Cassiel’s jaw flexed, and he laughed. It was a dry, harsh laugh, lined with ice. A spark of blue light fanned over the back of his fists resting beside his plate. “Celestials do not divorce.” He smiled at him sharply. “Lordling.”
Raiden’s expression hardened. “How fortunate that she isn’t a Celestial, wouldn’t you say?”
He had a point. And that was the very reason that tore them apart in the first place.
Cassiel met Dyna’s gaze across the table. “If Dynalya wishes to entertain this jest, I will not stop her.” A white light began to glow through his tunic, from his chest and arms. It spread to his neck, taking the shape of foreign letters. “But our vows will forever remain, and they will always hold value to me.”
Zev’s wolf tensed as the silence in the room grew heavier while Cassiel and Dyna stared at each other. Those must be the vows she had painted on him during their wedding night. But what value could they hold now?
Their staring match was interrupted by the sudden commotion of voices in the hall. The dining room doors swung open, and the Norrlen Guards dragged in a boy by his arms, forcing him to kneel. He was tattered and filthy, his hair matted with leaves, but he wore a familiar dark blue coat and a harness at his waist.
Zev immediately recognized him.
Lucenna audibly sucked in a breath. The others stiffened in their seats. Von blinked up from his plate with a dazed frown, and he froze.
Klyde jerked up from his chair so abruptly, it toppled over and banged loudly against the stone floor behind him. His wide eyes were fixed on the boy with disbelief.
“Tavin?”
CHAPTER 54
Von
Many things happened at once. Klyde wrestled the boy free from the Norrlen Guards and pulled him out into the hall. The sorceress and the Lycan followed. Dyna profusely apologized to Lady Aerina and her son before following them.
Von didn’t move. He couldn’t.
His vision spun, and there was no air in the room. It couldn’t be. It was impossible.
“That was strange,” the fairy princess with butterfly wings asked. “Who was that?”
Von blinked at her, not able to form words yet.
Raiden glowered at them. “I take it you know this intruder?”
“Yes.” Cassiel set his napkin down on the table as he stood. “Pardon us for the interruption brought to your home, Lady Aerina. The boy is Klyde’s nephew. While his arrival is unexpected, I assure you it’s not a matter of concern.”
She smiled at him politely. “Oh, right, of course. It’s all right.”
“No, it’s not.” Raiden rose to his feet as well, his eyes narrowing on Cassiel. “I must be frank with you, King of Hilos. We have had more than enough interruption in our home as of late, and I do find it very concerning that a human found his way here past our borders.”
Cassiel leveled him with a look. “Should you find his presence disagreeable, shall I pass on your complaints to my wife?”
Raiden’s expression shifted, because he had him there.
“Please excuse me.” Cassiel strode away from the table and went out into the hall.
A small swirl of gold dust swept into Von’s vision as Keena flew up to him. “Shall we follow?” she whispered.
Without waiting for a reply, her little yellow wings carried her away.
Von had to consciously make himself stand and force one step in front of the other. His heartbeat was pounding loudly in his ears as he drew closer to the hallway. Distant voices echoed through it, leading him to the gardens.
Von came to the glass doors where Princess Keena lingered. He joined her side as they looked outside. Dyna, Zev, and Cassiel stood back, silently watching at the base of the stone steps.
Klyde had the boy by the fountain, his voice so strung with anger, he was nearly yelling. “What are you doing here? How did you find us?”
“I-I’ve been following you since the Bridge…” the boy replied in a small voice.
