My blood ran cold. I did know of it—it was used by those who weren’t fated to one another to forge a similar mating bond. It gave them a strong emotional connection and the ability to mind speak to one another.
“That bargain can’t be forged without full intimacy.”
“That’s correct.”
“Willingly,” I added through my teeth. “And that will never happen.”
“You’ve lost your memories once before,” he said.
Auster’s throat bobbed as he released me. I wondered if that small reaction was an indicator of disgust over what he implied.
“That’s no different than taking me against my will and you know it,” I seethed.
“Is it? I wouldn’t force you; I’d show you everything we could be together and a land we could build together, free of the burden Rainyte brought into your life.”
“He’s never been my burden, he’s always been my freedom from a cage you tried to keep me in.”
I pushed at Auster’s chest to gain more steps of distance.
“Escort Astraea back to her rooms,” he said to no guard in particular. “She doesn’t come out, and no one goes in, without my say.”
As he left me, my anger began to simmer when I thought of those purple banners in the courtyard. I was determined to flood the world with them.
I didn’t have anything to indicate time, but from the grumbling of my stomach, I assumed it was past supper, and Auster had denied me that meal since his guards locked me in my rooms. I paced in front of the blazing hearth and let my thoughts reel to distract from the hunger pains.
A strange sound made me jump and whirl toward the source. It came again, like a scratch against glass, which drew my cautious attention toward the balcony.
If the moon hadn’t cast a permanent hue of dark red I wouldn’t have spotted the black cat outside. I blinked at it in confusion, then I gasped, rushing to let it in.
I winced at the quick flare of light as Davina shape-shifted and I stood staring at her, wide-eyed and dumbfounded.
“I’m very mad at you,” she said, bracing her hands on her hips. “You leave in the middle of the night and—oh—”
I threw my arms around her, cutting her off, but I couldn’t help it. She was so warm and sure, and my brow pulled together tightly with my threatening tears. After a few seconds, she sighed away the anger she’d arrived with to hug me back.
“Oh Astraea, you really had to embrace your saviorhood at the worst moment.”
“I had to,” I choked. “I didn’t want to risk any of you, and I thought it would be quicker going alone.” I pulled away, holding her arms. “Drystan made it back with Eltanin?”
“Yes.”
“Eltanin was injured.”
“He’s healing well with Lilith’s help. The tear in his wing might scar, and heshouldn’t fly for a while. She’s hoping it won’t permanently damage his flight ability when he grows on his next cycle.”
I nodded. All I could do was hope for that too.
“Why are you here?” I asked, paranoid that she could be seen. I scanned outside before drawing the curtains on the balcony and leading her into the dining room.
“To check in on you, of course! Stars, we’re all so worried about you and—” she gasped as she started taking in the marks on me in my short silk gown. I hugged myself.
“I’ll heal just fine. Most of it is from the meteor blast.”
Her sad eyes found mine and she cupped my cheek. “I heard. The whole city is talking about it, how you saved them. That was so brave of you.”
“It was necessary of me.”
“The High Celestials’ combined magick might have stopped it too,” she argued, with dismay now creasing her expression.
