Why did he hurt them?
Cassiel’s lethargic gaze fixed on his reflection in the windows across from him. “I was willing to sacrifice everything, including my soul, if it meant our fate would be different...”
Zev clenched his teeth at the poisonous anger that roiled in his stomach. The cost had been Dyna’s innocence and their friendship. “That’s the thing about sacrifices, Cassiel. Someone always pays the price, but it wasn’t you.”
They shared a long look, and Cassiel’s brow tightened. “Zev?—”
“No, I have no interest in your apologies either. There is nothing for you here anymore.” He turned in the direction Dyna had gone. “Give up and go home.”
“I am not giving up on her.”
Zev clenched his fangs, his claws sharpening. “I hope you are prepared for disappointment. None of us will ever forgive you.”
After a faint sigh, Cassiel’s footsteps retreated.
“To quell her deep well of scorn, it would take reducing yourself to the dust beneath her feet,” Zev called after him. “Which a king would never do.”
Cassiel paused by the opening of the adjoining hall. “And what makes you believe I am above groveling for my queen?”
He walked away and vanished down the next hall.
A question that Zev had wanted to ask was left to wither in a moment passed. Yet he whispered it to the empty hall for no one to hear. “Did you ever once think of me as your friend?”
That too was irrelevant now.
Turning away, Zev continued through the estate, following the sounds of voices and the scent of food. His senses led him to the dining hall where his companions were already seated as the servants served the morning meal.
Dyna sat quietly between Raiden and Von, drinking tea. Zev took the chair across from her, next to Lucenna and Klyde.
Keena grinned cheerfully when she saw him. She had been fluttering around the tiered plates filled with food. Piling a plate with pastries, fruit, and sausages, the fairy flew it over to him. “Let’s share,” she whispered.
The others were quiet as they listened to Lady Aerina, Eldred, and Raiden discuss the course of their journey across Greenwood with Commander Camsen.
“We would avoid unwanted attention if we took the game trail through the forest,” Raiden said. “Our large party is sure to draw many eyes, and we know not who is watching the capital road.”
Camsen pursed his lips. “Yes, but the season is a concern, my lord. It rains much in the mountains, particularly at this time of year.”
“How did the roads look when you traveled to Sellav, Commander?” Lady Aerina asked him.
“Manageable, for the most part, princess.”
“But very frequented, I imagine,” Raiden countered. “The convoy bears a higher risk of attack. I will not risk my mother’s safety.”
Camsen straightened. “I admit, the capital road is quite active. For that very reason, the King sent us to escort you. I believe the hills and mountains hold a much higher peril.”
“Then it’s fortunate we are traveling south. We have not had a flash flood since two seasons ago, but when they do come, they tend to fall from the Anduir Mountains. The risk will diminish once we leave Sellav.”
Zev paused eating at the mention of a flash flood. They had one in Lykos five years ago, and it wipes away a good portion of the land, and with it a third of the Pack. He glanced at Lucenna and Klyde. Their expressions were wary. Von glanced at him when sensing Zev’s stare, his face unreadable.
Keena was the only one who looked frightened. Her golden wings tucked close against her back, she moved to sit on a saucer by Lucenna’s arm. “I don’t like the rain,” she muttered to her. “Pixies can’t fly when our wings are wet.”
Lucenna conjured a tiny storm cloud above Keena’s head, making her dash beneath a teacup for cover.
Eldred hummed, linking his fingers together. “I’m afraid the risk remains until we cross River Myst, young master. If the rains continue, the river may flood. Regardless, danger will follow us whether you choose to take the King’s Road or the game trail. We will abide by whatever you decide.”
Raiden sighed and looked at Dyna. “What do you think, my lady?”
She blinked and looked up at everyone nervously. “Oh, I am not the right one to ask. I am not familiar with Greenwood’s terrain?—”
