’t it?” Dyna said, her eyes widening with a sudden realization. “You followed us on the Bridge. You released me from the forest’s spell in Morphos, then you paid for our stay in Little Step, and it was your voice who shouted for me when I jumped through the Druid’s door. And I know you pulled me from the sea after the ship blew because I found one of your feathers on the beach where I washed up. This whole time I thought I was hallucinating the sound of wings, but it wasyou. How long have you been following me?”
“I never left your side, my lady.”
She stared at her incredulously. “This whole time? Why?”
Sowmya lifted her head. “Did you truly think my king would leave his greatest treasure unprotected?”
Dyna heaved a breath, and her eyes immediately filled at the sharp ache in her heart. Her mind rebelled with anger, and she scoffed. “If he treasured me, he never would have left.”
With a sigh, the lieutenant rose to her feet. “I will deny this if asked, but I do not agree with his actions.”
Because it was wrong, even his Valkyrie knew that.
“It doesn’t matter now.”
“It does.” Sowmya took a step, but Zev snarled at her in warning, and she halted. “I was never supposed to reveal myself to you. He wanted you to live without any memory of him or the Realms, so you both may go on with your lives.”
“And how well has that worked out for him?” Dyna hissed.
“Far worse than you know.”
The reply stumped her enough to pause. “What do you mean?”
The lieutenant dithered for a moment. “Cassiel is lost, my lady, and the Realms have turned against him. You are the only one who can make right what was made wrong.”
Scoffing, she shook her head. Cassiel was the one who wronged her.
“He is on his way to Nazar.”
Dyna looked up at the gathered clouds above the mountains where the floating islands hid. Then it hadn’t been her imagination. She had sensed him near.He was coming.
But it had nothing to do with her.
“Return to him,” Sowmya said softly.
“Why should I?” Dyna gritted her teeth, ignoring the burn behind her eyes. She wouldn’t chase after the one who left her mindless and contained. “I am not his mate. He made that quite clear. The Realms tried to have me assassinated, if you recall. Why would I return to give them another chance to succeed?”
“Because you are the High Queen.” The breeze blew loose tendrils of dark hair past Sowmya’s somber gaze. “Whatever happened between you, whatever prejudice my people hold, that does not change. Go to him, mylady. Remind him who you are. He does not know how much he needs you.”
The words embedded into her chest like molten iron as Cassiel’s soft voice echoed in her head.
Leave you? That will never happen.
Without you, there is no sun.
A tremor ran through Dyna, and she shook her head.
You are the other half of me, Dynalya.
It was a dream. Now we have to wake up.
A violent shake went through her.
I don’t want you…
