Astarte's Wrath (Kythan Guardians 0.50)

“Just don’t.” He crosses his arms, his biceps glisten from the humidity. “It’s rare that I get to enjoy adult company while guarding the children,” he says. “Don’t pull your prude nonsense, not while I’ve just about secured an after party for myself once they’re in bed.” He winks at the servant girl as she straightens her tunic. She blushes, and I realize it was Phoenix who must have caused her blunder.

Before I can chide him on his responsibility to watch over Selene and Helios and not the many girls working the banquet, another sound calls my attention. The party grows still. A low buzzing fills the air, slowly growing louder. Questioning murmurs roll through the terrace as people sit straighter, tilt their heads. The wind whips fiercely at the date palms, their branches lashing against the side of the palace.

Below the ruckus, distinct voices rise against the whirring.

“What is that?” Selene asks.

My head whips in her direction. My spine tingles with fear. Can Selene hear the Leymak? They whisper in a chorus of chants, their words unclear. But no, maybe Selene’s referring to the brewing storm.

I grab Phoenix’s arm and pull him along. “Come on. Get the twins inside.”

He breaks loose and rushes ahead of me, sword outstretched. The seated council members and nobles gasp at his approach and bound up, running for the open doors. Lunia takes Helios’s hand, and Xarion scoops Selene into his arms. Reluctantly, he passes her to Phoenix when his eyes meet mine.

Gritting his teeth, Phoenix says, “Orders, master?”

Xarion glances around. “You and Lunia take Selene and Helios to the safe chamber. Star and I will gather the guardians.”

I square my shoulders. “Master, you have to go with them. I’ll call the guardians and secure the palace.”

Ignoring my suggestion, he looks at Lunia. “Take them now.”

She and Phoenix race the twins inside, their hands clinging to their guardians.

“Get inside, Xarion,” I snap.

A palm branch breaks loose and the sharp edge spirals toward Xarion. I step in front of him and knock him to the floor, the branch striking me instead. It slices my arm and I shout. “Go now!”

“You’re coming with me.” He seizes my hand, pulling me into the palace. We trail behind Phoenix and Lunia down the corridor.

Once I see that they’re almost to the room, I jerk out of his hold. “Go find Fadil to work a safety spell. I’m going to search out the Leymak.”

His dark-rimmed eyes pierce mine. “I command you to—”

I plant my hand over his mouth before he can finish. Anger roils my stomach. “You know someone has to find them before they breach the palace. There might only be a few of them—”

He removes my hand. “I command you to get to that safe room, Star,” he says, and my body grudgingly obeys.

People frantically run through the palace seeking cover while the guardians try to control the chaos. They usher everyone toward the lower level where the safe chambers for the servants are located. The royals have a separate safe room near the queen’s chambers.

Lunia meets us halfway. “I’m going for Delphus,” she says quickly, barely halting her feet as she passes. Blue currents illuminate her arms. She’s ready to face down any foe that threatens her charge.

Now that I know the children are safe, I stare down Xarion. “Break the command and get into that room.”

“Only if you come with me,” he says, a challenge in his voice.

“You’re not commanding me, master?”

A loud snap bites through the corridor, and I leap in front of Xarion. I crane my neck to look into his face. “You’re giving me a choice?”

His tanned arms flex as his hands curl into fists. He raises his voice over the screaming winds. “I release the command. I want you to choose to come with me.” He holds out his hand.

There’s an unsaid dare in those words—an offer. To assure his safety, I take hold of his hand. His lips lift into a slanted smile, and even though I wish I could smack it off him, my heart lightens. I scowl to keep from smiling and lead him through the clambering chaos toward the room.

I don’t want him to believe he’s won some battle—some small victory over me. But I’ll handle his ego later. Right now, all I care about is keeping him safe and away from Octavian’s minions.

We’re nearing the royal safe room when the corridor rumbles. Vases and debris fly into our path. A lilting laugh ricochets off the walls, and a beam groans above. Xarion looks back at me, his eyes wide. I push him out of the way of the falling beam.

The hallway is blocked off.