Page 130 of Elysian

“As an observer,” Branwen began, tucking her curly hair behind one ear. “I understand your reservations. This may not come best from me⁠—”

“Us,” Vera added with a wry smile. “We understand how uncomfortable it must be for you to be around his past feeders.” Everything unsaid lingered in her words. “But that does mean we have a unique insight into His Highness.”

From their shared glance, I could tell this had been a topic of conversation before. I drew straighter.

“If we may,” Branwen interrupted. She stared at me inquisitively.

“Ladies, simply tell her. That is what friends are for.” Tabby tsked, shaking her head. “I can tell you were all too near the Kingdom with all your niceties.”

She was not incorrect in her statement. At one time, Miriam and I had shared all things with one another. She had not only been like family; she had also been a friend.

Morak knocked a fork against the side of his metal tankard. It let out a shrill ring.

“Hurry! Speak your mind,” Tabby whispered.

“He has never behaved even a fraction of how he behaves with you with anyone else. Not only does he watch you as if he would take a blade for you, he watches you with tenderness. That is something he has never received.” Vera paused, lips pursed as if debating her following words. “Many of us tried. Ida, especially, attempted to sway his heart.” I was glad to have driven a blade through her.

“We all see how he turns toward you. With every little move you make, he turns, adjusting himself to you. The Warlord is in love,” Tabby added.

Branwen caught my hand. “It is not meant to sway you, simply to offer you an outsider’s perspective. I would not like to see you miserable.”

Morak had begun to speak. Something or other about unity and such. I continued dwelling on their words.

Have I doubted his affection for me?

The struggle to inhale past my tight throat said as much.

“There is hope beyond how we have been existing!” Morak shouted. The ensuing cheer roared through the cavern.

“A hope thanks to you . . . and I suppose His Highness.”

I turned to the voice near my shoulder. “Liadan!” I gasped, throwing my arms around his shoulders. His much, much wider shoulders.

He chuckled, patting my waist. “I’d rather not lose my head, but I suppose I wilnae be so easy to get rid of now,” he murmured, pulling back. He clasped my face and pressed a kiss to my forehead. “Thank you.”

My breath caught. His usually blue irises were no longer. Extending from the pupil was blood-red that flared out and collided with blue. He had become the stature of Cassiel.

So Cassiel’s eyes had been close to golden before he Awakened.

A roar ripped through the cavern. Cassiel crashed into one of the wooden tables near the fire. Splintered wood exploded all around, sending anyone nearby running with shrieks.

Cassiel was on his feet to meet in a clash with Jude. They collided like stone on stone with deep thuds punctuating every exchanged blow. Jude matched Cassiel’s diminished strength, and still, Cassiel held his own, dodging and landing blows that forced Jude back.

Centuries had honed Cassiel’s skill. He held the advantage, but the withering would not let it last.

“Stop them!” I screamed. Morak was moving people away from the danger, shuffling them through one of the three passages that led inside. “Liadan!” I whirled.

He seemed to be in a trance watching them, chest rising and falling rapidly. Until I touched his arm and he turned to me.

“I will stop them.” Then he was gone.

Liadan wrenched Jude’s arms back. He turned and snarled, baring fangs.

“Enough!” Morak shouted.

“He is weakened. We should take the opportunity to end him!” Jude’s bellow reached where I stood watching.

Cassiel went frighteningly still. “Try it,” he murmured.