Page 57 of A Heart of Crimson Flames
My brows knit together, and I shook my head. “I am not.”
“Don’t believe her,” another said.
“Why would I save you if I was trying to harm you?” I growled, which only made them all retreat another step. Fucking Moon, I had no finesse in these situations.
Fortunately for me, the Songkeepers finally reached us. Navin practically collided into me, holding me at arm’s length to check me for injuries. “Are you okay? What were you thinking?”
“I was thinking I wasn’t going to let a child fall to her death,” I said, stepping out of his grasp and adding more mildly, “I’m fine.”
The humans watched, darting wary looks between us.
“I know you,” one of the humans said, pointing to Navin and then spotting Ora in the distance crossing over to them. “Yes. You’re part of Galen den’ Mora.”
“We are,” Navin replied, his heavy breathing slowing as he realized the humans weren’t going to attack me. “We are traveling northward.”
He was met with a chorus of “nos” and admonishments.
“The north isn’t safe,” the woman who held the girl said. “Nero’s Silent Blades are patrolling all of the human towns now. Controlling our food, our words, our prayers. Any dissent and...” She looked down at the girl and decided not to finish her sentence. But we knew. We’d seen Nero’s destruction when we crossed the border and found Rockford reduced to ash. The stench still clung to me even now. “We cannot survive in Damrienn anymore, but neither are we allowed to flee.”
“They told us we could seek refuge in Olmdere only to burn our boats once we were at sea,” another said. “We’ve come from Allesdale and are fleeing to the south, hoping the Wolves won’t follow us.”
The old man eyed me and lifted a knobby, crooked finger. “Is she a Wolf?”
Navin moved to stand in front of me and I rolled my eyes. “She saved that child’s life,” he said.
“She will rat us out to her King the second she gets a chance. I knew we weren’t safe coming this way.”
“We couldn’t stay in Allesdale, Fredrick,” another replied.
“Nowhere is safe anymore, Alice,” the other said. “Not while the tyrant King lives.”
“I am trying to kill Nero,” I said, stepping out from behind Navin. I could see him cringe at my words. “I would love nothing more than to see him pay for all he’s done. I’m Sadie Rauxtide, member of the Golden Court.”
Their eyes flew wide at that. “The Golden Court,” they whispered amongst one another as if I spoke of some paradise beyond their borders.
“The land of the golden trees,” said the elderly woman. “Where humans sit on the Queen’s council.”
My soul ached at the hollowness in her voice. “It should be that way here, too,” I admitted, throat constricting. “You shouldn’t have to leave your homeland to be free.”
“And who will lead us, then?” the man asked. “What Wolf would take the throne of Highwick? Who could we trust to keep such promises.”
“Maybe there shouldn’t be a throne at all,” I muttered.
I thought the humans would cheer, or at least agree with me, but instead, they all seemed disconcerted by that idea. Did they still want the Silver Wolves’ protection even now after they’d had generations of anything but? Or did they want human royalty in the Wolves’ stead? I didn’t know. I was a soldier, and all of this was beyond me.
Ora pinched their side as they hustled over to us. “Come, come, we have a fire going and plenty of stew to share,” they said, beckoning the people over. “We will help you find your way to the temple of knowledge. It’s hidden in the forest. It will be a safe place for you.”
The group murmured their thanks, following Ora’s encouragement. They all looked so exhausted they might drop where they stood. Relief crossed their mud-streaked faces at the mention of food and fire.
Ora in their ever-welcoming way started to lead the group to the safer ravine crossing when they paused and looked over their shoulder. “Oh—I should mention.” They looked at Navin and then back to the group.
“It’s nothing to worry about, but we have a dragon traveling with us.”
Briar
THE GROUND SUDDENLY ROSE UP TO MEET ME AND THEN I WASstanding in a giant room, vaulted ceilings of marble and midnight pennants rimmed in gold. High stained glass windows cast the glittering floor in a rainbow hue. I dreamed of one day traveling to the floating palace of Rikesh, but I had never imagined it abandoned.
“You see,” Maez said, gesturing around the empty echoing space. “There’s no one here anymore. He’s defenseless.”
