Page 64 of A Sky of Emerald Stars

“You always underestimate me,” Navin said, his voice an octave lower than when I’d heard it last. He folded his arms across his chest. “I told you I had her under control.” My stomach flipped at the sound, so dark and menacing.

Except this time, it didn’t make me loathe him. I wondered if I could get him to use that voice again under much different circumstances.

“Clearly,” Rasil said, holding a finger to his lips in contemplation as he studied me. “You will win us a treasure more precious than all the gold in Olmdere, Wolf.” His grin was more feral than any Wolf. “I think I should send Ciara and Jaime with you.”

“No,” Navin cut him off a little too quickly, drawing Rasil’s gaze. “They don’t know the greater magics like us. They will just slow me down,” he said a little slower.

“If only Mina were here,” Rasil said, cocking his head. “Then there’d be at least two of you.”

Navin hummed in agreement. “I thought it best she stay behind and keep a close eye on the Golden Court Queen,” he said. “Mina is right in the Queen’s pocket now, and with Damrienn and Olmdere both vying for Valta’s armies in their brewing war, I thought it best that a Songkeeper stay close to her side.”

“Always one step ahead of the rest.” Rasil slid his hand from Navin’s shoulder down his bicep in an affectionate, lingering touch that made me want to snarl. “And Kian. Is he still with us?”

Navin’s shoulders tensed. “He is,” Navin said carefully. “Though my brother is still recovering from his time as a Rook.”

“When you return to Olmdere,” Rasil said, “I expect Kian to face your judgment for his traitorous ways.” Rasil actually expected Navin to punish his brother? What an absolute asshole.

Rasil looked back at me. “Now that I know you are up to the challenge, I will appoint you as our executioner. If only there was a song for death... Ah, well, the song we’ll be acquiring is close enough.” My head snapped up at that, my one good eye wide. “Do you have something to say, Wolf?” I cowered again and shook my head. “No, go on,” Rasil taunted. “Tell me.”

“You call us Wolves barbaric,” I snarled. “Yet you’d send him to kill his own family.”

“Iam his family,” Rasil said, his voice echoing off the cave wall. “The Songkeepers are his kin. Navin and the softhearted Ora seemed to have forgotten why we exist at all.”

“I haven’t forgotten,” Navin cut in. “I will avenge us, and I will get our song back. Give me a horse and I’ll take her now if you like. We’ll be in Rikesh by the full moon.”

“I like when you’re eager to please me, love,” Rasil said, rubbing a hand up Navin’s arm again. “But you and I both know the crishenem will come for you after sunset.”

Navin shrugged. “I will sing them away.”

I silently begged him not to push Rasil any further. I knew he was trying to rescue me, but convincing Rasil of his intentions was walking a razor’s edge.

Rasil shook his head. “Save your songs for Rikesh.” He kicked sand at me and clicked his tongue when I flinched. “Let the little bitch have one more night in her cell to remind her not to mess with you. You’ll leave at first light.” He placed his hand on Navin’s shoulder and steered him around. “Come, Bec is making dinner.”

Sadie

It wasn’t long into the night before I heard the shuffle of sandaled feet coming down the steps. The Songkeepers who’d arrived during the day seemed to retire early after their travels. Navin swayed down the steps, wine seemingly loosening his limbs, and he whistled a low tune to open my cell door.

I leaned against the cave wall, using it to leverage my feet under me and rise to stand. I wandered over to him, his eyes filled with fire as I approached. Before I could open my mouth to speak, he bent down to kiss me. His tongue swept into my mouth, his hands pulled my hips into him, he breathed deeply as if he’d been waiting all day for this moment. My lip stung as his mouth worked over mine, but I couldn’t stop, just as desperate for him.

“Come with me,” he murmured against my lips. “I’ll untie you once we’re out of sight.”

I followed him up the stairs, a little bounce in my step as I padded barefoot toward his room. I knew my glee was ridiculous given the circumstances, but all my good sense had vanished the day before. I was already on fire—I might as well dance in the flames.

We skirted through the atrium, the stars just beginning to twinkle overhead. “Is everyone asleep?” I whispered.

Navin’s hand touched the small of my back, guiding me. “At least an hour ago,” he whispered back.

“Impressive you could wait that long,” I snarked.

“I was about to combust,” he added with a chuckle.

We snuck down the hallway toward his bedroom when we heard a door shut.

“Shit,” I hissed and bolted toward his room. The chains around my legs rattled as I awkwardly tried to tiptoe down the hall.

Navin whirled around as he shut the door behind me. I listened through the door as he removed a strand of keys from his pocket and jangled them around, covering my sound. The voices were muffled through the door, but I knew from the baritone rasp that it was Rasil.

Shit. Shit. Shit.

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