I need a nap. With Kirian. Some downtime and snacks.
I think of Kirian’s soft mattress and—holy shit!
My stomach drops when we suddenly go higher, plunging through a cloud and stealing my fantasy of being safe in bed. The cool mist kisses my skin, and the hazy fog is too thick to see more than two feet in front of my face.
Don’t panic.
I hold my breath until we break through to clear skies. When I look down, I’m pretty sure I see flashes in the dark mist below.
As we’ve gotten closer to Delaveria, the weather’s changed for the worse. The normally clear skies are thick with storm clouds.
I don’t miss the concerned glances Kirian keeps sending my way.
“Is that lightning?” I yell.
He nods.
That’s just great. I could’ve been electrocuted. According to Kirian, getting struck by lightning isn’t a big deal to faeries. It’s a nuisance because it causes temporary paralysis, which makes them fall from the sky. The result is usually some bruises and broken bones when they hit the ground. It’s the origin of their ‘striking’ cuss words, because it can really mess a person up.
Well, the fae might be able to survive it, but I sure as hell can’t.
Another blast of wind rocks us, and Talon lets out a sound between a roar and a squawk as he rights himself. Thunder rumbles beneath us, and a second layer of clouds form above. The stars disappear as the sky darkens.
We’re being closed in.
My heart pounds as rain begins pelting us. At least it isn’t cold anymore. I’m still wearing the coat, and I’m so sweaty I’m not sure getting wet will make a difference.
“Not much farther!” Kirian shouts. “Let’s get down to land. Quickly.”
Both guys do a nosedive, and this time I really do scream when Talon trails right behind them.
This is it. I’m going to die. Death by griffin, of all things.
I should close my eyes, but I can’t.
Frozen with fear, I watch as the ground approaches at the speed of falling. Right before we crash, Talon swoops so he’s level with the road.
The landing is jarring as he trots to a stop, but I don’t care that I’m being jostled around.
I’m still alive.
Before I have a chance to dismount, Kirian is picking me up. “I’m sorry. That was much rougher than I thought it’d be. Are you okay?”
Now that I’m not moving, I realize I’m shaking. My teeth are chattering so much I can barely answer him. “I—I think s—so.”
I’m hot and cold at the same time, and I can’t feel my fingers. I might be in shock, but I have enough sense to look around and realize we’re on the outskirts of Delaveria. I recognize this road as the one we left on.
“This storm isn’t right, Kirian,” Damon says as the wind whips through his hair.
Kirian nods. “It’s Gia. It has to be.”
“I didn’t know she can manipulate the weather.”
“Under normal circumstances, she can’t.” Kirian rubs my upper arms, like he’s trying to massage some sense back into me. Lightning flashes behind the palace. When Kirian follows the light, his eyes go wide. “Oh, fucking shit.”
“What?” Alarmed by his outburst, I look in the same direction. It’s darker than normal, but when another bright bolt slices through the sky, I see what he sees.
And he’s not wrong. Fucking shit is right. The entire perimeter of the palace is blocked by brown thorny vines. The walls go all the way up and around like a dome, and the only part of the castle sticking out is the highest tower. Black billowy clouds circle right above it, as if that’s the eye of the storm.
It’s our only way in.
“Obviously, that’s a trap,” I say, even though I’m sure Kirian’s already figured that out.
“I might be able to break through the vines or make them move. Maybe not. Gia’s never been as strong as me, but if she’s hopped up on distilled Day water, her power might outweigh mine.”
“What about Torius and Kai?” I suggest. “Will they be here soon?”
“This can’t wait. We have to go ahead without them.”
“Agreed.” Damon nods. “Let’s get this over with.”
I figured they’d say that.
I’m also not surprised when Kirian adds, “And you’ll stay here.”
He motions to a nearby home with a barn. I see a few faces peering out through the windows. I’m not sure if they’re looking at us, or whatever the hell is happening to Delaveria.
But I know I’m not game for staying behind. “No.”
“Yes.”
“You said you’re stronger when we’re together,” I point out. “Your powers will be better if I’m near you.”
“And you’re also my greatest weakness. Gia knows that. She could use you to get to me.”
I throw my arms up. “She doesn’t even know I’m here. The whole kingdom thinks I died.”
“But you didn’t.” Kirian’s tone is patronizing, like he’s talking to a kid. “And it’s going to stay that way.”
Going behind me, he takes me by the shoulders and starts leading me forward to the two-story stone house. The people inside scatter when they see us coming, and a tall fae woman opens the door.
Nobles.
Well, isn’t this the icing on the cake.
But the face staring at us isn’t one filled with pride or snootiness. She’s devastated, on the verge of tears.
“King Kirian, thank the stars you’re back.” Wringing her hands, the woman’s chin trembles. “My youngest daughter was taken and sent to auction in the Day Realm.” She falls to her knees on the front stoop, clinging to Kirian’s pants as she sobs. “The princess’s soldiers came into our home and dragged her out. Please, I beg of you, bring her home. She’s only fifteen. She’s not yet of breeding age.”
Kirian clumsily gropes around until he finds the woman’s head, and when I look at his eyes, I realize he’s not focusing on anything. For a second, I’m afraid he’s lost his sight again, but then I realize he’s
