Delaynie shrugged. “She wouldn’t say. But judging from Matheo’s lack of color and general shocked appearance, I’d say the gods were involved.”
That would make sense. She’d looked like a woman needing answers that morning, and if there was one source who might have them, it would be the immortal deities who’d rejoined the world.
“I’m sure we’ll find out eventually, and it will once again shatter our world to pieces,” Quentin joked.
Delaynie chuckled softly, crossing her arms over her chest and giving him a pointed look. “Goodnight, Quentin.”
He grinned. “All right, all right.” He strode the rest of the way to her door, pausing again when he gripped the brass handle. “Thank you, Delaynie.”
A breath of silence.
“You’re welcome, Quentin.”
Chapter 21
The pale red buildings of Desva rose from the desert, a welcome and relief-inducing sight.
It was late morning, Ciana seated on her mare. The beast had been a steady companion during their two days of travel, never taking a wrong step, one ear always cocked back toward Ciana as she hummed the occasional tune. She still liked to ride away from the main host; never out of eyesight, but far enough to have some semblance of peace.
Sometimes she rode with Theo, the young Onitan hunter. He was kind and quiet, and she appreciated his company. Other times—like now—she would ride with Sebastian and was never sure what to say.
An unusual occurrence for her.
Things were better now, but it was still different. Like there was a string tied between them, pulled taut and ready to snap with just the barest bit of pressure.
She supposed finding him beating the shit out of her abuser in the oasis woods would do that.
Ciana still remembered her shock at finding them. Lucas, pinned against that tree, half-conscious and covered in blood. Sebastian, arm cocked, a savage snarl across his face.
She had never seen Sebastian like that. Hair messy, face splattered with blood, clothing rumpled. He was normally so put together, so composed.
It would be a lie if she said it hadn’t made her heart beat a little faster, made foreign feelings swirl in her stomach and heat settle low in her core.
And the way he’d held her after, so safe and comfortable and familiar…
“Looks like we have a welcome party.”
Oh.Whoops. Right.
Ciana whipped her head to the side, warmth flooding her cheeks. Sebastian was thankfully not looking at her, his gaze focused instead on the looming city ahead.
She followed his stare to a small group standing under a cluster of palm trees. Three wore the traditional garb of the Kreah military, faces covered against the brutal desert heat. A tall, familiar figure stood in their center, gold jewelry glinting in the sun. Amasis.
Beside the High Counsellor was a man, bright smile on his face and power pulsing around his lanky frame.
Priam.
Ciana suppressed her groan. Of course, the god who’d caused all of this—who’d led her tormentors right back into her life—would be here, ready to gloat over his efforts as a savior.
“Better than being forgotten, I suppose.” She twisted the reins nervously between her fingers. “Where’s Mariah?”
As soon as the question left her lips, a great shape dropped from the sky, the thunderous beat of wings stirring the air. The sky-blue dragon banked, revealing a dark-haired figure seated between her wings.
Ciana smiled, pressing her heels into her horse’s sides. The mare tossed her head and leaped forward, flying across the sands, Sebastian on their heels.
“It isgood to see you both.” Amasis smiled warmly as Ciana and Sebastian slid from their horses. “I hope the journey was not too difficult.”
Sebastian and Ciana shared a glance. His expression was hard but warmed slightly as he met her gaze. Heat again flushed her cheeks, and she felt thatthingstir in her chest. A thing that was like freedom and wings and lightness and was terrifying in every way she could imagine.
