A warning.
He squeezed his fingers into a fist and ripped his hand from Ruelle’s threads. They split and dissolved, littering the air like sparkling dust.
Cassian pressed his fist against his forehead, his chest sprinting in uneven breaths.
He was running out of time.
The luminous scapeof the Land of Entity bled through the open window overlooking the round table. Each Council member sat at the respective places in their thrones.
Cassian leaned his weight into his elbow on the arm of his own throne, chin propped in his hand, covering a portion of his mouth as he listened to the conversation.
“News of the High Goddess of Eternity has spread across the Mortal Land,” Azara said, her feelings on the matter ambiguous as she spoke in her usual curt tone. She flicked her sharp gaze around the table, her posture straight and her vibrant orange strands braided and pulled back from her face, emphasizing the sharp angle of her cheekbones. “Temples and churches are being erected all over in her name. Mortals who did not believe in us are converting. All because of her.”
“Chaos is brewing,” Acacius said, his expression grim. The skin around his eyes was pulled tense, and he wore a straight line on his lips. Though Cassian did not miss the way he wrung his hands in his lap. A tic he only expressed when he was anxious.“Deities are unnerved by the Himura demigod, and the immortal Himura witch.”
“Deities are unnerved by Naia because she has not made her feelings known,” Ruelle defended. “They see her as Mira’s daughter and are fearful of what they do not know.”
The knot in Cassian’s stomach constricted at the sound of her voice.
“It is only a matter of time until praises ascend Naia onto the Council.” Iliana rested back on her throne, the exhaustion palpable in her golden gaze.
“Preposterous.” Acacius formed fists in his lap. “She is married to a Himura.”
“It appears you have unresolved prejudice against the Himura bloodline,” Ruelle snapped, eyes twisting around him.
Acacius whipped his head in her direction, glowering, “When they have the blood to kill us, why yes, I do.”
“Theydo not,” she corrected coolly. “Only their demigod offspring.”
“And what happens if Naia bears another child?”
“She has free will to do as she desires.”
“And the children?”
“Enough,” Iliana’s voice raised.
Ruelle pursed her lips, cutting her eyes away.
Acacius continued to glare at her.
“Word of her title is all over the mortal news stations. They are beginning to idolize her,” Iliana said matter-of-factly. “As her story and title continue to make headlines, the mortals will only come to adore her more. Because of her presence alone, they no longer shun the Himura clan.”
“What of the deities?” Azara asked. “There is division among them. Those on the opposing side will eventually go after the child.”
“IfNaia ascends onto the Council,” Iliana said, “it will calm the gods. We represent order and law, and if she is a part of us, they will trust that she, nor her family, carries no ill intent. Those who go after the child will be reprimanded.”
Acacius scoffed grudgingly, directing his disapproval to Iliana. “Protect her god-killer offspring? Mark my words, Sister, the Himura demigod will use its blood to end us all.”
Iliana eyed him, composed and regal, not the least bit riled by his outburst. “It would be best for you to remember the reason the Himura bloodline exists, Brother. All things must have a balance. It has been five years since Naia returned to Hollow City, and the peace has not been disrupted. The Himura witch, nor the child, have stepped out of line.”
“If they do?” Azara asked Iliana. “Their punishment?”
Iliana twisted to look at Azara, her long blonde hair brushing over her shoulder. Both held each other’s intense gazes. “We will treat them as if they are gods, and they will be punished as one.”
The muscles in Cassian’s jaws flexed.
If Ronin or Ash stepped out of line, it would behisresponsibility to punish them. A curse, time in Moros, whatever it may be—normal protocol he was typically unfazed by.
