Divine Blood

by Beck Michaels

  “What can I do to earn your forgiveness?”

  The question was a kindle to his rage. True forgiveness couldn’t be bought, but he thought better of it. This was an excellent opportunity to make a request of the High King for whatever he wished.

  Dyna’s naïve, smiling face came to mind.

  It cost him a great deal to keep her alive, but she was headed toward certain death, regardless. If she walked out those castle gates, she wouldn’t ever return. As his mother never did.

  “Prevent the human from going to Mount Ida,” Cassiel replied. He instantly regretted wasting this opportunity on her. He should have requested his freedom.

  His father groaned. “Of all the things to ask of me. Did you not see her determination?”

  Yes, and it was so much like his mother’s, it was uncanny.

  “The death of her parents weighs on her. She needs to go on this journey for them and for herself. You cannot stop her, even if you were to follow her all the way there.”

  Follow her?

  Cassiel glanced down at the ring hanging from the chain around his neck. He cradled it in his palm, the sapphire glimmering in the moonlight. Perhaps the fates had something to do with him meeting Dyna.

  “I wasn’t here to stop Elia from leaving,” King Yoel said, gazing at the ring. “I will never cease to regret it.”

  Cassiel let it fall back on his chest. “She made her choice.”

  His father sighed. “While I cannot interfere with Dynalya’s journey, what other favor may I grant you?”

  “I wish to return to Hermon Ridge,” Cassiel said right away. A plan was forming but it would only work if he had permission to leave.

  “Very well.”

  That was oddly easy. “I have your leave?”

  His father nodded. “For now. You are young and have much to learn before we discuss your future. Meanwhile, you may leave Hilos. I will contact Jophiel tomorrow morning through the water mirror and inform him of your impending arrival.” He held up a hand when Cassiel thought to make another request. “I will not allow the use of Stardust. You are to remain unseen during travel between the Realms.”

  “Yes, sire.” Cassiel bowed in compliance if only to hide his annoyance at being read. The lack of Stardust would be inconvenient.

  “Our years are long and plenty,” the High King said. “Incomparable to humans. The important thing is not how long we live but how we live, son. I only wish for your happiness.”

  Cassiel had nothing else appropriate to say. He bid his father a good evening and leaped over the balcony. His wings carried him off into the brisk night and out to sea, riding the wind in idle arcs.

  He wholly disregarded the last part of that absurd conversation. It held no meaning to him.

  Happiness was an illusion, much like love.

  Chapter 13

  Zev

  There was nothing peculiar about the forest outside of Hilos. The flora didn’t glow, and the trees were younger. Nor did it carry an eerie cling of danger. Dew beaded every leaf and blade of grass, gleaming under the golden morning light streaming in through the treetops. Gentle wind rippled over the muddy puddles left behind after last night’s rainfall. Nothing seemed amiss, but Zev remained on high alert.

  The castle servants woke them before dawn without ceremony or the offer of another meal. The High King didn’t see them off as they were rushed out of the castle before the rest of the kingdom could see them. Neither Zev nor Dyna complained. They were glad to leave such a splendid place founded in gloom behind. The silent Watchers ushered them to the Hilos border and left them with a hefty rucksack of promised supplies. Celestials weren't much for farewells.

  Zev turned away from studying the trees when he heard Dyna grunt as she tried to lift the rucksack again. He tightened his lips together, fighting a grin. This was her fifth attempt, but she insisted on doing it herself. She swung the rucksack upward, and the weight threw her back into the mud with a splat. He burst out laughing.

  “Zev!” She kicked her feet in the air, struggling to get up.

  “I told you to leave it to me, Dyna.” He took her hand and helped her stand. “I’m the strong one, eh?”

  “Oh, I suppose.” She sighed and wiped the spattered mud off her ankles.

  Zev hauled the rucksack up and slid the thick straps onto his shoulders with no trouble. He added his pack, the chains clinking inside. The sound grated on his ears. He wasn’t looking forward to listening to the clink and chime as they counted down the next six days until the full moon.

  By some luck, he was ready to leave Lykos Peak before Dyna’s unexpected arrival. He had spent months deliberating whether to leave. Although he was an outcast, he was free to roam in the outskirts, and there was plenty of prey. Lacking that security unnerved him but going back wasn’t possible.

  He needed to get Dyna far away from here. The Pack couldn’t cross into Celestial territory, but they were sure to trek around the ridge to capture him. Once werewolves were on the hunt, they didn’t stop.

  “Come, we have a long way to go, and it’s best we don’t linger close to Hilos,” Zev told her. Or Lykos Peak.

  He marched on, the threat at his back urging his quick pace. Dyna followed him without a word. They traveled far through the endless forest, crossing through several streams to muddle their scents, but that wouldn’t work for long. Werewolves were skilled trackers. The Alpha was better than most.

  As the clear blue sky leisurely turned orange with the approach of evening, he noticed Dyna’s feet drag and her stomach gurgled.

  “Let’s stop,” he said as they entered a glade lined by wild shrubs and trees. “I’ll find a secure place to camp.”

  “I can keep going.”

  “You did well. We covered plenty of ground but it’s time to rest now.” He led her to sit on a large boulder and unhooked the waterskin from his pack, passing it to her.

  “Thank you.” She drank while he searched the rucksack for food. The autumn wind had her shivering and rubbing her arms for warmth. The cold wasn’t something that bothered Zev since his kind was always warm, but the tip of Dyna’s nose and cheeks were ruddy.

  “Did you bring a coat?”

  “No,” she admitted.

  “Extra clothing at least?”

  “I lost them in the Forbidden Woods.”

  “The nights will only grow colder, and that dress won’t be enough to keep you warm,” he said, frowning at the thin fabric of her sleeves. “But I have some money. We’ll buy you a coat in the next town.”

  “Thank you, Zev,” she sighed. “It’s unfortunate I lost my cloak in Lykos.”

  Her cloak!

  That meant the Pack had her scent. They’d be found no matter how many bodies of water they crossed. Adrenaline spiked through Zev’s veins but he didn’t want to frighten her. After this short break, he would carry her on his back and run all night if he had to.

  He passed her a burlap pouch filled with dried fruit, forcing a smile on his face. “Here, eat.”

  “It was kind of King Yoel to provide us with so much,” Dyna said, exchanging it for the waterskin.

  “Aye, it was,” Zev agreed before taking a drink. He tensed when his senses flared in warning of a presence nearby. He slowly lowered the waterskin and wiped his mouth with the back of his arm.

  His wolf sight took over. He scanned the growing shadows within the trees and undergrowth for any movement as he inhaled the air. Buried in the scent of damp earth and decomposing leaves was a familiar sweet smell. It didn’t carry the musk of the Pack but werewolves weren’t the only danger. They were alone with a map to Mount Ida in their possession, and no one outside of Hilos knew about it.

  Would the Watchers defy their High King’s orders and come for Dyna? Zev’s canines extended at the thought.

  He searched the branches overhead, but whoever followed them wasn’t up there. With another sniff, he pinpointed their exact location. He remained facing her, not wanting to give away he was aware of
the presence behind him.

  “Dyna.” She met his glowing eyes and quickly moved to his side. His eyes only changed for two reasons: when he was angry, or when he sensed a threat.

  “What is it?” she whispered, staring at the darkening forest.

  “Wait here.” Zev dropped their bags with a loud clanking thud.

  Her breath hitched. “I can’t.”

  “You can.” He took her shoulders. “Don’t worry. I won’t be long.”

  She bit her lip and gave him a brave nod.

  Backing away, he tossed his shirt aside and an ache passed through him as his bones fluidly shifted. The wolf came forward and his trousers slipped off as he dropped on four paws. Everything was clearer and brighter. His sight, hearing, and smell sharpened, heightening the scents of nature and the chatter of the wildlife.

  Shaking out his flank, Zev darted into the trees. His muscles rippled under his fur as he picked up speed. His paws pounded into the wet dirt. He raced over fallen logs and through shrubs, the forest passing him in a blur. Revolving around the way they entered the glade, he picked up a mixture of scents past the decomposing leaves. Leather, honey, and divine incense. It told him exactly who it was.

  He stalked forward and peered out from the foliage at the winged figure. Prince Cassiel hid behind an old tree layered in vines, frowning at Dyna. She stood visible in the open glade, hugging Zev’s clothing to her chest as she stared in the direction he had gone. Cassiel shook his head and took a step toward her. Zev sprung from the bushes, tackling the startled Prince. They crashed in a lumbering heap.

  Cassiel’s heart raced and Zev tasted his panic, but he hid it well behind a glare of steel.

  “Off,” the Prince commanded as though he were a dog. “I won’t say it again.”

  Zev growled. Cassiel produced a knife from his sleeve and pressed the crossguard against Zev’s ribs. A searing fire burned through his skin to his core. He whined, leaping away.

  The Prince rolled to his feet and slid into a lead-fighting stance. He flipped the silver knife in his hand, the edge as sharp as his sneer. He beckoned Zev forward, “Come on.”

  Zev snarled and lowered into a crouch, deciding he would bite that hand clean off. The patter of running feet burst through the shrubs.

  “Prince Cassiel?” Dyna called in surprise, distracting him. Zev dove and slammed him on the ground, knocking the weapon away.

  Cassiel cursed in frustration. “Call off your beast.”

  Zev snapped his teeth inches from his nose.

  Dyna picked up the knife, her eyes narrowing as she inspected it. “Please don’t move, Your Highness. He’s not as agreeable in his wolf form and at the moment, you’re a threat. I would agree, bearing in mind you came armed with silver.”

  “I would be a fool not to be prepared this time.”

  She frowned. “And what brought you this way? We didn’t expect company.”

  “Allow me the dignity of standing before I answer you.”

  “Zev, it’s all right.” Dyna nodded. “Let him stand.”

  Zev ambled off and his muscles flexed as he shifted into his human form. He grabbed the Prince’s arm and jerked him upright on his feet, leaving behind a litter of black feathers on the ground.

  Cassiel scowled, brushing himself off. “Look at what you have done.”

  He nudged Dyna aside to gather them before she reached for one and plucked the knife from her hands.

  Zev ground his teeth. “For a prince, you lack manners.”

  “And you lack modesty. You’re shamelessly exposing yourself in front of a girl.”

  Dyna chuckled and handed Zev his clothes. “I have become accustomed to his constant shifts since we were children. I don’t pay it any mind, Your Highness.”

  The Prince wrinkled his nose in disgust.

  Shapeshifting was a way of life for werewolves. Zev had given little thought to his nudity, but he understood how it would make others uncomfortable.

  “Why are you here?” Zev asked as he dressed.

  While Cassiel still carried an air of arrogance, he no longer wore his silk robes. He was dressed in cream-colored trousers, a long-sleeved navy tunic fastened with ivory buttons, and knee-high black leather boots. A luxurious sword with an embellished sheath and a golden hilt hung secured at his waist. The crest of Hilos adorned the pommel.

  Dyna spotted a leather rucksack wedged in the bushes. “Are you going on a journey as well?”

  The Prince grabbed the rucksack and slung it on one shoulder. “I came to join you.”

  There was no request in that statement.

  “Oh?” She raised her brows.

  Zev frowned. “You were quite clear in your opinion about this quest.”

  And he came armed with silver. Why come if he didn’t trust them?

  Cassiel crossed his arms. “It is dangerous, there is no denying that. However, she may fare better with someone of knowledge to guide her.”

  “I’ve had no problems so far, Prince Cassiel.”

  “Refrain from speaking my title outside of Hilos.”

  Zev gave him a mocking bow. “As you command, Your Highness.”

  Cassiel ignored him and his cool eyes flitted over Dyna’s appearance in disapproval. “The journey will be long and perilous. I imagine you will be difficult to guard against it, but I will make sure that you survive.” His gaze fixed on her face. “Unless my presence displeases you.”

  She beamed. “No, not at all. You’re welcome to join us.”

  “Good,” Cassiel replied in a manner that indicated he expected nothing less. “Now to be clear, there are caveats with the immunity I’ve granted you. Do not ever disclose the existence of Celestials. I will be damned if I am the one responsible for poachers returning to hunt my kind because I saved a stupid human.”

  Her eyes widened. “I would never.”

  “She’ll keep your secret,” Zev growled. “And if you’re not a prince outside of Hilos, then I won’t tolerate your discourtesy. You’ll not call her that again.”

  The muscles in Cassiel’s jaw worked, no doubt with an equally scathing reply, but Dyna quickly moved to stand between them.

  “I’m glad you decided to join us,” she told him while giving Zev a measured look. “We could use your knowledge of Urn.”

  Zev supposed she was right. Neither of them had done any traveling.

  He looked up at the darkening sky as the sun winked out in the horizon, and he felt the pull of the moon taking its place. It called to his wolf, making his skin itch. The wild part of him craved to shapeshift and run through the forest with nothing but the earth beneath his paws.

  “The day has ended,” he said.

  Dyna looked to him, seeing the nightfall’s effect on him. “We should make camp.”

  Cassiel’s large black wings unfurled. The soft hue of twilight shimmered over the silk feathers. “Not here,” he said.

  Zev agreed. The open glade left them vulnerable. They needed to keep going. They had traveled through the day, but it was not enough. “We must go. We’ve wasted too much time here.”

  “I take it you don’t know the area well enough,” Prince Cassiel said to Dyna. “Let’s see your map again.”

  She reached inside her satchel for the journal when a breeze passed over them. Zev’s nose was hit with the musky scent he’d been dreading. He spotted the large forms lurking within the trees, their yellow eyes glowing. It was too late to run.

  They were surrounded.

  Chapter 14

  Zev

  Two instincts warred within Zev: attack or take Dyna and run. Neither action would end well for her, nor would he get far. That left only one option.

  “Don’t move,” he warned. Dyna and Cassiel had not noticed the Pack at first but they immediately alerted at his tone.

  The bushes rustled as a group of brawny men crept into view. Not all the werewolves were visible, but by their scent alone, Zev counted more than twenty. They snuck up on him from downwind, taking adva
ntage of the distraction. Maybe they had always been close, waiting until dark to invoke their wolves.

  The Prince reached for his knife.

  “Don’t,” Zev growled at him. “If you draw that thing, they’ll rip out your throat.”

  Cassiel stiffened. His fingers slipped from the hilt, but he kept his large wings primed to fly.

  The men parted as their Alpha came forward. Thick muscle layered Owyn’s tall frame. He only wore dark trousers, his feet bare. Long clawed scars marked his chest and arms by those few who had challenged him and lost. Black hair streaked gray was tied back from his hard face and reflective eyes.

  Zev didn’t find Owyn as intimidating as he used to, but he lowered his gaze so as not to challenge him. His restless wolf paced inside of him, demanding to meet the threat, urging him to shift for his self-preservation. But one instinct prevailed above all else: protect Dyna.

  He extended his arms in surrender and lowered to a knee with his head bowed. “My companions have nothing to do with this. Please, allow them to go.”

  Owyn’s loud snarl reverberated through the glade. Dyna shrunk back a step.

  “Alpha, I beg you,” Zev said deferentially. He added the title to condone respect even if he wasn’t Pack. Owyn didn’t answer, but the growls of the others had softened. Zev took that as permission and motioned for Dyna and Cassiel to leave.

  She clung to his shirt with trembling hands, pungent fear oozing from her pores. “I won’t leave you.”

  The thought of harm befalling her terrified Zev more than anything. He couldn’t lose any more family, not at his own hands.

  “Take her away to the Cyclops,” he told Cassiel, hoping the Prince knew what that meant. “If I don’t return, please see her home.”

  Dyna yanked her elbow from Cassiel’s grasp. “I’m not leaving. It’s my fault Zev fought that wolf!” she told Owyn.

  “Stay out of it,” the Prince hissed under his breath.