To my chagrin, Quazar started chuckling. “Beastly creature. This is a good lesson for you.” If I had any strength left, I’d tackle him and slap that smug smile from his face. Kazemir and Daelunslipped closer to the Fallenspawn. The Fallenspawn spread their stances, ready to fight if that’s what it came down to.
“Hey, I can carry you to the wingtower if you want.” Omarion gently laid a hand on my shoulder, rubbing some of the growing stiffness away. Stars. That actually felt wonderful. It relieved enough pain for me to open my eyes. And find the Fallen Prince glaring at Omarion.
“No, it’s okay. Worse,” I grunted, grinding my teeth together. “I’ve been through… worse. I…I’ll be good. I’ll find a Raephim once we settle in.”
I desperately needed the mender. I hadn’t entirely healed from the damage Tharic had done. And now this scuffle with the Prince had me tweaking.
“Safah, don’t be stubborn. I don’t mind.” Omarion brushed my hair out of my eyes as he shielded me with a wing.
“Forever at my rescue, are we?” I smiled up at him. “It’s alright, Omi. I’ll make it.”
“Sazu, you’re sure?—”
“Are you deaf? Or were your ears clogged when she answered you the first time?” Quazar cut in. His voice was smooth like velvet. My ears twitched at the sound. I flinched in surprise, looking at Prince Quazar, taken aback.
Omarion blinked at him, his eyes lightening so much they turned hazel. “Excuse me?”
“Omarion, don’t let him bait you.” I grabbed my friend’s hand before he lunged for the Prince. “As for the rest of you,” I said to the Fallenspawn. “Since you have no scrollmaps, keep up.”
I turned away from the Fallenspawn, levitating into the air. I floated to keep from using my wings and aggravating my wounds worse.
“Come on,” I said. “I’m already tired of this insufferable heat.”
“Agreed,” Ellabeth said, wiping a bead of sweat from her brow. “You’d think with all these clouds it wouldn’t be this lambasting hot.”
Daelun grunted, spinning away with the rest of us. We followed Isandra letting her take the lead. The temple grounds were beautiful. We passed interconnected gazebos, with golden pillars and glass floors, entirely swarmed by thick billows. Beyond the gazebos, out in the distance, I saw a flock of stareagles flying by with beautiful ivory fur, golden beaks, and golden talons.
“Safah Anathelle?”
I came to an abrupt halt, flying into Daelun’s spine.
“Oof.” I groaned as my face erupted with fire. One of the Fallenspawn males snorted.
“Stars, Safah. I’m sorry?—”
“It’s not you,” I whimpered, holding the sides of my face. “I wasn’t paying attention. And…who called me?”
I looked up into the faces of a group of Farasees. Xadari Legion stopped flying behind us, all scowling. None was more annoyed than Quazar Valoryen. Daelun and Isandra parted so I could be seen clearer. The Farasees looked at me in a way that immediately made my skin crawl.
“Look at those eyes. Lavender as an Ashiris star. Wings high, Safah Anathelle.”
I didn’t like the way these males were leering at me. Instinctively I pulled back, putting a small bit of distance between us.
“Wings high, Farasees. How…how were you so sure it was me?”
I kept my eyes low. Manmi said in situations like this, avoiding eye contact was optimal. The males of Seventh Choir noticed my discomfort and pressed in, creating a wall betweenme and the Farasees. Stars. I’d lucked out with getting an amazing Choir.
“We’d be able to tell Amaryss Anathelle’s fifi from a star away.”
The Farasee who spoke was shorter than the rest, dark skinned with greedy hazel eyes, and a crooked nose. His eyes dragged down the length of my curves, slowly, drinking me in.
“I am Farasee Nathaniel. My, my. You looksomuch like her.”
The Farasee floated forward, reaching out as if to touch me. My wings twitched. I jerked back on instinct to pull away. Only to collide into Quazar’s chest.Stars.I whipped around, facing those jeweled eyes.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to?—”
“You never have to apologize to Fallen dogs, dearest Safah.”
