When I oversaw my army, I made it my responsibility to know that everyone was being taken care of, personally. I wouldn’t sleep, rather than allow the most junior featherglass be bullied or hurt under my watch.
When I find my way back to the royal nest — and I will — I’m going to kick Lanlin’s arse for how the Blood Lovers are treated.
I know something about your world being reduced to ash. But we’re kings. The fates of millions rest on our shoulders.
Lanlin can’t act the hermit outcast anymore. Freya and I need to force him back amongst the living rather than the dead.
Although, I have grudging respect for anyone who can outsmart me.
But it’s only going to happen once.
Shadows drip like waterfalls from the Hart’s antlers.
The Shadow Humans are deer shifters, but they are magically weak.
They live simply and close to nature.
The wolves once revered the fae asfeathered gods.
My chest is tight.
It hurts to have lost that respect.
I smirk, however, because I like this rebellious Shadow Human; he reminds me of myself. “Do I sense some sarcasm in the way you saydark gods?”
The Hart’s cream-colored tail swings in anger, where it sticks through a hole in his uniform. “Should a knave god be worshiped without question, no matter what they do? Our elders believe that if they don’t give over the prettiest Omegas to their dark gods, then the harvests will fail or the floods will wash us away. We will break the balance and bring chaos. It’s what the Void Cult preaches. How could our villagers survive without their blessing?”
“Still with the sarcasm, Antlers.”
His ears perk up. “Pet names already. You move fast.”
I laugh.
Then I throw myself down on the straw, wrinkling my nose at its stink.
I didn’t expect to find this easy companionship with anyone again. Not after losing the featherglass.
Not after losing Ciara...
I stretch as if I am lying on the luxury cushions and silk bedding that the other Blood Lovers are enjoying.
Then I hold my hand out to the Omega. “I’m Dove.”
He hesitates for a moment, before shaking my hand. “Barnabas.”
I cock my head. “Am I meant to know that name?”
For a moment, the shadows grow wild and jagged around Barnabas’ horns, and his eyes glow in the dark.
I sharply sit up.
He said that he was dangerous.
Now I believe it.
This will be fun.
“I have many names.” Barnabas swaggers to lean against the wall. “Traitor. Murderer. Heretic.”
