Page 44 of A Sky of Emerald Stars

I tried to focus my eyes and take in the room. It appeared to be an underground cave... probably a dungeon below the grand building above. The walls were all curving sandstone, the ground made of dark grit. The whole enclosed space was built along the natural rock formation apart from the iron bars at one end. No one guarded my cell. Theonlycell, it appeared... which told me this place didn’t make a habit of taking prisoners, not enoughto need a whole dungeon at least. There was stillacell in the basement, though, so they certainly weren’t entirely benevolent either... and definitely not toward Wolves.

Sunlight shone from the long narrow stairwell up ahead, the only source of light. My snarl was muffled by my gag as I pulled my feet under me and tried to find a more comfortable position. I still only wore Navin’s shirt, the V of the neckline gaping to the point one breast was almost spilling out of it. I could have cared less about that; if anything, I’d rather have been naked than wearing anything of his.

More than the shackles, Navin’s shirt made me feel like I was actually trapped.

I heard a clank from up ahead and I honed my senses to the sound. Footsteps echoed on the stairs, the sunlight shadowed by the figure who descended the steps. My heartbeat picked up speed as I saw two leather sandals appear, then linen trousers, then a hand holding a skin of water. Those hands... I knew then who it was before his face even appeared.

I turned away from the bars, staring at the cave wall.

“Sadie?” Navin breathed, his voice cracking. His pace quickened and he ate up the distance between us. When he reached the grating, he paused and let out a whistle—two long notes punctuated by two short ones—and the door groaned, the rusty hinges swinging open.

What in the Gods’ names was that? My heart leapt into my throat, my shoulders lifting in fear. Navin rushed to my side, spinning me to face him. His eyes were bloodshot and pleading as he untied my gag.

The second the gag left my mouth I spit in his face.

He frowned. “I guess I deserve that.”

“Youguess?You’re married?” I barked. It was the wrong first question. There were so many other more important things I should’ve asked first: Who the fuck are you? What is this place? Why am I chained in a cell? But the words flew out of my mouth before I could rein them in.

“We were young,” Navin said, shaking his head. “We were coming up in the guardianship together in Olmdere. Two boys who looked Valtan in a town of Olmderians. He was my only friend and... as we grew older, we fell for each other. But then life and work pulled us apart.” He watched his hands as he uncapped the waterskin, seemingly unable to meet my eyes. “Our reunions became less frequent and less cherished until we realized we had grown into two people not meant for each other. That was many years ago.”

“How quaint,” I snarled as Navin lifted the skin to my lips. I turned my head away and he reached for my cheek. I jerked farther from his grasp. “Now untie me,” I demanded.

“I can’t yet, but I will find a way soon,” he vowed. “I’ll get you out of this. But first, here. Drink.”

I snapped out at him, trying to bite his hand before he snatched it away with a bitter laugh. “Esh.

“You’re going to bite me now?”

“Youexpect decorum fromme?” I hissed. “How about I tie you up and leave you in a cell until you have sand caked in every fucking crevice and then you tell me ifI’mbeing unreasonable.” I kicked grit at him. “You’re a liar.” I tipped my chin to the bars. “And apparently a magic wielder of some sort. And you’re married. Apologies if I don’t believe you when you say you’re going to get me out of this.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about him.”

I hated that he heard the venom in the word “married.” It made me almost want to laugh. I was a soldier and a Wolf; I was used to brutality. I knew being his captive was far more pressing than the fact he had a husband, and yet I couldn’t let it go. Maez was right—I was the goddess of stubbornness.

“Humans aren’t bound to marriages the way Wolves are,” I growled. “You have choices. You could’ve ended things.”

Navin shook his head. “I never had a reason to,” he said quietly. “Rasil is the Head Guardian and I am one of Galen den’ Mora. It looks good to the Songkeepers that we are united if onlyfor show. All my other lovers were quick passing sparks. They never knew who I truly am.”

Ah, there was the true question we were dancing around. I cocked my head, wishing I could gouge out his eyes and rip out his lying tongue. “And who are you, Navin Mourad? What is a Songkeeper?”

His eyes lifted to mine, and he whispered, “I am a keeper of the eternal songs.”

“How cryptic. What does that even mean?” I glared at him. “I’ve never heard of such a sect.”

“As well you shouldn’t have. We worked very hard to make sure no Wolf had ever heard of us,” he said. He frowned at the waterskin. “Please just drink and I promise I will tell you everything.”

“I don’t bargain with traitors. How long are you going to keep me here?” I demanded, ignoring the offering of water again. I didn’t care that my throat was bone-dry. I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction. “Are you planning on killing me?”

“No.” His voice dropped an octave. He had the audacity to almost sound offended.

“It sure seems like yourhusbandwould like to kill me.” I dealt him a bitter smile. “If he’s concerned I’m your lover, you can assure him you’ve never been between my legs.” My lip curled. “Nor shall you ever.”

“Hewillfree you, Sadie. I just need time to convince him.”

I let out a rough bark. “Why should I believe anything you tell me?”

His eyes bracketed with pain. “Please,” he said, lifting the water to my lips again. “Not everything between us was a lie.”

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