Sheli choked on a sob and shouted desperately. “What do you want from me?”
Kahssiel turned to her, and his blue eyes softened. “You already know the answer …lev sheli.” He took her chin, lifting her face to him. “I want you to choose me, because I have already chosen you.”
Tears rolled down her cheeks. “But I’m a sorceress. Your people would never approve.”
“I care not,” he breathed. “From the moment you arrived, your light was a gift in the darkness.At hazricha v’hashkia sheli.You are my sunrise and my sunset. The one I choose. In this life and in the next one.”
Kahssiel kissed her beneath the glow of theHyalustree, and Sheli stayed.
Dyna bore witness as they were wed and crowned before the court. The Seraphs secretly whispered that such a union was blasphemy. She overheard plotting from the shadows of the halls and felt the antagonistic stares of his three generals that secretly reviled them.
The third general was the one who led the scheme to remove them. He looked exactly like Lord Raziel. His past life, Dyna assumed, but he had the same name, and those cold blue eyes had not changed.
It left her with an unsettling feeling as the memory faded away, and the dream smoke darkened.
Yet Kahssiel and Sheli were too happy, or perhaps too oblivious, to notice the displeasure of their people, for they awaited a child.
Dyna found them in their chambers within the Hilos castle, laying together in bed on a sunny evening. He kissed her belly that was beginning to round as they laughed at the responding flutters. As the sun descended, the crystal necklace on her chest began to glow.
“I remember the first time I saw you,” Sheli murmured as she ran her fingers through his hair. “I was there when the Heavens opened, and the Seraphs fell to this world. You were a bright blue light in the sky like my very own shooting star. Then I found myself wishing I could fly through that sky with you.” Sheli smiled sleepily and placed a hand on her belly. “Once that wish came true, I dared to wish for another, andElyongranted it. What do you wish for, my star?”
Kahssiel looked at her with so much love, Dyna felt it. “Ahuvati,I already received mymish’alah.”He curled his body around hers. “Do you know what your name means?”
Sheli’s green eyes danced with happiness as she snuggled closer to him. “It means meadow.”
“In my language, your name meansmine.” He kissed her languidly, speaking against her lips. “As in belonging to me…”
If only that wish had been enough.
The low drone of a horn rang outside, announcing the alarm. Both leaped up and someone banged on their door.
Kahssiel opened it to reveal Raziel. “Sire, we are under attack. Your generals … they have mounted a coup against you.”
He was in disbelief. “What? Why would they do this?”
Raziel shook his head, his expression creasing with anguish. “They deem you unworthy to rule us for choosing a mortal queen, sire. Now that you have begot a child with her, they are calling it an abomination and have chosen to take your throne by force.”
“That is treason!” Kahssiel said angrily, exchanging a frightened glance with his wife. She trembled in her white nightdress, placing a hand on her belly. The clash of swords and screams outside snapped him into action.
“Come quickly,” Raziel said in alarm. “The men don’t know who our enemies are, and they are falling quickly!”
Kahssiel grabbed up his weapons, and his wife helped him put on his armor. “I cannot leave Sheli here. She cannot use magic while pregnant.”
“Allow me to see to the Queen’s safety, sire.” Raziel clamped a fist over his heart and bowed. “I will guard her with my life.”
No…Dyna gasped.Don’t let him take her!
Raziel quickly ushered Sheli out into the hall, and Dyna dashed after them, but the dream smoke took her away to a battle in the Hilos courtyard.Celestials fought Celestials, and Kahssiel was forced to strike down many. Valkyrie rallied to his side, but by the time he realized who was friend from foe, it was too late.
Kahssiel!Sheli called out to him through the bond.
He whipped around and met Raziel’s sneer where he stood with his struggling mate at the edge of a cliff. And before his eyes, Raziel shoved her off.
“SHELI!”Kahssiel tore into the air with wings of flame and raced to them like a comet. He dove through the free air down the chasm for his mate. His splayed hand stretched for her as he screamed.
Sheli’s wet eyes looked up at him, her dark hair and dress rippling in the roaring wind. There was only sad knowing on her face. The sound of her voice passed through their connection and Dyna’s heart.This is not the end, kohav.We will be together again. Wait for me.
Dyna shut her eyes.
