Shattered Souls (Guardians of the Maiden Book 3)

Dyna looked down upon the town of Hallow’s Nest, set on lowland nearby a lake, surrounded by rolling hills and dark green fir trees. The morning sun hid behind graying clouds and the chill left a dewy gleam on every blade of grass. They had traveled for three days to reach the town, and needed to stop to rest and restock their provisions before making the trek to Hermon Ridge. The mountains rose just beyond the town like stone giants dressed in snow. God of Urn willing, their stay would be short, and they’d cross Troll Bridge soon. Dyna already felt a tingling anticipation and some restlessness.

Lucenna grumbled tiredly. “Suppose we could find a tavern here? I miss sleeping in a bed.”

“There is only one lodging house in town,” Cassiel said, frowning. “But I have little hope we will find any rooms now.”

For a small town, it seemed to be bustling with people. A steady stream of them strolled in on the main road.

“Best we head in,” Rawn said. He took the lead, with Zev and Lucenna following him.

The tall wet grass stuck to Dyna’s boots and legs as they made their way down the short hill. It settled a cold in her bones that made her shiver.

“Here.” Cassiel lifted her on Fair’s back, but nearly lost his hold when her fingers accidently brushed his exposed wrist.

“I’m sorry,” she said again for what seemed like the twentieth time that morning.

Right when Dyna thought things may be normal for her, something new always came along. Well, nothing had been normal for her since she lost her family. This was merely another thing she had to withstand.

“I’m fine, lev sheli.” He tugged his coat sleeve so it came over his leather gloves.

They had all taken to wearing gloves now, and keeping a subtle distance she pretended not to notice. Not that she could blame them.

Feeling her dejection, Cassiel reached out. “Dyna—”

Don’t. She leaned back on the saddle.

Her magic would only hurt him again. She felt it there hovering on the surface, free and ready where it had once been a task to produce even a trickle.

He dropped his hand. “I hate this.”

“I know.” She hated it too.

“How fortunate that Fair is immune.” Cassiel took the reins, giving the horse a pat. “I am not envious at all.”

That at least made her smile. Rawn’s horse was the only one not affected by the currents that had taken over her body.

“That’s because Fair is special, aren’t you?” she stroked his white mane. “Elvish horses are accustomed to magic, I suppose.”

Fair nickered in response, bobbing his head.

Her uninhibited power felt so strange. She compared it to suddenly being given a vast inheritance and not knowing how to sensibly take care of it. Lucenna continued to train her but that didn’t stop her from hovering in the air at night while she slept.

Fair straightened out once they reached the base of the hill, and Cassiel led them to the others waiting by the entrance to town. They all pulled up their hoods before going in. If luck was on their side, there wouldn’t be any bounty hunters this far up north.

Hallow’s Nest was a homey town that reminded her of Landcaster. It had similar charming wattle and daub structures and steep roofs lined the roads. Townsfolk went in and out of many small the shops either clothing or goods. Wagons with falls harvest rattled past them as they rolled over the uneven cobblestone. Dyna could tell the difference between locals and those merely passing through. Because the travelers were unusually beautiful with perfect blond hair and blue eyes, and they were dressed in fine robes of a different style of clothing that she had only seen in one place.

Many of them shot long side glances at her mate.

Very few stiffly dipped their chins in a subtle nod.

Cassiel.

You noticed them.

It was hard not to, even if their wings were hiding within their enchanted clothing. Are they…?

Yes.

Her cousin noticed, too, by the way he sniffed the air. “Why is this town full of Celestials?” Zev whispered under his breath, alerting the others.

Rawn’s gaze followed a pair of them with warm skin who cast them narrowed looks. “Some have arrived from every corner, it seems.”

“It’s that time of year.” Cassiel ignored those who acknowledged him, though she could sense he wasn’t happy about their presence. “They have come for the Festival of Light. It’s a holiday we hold at the beginning of winter. Every year, it’s hosted by a different Lord and all the Realms arrive to celebrate. Unfortunately, it’s uncle’s turn.”

Dyna’s stomach sank. That meant nearly every Celestial from Hilos and the Four Realms will be in Hermon Ridge when they arrived.

Yelrakel warned me before she left, Cassiel told her through the mate bond. It’s supposed to be a time of peace for my people. Let’s pray they remember that.

But she only felt her apprehension double.

“We will go ahead to reserve our lodging before all the rooms are reserved,” he said aloud to the others.

Rawn nodded. “I suppose now would be a good time to restock our provisions.”

“And a tent, please,” Lucenna groaned. Out of all of her possessions, only her bag and orb had survived the spell’s blast.

Leaving Fair with Rawn, they parted ways. She and Zev chose to go with Cassiel as he led them to a three story house with several windows. The hope of finding a place to stay dwindled when they found front door was open with a line of waiting Celestials.

“That looks promising,” Zev rumbled.

Every single Celestial present turned to look upon Cassiel. He changed before her eyes. In a blink, he became that stoic prince she remembered. Royalty shone in the way he held himself, the sun somehow seeming to grace every fine line of his elegant jacket. His expression was cold and severe, one that exuded authority and expected compliance.

All stepped aside.

Cassiel strode onward. Dyna and Zev closely followed. She felt every eye watching as they made their way inside. The old woman at the counter noting down guests greeted Cassiel warmly, but informed them that the last rooms were taken by the two males standing at the front of the line.

They were pale-skinned Celestials with long, braided blond hair. Embroidered on the corner hem of their light purple tunics was the silver emblem of a shield wreathed in flame. It was a new sigil she hadn’t seen before.

Cassiel fixed his cool gaze on them, saying not a single word. They stiffly bowed their heads and left the lodging house.

“I will take their rooms, Yara,” he told the old woman. To the other Celestials he said sharply, “This lodging house is full. Find somewhere else to stay for the night.”

The majority departed at his command. A few of the pale ones lingered, holding his stare as if to defy him. They wore a darker shade of purple and more weapons. Tension filled the silence as Cassiel turned to face them.

Sowmya and five Valkyrie appeared from the trees outside. They landed within the shadows of the forest and drew their weapons. The Celestials tensed at the sight of them. Grudgingly, they moved on and the road emptied.

“I thought they were going to fight you for it,” Zev chuckled once they secured their belongings and went back outside.

“I’m sure they considered it,” Cassiel said. He nodded to the Valkyrie, and they returned to the trees, vanishing behind the leaves. They hid so well, Dyna sometimes forgot they were around. “The males of Skath are known to resolve nearly everything with a challenge.”

“Skath?” She repeated. It was frozen land far northwest on her map. “Another Realm is hidden there?”

“Yes. Skath has frigid temperatures year round, and it’s inhibited by large carnivorous beasts. Humans stay away, therefore, it’s a good place to hide a Realm. Like the land, the Celestials that live there are harsh and quick to violence. They even created a steel that deflects divine fire, and use it for their shields. Lord Hallel oversees that Realm now.”

“Who lorded over it before?” Zev asked.

“He usurped it from his eldest brother during a challenge. Slew him, quite brutally, and took everything he owned.”

God of Urn.

“It’s the only time the death of a Celestial is permitted without the authority of the King.”

Zev shrugged. “It happens among the Packs too when an Alpha’s position is weakened. Have any of the Lords attempted to challenge your father?”

“It’s not permitted. During the First Age, our people once lived together under the rule of the first High King. But he left no heirs, so at the end of his rein, his three generals fought amongst themselves over who should take the throne. They had barely survived the recent war against demons. To avoid another, three Realms were established and given independence with the promise that whoever wears the crown is never to be challenged.”

“And your uncle now lords over the fourth Realm,” Dyna said. “Each have their own Watchers, as well?”

“Of course, and their own armies.”

“Where are the other two located?” Zev tilted his head, alert and listening to nearby sounds of the surrounding land. He glanced up at the tree canopy, perhaps listening to the Valkyrie following. “If I may ask.”

Cassiel parted aside the thick shrubbery and revealed an open clearing. He indicated for them to step through. They left the path, and he led them to a nearby shallow stream where he crouched to refill their waterskins. “Lord Gadriel lords over the first Realm, the floating islands of Nazar. They lie above the Vale of the Elves. Hidden for the most part within the towering clouds.”

Dyna awed at the reveal. She would have to look over her map again, but she was sure they weren’t noted. Azeran’s map would only show places he had visited or knew of two hundred and fifty years ago. It was outdated, but whenever they discovered a new place, it would appear on the page by some embedded spell. “I didn’t know Urn had floating islands.”

“I hear there are many in Arthal,” Zev said.

“With four Realms, how do you know who is from where?” Dyna asked.

“Celestials take pride in their territories. During gatherings, they will dress according to their flag colors and the shades represents their class. The darker the color, the higher their status of nobility.” Cassiel picked up a stick and drew a rough symbol of a sun fanned by six wings. “The emblem of Nazar. Their color is yellow.” Next, he drew another of a pair of open wings with two crossed swords at the center. “The second Realm of Edym lies within the desert of Harromog Modos. Their color is red. It’s ruled by Lord Raziel, grandfather to my brothers and sister.”

That meant he was father of the High Queen. Dyna remembered her striking beauty and locks like a river of sunlight. They had briefly met Cassiel’s family, and she forgot the names of his youngest sister and brother, but Malakel she remembered clearly.

Then Cassiel drew the fire shield symbol. “Skath is the third and their color is purple.” Then the stick outlined Hermon’s sigil of a tree within a mountain next. “My uncle’s color is blue.” And above the four, he drew the crowned fire sword for Hilos. “As you know, Hilos is white and it stands above all.”

“Hmm I think it’s risky to have the Realms separate from the main kingdom,” Zev said. “Any one of them could one day decide to challenge your father or break away all together.”

Cassiel frowned at the sigils in the mud. “The only one I would wager having the capability to challenge Hilos would be Edym, but I don’t believe Lord Raziel would break the peace.”

“Because he is the Queen’s father?” Dyna asked.

“Because his grandson will one day take the throne.”

To think Malakel would be king made her worry, Cassiel too by the way his expression creased.

“Do you have more family?” Dyna asked to change the subject.

His mouth pursed with dull annoyance. “I have a cousin. My uncle’s son. He lives in Hermon.” Cassiel put away their waterskins and they headed back for the road. “Before you ask, no. Asiel is not a half-breed. My uncle was already married when he dissented from Hilos. His wife did not agree with his views but joined him in Hermon Ridge out of obligation to their union. After several centuries of suffering her scorn, Lord Jophiel agreed to release her once she provided him with an heir.”

“I thought Celestials didn’t have annulments,” Zev said.

“Marriage contractually cannot end, but they can reject a bond. It’s not often done because when Celestials love, it’s profound. And they also loathe with equal intensity. To have reached that point, the bond is fractured beyond repair.” A look crossed Cassiel’s face, and she wondered if he was thinking of King Yoel and Queen Mirah. “It’s left to wither and crack, abandoned between two doors closed shut against each other. They will always know where the other is, but the vows they took were ruined along with their affections.”

To have love die such a lonely death sounded very sad to her.

“Within hours of Asiel’s birth, she dropped the baby in his arms and left for another Realm,” Cassiel said.

“Her son must be devastated,” she said.

“Don’t waste your sympathy on him. He could not care less about his mother.”

Dyna caught the detest in his tone. “You have not mentioned a cousin until now.”

Cassiel’s jaw clenched as he glowered at the road ahead. “He’s not worth the breath to mention.”

The activity of the town picked up as more Celestials arrived by the hour. Dyna followed Cassiel and Zev along the merchant stalls, perusing their wares. Rawn and Lucenna were ahead, bargaining over the cost of a tent.

“How about some gloves?” Cassiel asked her, holding up a leather pair. “To ward off the cold.”

Zev leaned down to whisper in her ear, “And to keep you from zapping everyone. Him in particular.”

Rolling her eyes playfully at him, Dyna conceded and wandered to the stall beside it selling brooches. She was admiring one fashioned into the design of a green leaf veined in silver when a prickle of awareness touched her back. Dyna looked across the busy street, and froze when she met Von’s stare.

The thick crowd swarmed around them as they stared at one another.

At first she thought he had tracked her down, but his eyes were wide as though he couldn’t quite believe she was there.

Dyna went straight to him. Von reversed several steps, nearly stumbling, into a shadowy alley between two shops. He threw his hands out in a motion to make her stop. The bulge in his neck bobbed several times, trying to come up with words he couldn’t speak. Up close, he appeared weary, his complexion ashen. Purple shadows sunk in the circles around his eyes, and a beard was beginning to overtake his gaunt face.

Guilt.

Dyna could see it weighing him down heavily. She took a step towards Von but he quickly backed several more steps. He looked anxious and confused by her presence. Dyna realized the last time they had seen each other, he saw her fall from the sky.

Oh. He thought she had died and that it was his fault.

“Von, it’s all right,” she said softly. “I’m all right.”

His broad shoulders rose with a sharp breath.

“I am alive.”

His hands shook, his eyes growing glassy. “How?” he finally croaked.

“Lucenna reversed the spell.”

A weak laugh left him and he rubbed his face. “Oh…of course…”

Dyna felt the roiling energy of Cassiel’s presence before she saw him. A flash of black struck Von and his body crashed at the end of the alley, hitting the cobblestone hard enough to break something.

Cassiel came to stand beside her. He unsheathed his weapon as a snarling wolf flanked Dyna’s other side. Across the alley, Rawn and Lucenna came up behind Von, armed with bow and magic. They had him trapped.

“I made you a promise of what I would do if she was harmed,” Cassiel said. His sword crackled in the wind, blue flames licking along the blade. “There is only one thing I want to know. How quickly do you wish to burn?”

She shuddered by the quiet wrath in his voice.

Von slowly righted himself off the ground. He didn’t brace himself to fight or reach for the many knives strapped to bandoliers she knew were hidden under his tattered black cloak.

Dyna reached to take Cassiel’s hand but stopped, feeling electric currents hovering at her fingertips.

Von wiped the blood from his mouth and grunted painfully as he stumbled to his feet. “They truly are your Guardians.”

She hadn’t grown accustomed to calling them that, but she could see it now in their love and need to protect her. And they did so fiercely.

The wolf stalked forward, growling and snapping his teeth.

“Stay, Zev,” Dyna said calmly. He stopped between her and Von, his fur standing on end.

Von almost smiled. “I’m glad to see you alive.” He glanced at Cassiel. “Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me when it was you who nearly took his life. Now I intend to take yours.”

“There is no need for this,” she said. “Von isn’t a threat.”

How can you say that after he kidnapped you twice and nearly killed Zev? Cassiel asked without looking away from him.

“Because he…” Dyna looked at Von and some unspoken emotion swelled in her chest at how despondent he looked. Even when she had been angry with him, she never felt unsafe. “He protected me while I was in Tarn’s camp.”

Von’s throat constricted and he shook his head. “I didn’t…”

Dyna saw the misery in his eyes. A bad person wouldn’t have cared. “Clayton acted on his own accord. I don’t hold you responsible for that. And you helped me escape. If it wasn’t for you, I would still be captive.”

She felt how the revelation shocked the others. Enough to make them lower their weapons and Zev stop growling.

Except her mate.

“That does not erase his deeds,” Cassiel said through his teeth. “The best thing for us would be to remove him from the opposition. Permanently.”

Dyna had a choice here, to either capture Von, or let him go. Her Guardians would take him down, kill him even, if she wanted them to. He was the Commander, a key component to Tarn’s little army. It would be beneficial to remove him.

“You’re right not to trust me, but I don’t mean to stay,” Von told her earnestly, because he must sense what she was thinking. “I was only passing through Hallow’s Nest on my way to another city. But I have to go back, Dyna.”

Because Yavi needed him…and so did their unborn child. Did he know yet?

Von reached into his pack, and they immediately armed themselves again. He only took out a familiar black book. On top, he added her opal knife. “These belong to you.”

“Stay there,” Cassiel snarled when he tried to hand them to her.

Dyna cast out her magic and gently took the items from Von. Her eyes watered at the familiar weight of Azeran’s journal falling in her hands. She traced the crescent wrapped in vines on the cover. “Thank you.”

“Take it as my sign of good will.” And possibly a bribe, because Von knew he didn’t have the advantage here.

If she let him go, there was no guarantee tomorrow he wouldn’t be their enemy, but at the moment, she didn’t see one.

“Let him go,” Dyna said, holding his gaze. “I owe him a debt.”

Rawn and Lucenna stepped aside and came to stand with her.

“Will you tell your master she is alive?” Rawn asked him.

“I won’t mention her unless he asks. So please do your best to stay out of his way and out of sight.”

“I won’t allow Tarn to reach Mount Ida,” she said. “I mean to stop him, Von.”

A soft sigh left him, and one end of his mouth curved. It wasn’t a full smile or a real one. It was tired, sad, and a little hopeful. “Then I wish you luck.”

“Wait,” Dyna called hesitantly when he turned. “Dalton…”

Von stopped in the alleyway with his back to her.

She swallowed to say the words, her fingers tangling together. “He must hate me…for what I did. Please tell him…” Her voice shook. “Please tell him I’m sorry.”

His silence was heavy. “I’m afraid I won’t be able to pass on your message, lass. The lad is no longer with us…He’s free.”

Then he slipped out of the alley into the sun, falling out of sight.

It was the best news she could have received. Dyna was so happy to know Dalton on his way home and would see his mother again.

Cassiel sheathed his sword, extinguishing the flames. “We should not allow him to leave.”

“I believe he told the truth,” Rawn said. “He will not disclose her survival until his obligation as a life-servant requires him to speak of it.”

Lucenna frowned. “How is that helpful? He will inform Tarn eventually.”

Dyna wasn’t worried about that. Knowing Tarn, he would find out one way or another.

They returned to the main road and headed to the lodging house for the evening. She could feel the bond jumble with Cassiel’s anger and his need to go after Von.

“Are those for me?” Dyna asked, nodding to the small gloves he’d tucked in his belt.

“Oh, yes.” He stopped to pull them out for her.

They were made of a soft leather that matched the color of her boots and reached all the way to her elbows. As soon as she had them on, Cassiel took her hand. He cradled it in his palm as he deeply breathed, and she felt the bond settle.

“Your sword needs a new name,” Dyna said softly, glancing to the golden open wings of the hilt at his hip. “It’s no longer a simple divine sword now.”

His mouth quirked. He saw through her attempt to distract him further. They linked fingers and continued. “Any suggestions? Or shall we keep to tradition and name it blue fire sword?”

Dyna laughed. “Hmm. I think it should be something to honor its new status. Seraph fire is a grand thing, is it not?”

“It’s only given by Elyōn,” Cassiel said, and they both looked up at the Heavens. “Then it shall be named Esh Shamayim. Fire extracted from the skies.”

“That’s beautiful.” Dyna repeated it and managed to make him smile at her shoddy pronunciation. “I like it.”