Cassiel flew out of the way and moved back, leading him away from the camp. The Other lunged and slashed at his chest. Claws tore through his flesh, and Cassiel stumbled back as hot blood seeped through his torn clothing.
Dyna hissed in pain behind him. “Are you trying to get hurt? You’re fast enough to dodge him.”
Cassiel was fast enough, but he had to let the Other hunt to hold its attention. And maybe because he felt it was only fair to bleed.
He braced his legs, watching the massive creature prowl toward him. His bright yellow eyes glowed with rage. No recognition in them.
Only hunger. And pain.
“I know you’re angry with me,” Cassiel said as the Other circled him. “I wasn’t there when I promised to be, but I am here now. I am right here, brother.” He filled his hands with fire. “So come on, then. Let’s finish our fight.”
The Other lunged, and those teeth nearly caught his arm. Cassiel whipped his wings, hitting the Other hard enough to throw it across the clearing.
“Use your compulsion,” Dyna said, coming up beside him as the beast rolled to its feet.
Cassiel dithered. “I thought you said…”
“We can argue about the morality of it tomorrow.” A flare of vivid green light filled her hands. The force of her power pressed against him like the heat from a forge. Dyna had been a candlelight he tried to shield against his chest, but unknowingly, that flame had grown to an incandescent flame befitting a queen.
He smiled at the confident power shining in her eyes, and the possibility that they would speak again. “What’s your plan?”
“Keep him still for me.”
Wind whipped Dyna’s hair as she strode toward the Other. It charged for her with a bellowing roar. Calling on his compulsion, Cassiel wove the steel threads of his power through the Other’s mind and body. Thecreature came to a halt a foot away from her, frozen in place. It growled and twitched, lips bearing angrily over its sharp teeth.
Lifting her glowing palm, Dyna gently laid it on his forehead. “Sleep, Zev.” Its yellow eyes rolled closed, and the Other fell unconscious. “No more chains for you.”
The containment domeglowed a soft gold over the sleeping creature inside.
Lady Aerina had retreated into her tent with her son, while the Ranger Regiment stood on watch. Their steady attention remained locked on the enchanted dome. Its light shone over Zev’s black fur. He had the shape of a man, though with clawed hands and feet and the face of a wolf. Cassiel sat with him, keeping guard.
The camp was quiet save for the soft crackle of burning firewood from the braziers placed throughout the perimeter and the croak of toads from the nearby stream. Lucenna and Keena had already gone to bed. Only Klyde remained awake as he and Tavin ate at their own campfire by their tent.
Cassiel glanced over at where Dyna kneeled beside Von. Her hands glowed with magic as she healed the gash in his shoulder. The commander watched in awe. His skin slowly reformed itself, going through the stages of healing until fresh pink scars formed.
“It will be sore for a few days, but you will recover the full use of your arm,” Dyna said as she finished.
Von smiled at her tiredly, and he slipped on his jacket. “Thank you.”
“Go on and rest.”
Nodding, Von got to his feet and strode away for a tent on the edge of camp.
Dyna took a seat by the dome. Not exactly beside him, but close enough that it stirred the frail bond in Cassiel’s chest. Her emerald eyes stayed fixed on her cousin, clearly ignoring his presence. He had found himself in her eyes once, which made it all the more unbearable that she wouldn’t look at him now.
“I didn’t expect to see Von here,” Cassiel commented tentatively. “Last I knew, he served Tarn.”
“He serves me now. And I will hear no word against it. From anyone.”
The sharp response silenced him on the matter, and he left it at that. He was in no position to argue otherwise. But nothing good could come of having that man here.
A breeze rustled the trees, blowing in the fresh scent of spring. Tension hovered over them like a weighted blanket. Cassiel tried to start another conversation, but no words would come. It was as though he had forgotten how to speak to her, or he had simply lost that right as well.
He returned to watching Zev and counted each breath. The scars had returned. They were visible through his fur, red and horrid at his wrists. Only three months, and there were so many burns. It doubled the weight over his shoulders.
I’m sorry…
He owed many apologies, but they were always difficult to say.
