Never to touch her.
Never to kiss her.
But he knew the main one of all.
Cassiel held up his hands to yield, making the manacles softly clink. “I was not?—”
“If you ever use your power on me again, I will hurt you far worse than you have ever hurt me.” They were biting words behind clenchedteeth, laced with her anger. Beneath it all, he heard the well of hurt and betrayal.
His throat tightened.
“Lev sheli—” Cassiel took a step, but she jerked back with a hiss.
She didn’t want him anywhere near her. That fact alone caved in his chest, and he felt like he couldn’t breathe. His mate … couldn’t stand him anymore.
All his life, Cassiel had been despised and loathed. That had been due to what he was, and there was nothing he could change about that.
But Dyna despised him now for what he did. That truth hurt worse, knowing he had earned it. Cassiel forced himself to stay put, even if he was desperate to be closer to her.
But if he tried, she may kill him.
Vicious rancor came off her in waves so strong he felt it like a stifling summer heat.
Keeping her harsh gaze on him, Dyna retrieved her clothing. “Turn around.”
He obeyed. Holding still, Cassiel listened to the wet peel of the bloodied fabric before it plopped on the stone floor. Followed by the soft whisper of cloth. The sound elicited memories.
White fabric sliding over her navel.
The graze of fingertips on his feathers.
Quiet words breathed against the curve of a neck.
“Where is Lord Jophiel?”
He stiffened at the sudden question. “Why do you ask?”
At the soft scrape of boots on the floor, he turned around.
Dyna stood across the cellar from him, now dressed, with her armscrossed. “Answer the question.”
Cassiel’s gaze dipped to the dried blood left on her fingers. They drummed against her arms, waiting. “He sits in a dungeon in Hilos where he awaits inquisition … for conspiring against the crown.”
The words made him sick.
Even his uncle had turned against him.
Dyna stared at him incredulously. “Surely, there must be some mistake. Did he plead his case?”
Leaning against the wall, Cassiel crossed his arms. “Of course, but his actions could not be denied. He claimed my father had ordered him to place the witch bangles on me, which was a lie. Thereafter, he insisted Zekiel had given them to him by royal command.”
Her brow furrowed. “You believe Lord Jophiel was part of the coup? Or was it made to appear that way?”
“My uncle is no fool,” Cassiel said tightly. The subject still stung, and he clenched his jaw to keep his ire from surfacing. “I cannot accept that he would not have seen through such a ploy. He had to be part of it. For why else would he subdue my power the night before I was challenged? Why bring Zekiel and Gareel to Skelling? Why did you have a matching bangle placed on you at the lake?”
Dyna fell quiet as she mulled over that. How he wished to have a glimpse of her thoughts. All that remained was empty silence where her presence used to be.
After a moment, she shook her head. “I simply cannot believe it.”
