AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Kai didn’t linger to hear anything else. And though he moved, everything went dark.
CHAPTER16
ISLA
“This isinfuriating.”
Isla glanced over at the growling Ameera, glowering at the dazzling mess her hands had become. Her partially decorated lantern sat on the table before her. “And I’m covered inglitter.”
“There’s nothing wrong with a little sparkle, Meera,” Davina chimed, tiny flecks of luster joining the freckles on her cheeks.
From her place down the table, Isla observed Ameera’s work, noticing the canvas dome wilted off one of the curved spokes that gave the floating light its shape. Somehow, she hadn’t constructed it correctly…and it was meant to be a simple process. Easy enough for children. Davina had barely needed the instructions, and this was technically her first Equinox here. As was Isla’s.
“You’ve never made one of these before?” Isla asked the general.
“No,” Ameera said, wiping her hands on the cloth meant to dry her paintbrushes. Her features soured. “My mother usually does.”
“Oh.”
Isla's stomach twisted, and she wanted nothing more than to take those words and rip them out of existence. She knew things between Ameera and her mother were tense while Ezekiel was locked away. From the small bits that the general would disclose and what Kai had figured, Ameera’s mother sawKai’sactions as a betrayal of their family, and Ameera, in staying friends with him, was complicit in that. Traitor to a traitor. There was no reasoning with her mother that Ezekiel had put the entire pack in danger with his secrets and lies and that he continued to do so with the possibility that he was still holding more.
Isla drew her eyes over her lantern again, along the swirls and symbols she’d drawn reminiscent of lumerosi. Reminiscent of the ancient language of the marker and the book. It was the product of a meandering mind that would not rest. Even on the study floor, in the aftermath of ecstasy, her and Kai’s sweet nothings had become mystery-ridden musings.
No one would understand this anyway, and maybe, in a way, it was poetic, tragic even, as she sent this lantern up to the skies to burn away. Perhaps the glittering ash that rained would bring some clarity, some answers. Some peace. Any peace.
Thunder crashed like a hammer upon the world, and the crowd around her sputtered, groaned.
“For the love of the Goddess,” Ameera grumbled amongst them, throwing out her arms and lifting her head to the sky. “Haven’t we had enough!” She dropped her gaze. “The goddesses need to give it a rest.”
Isla held back her smile, training her eyes across the night sky. Maybe best not to mention she didn’t mind it at all.
Something glimmered in the corner of her vision, and she turned to catch a glimpse of the Pack Hall’s window, which seemed to shine despite the minimal moonlight.
A violent tug in her gut, at her wolf, suddenly lashed through her side, buckling her, and then there was that tap, tap,tappingat her skull again. A thought, a presence, just at the edge of her mind.
Kai?
“Your Majesty…Your Majesty.”
For a moment, Isla had forgotten the address was hers, and she lowered her head, finding Ameera and Davina had closed in, their eyes fixated on whoever stood behind her. The former became a picture of lethality and grace, her eyes narrowed and arms crossed.
Isla spun, jerking back slightly when she came face-to-face with General Eli.
“General,” Isla snapped, somewhat questioning. Any anger and suspicion she’d felt towards him bubbled violently to the surface, likely rippling across her face.
“General,” Ameera echoed, nearly growling. Isla could feel her take up the spot at her back. Months ago, she’d effectively gathered that the two warrior generals hated each other—Ameera deeming Eli “General Social Climber” while he’d made his attempts at courting Isla. Passive-aggressive conversation had been an art form for the two of them.
Davina remained quiet, wary if she could trust the general, given her secret and how closely he could’ve been with Cassius.
As Eli surveyed each of them, Isla did him the honor of the same pointed inspection. He looked haggard, unkempt. His hair was mussed in a way that she knew it was from his own exasperated hands, no one else’s, and the fear and wildness shining in his slightly bloodshot and dark-circled eyes set her warrior’s heart beating.
What the hell had happened to him?
He eventually bowed low. “Apologies, Luna.”
Goddess, that sounded strange coming out of his mouth.
Isla did her best not to let that unease show. “Can I help you with something, General?”
