Once upon a time, Sayers were treasured. Effectively mouthpieces for the gods, we were able to act as temporary vessels for them, pass on intrinsic knowledge, impart prophetic visions, and wield small amounts of power. However, it had been a long time since Sayers demonstrated any abilities, just as it had been a long time since the primordials had spoken through them.
At the sight of my aunt’s unshed tears, I promptly got all choked up. My nose tingling, I faced forward once more and inhaled deeply. It was right then that the emissaries finally crossed the border of our settlement.
I silently cursed, my pulse doing a small stutter. Another offering began to snivel. Some others in the line started talking in panicked whispers.
The Black Tapestry’s officiates weren’t quite so blurry now, so I managed to make out some of their faces. The male leading the traveling party caught my attention. I remembered him from nine years ago.
Talon, Cardinal of the Black Tapestry.
The extremely powerful being was believed to be a soulless creation of Vitus, the God of Death and War. The primordial had apparently assigned Talon to guard the Sovereigns, who were also his only living sons.
A lot of things were said about Talon, including that he could take on the form of a dragon. It was also rumored that he never spoke. Likeever.
The male on my right nudged me. “I can’t tell you how happy I am that we’ll be making this trip together,” Atticus teased, a smug note to his tone.
I felt my eyelid twitch. Not much older than me, the godkin had a realmean streak. I’d once stumbled on him trying to force himself on a woman. Godkin in general were against sexual violence, and they didnotfuck around when it came to punishing such crimes. Though he’d pressured me to lie about it, I hadn’t. So, yes, I’d earned his eternal hatred.
“The Sovereigns know of your existence already, so they won’t be surprised by the sight of you, but I don’t think they’ll want you around anymore than we do,” he mused.Goaded.
They probably wouldn’t. Why? Because they didn’t like that I existed. Sayers were always godkin. Always.
Until me.
In their view, despite that they put no real value in Sayers anymore, onlytheyshould have the honor of being anointed by the primordials.
“It may be considered taboo to harm a Sayer but, since the gods clearly have no use for your kind anymore, I doubtthe Sovereigns will let that stop them from feeding you to the minotaur,” Atticus added, a smirk in his voice.
Refusing to show him even a hint of unease, I instead gave him one of my slow, vapid smiles that always seemed to set his teeth on edge. By the way his face darkened, it worked as effectively as usual.
On his other side, his sister Seneca blew out a shaky breath. “They’re almost on us.”
As I looked back at the approaching emissaries, I had to fight to keep my breathing steady. The same nervousness that I felt also rolled off the others in the line.
Kemp clasped his hands behind his back, as if to hide that they were trembling. “They make a seriously intimidating sight.”
“Especially Talon,” murmured Aurelia.“I can’t deny that he’s extraordinary.”
He had that awe-inspiring effect on people. Tall and over two-hundred pounds of whip-cord muscles and incomparable male beauty, there was something so very raw and uncivilized about him. He was rough. Dangerous. Exuded a savage sexuality.
Just looking at him would have reduced my body to an adoring puddle of goo if I wasn’t dancing on the knife-edge of panic.
Talon swept his gaze—so shrewd and watchful—over the town square as he reached it. His expression stony, he pulled his horse to a halt and then smoothly dismounted it in an easy, practiced movement. His men followed his lead, either slipping off their horses or hopping off the wagons—as did a bunch of dogs. Slender with fawn fur, long muzzles, and erect ears, the canines were clearly Laelaps.The positively glorious steeds—tall and regal with lush manes and long, powerful legs—could only be Arions.
Aegeas gestured for Talon to follow him to the nobles. Talon stalked toward them slow and easy; his strong back straight, his solid chest pushed out, his toned arms loose at his sides. He moved with a lupine stealth, like an alpha wolf closing in on its prey.
“Welcome,” said Remus as the nobles all bowed in respect. “As always, it is a pleasure to see you.”
Talon’s only response was a grunt that held a tinge of doubt.
Remus snapped his fingers. At that, several humans nervously rushed toward the newcomers with trays of food and drink.
As Talon grabbed a tankard of what was probably mead, I couldn’t help but stare at him, admiring the faint luminosity beneath all that skin the color of desert sand. His irises were a unique midnight-black dotted by silver and featured gold swishes, making me think of a night sky.
His short, sleek hair was black as a void just like the dusting of stubble that darkened his strong jaw. A thin scar sliced diagonally across his carnal mouth and chin—the only mark on his otherwise unblemished face.
You could never mistake him for human. He was striking in a way that was so veryother.Too perfect. Too enticing. Too predatory.
Hearing a chuckle coming from one of his uniformed men, I cut my gaze their way. Everything about them, from their powerful builds to their air of supreme danger, screamedI could end you with my thumb.
