I pulled my sister into my arms, holding her close even as I was careful to avoid her wings—to avoid causing her any more pain. All seers had their wings clipped, and it was something most viewed as an honor. An act we were taught was a gift to the gods. Sacrificing flight was a display of loyalty to the gods for their gift of seeing into the future.
We didn’t see it as such . . . not since our father’s death.
“I’m so sorry, Ore. I’m so, so sorry.”
Her body shook as she clung to me, her breath shallow and uneven as she cried in my arms. And in that moment, all I could do was stand there, holding her, offering her the slightest bit of comfort as she endured a world of unjust hurt.
“I-I won’t be able to—” Her breath caught, a sob racking through her as she tried to finish her sentence. “To—fl—fly the same. They will expect me to begin serving in the temples by the end of the week.”
If it was possible . . . in that moment . . . my heart broke even more. And I vowed, then and there, that I would do anything in my power to keep her from the temples—from Luc.
A harsh knotted X marked my skin—a stark reminder of the vow I’d made. Of the promise to keep my sister safe despite her affinity. A bargain I’d only been afforded because of my childhood friendship with the current king—a bargain I’d made with himdespitewhat he took from me.
The bargain mark burned against my inner arm. I rubbed fiercely at it as I rounded the corner in the Solis Court, making my way toward the exit . . . only to smash into a solid brick wall of muscle. The breath was knocked out of me as I bounced off, and I felt a firm hand dart out and grab my wrist. My body tensed as a twinge of ancient power seemed to burst forward at the point of contact, a sharp pain flaring deep in my veins. An electric current pulsed at the point where our skin touched as the hold on my wrist steadied me while I regained my footing before he let go.
“Stars-above! Watch where you’re—” The word halted on my lips as my gaze finally collided with the male who had caught me from falling on my ass, and recognition flitted through my body.
Him.
For a singular second, we merely stood there in silence, our eyes stuck on each other. I watched amber-colored orbs focuson me, holding me in time, my wrist still tingling from the electrifying feel of his skin on mine. Then, my mind refocused.
“What areyoudoing here?” I accused as I gave a quick glance down at my wrist, wondering why it still felt as though it were burning from where he’d touched me, though it was empty, save for my typical markings. I rubbed at my skin, the sensation strange as he spoke.
“I should think I’d be the one asking that of you,” he replied, his eyes crinkling slightly as though my statement humored him.
“And yet,” I replied, “I askedyou. So, what about giving me a stars-damned answer?”
“Do you always talk to those of a higher ranking than you with a tongue like that?” His voice rumbled, dark and amused, as he watched me intently.
My nose crinkled, frustration rising in me at his words. “How dare you imply that I’m less than you just because of my affinity mark.”
His eyes narrowed, almost as if in confusion, as he watched me before he spoke. “You do realize . . .” He paused briefly before gesturing toward the rank marking on his shoulder.
Three lines of silver-gray decorated his uniform.
A Royal Solis Guard.
A sergeant, no less.
Shit. Shit. Shit.
He’d meant hisSolis Guardranking.
My eyes widened as I stared in horror at the male before me, then flickered over to the male standing to his side.
Two lines.
I was royally fucked.
How had I missed that he was a member of the RSG?Howhadn’t I noticed the other night at the tavern? It wasn’t like I knew every member of the guard—they were rotated intopositions across the Quarter every two weeks, so it was rare that all the guards even knew each other . . . butstill.
“Anything to say?” he inquired. And I could have sworn that had he not been wearing a dunewrap covering his nose and lips, I would have seen him smirking at me.
I just stood there, frozen in place, shocked that I had missed this piece of information.
“Sorry,Sergeant,” I finally managed to reply, the words coming out in a forced strangle.
“Are you?” he questioned, and I heard a low chuckle come from his companion. My eyes snapped to him, holding his gaze for a moment too long.
