Keryth turns us so he’s in front of me, and I know he’s prepared to protect me in any way possible. I can feel his power ramping up around us as he summons more electricity.

But it isn’t necessary. I’ve got this.

I glare at Sedrick as he pulls the string tight. Our eyes meet, and he realizes his mistake just a second too late.

Concentrating on where I want the flames to erupt, I send a mental burst of heat at his right wing.

The ivory feathers ignite, turning to black ash in a matter of seconds. The weapon drops from his hold while he lets out a blood-curdling scream. He tries to stay afloat with the left side only, but all it does is make him spin as he goes down with a trail of smoke following in his path.

I swallow hard as I look at the dark spiral he left behind.

I’ve never used my powers to harm anyone before. No doubt, Sedrick’s in a world of pain, and it could take years for his feathers to grow back.

“I’m not sorry,” I tell Keryth, lifting my chin to meet his gaze.

“Good.” He grins. “My vicious queen.”

“My wing,” I murmur sadly, hanging on tight because Keryth takes off again, faster than before.

“I have no problem carrying you.” He casts me a worried glance. “Are you hurting badly?”

I let out a sound of confirmation, because the sizzling pain is radiating to my spine. “It burns a little.”

I’m downplaying it, and from the skeptical twist of Keryth’s lips, he knows. “Once we get to safety, I’ll remove the arrow. Just be strong for me until then.”

Nodding, I rest my head on his shoulder and hook my legs around his.

The wind blows through my hair as we get farther away from the only home I’ve ever known. I think of Zephina, the injured soldiers, and the aftermath of this decision.

What a mess.

It’s likely I’ll never see my sister again. The life I knew no longer exists.

But as Keryth presses a kiss to my temple, love washes over me, and I know I’m headed to something better.

CHAPTER 4

Keryth

Zella needs me to be level-headed and calm. Rationally, I know this, but my mind is wild with thoughts of revenge.

They tried to keep her from me. And when she left of her own free will, they hurt her.

These are just two reasons why the Day Realm is on my strike list. I have many more.

Decades ago, my parents were visiting Dawn and Dusk for a private getaway. What was supposed to be a romantic vacation ended up being a tragedy. Their caravan was ambushed by Day Realm soldiers and they were murdered for trespassing before they were able to identify themselves as royalty.