Shattered Souls (Guardians of the Maiden Book 3)

Hermon’s war room fell deathly quiet with shock and ire at Cassiel’s declaration. They glanced between him and the Guardians, a new acknowledgement and wariness lining their stoic expressions. Their judgment fell on him, yet it carried no weight. Not anymore.

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“Sniveling bastard.” The sharp voice cracked in the silence like a whip. Every head turned to the new presence entering through the doorway, and the Celestials bowed at the sight of the crown prince of Hilos.

Cassiel ground his teeth as he locked eyes with his brother. He forced himself to stay lax, to keep his expression neutral, through his insides burned with the effort.

“You intend to make her the next Lady?” Malakel hissed. “That position is for nobility. Not for decrepit creatures and common whores. To suggest it is to spit on our traditions. This repugnance is intolerable. After what she did—”

“It matters not what she did,” Cassiel said, his voice deepening with the rise of his flame. It churned inside of him, unrelenting against his skin. “I am now Lord of Hermon Ridge. No traditions or judgements will sway my decision. Speak another slight against her, and you will experience the meaning of intolerable.”

The very clear threat thickened the tension in the room, and the nobles glanced between them, waiting for Malakel’s reply.

His brother curled his lip. “You are a stain upon our House and Father’s reign. You dare destroy everything we stand for to simply save that worthless human?”

Power blazed in Cassiel’s veins. It unfurled tendrils of flames from his fingertips on the table. At the surge of his anger, it snaked up his arms. Chairs screeched and the council gasped as the fire devoured the table runner, and anything in its path, bathing the walls in a frightful blue hue.

He coolly met his brother’s startled gaze and snarled, “Don’t underestimate the things I would do for my wife.”

New whispers passed among the gentry. He only caught a few words.

Fire wielder…

Cursed power…

Ravager king…

Cassiel held his brother’s stare, though in the back of his mind he was stunned by how easily he summoned the flames. He called them back, and they faded away. Every startled gaze stayed on him.

“Prince Cassiel has been blessed with Seraph fire,” Lord Jophiel announced carefully as he took his seat again. “The likes of which we have not seen in many centuries, but blessed all the same.”

More mutters filtered all around. Too low for Cassiel to hear this time, but most likely unkind by the way Zev’s ears flattened against his head. They continued staring at him and he felt their shock like prickles on his scalp.

The silence was broken by Lord Gadriel. “You called her wife…” His eyes widened incredulously. “Have you already bonded?”

Cassiel leaned back in his seat and crossed a leg over the other. “We have.”

Outrage responded at the unsanctioned bonding.

“The union between Hermon and Nazar has been planned since Sarrai’s infancy!” Lord Gadriel thundered at his uncle. “It cannot be prevented by someone of inferior birth. They must annul. Immediately.”

Cassiel smoothed out his sleeve. “Your demand is denied.”

Lord Hallel snickered, earning a cold glare from Lord Gadriel. The one thing Gadriel hated as much as Nephilims was the Lord of Skath. Cassiel paid no attention to old feuds. They were present merely out of privilege for their class. They had no say in his decisions. But he had to get ahold of his temper if he was going to win over his council.

“An annulment is not possible,” Lord Jophiel said. “Dynalya is his True Bonded, the most sacred and protected union under Rael’s Law. As you all well know. Because of it, the High King has granted them a special dispensation in regards to their unplanned bond and the events at the port.”

Cassiel stilled at the news. His uncle must have spoken to his father after their discussion last night.

The nobles ruptured with anger, calling it nepotism. Which was preposterous because when had his father ever showed him favor? The King was merely applying the laws…or biding his time until he arrived to separate them himself.

The thought made Cassiel’s insides burn again.

“But she’s not like us,” a Celestial with dark skin and braided black hair said. “What would a blood bond ever mean to a human?”

“And some of you are half-breeds.” Cassiel steepled his fingers, pinning his hard gaze on his council. “Is your blood less filthy than hers?”

They stared at his hands that were flickering with flame. His anger was making his blood boil and it showed. He went along with it, pretending it was intentional.

“When were they ever meant to be our equals?” someone muttered, the owner of the voice lost in the crowd.

Others agreed, but there were significantly less protests than before. Either due to his intimidating companions or his display of Seraph fire.

“The majority in this room have a human father or mother,” Cassiel said. “Some of you even had a human love-mate at some point in your long lives. Yet you see yourselves better than them? This Realm was founded on acceptance. Created specifically for those without a place, for those who did not reject anyone different from us. Was that something you merely told yourselves, or have you changed your minds now that a human has gained status above you? We know the air of superiority the other Realms pretend to hold, but I expected more from Hermon.” He didn’t care that he was insulting the Lords to their faces, his focus was on his own council. “What disturbs me most is not your lack of respect for my standing, not even your contempt for my mate, but your utter hypocrisy.”

The council shifted in their seats, dropping their eyes.

“You expect parliament to accept her when she is responsible for the exposure of our kind?” Malakel demanded.

“The High King is now in the Blue Capitol attending to that concern,” Lord Jophiel said. “He has the matter in hand.”

Cassiel’s gaze snapped to his uncle. This was the first he was hearing of it.

“You mean Father is cleaning up his mess.” Malakel shook his head and addressed the room. “You have a right to be offended by his choice of bride. Your new Lord knows what our people have suffered and yet he would stoop so low as to marry one of their kind. One who is wholly beneath his station. A lowborn who brings no dowry, no titles, no land. Nothing.”

“I have no need of it,” Cassiel said through his clenched teeth. He was losing his composure. His brother knew exactly where to push.

Malakel sneered. “Yet what can be expected from the black hearted prince?”

Cassiel used to despise being called that, until he found his heart truly was black. It sat within the hollow of his chest, thrumming with something dark and scorching.

“Not many of you know, but this is not the first time he broke a law for her. She trespassed into Hilos, by which we know the punishment is death. Yet he spared her.”

The room rumbled with voices, or maybe it was Cassiel because something loud was rushing in his head.

Lord Jophiel stood. “Malakel—”

“And none of us have forgotten what she did in the throne room. She is no mere human when she has the craft. She even bears curses on her arm.”

“It’s a geas,” Cassiel growled, his hands clenching.

“No difference.”

“What about the guards she killed?” someone asked.

“They were involved in the unauthorized exiling of a prince,” Lord Jophiel said. “Therefore, their deaths were warranted.”

Malakel let out a scoff. “Of course, how suitable. Once again he is to be pardoned for his crimes. It’s not right, Uncle. Now we are to allow a witch to walk freely where she could harm another one of us? Nothing was left of those guards. Their bodies will never be recovered by Elyōn. We cannot leave such evil power unchecked.”

Zev, Lucenna, and Rawn braced beside Cassiel as he stood. His blood was boiling. His body shook as fire seared him from inside. It pushed against his being with a maddening instinct coming alive. One that demanded to protect—and destroy.

“To marry it is an affront against your country and your class. An insult to all those who died at the hands of them. This only proves you are not sane of mind, Cassiel. She bewitched you, so I will do what you are incapable of doing. What should have been done the moment her filthy blood met yours.” Malakel motioned at his guards. “Bring her.”

Seraph fire ruptured out of him.

It ravaged through the war room, and the nobles cried out, leaping back to escape. With a flap of his wings, Cassiel landed on the table and walked down the center, each step leaving behind a wreath of flame.

They tried it his uncle’s way, but he never cared for government. Dyna was his, and no law nor Realm would take her from him. Any to attempt it would be swiftly incinerated, and he felt no remorse at the thought. No hesitation. Some primal instinct called for destruction as his fire roared through the room, primed to consume them whole.

Cassiel? Dyna’s frightened voice rang in his head. Cassiel!

He gasped sharply, and the fire died.

Everyone gaped at him with horror and fear, and something that might have been…awe. He locked eyes with Dyna where she stood at the entrance of the war room. She only wore a gold nightgown, her robe hanging haphazardly on her shoulders as if she’d run out of bed to find him. Her startled emerald eyes searched his face as the bond buzzed with her alarm.

He caught his reflection on the windows and met a creature of annihilation with flames for eyes. Shame fell over him that she saw him that way and apprehension. Not of his power—he had a startling hold over that. It was his endless rage that startled him.

The need to end without thought.

The eyes of every male fell on her body and Cassiel’s snarl ripped through the air. They all looked away, but Lord Hallel met his glare with a goading smile. He like to fight and Cassiel was furious enough to meet that challenge. Fortunately for him, his priority was his mate. Sowmya and Janel were with Dyna, but he didn’t want her anywhere near this place.

“Escort her away from here,” Cassiel whispered under his breath. “She is not safe.”

Rawn and Zev marched through the scorched room for the doors, Lucenna following on their heels. Dyna went with them at their prompting, and her worried eyes staying on him until she fell out of view. He would find her as soon as he finished here.

Cassiel looked down his nose at his people. “If you wish to continue breathing, I advise you to weigh your next words carefully.” No one dared to speak. “Allow me to make certain things clear. Dynalya Astron will be crowned Princes Consort of Hilos. The title was hers the moment we bonded, and she will be your Lady. Nothing will change that, nor will any threat against her be forgiven. If that is something you cannot accept, then I will fill my council with those who can.”

There was a brief pause as they absorbed his meaning. He had no problem taking away their titles if need be. The one thing the gentry valued was their place in court. The air shifted as everyone in attendance bowed. Some now deeper than others. Besides Malakel, the only ones to remain standing were the Lords. They were on equal standing as him, but their cold expressions may as well have been a show of defiance.

“This meeting is adjourned. Take your leave.” At his command, the room emptied out. Cassiel saw his uncle’s disapproving expression and sat on the edge of the table with a sigh. “I lost my temper.”

“I see that.” Lord Jophiel frowned at the blackened walls. “When I advised a show of force, I did not mean with fire. A good leader must be respected, not feared.”

“I know…Regretting your decision yet?”

“No. I do, however, wish you would stop destroying rooms in the castle. Well, I suppose now they will be remade befitting their new Lord and Lady. I will see to it, along with everything else needed for the wedding.”

Cassiel didn’t have a chance to mention that at the meeting. Oh well. Wayward tongues would do the work. Everyone would know about them soon and could assume it meant there would be a public ceremony.

“You did not tell me my father was in Azure.”

“It’s the business of kings, Cassiel. Don’t concern yourself with it.”

That must mean he was conferring with the Azure King over what happened in the port. The Accords were broken on both ends. If it couldn’t be resolved, then it could become a dire situation.

“You spoke to him, then?” Cassiel rubbed the back of his neck. “Did he look angry?”

His uncle crossed his arms. “Do you truly want me to answer?”

“I suppose not.”

“Well, the hard part is done for today. Go, and prepare for the Bonding Rites.”

Cassiel made a face. He had skipped that part of his studies. “I take it those are the traditions you mentioned.”

“Really, Cassiel, you should know all of this. You have two days to complete the rites before the ceremony. Your valets will inform you on the process.”

Cassiel nodded and sighed again. “Thank you. Truly.”

“Of course. It’s not every day my nephew is to be married. I think you will come to enjoy some of our traditions,” Lord Jophiel winked and left him to take in his destruction.

He needed to learn how to control this power before it hurt the one person he cared for the most. Perhaps they should have waited until his return from Mount Ida to announce the ascension. But it was best to establish his position now and build a new court for the future. He didn’t know what it would bring, only that he could no longer float through life without a plan.

Because now Dyna was a part of it.

Cassiel strode out of the room in search of her to apologize. She must have been frightened to see him that way.

“Well, that was certainly an interesting turn of events.” At the voice, Cassiel turned to see Lord Raziel idling outside the door to the war room.

He wore traditional Celestial robes in deep auburn, trimmed in gold. Long blond hair framed his hard face set with cool blue eyes. He was the oldest lord among them. Older than the High King even, though he didn’t look a day over thirty. A gold pin of open wings with two crossed swords rested at the neck of his robe.

The most unnerving thing about him was the resemblance of his sharp features. Lord Raziel looked more like Malakel’s elder brother than his grandfather.

He neared and the feather tips of his pure white wings brushed the floor. “Much was revealed today that many did not expect. A Nephilim Lord is a historical event, let alone his unusual mate. Though all of it was overshadowed by your revealed abilities. I can hear the walls whispering already.”

Oh, he knew they were.

“Do you know what they are saying?”

Cassiel folded his arms behind his back, schooling his expression. “I care nothing for court gossip.”

He was used to being the topic of discussion and this would be no different. It was best to ignore all of it.

“Nonetheless, you do care about appearances, at the very least when it comes to your human.”

Lord Raziel’s expression remained indifferent, his tone casual, but Cassiel knew an insult when he heard one. He kept himself unruffled as he scrutinized every word.

“Your princess has no real political standing or a drop of royal blood. But you have given her an illusion of power by arriving with assumed supporters. And now that everyone has seen the might of the new Lord of Hermon Ridge, most will hesitate to touch her, or challenge you for your Realm.”

It wasn’t startling that one of the oldest Celestials could see through his strategy. Raziel expanded his territory, power, and army through sheer astuteness. “Is there a point to this conversation?”

“I merely wished to commend you.”

“On what?”

“On understanding the rules of kingdoms and thrones. Now they know, you will not hesitate to decimate those who would stand in your way.”

Recalling the flames raging through the room, Cassiel clenched his jaw. “That is not the way I will oversee this Realm.”

“Then perhaps I overestimated you, youngling.” Lord Raziel turned away, leaving the last of his voice to echo in the cold hall. “Power is not only taken by force, it must be held by force. For what monarchy isn’t founded on blood and war?”