Free Wings of Shadow (The Underground Trilogy) by Anna Kyss

cannot blame him because of what happened with Killian.”
    “If the encounter had never happened, our people may never have divided,” Queen Alannah argued.
    “Alannah, you have to admit our people were already divided. The encounter just provided both sides with kindling for their fires to grow,” Sirus chimed in.
    Meghan struggled to stay alert. She rested her head on her hand, blinking to keep her eyes open.
    Selena must have noticed. “Avery, please take Meghan back to my cottage. We will inform you when a decision has been made.”
    “But I should have a vote,” he protested.
    Queen Alannah shook her head. “Due to your role in this debacle, you have no say in how it is resolved. Your Council position is in jeopardy just as much as your home in this village.”
    He sighed and stood. Before he could leave, Sirus’s voice rang out, “One thing I forgot to ask, lad. Why did you get involved in this mess?”
    “It was the right thing to do.” With that, Avery left the Council chambers.
    Meghan followed him. Laying her hand on his shoulder, she whispered, “I’m so sorry I caused all this trouble.”
    “I would make the same decision all over again. Protecting you was the right choice.”
    As they grew closer to Selena’s cottage, Meghan walked slower and slower. She dreaded sitting around and waiting for the Council’s verdict.
    Avery appeared to have read her thoughts. Stopping in his tracks, he turned to her. “Come with me. I want to show you one of my favorite places.”

 
Wings of Light
    ~ 8 ~
    Avery led the way out of the village. The sky had darkened during the Council meeting. While the windows of the stone cottages flickered with the warm glow of candlelight, no beaming streetlights, luminous signs, or shining car headlights lit the streets. When they reached the edge of town, a looming blackness surrounded them on all sides.
    Meghan trailed behind Avery. She couldn’t see a finger’s reach in front of her. The possibility of becoming lost made her stomach clench. What was she doing out there, in the dark, alone with a strange boy she just met? The last time she had put herself in such a situation, things had not ended well.
    “I think we should head back,” she said.
    “Why?”
    Meghan hesitated, unsure of how much to tell him. “I don’t even know you. The last time I went into a dark place with somebody I didn’t know….” She flinched as the memory of Kiernan telling her to trust him came rushing back. Meghan tried to quiet her doubts and worries.
    “Oh. I am so sorry. I was not thinking. We can return to Selena’s, but I want you to know, I will never hurt you.”
    She believed him. Something inside her knew that he was sincere. And he had placed himself at risk by bringing her to the village. She had been hesitant about visiting the Underground, but being in the village with Avery felt right.
    “Thanks for being so understanding.” Meghan sighed. “Maybe I could see this mystery place before we head back.”
    They reached the top of a mossy hill. In the dark of the night, the moss appeared as shades of gray, a carpet of shadows under the black sky. Avery threw himself down onto the moss, then signaled for her to join him.
    Resting on the soft, sage-hued bed, she gasped. The night sky was beginning to fill with millions of stars. While she knew she was no closer to the stars than before, lying atop the hillside, Meghan felt as though she were near enough to reach out and grab one right out of a constellation.
    She rolled on her side to face Avery. “This is wonderful! I’ve never seen so many stars in the sky before. They’re fainter in the city.”
    “This is my secret hideaway, where I come to think and have time to myself.” He smiled. “It is nice to have somebody to share it with.”
    She focused on the sky. “You can see Orion. Look, you can even spot the faint stars that form his sword.”
    Avery perched on his elbow, looking intrigued. “Who is