“She has remained in Hermon.”
Dyna nodded. “Good. Then she’s safe.”
“Who is this?” demanded a male Celestial behind them. A noble by the make of his golden robes. Every Celestial gawked at her with astonishment and disgust.
Whispers hummed among the crowd.
“Why is there a human here?”
“How does she know of us?”
“Who is she to ride a Pegasus?”
The nobleman gripped his sword’s hilt. “Answer human, or I will behead you where you stand.”
Dyna arched an eyebrow at his reedy arms. She could probably break them before he ever drew his sword.
Asiel frowned at him. “Calm yourself, Nuriel. Show some respect. You owe her your allegiance.”
“What?” Nuriel balked, gaping at him as if he were mad. “What do you meanIowehermy allegiance? To this filthy human who has trespassed into my father’s Realm? If you weren’t Lord of Hermon, I would have you detained for that insult.”
Lord? Well, they had named Asiel both heir and Lord Protector of Hermon before leaving. Naturally, the position was passed to him once Cassiel became king.
“Hold your tongue.” Asiel loomed over him. “Or you may lose it if you continue speaking of her that way.”
Nuriel shrunk back, confirming her assumption. He wasn’t a fighter. His shifty gaze flickered to her with new wariness, and she almost smiled. Asiel had changed a lot since she last saw him.
The sky ruptured with aboomthat rocked through her being.
They all looked up at the bright blue light breaking through the clouds like a comet of flame. The Celestials cried out, and most of them scattered. Mothers and fathers grabbed children, fleeing in the opposite direction.
It was probably wise of them to leave. If what Sowmya said was true, Dyna came prepared for the worst.
“Why do you flee?” Nuriel shouted at them. “Your Liege Lord will protect you!”
“Not against Seraph fire,” Dyna said. “You should go as well.”
Opening the saddlebag, she gathered the crumpled red feathers, and they glittered gold as they dissolved in her hands. She closed her eyes, feeling the barrier fall away. The flood of Essence filled her veins with warmth. A current of energy filled her being with such delightful power, her lungs expanded with a full breath she had not taken in months.
Her Essence wasn’t as it was. It had grown in strength, as her body had. And she instinctively knew she was capable of so much more. “Make sure no other interferes. I will take care of it from here.”
“When I prayed for a miracle, I did not expectElyonwould answer, let alone in this way.” Asiel folded an arm across his chest and deeply bowed. “Thank you for coming.”
Nuriel recoiled in disgust. “Why are you bowing to her? What is she doing here? You have yet to explain who she is!”
“I am Dynalya Astron,” she said, taking the steps of the bridgeway that led to the Citadel.
“You say that name as if I should know who you are!”
Pausing, she trained her glowing green eyes on him and the citizens of Nazar.
“You will.”
CHAPTER 42
Cassiel
Cassiel landed at the peak of the Citadel’s courtyard like a comet. The force of his power cracked the stone beneath his feet and wisps of blue flame scattered out. His army of Valkyrie hovered behind him like a shroud of gold, filling the skies. He instructed them to watch from above first.
