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“I’d like that” Mahiya’s smile thawed the ice that had formed in his chest as he spoke of the losses that had forever altered the course of his existence

“There is,” he said, tucking her a fraction closer, “as much freedom in the sea as in the sky if you kno to move in it” Alone and with no parents to becoone too far, he’d learned to streak through the deep, his wings slicked to his back

Nivriti

He released Mahiya at the whisper of wind, folding his wings to his back “Co out and around the shadow-shrouded side of the temple, Mahiya silent as she followed, he looked toward the fort, searching for any sign of trouble

He saw nothingnot until he swept his gaze to the right

The night sky was a sheet of black, the glitter of the stars blotted out by an ar” to his vision until he realized they were pure jet Since no living angel he knew of had wings akin to his own, that uard had to be within minutes of the fort

This is madness Mahiya’s horrified voice Even with this army, my mother cannot hope to take Neha on in coree Impressive as Nivriti’s forces appeared, they weren’t, not in coarrison that lived in the fort—which represented only a se of the offensive resources at Neha’s command You should not watch this

NoI should be a part of it I may not know Nivriti, but she isto win my loyalty

Jason turned to pin her with his gaze You put yourself on that field, and you do nothing but distract your mother Neha will use you,but a liability

Mahiya flinched That was cruel

Cruelty is so, she retorted You could helphere

He didn’t allow her to see what the mental slap did to him The instant I step onto that battlefield, I draw Raphael and all his people into a war Thousands, millions would die in the afters on the horizon I’er out on you Forgive otten

Shifting to put her back to the wall, she slid down to sit against it, a desolation in her expression he’d never before seen, that stubborn, beautiful hope close to extinguished I’ve waited so long for her, and now she’ll die

Jason turned his face toward the skies Stay here He rose up into the star-studded black before she could question hiht shadoith an ease that was instinctive Then he shot straight at the approaching army, their slow, careful pace no match for his speed