He whipped around with a snarl. The Valkyrie moved in on swift wings like streams of gold. Their swords halted an inch from Zev’s throat, and he froze, his chest heaving.
Cassiel fixed his sharp gaze on his general. “Did I say you could attack?”
Veins twitched on Yelrakel’s forehead as she trembled against his compulsion. “But sire—” She cut off when her air did. “Forgive me...”
Utter disgust crossed Zev’s face. “So this is the kind of king you have become. A tyrant who holds no bounds with how he uses his power. I don’t know why I am surprised that you would take away their will when I watched you take away hers.”
The words struck Cassiel deep in the pit of his stomach. He dropped his hold on the Valkyrie, and they retreated three steps, falling back into formation.
Tyrant…
It struck him more to hear Zev say it, and his next statement dismantled him. “I wonder what your father would think of you now.”
Sharp pain clamped down on Cassiel’s skull. The pressure was so strong, he nearly keeled over. A shallow breath passed through his lips, and he had the sudden urge to burn everything, including himself. If he became ash and faded with the next wind, would he have the chance to live life over again?
Cassiel pressed on his aching forehead. “Should he take my heart, let him keep it. He’s not to be harmed?—”
Zev grabbed him, claws poised at the center of his chest. Cassiel didn’t fight it. His heart pumped steadily, unafraid.
Yelrakel tensed but didn’t defy his order. Within the cover of the trees, Netanel watched him with a startled expression. Cassiel discreetly waved him back when he took a step forward.
Maybe he had been waiting for this. For someone to end his misery.
“Take it,” Cassiel murmured. “It’s useless, anyway.”
“I should,” Zev growled through his bared fangs. “Dyna survived a shattered soul. She would survive a broken bond, too.”
That got a weak laugh out of him. “I know...”
Dyna was so undeniably resilient that if one day Cassiel left the world, she would undoubtedly muster the strength to go on without him. But surviving her loss?
He could never.
“Zev.” The sound of her voice sent a current of energy through Cassiel’s veins.
From the shadows of the estate’s archway, two glowing green orbs appeared. Dyna stepped out into the evening light, and her bright gaze locked on the blood oozing from where Zev’s claws had pricked his chest. “Remove your hand.”
He did.Immediately.
Because they both sensed she was on the verge of attacking him. It was the instinct of a True Bonded mate to protect their other half. For her to still feel a sense of protection over him, however small, planted a kernel of hope.
“Leave us,” Dyna commanded as she strode to the gates. Zev hesitated, but at her hard look, he headed for the estate with the Norrlen guards following. She glanced at the Valkyrie next. They sheathed their weapons and bowed to their High Queen, and Cassiel couldn’t help but feel admiration.
“Sire, this area is not secured,” Yelrakel said under her breath.
For her.
They were out in the open where an attack could fall any minute. His enemies wouldn’t attack them on foreign soil and risk gaining Greenwood as an enemy. That didn’t mean they wouldn’t find a way around that. But Dyna didn’t offer him to come inside.
“Form a perimeter in the sky,” Cassiel said, not looking away from her.
The whoosh of wings and rush of wind was the only indication they were finally alone. His lungs constricted as he looked at her. Dyna stood only a short distance away with her arms crossed. She wore black trousers and a black corset over a white blouse. A short sword at her hip.
Cassiel had wanted to speak to her, but having her here now made his throat dry.
Dyna stared past him in stony silence, her red tresses flowing around her face with the breeze. “You wanted to be commanded, well, it’s given. Leave and do not show yourself in front of me again.”
Cassiel lurched forward when she turned. “Wait, please.” He tried to take her arm.
