It was time to go, and quickly.
Dyna dropped her shield on the Nazarian army as she turned to face them. “Forgive the king’s misconduct. He has a temper in need of minding.”
“You…” Lord Gadriel gaped at her with large, angry eyes. “You are supposed to be dead.” He caught himself. “I mean, I heard you had been assassinated during Hallel’s coup…”
She arched an eyebrow. “Well, I am sorry to disappoint you.”
“Who is she, Father?” the bulky Celestial beside him asked.
Dyna didn’t have time for this. She searched among the shocked faces until she spotted Prince Asiel coming through with her Pegasus. “Excuse me. I will be on my way.”
“I don’t think so,” Lord Gadriel sneered.
His army drew out their swords and pointed their arrows at her. The Valkyrie dropped behind her and drew out their weapons.
“Halt!” Asiel came out of the crowd with Shira and stood between them. “It is treason to draw your weapons against her. You know who she is, Lord Gadriel.”
“It’s not her I draw them against.” Lord Gadriel’s hard eyes fell on Cassiel. “I cannot allow you to leave with him.”
Dyna narrowed her eyes, and magic crackled on her skin. “You do not have a choice.Move.”
“Who is she to speak to us this way?” Nuriel appeared from the crowd beside his father. “I still don’t understand.”
“Don’t you?” Asiel faced the crowd. “You all bore witness to what occurred here today. She is the one who walks through Seraph flame, unburnt and unchallenged.” He turned to her, holding out an arm in display. “I present to you the wife and True Bonded mate of Cassiel Soaraway, the sovereigns of Hilos and the Four Celestial realms. Your Queen of Fire.”
He dropped to one knee and bowed his head. The Valkyrie beat against their golden breastplates three times and did the same. Dyna tried not to blush at the grand show. It was completely unnecessary.
The Nazarians, however, didn’t bow. They still looked unsure of her. Afraid and cross.
“It’s her power that keeps the High King from decimating you all,” Asiel said. “It would be wise not to defy her.”
Dyna shrugged and began to lower Cassiel to the ground. “If Lord Gadriel would rather keep the High King’s company, I will happily wake him from his nap. I can’t say how well Nazar will survive it, though.” She canted her head. Gadriel’s mouth thinned, and she lifted Cassiel back into the air. “I thought so. Now make way.”
Asiel held onto Shira’s reins as she mounted the saddle. Sowmya strapped her into the harness again.
“What of the charge against my son?” Lord Gadriel demanded. “He’s been wrongfully accused of treason.”
Dyna looked up at where Akiel stood on the tallest balcony of the citadel. She didn’t know him, but she recognized his expression. The one of hatred and amusement. A mirror of Zekiel’s.
“Keep him here under watch,” she said. “Until he can be summoned to a proper inquisition.”
“Is that yourcommand?”
“Do mind your tongue, Lord Gadriel.” Dyna smiled, allowing her eyes to glow. “You are speaking to your High Queen. When a decision has been made regarding your son and Nazar’s defiance to the crown, you will be called on again.”
She held out her hand for the reins and Asiel placed them in her palm. He looked up at her hesitantly. “You have done more than enough, but…”
“What is it?”
“My father never returned since he left Hermon,” Asiel said. Dyna frowned. That couldn’t be right. Lord Jophiel had survived the coup. “I have heard no word for him. If you could…”
Dyna glanced down at Cassiel, now suspecting the true reason she had found the water mirror.
“I will look into it.” Then she noticed the chain left on the ground. “However, I may need your assistance with one more thing.”
Once Dyna hadwhat she needed, she flew away with Cassiel. She ordered the Valkyrie to linger behind in the sky to assure no others attempted to follow. Only Sowmya and Yelrakel shadowed her.
She rode fast for the province of Sellav. Her magic was waning. Her veins began to cool, and the light of her Essence flickered around Cassiel.
