Chapter 21
The pale red buildings of Desva rose from the desert, a welcome and relief-inducing sight.
It was late morning, Ciana seated on her mare.
The beast had been a steady companion during their two days of travel, never taking a wrong step, one ear always cocked back toward Ciana as she hummed the occasional tune.
She still liked to ride away from the main host; never out of eyesight, but far enough to have some semblance of peace.
Sometimes she rode with Theo, the young Onitan hunter. He was kind and quiet, and she appreciated his company. Other times—like now—she would ride with Sebastian and was never sure what to say.
An unusual occurrence for her.
Things were better now, but it was still different. Like there was a string tied between them, pulled taut and ready to snap with just the barest bit of pressure.
She supposed finding him beating the shit out of her abuser in the oasis woods would do that.
Ciana still remembered her shock at finding them. Lucas, pinned against that tree, half-conscious and covered in blood. Sebastian, arm cocked, a savage snarl across his face.
She had never seen Sebastian like that. Hair messy, face splattered with blood, clothing rumpled. He was normally so put together, so composed.
It would be a lie if she said it hadn’t made her heart beat a little faster, made foreign feelings swirl in her stomach and heat settle low in her core.
And the way he’d held her after, so safe and comfortable and familiar…
“Looks like we have a welcome party.”
Oh. Whoops. Right.
Ciana whipped her head to the side, warmth flooding her cheeks. Sebastian was thankfully not looking at her, his gaze focused instead on the looming city ahead.
She followed his stare to a small group standing under a cluster of palm trees. Three wore the traditional garb of the Kreah military, faces covered against the brutal desert heat. A tall, familiar figure stood in their center, gold jewelry glinting in the sun. Amasis.
Beside the High Counsellor was a man, bright smile on his face and power pulsing around his lanky frame.
Priam.
Ciana suppressed her groan. Of course, the god who’d caused all of this—who’d led her tormentors right back into her life—would be here, ready to gloat over his efforts as a savior.
“Better than being forgotten, I suppose.” She twisted the reins nervously between her fingers. “Where’s Mariah?”
As soon as the question left her lips, a great shape dropped from the sky, the thunderous beat of wings stirring the air. The sky-blue dragon banked, revealing a dark-haired figure seated between her wings.
Ciana smiled, pressing her heels into her horse’s sides. The mare tossed her head and leaped forward, flying across the sands, Sebastian on their heels.
“It is good to see you both.” Amasis smiled warmly as Ciana and Sebastian slid from their horses. “I hope the journey was not too difficult.”
Sebastian and Ciana shared a glance. His expression was hard but warmed slightly as he met her gaze. Heat again flushed her cheeks, and she felt that thing stir in her chest. A thing that was like freedom and wings and lightness and was terrifying in every way she could imagine.
She should tell Mariah. She trusted her queen; she would protect her. But her gut still twisted with fear at the thought of putting words to all this newness.
“The journey itself was fine,” Sebastian responded. Priam watched the dragon circling above them with a frown. “But we need to speak with our queen. Immediately.”
“Funny,” Priam said, finally turning to them. His quicksilver eyes swirled beneath his thick brows. “She has much to speak to you about as well.”
Ciana narrowed her eyes at the god. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Sebastian winced. “Ciana…”
Priam chuckled. “I will give the young queen this much: she is not afraid to surround herself with strong women.” He moved past Ciana.
“Thank you for escorting my people here. I will not forget this kindness.” Before she could respond, he leaped forward, and with a flash of smokey light, he was replaced by his silver-blue dragon, sands stirring as he lifted into the sky.
“I’m really not sure I’ll ever get used to that,” Amasis murmured, their blue eyes wide.
“I’d have to agree,” Sebastian muttered.
“I don’t know; I’m getting quite bored of watching them. I’d rather figure out how to be one of them again.”
The feminine voice was serious, laced with a touch of irreverence, and delightfully familiar. Ciana whirled to Mariah. Her queen stood a few paces away, her arms folded across her chest and a tight smile tugging at her lips.
Ciana’s feet were flying across the sands before she could stop them. She threw herself into her best friend’s arms, thanking the moons that she’d come.
“Hey, Cee.” Mariah chuckled, squeezing Ciana back. She slowly extricated herself from Ciana’s embrace, staring her down with searching green eyes. “Everything okay?”
Ciana opened her mouth, about to say that yes, everything was fine, let’s just get everyone settled first—
“No. Everything is very much not okay.”
Mariah’s gaze shot up, over Ciana’s head. Sebastian strode to Ciana’s side, that same strange hard set to his brow contorting his handsome face. The first hints of a beard shadowed his normally shaved skin, and there was a darkness in his hazel eyes that was unlike him.
It made her warm inside knowing it was all for her.
Mariah didn’t miss the change in his appearance, either. She scoured him, her brow pinching as she pursed her lips. “Good to see you, too, Seb.”
He snarled at his queen. Ciana’s mouth popped open with shock. “Did you know Ciana’s family was traveling with the refugees?”
Ciana’s breath caught in her throat. Mariah’s lips parted, light flickering in her eyes.
Was her magic coming back?
“What did you say?” Mariah no longer spoke with the voice of Ciana’s best friend. Her posture had straightened, fury flashing across her face.
Even if she wore no crown, even when her power was silent, this was the Queen of Onita.
“It’s not that big of a deal.” Ciana tried to step between Mariah and Sebastian. “It was handled—”
“Ciana.” Mariah’s voice was cold. “Is your family traveling with that caravan?”
Ciana swallowed. Shit. “Well, we technically have different family names, so—”
“Her animal of a stepbrother found her the first night. Followed her back to our tent even after being told to stay away.”
Sebastian’s voice was foreign to her. Ciana faced him, tilting up her chin to meet his gaze. He lowered his, expression softening again.
What had gotten into him? This was the Sebastian she’d found covered in blood in the woods. He’d slipped back into his usual self since then, but it seemed Mariah’s presence had dragged it all back to the surface.
Was this who he really was, or just who he became for her?
She almost shook her head. What a silly thought. He’d made it clear; he was her friend. He was just protecting her, that’s all.
As friendly and kind as Sebastian was, he was still a trained warrior. There had to be a hot-blooded streak in there somewhere.
“I appreciate what you’re doing, Seb,” Ciana said softly. “But this doesn’t have to be done right now.”
His fingers twitched as if wanting to reach out for her, but he held himself still. “I told him he would be dealt with when we reached Desva. Now here we are. I keep my promises, Ciana.”
“You don’t think his beat-in face and concussion was punishment enough?”
Sebastian cocked an eyebrow but held his lips in a firm line. “Not in the slightest.”
“Ciana.” A hand touched her shoulder. She met Mariah’s softened stare. “Tell me what happened. Please.”
Ciana sighed. Why had she chosen to surround herself with such protective assholes?
Memories flitted through her mind. Dark memories. Suppressed memories.
Lucas’s words at the campsite. The way he’d followed her, too stupid to realize she was no longer alone and helpless.
She had people who were willing to stand up for her now. It was all she’d ever wanted.
Something dark twisted in her. Those people—the ones whom she refused to share a name with, even if society told her she should—were not her family. All they’d ever done was hurt her. She owed them no loyalty.
These two, though? The warrior and the queen?
This was the only family she needed now.
Ciana lifted her chin and spoke.
Ciana stood beside Mariah, fidgeting with her hands.
The Onitan refugees watched them with curious, guarded eyes.
Priam had vanished, but Rulene and Callamus lingered back with Amasis and the other Kreah representatives.
Ciana didn’t miss how Mariah’s fingers grazed the hilt of her dagger, nor how she rolled her shoulders to shift the short swords crossed behind her back.
“I know you have all traveled far. Accommodations are being readied for you as we speak. I have seen them myself; you will be comfortable and safe here.” Mariah paused, fingers curling.
“But before I can show you to your new temporary homes, I must see the Blaise family.”
Murmurs rippled through the crowd, the Onitans sharing furtive glances. Mariah’s request floated back through the refugees, the occasional whisper of “Blaise” and “Sir Leon” drifting up from the throng.
Ciana ground her teeth. Whatever respect these people thought was owed to her stepfather was sorely misplaced.
For the first time in her life, she was ready to stand up against it.
The crowd slowly parted, and the Blaise family stepped forward. Leon came first, barrel chest puffed proudly. Ciana’s mother was behind him, pale hair twisted regally atop her head despite the days they’d spent traveling.
Then there was Lucas. Even now, the sight of him sent a thrill of fear through Ciana, a sick and conditioned reaction to the face that had hunted her since childhood.
It was nice this time, though, considering that same face was bruised and smashed almost beyond recognition. Sebastian shifted, as if realizing once again exactly the damage he’d caused.