Ghantal arrived soon after, wearing a backless gown in the color of moonlight to mark the formal occasion. Idabel, in her stained skirts and worn chemise, couldn’t help feeling shabbystanding next to her. Ghantal gave her a sympathetic smile, seeming to sense her mood.
“We should go,” she murmured to Brandt. “The moths tell me they have already begun the procession. Will you be all right alone?” This question was to Idabel.
“Of course.” Idabel managed a smile as she followed them out to the balcony. “Please take my condolences.”
After they left, she leaned back against the balcony railing, watching their forms disappear into the Tower’s upper reaches. She should be happy he didn’t need her. Shewashappy. That’s what she told herself.
Later that evening, she collected Loïc from flying lessons. He’d tried a barrel roll for the first time and chattered excitedly about it the whole way home.
“I can’t wait to show Papa. André says if I can do it again, I can move to the class with gargoyles my own age! Can Papa pick me up next time? That way I can fly home with him like everyone else instead of climbing the ladders.”
His casual request stung. Everything seemed to hurt today, and she wasn’t sure why. None of it was personal. Brandt’s mind was healing. Betje’s business was expanding. Loïc was growing up. It was natural that they wouldn’t always rely on her. Still, it made her feel a little useless.
Brandt touched her through the bond from the Lament, questioning.I’m fine, she pushed back.
“Did you pick a name for the new moth yet?” she asked Loïc as they started up the final ladder to the fifth tier.
He nodded as he climbed ahead of her. “I was thinking about Aurélie. It’s not exactly a moth name, but the prettiest female in my flying class is named Aurélie, and she said it means ‘gold,’ which is one of the colors of a sunset. A moth probably likes sunset since it’s when they come out. What do you think, Mama?”
Her love for her sweet, clever boy swept away all her negative thoughts. “I think that’s a wonderful choice.”
She gave him a big hug once they’d both dismounted the ladder on the fifth tier. Loïc grabbed her keys and ran ahead to unlock the door. Idabel was watching him indulgently when a shadow detached from the wall.
Light wings and pale hair.
Tomin. Stripped of his rank but not his menace, he blocked her path, standing between her and Loïc.
“Look at what the winds blew my way,” he sneered, stalking toward her. “Too bad yourmateis too busy mourning his failures to protect you tonight.”
“Is this the bad gargoyle?” Loïc whimpered.
“Run, sweetheart. Go straight inside and lock the door behind you.” She made a shooing motion, heart hammering. To Tomin, she added defiantly, “You’re not supposed to be here in the Tower. Let me pass.”
“You ruined everything.” He moved closer, backing her into the wall, and she could smell mead on his breath. “Whispering in Brandt’s ear, taming whatever beast is inside him. The council was ready to throw him in a gaol until you stepped in.”
“You ruined it yourself with your choices.”
His hand shot out, gripping her throat. “I knew about you, did you know that? We all did. Brandt’s little human. I watched you for a while in case you were in contact with him. Thought about taking you for myself to hedge my bets. One bite, a mate bond, and who would protest? You were the commander’s discarded pet, desperate for any gargoyle’s attention.”
“Mama!” Loïc’s voice cracked with fear.
“Inside, sprout. Now.” She was gratified when she heard the door open and close. She didn’t want him to see what happened next.
“Such a protective mother.” Tomin’s grip tightened. “Shame you can’t protect him from what he is. The abomination you created him to be. He’ll always be an outcast. Maybe I should put him out of his misery when I’m done with you.”
She didn’t give him the pleasure of a reaction, but through the bond, shescreamedfor Brandt. The response was instantaneous—rage so pure it made her gasp.
And then he was there.
It seemed like no time passed. Brandt moved faster than she thought possible. He must have dropped straight down the center of the Tower.
Tomin released her in shock, and she fell to the floor. The first blow from Brandt sent him flying. The second shattered his wing. By the third, blood painted the stone walls.
“Stop!” Idabel tried to reach Brandt through the bond, but his fury was absolute, his mind impenetrable. “Please, don’t do this!”
He couldn’t hear her. Couldn’t or wouldn’t stop.
She rushed into the eyrie and slammed the door. Loïc stood frozen in terror just inside. She scooped him up and carried him all the way into his nest, where she wrapped him in her arms, covering his small, pointed ears with her palms. “Don’t listen, baby. Don’t listen. Everything’s going to be all right.”
