Page 150 of A Dawn of Gods & Fury

“They travel across Udrel, selling honey. They were not supposed to leave for a few weeks, but with what they’ll get from that golden brush, they agreed to leave early.”

Annika’s mouth drops. “That’s what you wanted it for? To barter?”

“Well, yes. What else would it be for?”

“I don’t know! To keep that mane of yours looking so …” She purses her lips as if she doesn’t want to finish that sentence.

“So what? Luxurious? Sensual? Thick?”

“Shut up,” she snaps, her cheeks pink.

“You two are far too concerned about your hair,” Destry notes.

“And you are clearly not at all,” Annika retorts, eyeing the ex-conjurer’s dark mop.

I give Annika’s shoulder a squeeze of warning. This is our only ally. “Do you know what happened to him?” I drag a finger down my face, mimicking the scar. “In battle?”

“No. His wife.”

My eyes pop. “What did he do to earn that rage?”

“It’s what he did not do. One Azokur, four years ago, she turned, and he could not bring himself to slay her. She broke free of her chains and killed their son before he struck her down with his sword.”

“Fates.” I grimace. “These people have lost so much.”

“He no longer hesitates to do what must be done.”

My heart pounds in my ears. More than anyone, Ezra would want a new kal’ana in place.

“They will not turn you in,” Destry says, as if reading my mind. “They despise King Hadkiel.”

“Why?”

“For many reasons. The king is known to cull entire villages when too many beasts are born there on any particular Azokur. He sends his royal guard around to herd and slaughter them without remorse. Then there are the rumors about what the Azyr do in his name. Some are fables, but some are true. I know because I have seen them for myself. But mostly, Ezra despises the king because his oldest daughter was taken by the temple and put to the test, and she did not survive.”

“Speak to us as though we have no idea what you are talking about.” Because we don’t.

Destry smirks. “Conjurers are chosen by the light.”

“So, they are not born this way? With the …” I tap my forehead.

“No, they are not. I wish they were. It is a painful process.”

“And what does the test entail?”

She sighs heavily. “Nothing I will describe, let alone live through again.”

“‘Ask too many questions and the chosen becomes unchosen.’” I quote her words from last night.

“Not by the light. By the Azyr.”

“So … politics.” Annika slips her cloak back up around her shoulders, cutting off my pleasant view.

“Yes. Politics and power.” Destry’s grin is sour. “If only we could rid the realm of kings and queens.”

“Wouldn’t that be nice.” Annika shoots me an amused look. This exiled conjurer has no idea she’s sitting across from the spare heirs to two great kingdoms. I doubt she’d care one way or another, though. Destry doesn’t seem the type to bob and bow for anyone.

I toy with Annika’s braid as I say, “It would be impossible. Someone would always rise to take their place.”

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