“What have you gotten yourself into, Dar?” Astra crossed her arms over her chest, trying not to get lost in the sweet chamomile scent of Daria’s skin.
A sly smile played across Daria’s lips. “It’s a long story. We won’t hurt you, As, but I can’t just let you walk freely, either. Send Riv back to Cam in Celene. You don’t want him in the city roost, it’s overrun with criminals.”
“And… you… aren’t one of them?” Ameera asked.
Daria rolled her eyes. “Nice to see you, too, Ameera.”
“Sure,” she muttered as Astra threw her a glance.
“What do you want with me, Daria?”
Daria glanced over both shoulders toward the guards behind her. “Just a moment with the people’s princess. Surely you can spare a conversation with me?” Something in her deep brown eyes pleaded with Astra.
I promise, you’re in good hands. You have my word, Daria beamed, her voice inside Astra’s mind a searing shock to her nervous system.
Your word never meant much to me, Daria.
Daria’s lips curled at the corners and Astra tried not to think about the way they’d felt against her neck two Summers ago.
“You heard her,” Astra said, turning toward Riverion and patting him on the nose. “Find Cam, she’ll take care of you. Take the little guy, too.” Riverion looked to the commander, a move that sent Astra’s blood boiling again. Lux gave him a soft nod. “Go!”
Riverion shuffled backward, disappearing into the mist, followed by Ameera’s wyvern.
“Well?” Astra asked Daria.
Look captive, Daria beamed as she curled a finger over her shoulder and toward a set of steps carved into the park grass, flanked on either side by two guards.
Astra looked to the commander and Ameera, nodding as she headed for the steps, Daria hot on her heels.
“You look good, Blastra.”
“Fuck off, Bloodmoon,” Astra hissed, plunging into the damp darkness below the grass.
Chapter
Sixteen
What are we doing, Astra? Ameera cried from behind her, the stone steps creaking below their boots as they followed Daria down a long, dark hallway.
We’re doing whatever we have to, so Daria and her weird gang don’t murder us? Astra thought back.
She led them around a corner and stopped at a stone door. Pushing inward, she revealed a makeshift study of sorts. A desk in the middle held dozens of documents, tattered maps speckled the dim walls. She gestured to the two empty seats in front of her. Astra took one and Ameera sank into the other as the commander scanned the maps.
“I’ll be right back. I need to grab something,” Daria muttered, searching through the pile of documents nearest her. “There are guards outside the door. Don’t fuck around, Astra.”
Daria shut the rickety door behind her.
“I, too, would like to be involved in the argument,” Luxuros whispered as he spun on his heels, glaring at Astra.
“Everyone, breathe!” Astra whispered sharply.
“This is insane,” Ameera said. “You know she can’t be trusted!”
Astra huffed. “She probably tells her friends the same thing about me, Ameera.”
“Who is this ‘Bloodmoon?’” the commander asked.
“Old friend,” Astra answered as Luxuros read very far between the lines.
