Page 9 of To Sway a Prince
All remained heavy and quiet. I lay on the floor of a long stone corridor. Silver-framed paintings lined the wall on bothsides with small memorial tables beneath each. Probably former Sentinels and the items that had represented them in life. They all had appearances rather similar to Ramiel: sharp features, purple or purple-blue eyes, contemplative expressions, hooded eyes. All wearing silver and blue.
I pushed myself up slowly, my head throbbing. It hurt worse now than it had with the runes on me or when I was hanging upside down. My aura screamed at me, exhausted and shaken. Whatever was hidden in this place, it had drained me more than expected here as well. Thank goodness there was no sign of that shadow creature.
I cradled my temple as I took this place in. So which direction was the stable from here? I swallowed hard, my mouth dry. It didn't feel like I had the strength to manage even a small pulseport now. Thread rot.
I swallowed hard. Well, at least I had my wits, my blade, and, soon, my friend. Limping along, I took care to remain as quiet as possible.
A few steps farther in whatever direction this was and I caught the first notes of sound other than the faint hissing of torches. Ramiel's voice, low and measured, drifted from a room farther down the hall. A warm glow spilled from an open doorway. "This is unsustainable," he said. "The seals are weakening faster than before, and if I do anything beyond what I have already done, the omenfang will return. We don't have much time."
4
ANOTHER RESCUE ATTEMPT
Istiffened, my ears straining to catch every trace of information I could. Who was Ramiel talking to? Caein? My gut said Caein. Something in the air felt similar to his presence now that I focused on it.
Keeping my boots from scuffing on the polished stone floor, I eased closer. No wards or sigils here, but that was obviously not proof enough to move with any sort of confidence. Another two steps forward, and I halted.
"This will not be enough," Ramiel continued.
"You have made great progress," Caein responded. "It's fully contained."
"For now. But how much longer before it breaks free? I spent far too much on gnat."
I cocked my head, almost amused at that nickname. I'd certainly been called worse. Peering around the corner, I spotted him leaning over a glass orb on a desk, both hands pressing on it. Silver frost stretched over the orb, hints of purple and blue sparking among the runes in the frost patterns.
"Yes, well, you should have done more to ensure Zephyrus hadn't gotten himself attached. That woman is quite determinedto free him," Caein said. "Do you simply intend to keep her until it is finished?"
The muscles in Ramiel's hands flexed though he kept his fingers near motionless. "If she refuses to swear to leave Zephyrus, I have no other choice. I can't let her interfere. The ritual requires at least eight of the weavers. Even with all twelve…" He fell silent. "I doubt she was any more reasonable when you went to her."
"No. You may need to be frank with her about everything regarding this situation, Ramiel. This is an exceptionally serious matter."
"Be frank with her? Yes, that sounds wise," he responded, the dryness in his voice intensifying. "If she thinks Zephyrus might even be wounded, let alone die, she will never leave. And we both know that it may be unavoidable. All may perish."
Bastard! My fingers curled tight against my palms, fingernails cutting into my skin. Cold rushed over me. I set my jaw as I drew back to avoid being seen, but I listened intently.
"Perhaps so," Caein said. "But you know what this is. It's a true?—"
"Yes, I know it's a true bond, Caein, but that doesn't matter," Ramiel snapped. He continued to trace patterns over the glass. "He disappears for all those years, goes out, and bonds with—" His jaw worked, surprising emotion cutting through his voice. "You have no idea how difficult this is."
"No, I don't. I'm certain Zephyrus never intended to, even though no one truly controls a dragon. Commands do not hold if they go against the dragon's will. If you just explain to her?—"
"I don't want to spend these last days explaining anything. This is challenging enough as it is. It is taking every ounce of my will." His shoulders tightened, his eyes hardening. "We are down to the final weeks. Possibly even days. They should not be spentin useless conversation. And Zephyrus should be allowed to be with his kin."
A bit of guilt twisted inside me.
"The bond between a dragon and rider is one of the sacred bonds. She knows his name. He chose her."
"I am aware," Ramiel said, his voice growing more stern. "This isn't going well. The leviathan stirs already. He is getting worse, and we're running out of time. Especially if the omenfang can't be stopped—ithoks!"
That sharp burst of profanity made me go rigid. The air had taken on a stronger scent, more like burning metal. I peeked in again in time to see that the glass orb was cracking. A pitch-black storm cloud had formed within it, and lightning flared inside.
"Steady, Ramiel, don't be so swift to believe the worst. If you become more agitated?—"
Ramiel made a hissing sound in response. He hunched over the cracking glass, arms braced. "Check the perimeter wards. Strengthen them. Cut them off from the aether of the Chasm. Make sure it doesn't enter, then return."
"If the omenfang—" Caein started.
"It won't make a difference if the wards are breached. The defenses will have to hold here. Go!" Ramiel shot an enraged glare up at the ceiling. The air pulsed for a moment.
