Queen Samil smiled as Luella rose. "I like her, Sorren." She wiped one last tear from under her eye, folding her hands beforeher. "Enough tears. We have reason to celebrate. I’ve prepared a ball in your honor to welcome you home," she said to Graves. "Opulus told me not to get my hopes up, but I could not help but feel like it was true. I’ve had a week to prepare, while you have been isolated. I extend my gratitude to you for understanding the measures needed to keep the Fallen safe."
Opulus, the Fallen who had led the warriors, with dark eyes and severe features, hair of deep brown, falling to his shoulders. He stepped closer to his Queen. "Forgive me for being cautious, Queen Samil. I did not want you to get your hopes up."
The Queen tutted. "I understand, Opulus; though, you are far too protective. I do not have reason to be mad at your warnings, as I’ve done the same." She turned to Graves. "I’ve kept this news from your siblings."
Graves hadsiblings…
Shock after shock hit Luella like waves eroding rock. She felt one final surge away from crumbling.
An unreadable look passed over Graves’s face. Was it relief?
"There are rooms at the palace for you… and your friends," Queen Samil shared. "Opulus will guide you. Get some rest. Eat. We celebrate come eve."
With that, Queen Samil reached for Graves’s hands, one last time, squeezing them as she murmured something low that Luella did not hear. Then, she left, her guard getting into formation around her, but before she reached the narrow steps that led down to the passageway, her wings unfurled, snapping out in dark glory—revealed entirely from the open back of her breezy gown—and then she took to the sky, wings beating as her Fallen surrounded her.
Luella stared after them in awe, not even realizing her mouth had parted as something tapped under her chin, forcing it to close.
Tharen held her jaw, thumb stroking over her cheek. "Better to keep closed, Princess."
She lifted her chin away from him, briefly mourning his touch as his hand fell back down and his icy eyes sparked with cold, blue flames.
Opulus stepped forward, head inclined to the passage. "We should be on our way now, Prince Sorren."
"Yes, let’s go." Graves nodded, eyes finding Luella’s as he opened his mouth. She quickly looked away, cutting off whatever it was he wanted to say to her.
Graves led the way, walking beside Opulus, and she stared at their black, feathered wings as they ventured down the narrow passage and back to their boats, still there on the rocky shore, waiting for them. As if no time had passed.
As they prepared to get situated on the boats, Tharen steadied her with a hand on her waist as she waded ankle-deep into the water. Az was on her other side, helping her step over the side of the boat, as he kept a firm hand on her shoulder, anchoring her. Tharen sat next, and she tensed as Graves walked past, eyes narrowing on him as if to demand,Do not come near.
Burning ire swelled within her lungs, and gusts of wind ricocheted off the mountains and pulsed down the snaking curves of the waterways. Graves paused by the boat, jaw clenching as he turned to the second, and a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding escaped her in a sigh.
As Az moved to sit, Vale stopped him with a raised hand and smoke curling from his lips.
The King’s words were careful, cautious of Opulus, who watched them all with unwavering attention.
"Take the other, Azgorath," said Vale.
Az held Vale’s eyes, and Luella briefly wondered if her demon would refuse, but after a moment, he relented, sweeping his hand over the top of her hair as he passed by, moving to sit inthe other boat with Bastian and Graves, leaving her with Tharen and Vale.
The dragon shifter sat behind her, his knees brushing her backside.
"Follow me," Opulus said. "We must make haste before the storm releases." He tilted his head back, watching the dark clouds that were quickly covering the early morning sun.
Then, they were off.
The tips of Opulus’s wings skimmed over the water, leaving sharp trails glancing upward as they cut through the surface in sleek lines, all while their two boats rowed after him, the oars making the water ripple. Like the first time, she kept her body still and tried not to look down, but it was a losing battle. She couldn’t help it. Something in the water, as fearsome and deadly and so, so terrifying as it was, it called to her—like the mountains, like the sky, like the trees that popped up the further they rowed, and like the air itself, roaring around them and making her white hair whip against her cheeks, stinging her skin pink.
Behind her, Vale’s hand brushed upward, skimming over her spine and stilling as they reached the base of her wings, where they jutted from her skin. It no longer hurt, just a faint ache when she moved too swiftly, and the sensation of his fingers—even over the cloak—was far too pleasant.
His lips pressed to her ear. "You’ve done well, darling."
She turned her head slightly and murmured, "I wasn’t given a choice."
"You were. Try it. Scream your frustrations to the sky. And see if I stop you." With that, Vale sat back, and she wondered if he was tricking her, once more.
Luella didn’t fall for it, but his goading words kindled her rage.
As they rowed, the mountains relented, giving way to dappled slopes of rocks, turning green with life—trees with thick, wide leaves that blew in the wind, tall fronds of grass. Birds with long, skinny legs flew low over the clear depths of the widening waterway, the surface rippling like emeralds, as they ducked their head beneath the waves, flopping fish trapped in their pointed beaks.
