Page 59 of Elysian

“Cassiel!” I caught his arm. He shook his head and straightened. “Dear Saints, you must rest.”

“Finish tightening it,” he said through gritted teeth.

I snarled in frustration, tightening the sash as tight as it would go, and wound it around until it was short enough to knot.

“And send you toppling on top of me? No thank you,” I huffed and popped to my feet to nestle against his side.

He snorted, and we continued our march through the thick foliage.

“The river should be near,” he said.

We continued our journey, our steps slowing with each stride. We managed to continue a bit longer before Cassiel staggered.

“I am telling you⁠—”

“Silence,” he hissed. He gripped my wrist and forced me a short distance from his face. “Do not come out, regardless of what you hear. If they take me, let it be. You must escape.”

“What?” I hissed. “No!”

“Yes.”

“It’s me and you. Besides, we cannot be separated⁠—”

He pressed his mouth against mine, cutting off my rant. ‘For once, listen, mortal.’

I ground my teeth, watching his eyes narrow as if he was listening for something. ‘It is Drusilla. Stay here. Do not move from here. If they capture me, you must continue.’

He clasped my face so tightly, my lips were smashed together. He did not allow me a response, turning to face the incoming beat of hooves. I huddled lower into the bushes.

The fool! If the bond was like Piper’s and mine, we could not be separated for longer than a moon rotation.

Drusilla rode Abrax through the trees. She seemed so small upon the beast. He reared upon seeing Cassiel with a snort. Cassiel spread his arms out and Abrax calmed. Drusilla had slid off the side of the horse.

“Cassiel,” she exclaimed, low and rushed. She slowed when he remained still. “My dear son.” She wrung her hands together. “If you hand that girl to me, I will convince Vaner to leave you be.”

“No.” Directly to the point.

“All I want is your safety. For you to be well,” she insisted.

He stepped toward her, so slowly it seemed purposeful. Drusilla’s shoulders drew up, but she did not move away.

“You say this, yet you left me behind.” There seemed to be no emotion in his voice, but underneath the blankness, there was true curiosity.

“You do not understand.” Drusilla combed her fingers through her hair. “I worked at a brothel. I met Lord Vaner there. He charmed me. Made me fall for him. I was a single mother, and I did not have support. Nothing for you. We survived on water and bread. I wanted better for you,” she choked out. “I knew nothing about hosts or Warlords, not until I met Lord Vaner. He pulled me out of the torment of barely surviving.”

Her hands shook as she reached forward. Cassiel let her hands rest on his chest. That more than anything made my eyebrows raise.

“The systems were not as well maintained as they are today. You know this—you saw it. I only wanted more for you. Then Vaner told me more about Warlords and his plans, so I offered you to him.”

Her exhale was shaky.

The slightest pinch of sympathy swelled. She’d been driven to—No. She killed Piper.

“He came to meet you when you were a boy, to determine whether you had a chance of being a Warlord. And you did.” She exhaled. “Vaner is a complicated man, but he loves me. If I give him no other option, he will leave us to live our lives. All you have to do is give me the girl.”

Silence. Meanwhile my mind raced. Would he take her offer? Would he believe it?

“Please, son. My heart has always been yours,” she insisted.