“What do you want?” Arran snapped, not bothering to lift his gaze from the dismantled stun pistol on his desk. He buffed the charcoal gray barrel with a tenderness Cael had rarely seen him use.
“I have a request,” Cael said, anchoring his feet to the floor—a battle stance.
Arran paused his polishing, slashed his gray eyes towards his son and stood, spreading his wings. “Arequest? You think you’re in any position to make a request of me after the risk I just took for you?”
Cael pulled his shoulders back and held his father’s gaze. Cowering would only anger Arran further. “I have a few loose ends to tie up in the colonies. If you’ll allow me back there for a week, once I return I’ll do whatever you ask of me.”
Arran huffed, sweeping a disgusted gaze across Cael’s lone wing. “I’ve little use for damaged goods.”
Cael clenched his jaw, refusing to show his father how much those words stung.
Arran cocked his head. “But I suppose you might make a good match for the daughter of one of my business partners. Laskaris, runs an ore mining outfit over in Cernodas. Beastrunner family—bear bi-forms. He and his wife have been inquiring about your brothers, but I’ve already got Windrider matches lined up for them. You don’t need two wings to populate the world with a few more Zephyrus heirs. And who knows? Laskaris might even lower my costs to celebrate a shared grandchild.”
Cael sniffed, cutting his gaze through the window. A hawk bobbed in the sky, sweeping over the spindly pine trees. “Whatever you want, Father.”
Arran snapped his fingers. “Look at me. You heard what I told Rosopa, yes? The continent is about to explode. War is on the horizon and family,alliances, will be more important than ever. Ourweaponswill be more important than ever. I need you here, supporting our efforts.”
“I understand,” Cael bit out through gritted teeth.
“Do you?” Arran vented a savage chuckle. “What was that nonsense Maksym mentioned about the human you were captured with?”
Cael’s chest seized. “I told you, she means nothing to me.”
“I should hope not.” Arran placed his hands on the desk, dangerously close to his pistol, the sharp talons at the peaks of his wings flashing a sinister glint. “You’ve always been too soft where humans are concerned. And she’s clearly cost youenough. I’ll allow you this final trip to the colonies, but if I hear any hint that you’ve gotten some foolish notion of going back to the Desolation, I will find her and personally end her myself.”
Cael smoothed his features, not letting an ounce of emotion show on his face. “You don’t need to worry about that.”
“Good.” Arran arced his wings over his chair and returned his attention to his cleaning project. “Take somedrachaswith you. In the top drawer behind you.”
Cael nodded, turned on his heel and strode for the small table beside the door. He opened the drawer, and as he reached for a pouch of coins, a rainbow glow snagged his eye. Glancing sidelong over his shoulder to ensure he lacked his father’s attention, he pried open the velvet sack and swiped a shimmering opal, hastily placing it in the pouch with thedrachas.
“Cael,” his father barked, and he nearly dropped the pouch. Gripping it closed, he turned back to Arran.
“Do not forget who you are.” His father’s sharp steel gaze sliced through him. “You are still aZephyrus—” Arran banged his fist on the desk “—regardless of your…injuries. You represent this family, whether you like it or not. Whatever debasements you’ve gotten up to in the coloniesendthe moment you step foot back in Brachos.”
“Of course, Father.” Cael slipped out of the office and stalked down the shadowy, log-paneled hallways of Stoneridge, his mind swirling with plans.
He needed to get a windwhisper to Tristan, let him know that he’d escaped Maksym and was heading back for Xenia. Tristan would likely want to send aid, but Cael couldn’t allow it. He’d need to keep this rescue mission as quiet and low-tech as possible. The opal he’d stolen would hasten his return to the fortress, and hopefully shorten their trek through the Desolation, depending on how long its power held. But he didn’t dare ask for any additional support, lest word get back to his father.
He’d also need to inform Tristan of everything Arran had let slip about the mood on the continent: the impending conflict, the Emperor’s slippery grasp on his control. If Tristan hadn’t already been sucked into the fray, he surely would be soon. And once Cael had gotten Xenia to safety, once he’d returned to Brachos as he’d promised his father, he’d figure out how he could help his friend. Figure out what his own role would be in this battle for the soul of Ethyrios.
All that was too far in the future to worry about now though.
As he slipped into the misty morning, the hawk twisting through the pines let out a screeching cry.
Cael had one final stop to make before he began his journey back to the Desolation.
The armory.
CHAPTERTWENTY-SIX
Tristan propped his elbow atop the mahogany bar of the Fang and Claw, chin in hand as Reena worked her charm on the night’s final customers.
Before he’d arrived at the tavern this evening, he’d had an interesting conversation with Cael. Though it had been reassuring to hear from him, if only via windwhisper, there was a new layer of tightness to Cael’s voice. As if Cael wasn’t sharing everything with him. What he had shared, though, was alarming. Arran Zephyrus had turned against the Emperor, had done nothing to thwart Maksym. And had left Xenia there. Cael had assured Tristan he’d deal with the situation, both Xenia’s rescue and Maksym’s lingering threats. He’d begged Tristan not to say or do anything until he heard from him again. The determination and desperation in Cael’s voice had Tristan reluctantly agreeing to wait and see how this all played out before he said anything to his brother about the Brachian High Councilor’s betrayal. If Tristan decided to inform Eamon at all.
He had to tell Cassandra, though. As much as he’d love to bear the burden of this worry alone, he didn’t want to keep anything from her. Had already ruined his chances with her due to theothersecrets he’d been harboring. He’d tell her tonight, after this cryptictalkthat Reena had summoned him here for.
He wondered why Cass hadn’t reached out herself. She hadn’t said a word to him since he’d dumped his baggage in her lap and scared her away. He was trying very hard to keep his shit together.
