Page 43 of Of Stars and Lightning (Sun and Shadows #1)

Thirty Three

THE FIRE OF VENGEANCE

SOL’S SCREAM WAS brutal as Zeri fell over the edge of the bridge. The girl held on to the wood for a second, locking eyes with Sol. She gave her the smallest smile before the wooden bridge slammed into the rocks of the mountain base on the other side, propelled by a ghost wind.

The impact sent Zeri straight into the jagged edges, then without a sound, into the forest below.

Everyone was silent.

Even Ezra seemed slightly stunned, as if he only expected to make it harder, not impossible, for the girl to survive.

The land itself was still for a moment. Until a bone crushing, soul-shattering impact resounded from below.

The clouds covered the sun entirely then, dimming the landscape as the wind moved in circles around them all.

The roar was deafening, snapping Sol’s senses back into herself. She could only stare at the spot where Zeri had been, then wasn’t, even as the cold air strained to drag her attention away from the bridge.

A horrible numbness seeped from the base of her neck to her feet, leaving her in a breathless shiver when it snapped into a teeth-chattering rage.

Jonah and Phil ran to Sol’s side, leaving Cade yelling in pain beneath their magic as the wind picked up speed.

Winderlyn was pissed.

And so was she.

Sol had never witnessed a god’s wrath firsthand, and certainly never been stuck in the midst of it.

The atmosphere itself seemed to shift, becoming electric with every new gust. Pebbles and branches slammed into each other and everything in between, echoing the sound of the bridge as it crashed against the stone over and over and over.

She wanted to move. She vaguely heard Jonah say something as he came to her side, but Sol was woven to her spot.

Zeri.

Zeri.

She cut her gaze to Ezra.

Cas stood over him now, his Shadows dark as nightmares unleashed completely. They pinned the Earth Caller to the ground. Cas's eyes sparked with lightning, his shoulders coated in the remains of a Ward. He turned his face to her slightly as she joined him. “Your call, Princess.”

Sol knew he would kill Ezra. Would damn the consequences of meddling with the trials and toss him over the side of the rock. But it was only the second trial. And Sol had a sudden thirst for vengeance.

“Spare him,” she said numbly, then turned to Cade. “Him too.”

Cas's lips twitched at the corners, his Shadows spreading to Cade to pin him down as well.

“Winderlyn is angry,” Phil whispered, pulling at Sol’s hand. “The air feels—it's not responding to my call.”

“And not to alarm anyone further, but,” Ezra said, seemingly unaware he now had a bounty on his forehead, “the sun is setting.”

Indeed, as Sol turned to the horizon once more, a small patch of lighter clouds was descending dangerously close toward it, almost reaching the tops of the pine trees.

Jonah gave Sol a small nod and grabbed Phil into his arms. “Quickly, then.”

With a careful dance and sway of his hands, green magic flared from his palms. The land instantly responded, the place where the stone had crumbled to drop the bridge began to shake.

Sol gasped as the blunt peak began to stretch, the mountain itself seeming to reach an arm of stone to replace where the wooden bridge had once been.

“You’ll get a penalty, Jonah!” Phil cried as Jonah slit a delicate wound on his brother’s neck.

In response, Jonah did the same to himself. “I’ll take the gamble, brother.” He turned to Sol, outstretching his free arm. “Princess.”

Lightning began in the distance. The sky continued to dim as if ink had been splattered upon it.

Sol knew she needed to act quickly. But as she looked from Jonah, to Cade, to Cas, then to Ezra, she wanted nothing more than to melt into the ground.

The deaths of Felice and Lucas had been ground shaking, melting something within Sol that first night in the Villa.

Two people she failed. But seeing Zeri fall snapped something.

It clicked in her ears, echoing and twinning with the fury that looking at Ezra ignited.

“Princess,” Cas observed her with lethal focus. “Get across safely. I will hold them down.”

Sol shook the fog and the nausea that made her hands tremble. Through the airborne dirt, she said, “I’m not leaving you here.”

Ezra laughed, a caw. “Surely you would provide great reinforcements against me and Cade, Yarrow.” He pouted in mockery. “What even are your skills? Besides the uncanny ability to boss Casimir around.”

“I heard she was a barmaid when they found her in Graniela,” Cade drawled. He seemed inclined to continue the thought, but Shadows wrapped over his mouth.

“Sol,” Cas’s voice lowered. “Go.”

Sol knelt beside Ezra, tapping the edge of her dagger against his temple. She dragged it lightly down his cheek, creating a thin slit through Cas’s Shadows. She willed her face into calmness. Her jaw tightened as she whispered, “You are going to pay for her death.”

Ezra’s eyes became wild, a grin spreading. “There’s that Yarrow rage.”

“Sol.” Cas’s stern tone made her glance up, clearing the haze of fury. His silver eyes shone. “Go.”

This time, she listened.

With a final glare at Ezra, Sol stood and ran toward the makeshift bridge, relieved to see Jonah and Phil already on the other side.

Jonah wore an expression of pure anguish as he glanced below to where Zeri fell.

He will pay.

He will pay.

Tears pooled in her eyes as she sprinted, ignoring her limbs and their begging for solace.

It wasn’t until she was safely in Jonah and Phil’s embrace that she shuddered with emotion.

She peered over her shoulder to where Cas remained, his Shadows slowly unwrapping the men on the ground while he walked cautiously to the bridge.

His sword was pointed toward the men, and his back was to Sol as he walked the bridge backward.

He wouldn’t risk Cade and Ezra first—Ezra would tumble it as soon as he was across.

“I will hold it for him.” Jonah stepped forward, gesturing to the passage behind them. “Phil, you must exit to the other side.”

“But—”

“I’ve already messed with the rules. I might as well stay and make it worth it.”

Phil admired his brother with simultaneous awe and sorrow, then turned to Sol. “Make him pay.”

The song of swords sang in the background as she gave the boy a curt now.

“I promise.”. Cas tried to delay them, keeping them at a distance with his sword.

He still walked backward, his Shadows interwoven with the violet lightning of his Wards lining the way.

It was like watching the raw promise of destruction a brewing storm held—breathtaking.

With one arm, Ezra reached to the bridge, his hazel eyes flaring green. The rock shivered, sending pebbles and dirt flying.

Jonah groaned beside her, his entire body shining in an emerald light as he struggled against Ezra’s magic. Blood flowed from his neck, evaporating into golden shimmers resembling a halo, feeding Flora in exchange.

“Let it go, Ketar!” Ezra yelled, slashing a clear cut down the length of his arm. He smirked, wild with anticipation as the atmosphere instantly responded. “We both know Flora likes me better.”

Cas continued backward, his steps slow and calculated and defensive.

They were maybe a fourth of the way across, already hovering over the gap between mountains. As Cade lunged forward, his sword slashing down against Cas’s, Sol fell to her knees.

It was too risky.

Cas could easily send both the men to their deaths using his magic—but it would be a violation. And she wasn't willing to test the wrath of his gods.

Ezra ran forward, his sword slamming into Cas’s side as Cade took the opportunity for a physical hit. Cas expertly dodged both, landing a kick against Cade, his blade dangerously close to Ezra.

“The prince is good, but he has no time,” Jonah ground out. “He must cross quickly.”

Sol looked from the chaos on the bridge to Jonah, not knowing what to do.

There was nothing she could do.

Jonah’s skin was drenched with effort, and his entire body shook as he sank to his knees beside her.

Cas’s Shadows swirled along the length of the bridge, the mist lightly lapping her legs.

Sol shut her eyes as the wind slammed against them, the skies continuing to darken, and the sun bleeding in warning toward the horizon. “Cas!” she yelled. “Cas, please!”

He didn't so much as falter a step, blocking Cade’s attacks while Ezra continued his battle of wills against Jonah.

Every time Cas tried advancing, the men would block him somehow, as if wanting to remain suspended over the air—because they likely didn't care about the consequences of killing a prospect during an active trial.

Ezra certainly hadn't.

Fuck.

Perhaps if she went to him she would distract them somehow and buy him time to run—

“Don’t fucking think about it, Yarrow.”

Sol immediately raised her dagger toward Cattya.

The wind whipped the woman’s hair all over her face in a frenzy as she stepped up beside her. She peered down at Sol. “Relax, I’m not in the mood to hurt you.”

“What do you want?” Sol stood, angling the weapon at her.

Cattya shrugged, “I wanted to watch the show.”

“Princess—” Jonah’s voice was laced with pain. He was now on the ground, blouse completely drenched in blood. They were out of time.

Ezra still stalked forward, an evil grin sprouting on his face at Jonah’s struggle.

Cattya braced her hands on her hips. “What a mess.”

“Please.” Sol lowered the dagger and turned to her. “Please help Cas.”

The woman looked from Cas to Jonah, a pout on her face.

“Queens don’t beg, Yarrow.”

“Even for their people?”

They glared at each other for a precious second, Sol’s desperation cooking into horror as the time slipped by, the very land beneath them shaking with Jonah’s effort.

Finally, Cattya sighed. “Jonah, beat it. Ezra won't collapse the bridge with himself on it.”

Within moments, the sparks of green magic beside them shuddered and disappeared, leaving Jonah in a mess of breath and blood. He looked up at Sol, but before he could protest or speak, she gestured to the small opening along the back wall that would lead him to safety. “Go.”

“I’m only giving him mere seconds.” Cattya stepped forward onto the bridge as her chest winked with flames. “That is going to have to be enough.”

Sol bounced on her heels behind her, feeling defeated and useless. She cursed her mother and everyone who kept this side of her life hidden, leaving her defenseless and unable to help her people.

The inadequacy she had felt at the beginning of everything, the fear of never fulfilling her mother’s shoes, of not being good enough for her birthright. melted with each drop of sweat, transforming into a raw desire to prove her mind wrong. To prove everyone wrong.

She clenched her fists.

She would get out of these awful Vows and Settle, learn her magic, and hopefully never experience the total helplessness she did as she looked after Cattya.

The Fire Wielder stopped in the center of the bridge, almost directly behind Cas. She swayed her arms in a circle, materializing an incredible wall of flames. She pushed it forward as Cas Warded them with a swift wave of violet.

Then they ran.

Ezra and Cade disappeared behind the wall of fire, giving them time to flee uninterrupted.

By the time they neared the end, rain began to pour.

The flames extinguished with a sizzle and smoke, revealing Cade with his face toward the skies and a stream of blood trailing down his neck.

When he met Sol’s gaze, his eyes glowed.

“Damn Water Dancers,” Cattya mumbled as she stepped into the safety of the mountain, not sparing a single glance at Sol before continuing to the exit. Jonah slumped near the opening, following behind Cattya only after assuring Cas had cleared the bridge as well.

Sol grabbed Cas by the arms, utter relief washing through her. Although he said nothing, she could tell the sentiment was shared as he also grasped her arms with a gentle squeeze. His silver gaze roved all over her, searching for wounds, or maybe just ensuring they had truly made it.

The rain drenched them both in a heartbeat, his hair falling over his eyes as her own swelled with tears.. “Let’s get out of here,” he whispered.

Sol nodded frantically and didn’t protest as he pulled her toward the exit, his hand sliding to interlace with hers.

“I don’t fucking think so.”

Sol was ripped from Cas’s grasp and slammed hard against Ezra’s chest, the smell of smoke still clinging to him. Before Sol could warn him, Cade tackled him into the exit, leaving her alone in Ezra’s hold.