Farasee Kaelthos looked across the auditorium, finding me instantly. His eyes burned like the suns. Disgust curled his features, as he scowled at me from across the room. His eyes held a vile darkness that made me shiver.
Stars.
Zamarien hatred for Anathelles was unparalleled. I thought Tharic was bad. But his Papi…I looked away from the Farasee, but kept my chin lifted. I wouldnotcower to Kaelthos Zamarien.
Farasee Kaelthos placed a strong, approving hand on Tharic’s shoulder, turning those fierce eyes from me to his son. He assessed Tharic like a prized pegasus.
“Faring well, my bibi—my son.” Kaelthos grinned. “And you thrashed around that bloodthorn Anathelle, too, I hear.”
“He thrashed around thatwhom?”
Granmanmi’s voice was a silent storm. She didn’t raise her voice. But she never had to. The sheer command lacing every word made me shutter. The Ascendants sucked in their breaths.Some angels visibly floated back from the Zamariens. Kaelthos met Granmanmi’s gaze but didn’t repeat himself. Granmanmi Asarah wasn’t satisfied.
“Now Kaelthos,” she said, with such poise. Such class. “You’re not as much an imbecile as you are the size of a Winterwood bear. Are you?” She tilted her head, batting her lashes. “I’ll ask it again. This viper of a bibi thrashed aroundwhom? Because I know you’re not speaking aboutmygranfifi.”
Her voice was calm, tranquil even. But the message was clear. She’d bathe this auditorium with his blood if he dishonored the Anathelle name. As if our name didn’t hold more weight throughout the empyrean than Zamarien. Kaelthos lifted his nose. His jawline twitched, but he kept quiet. Granmanmi’s eyes churned like newborn stars.
“Do noteverrefer to my granfifi with that filthy, whoring term again. Or I’ll remind you why Fallen Shadowlords have good reason to fear my name. Would you like your golden monkey to join in our next Blood Rite?”
Tharic lowered his head at that, his body shuddering. Kaelthos flinched. He first lowered his chin, then he bowed those shining eyes of his.
“Of course not, Farasee Asarah. The temple is…pleasedto have your granfifi Ascend. You misunderstood my excitement.”
“I misunderstandnothingthat takes place in this temple, Farasee. Dishonor my blood again, and your bibi will be shedding his.”
Farasee Kaelthos flexed his hands. A vein pulled taut in his neck, but he pressed his lips together, keeping them shut. Did I smile at Granmanmi putting those Zamarien rotpots in their place? Yes. Yes, I did.
“I know that’s right,” Ellabeth cheered below her breath.
She and I shimmied closer.
“Well, stars.” A male scooted in close. I turned and saw it was Daelun. He was grinning from ear to ear. “I know not to get on her bad side.” A wink down at me. “Or yours, either.”
“Same here,” said someone else from the right of us.
I looked past Daelun and grinned when I saw the familiar light green eyes.
“Omarion,” I breathed, relieved to see he made it. Without thinking, I slipped by Ellabeth and wrapped my arms around his waist for a hug. He was so much taller than me. But when he hugged back, I didn’t feel small. I felt safe.
Omarion smiled wide, his handsome face glowing without a single scratch. He looked completely refreshed. There wasn’t a scratch on him. Sifting clearly did wonders for him at least. Ellabeth looked between Omarion and I, eyebrows wiggling.
“You two know each other?”
I cut a glare her way. I knew that tone. That look.
Blue-eyed gossip.
I shook my head subtly. She pouted in disappointment.
“Not really,” I said out loud. “Omarion here saved me from being turned into Starfelliel grave food by his Highness of Blood Tharic.”
“Tharic came after you in the waterfall?” Daelun said, eyes widening.
“More than once.”
“What in all the stars…How could he focus on anything but breathing and getting through it?” Daelun shook his head. “Burning Zamariens.”
“Burning Zamariens,” Ellabeth and I chorused.
