Directing the Pegasus with another command, they flew down and landed on the extended platform. They dismounted and climbed up the steps to the circular planform that held Nazar’sHyalustree.
The court was quiet.
All waited for the commencement of what they came to do.
Lord Jophiel was dressed in white as a representative of Hilos, and with him was an unexpected arrival. His brother Tzuriel gave him a small nod. Now Lord of Hermon, Asiel represented those in blue. Cassiel was curious about the young male in gold representing Nazar. Yelrakel’s most recent report informed that his name was Nuriel Nephele, the youngest son of Lord Gadriel, and now the Lord of Nazar. Lastly, was Skath, represented unexpectedly by a female.
“I have called you here today to at last address the Realms, as I should have done the day of my ascension,” Cassiel said. “Yet I failed you when I allowed my anger and grief to turn me against my people.”
“You decimated our entire Realm,” the female of Skath said scathingly.
“Lord Hallel staged a coup and violated the sacred law to never rise against the crown, Katriella,” Lord Jophiel interjected. “Which led to High King Yoel’s death.Alav Hashalom.”
“Alav Hashalom,”the court repeated in the name of the dead.
“Our people have lived through a coup before, and the Realms will never suffer such a thing again,” Jophiel continued. “Regicide deserves of only one sentence. A swift passage through the Gates.”
“If it had been a true decimation, who were the survivors I granted sanctuary to in Hermon?” Asiel added. “We opened our doors to Skath. That which brought you the opportunity to speak here today.”
Katriella glowered and shut her mouth.
“You are right to feel betrayed,” Cassiel told them.
“You tore the Realms apart,” Nuriel said, his eyes red with unshed tears. “My father was not part of the coup, but he felt forced to join it when you attacked Nazar. Then he returned wounded with burns by your Seraph fire two moons ago, and Akiel wasted no time slaying him for his Realm. My elder brother died defending me.”
The court murmured the blessing for the dead upon hearing the news of Gadriel’s passing.
“If my Vanguard had not supported me against Akiel,” Nuriel continued. “He would have sent me through the Gates as well. That is what your reign has brought. The ruination of families.”
Angry murmurs filled the Citadel. Cassiel was at a loss for what to say, because that was true.
He ruined families, beginning with his own.
Dyna brushed his arm and stepped forward. “Sons and daughters ofElyon,” she called, quieting them. “The ruination began when the Lord of Edym plotted to take the throne. Lord Raziel pulled the strings, which brought about the fall of King Yoel, Lord Hallel, and Lord Gadriel. From his very line came the conspirator who betrayed your first High King for his own gain. He seeks to do so again.”
They had decided not to divulge that Raziel was the same General from the First Age. It may be too much for the court to believe.
“Perhaps Lord Raziel should take the throne,” Katriella said, her pale blue eyes flashing. “High King Kahssiel turned on his people, and so has the descendant of his line! Who is to say he will not do so again? With such a magnitude of power of Seraph fire at his hands, we are not safe.” She shouted to the others. “My people live in fear of his flame. The Realms have sacrificed our peace for a king who rules with his fury rather than his insight.” She glared at him. “You expect us to trust the one who came to destroy us? No one would follow a tyrant. If you are not the same Kahssiel from the past, prove it. Until then, I will never bow to you.”
Voices merged, most agreeing with her.
“And if I would sacrifice that power, would that earn your pardon, Lady of Skath?” Cassiel asked her.
She blinked at him. “Lady?”
“To defend your Realm so fiercely and advocate for your people. It could only be yours.”
Katriella’s mouth parted, and she cleared her throat. “Yes … Skath would pardon he who would see fit to acknowledge his wrongs. But you speak of subduing your flame, and to do such a thing is …” She swallowed, her own wings twitching.
“Unimaginable?” Cassiel finished. An uncomfortable stillness fell over the court. No Celestial would ever relinquish their wings. Taking a breath, he nodded at Dyna, giving her permission to unveil his disgrace.It’s all right.
How could he lead if he lived in hiding? To start over, he had to be honest with his people.
Biting her lip, his mate reluctantly waved her hand. The illusion fell away, and the court gasped. Lord Jophiel’s face was a mixture of dismay and sorrow.
“Unpleasant sight, isn’t it?” Cassiel said with a heavy breath. “When I first sprouted my wings at three winters old, it was perhaps the most frightening day of my short life. I didn’t find the courage to fly until I was nearly four. Thereafter, flying became my solace and every day since I lived in those skies.” He looked up at the clouds bathed in the colors of the sunset. “My father told me that our wings are a gift from the Heavens to fulfill our purpose. His wish was to leave behind a ruler who would bring a change for the betterment of our people. But in one night, in an instance of minutes, he was gone, and I forgot what was important. Instead of protecting the Realms, I have taken actions unworthy of my father’s seat or the legacy he entrusted me with.” His throat tightened a moment, and Dyna gently squeezed his hand. “I come to you now ashamed and regretful for all I have done. I am ready to serve you as I should, beginning with removing that which you feared the most. To give up our wings … It is a great loss, but it’s a sacrifice I made to protect what I hold most dear. I failed to keep my integrity in a time when it was needed most. I am deeply sorry for that, and for every wrong I have committed against you. Before the eyes ofElyon, I swear it will be the last.” Closing his eyes, Cassiel bowed to his people. “I am far from worthy to be your king, but I will beg you for another chance to fulfill my father’s wish.”
Losing his wings may not be enough to repay what he had done. He accepted whatever consequences that may come. Should the Realms demand it, he was ready to step down, for he would no longer rule by force.
