“You don’t recall the attackers?”
“The dragons wore special paint that covered their natural color. It turned them bronze.” His brow wrinkled. “Over the years, I’ve heard whispers, but I don’t have proof. Just my suspicions. Shush,” he warned. “They’re doing another sweep of the forest.”
For an instant, Gwenyth heard nothing, then a trumpet blast rang out above their heads. The sharp note reverberated, and panic froze her. A low whimper squeezed past her compressed lips, and Leo urged her face against his broad chest. She leaned into his strength, and he let her take comfort from him.
The trumpet blared, this time farther away, and Gwenyth sagged in relief. His powerful arms held her up, gave her support.
“Sorry,” she whispered. “I can’t go back in that dungeon. It was cold and wet. Horrible. And I don’t want to know what the arena battles involve. I get the sense I wouldn’t leave alive.”
“No,” Leo agreed, his voice grim. “Given my parents’ determination, I’m not even sure Perfume Isle will be a haven for us.”
“What will we do?”
“I plan to get there and reassess.”
“We’ll do that then. How far is the cave? We’re both tired and could do with rest.”
Leo squeezed her shoulders, pride shining on his face. “My lodestone,” he murmured, and he stole a quick but gentle kiss. His touch seared her lips, and that fast burst of fiery heat warmed her inside out.
“The stream runs parallel to the track up here. We’ll walk along the stream bed and try to muddy our trail should they follow us with dogs.”
Gwenyth followed Leo and stepped into the stream. The water ran over the top of her boots, but she didn’t complain. She slogged through the bubbling flow, placing her feet carefully on the slippery stones. The water level decreased, and she bent her legs backward at the knee to empty at least some of the liquid in her boots. By the time Leo deemed it safe to walk on the track again, fatigue nipped at her. Sheer determination kept her moving and the knowledge they’d rest soon. Her pace slowed, and she caught Leo frowning over his shoulder at her.
“Another half an hour,” he murmured.
“I can do it,” she said and crossed her fingers in the hope she was telling the truth. She made it another ten minutes before Leo came back and swept her off her feet.
He swung her onto his back, and she clutched his shoulders and wrapped her legs around his waist to remain in place, leaving his arms free to push back overhanging branches and other obstacles. Exhaustion tugged at her again, and her eyes slipped shut. She couldn’t remember a time when she’d suffered this level of fatigue. She searched her mind and found it blissfully blank. For once, the emptiness seemed comforting rather than scary or confusing.
“We’re almost there,” Leo said.
Gwenyth’s eyes flicked open to study their surroundings. The tree canopy wasn’t as thick here, which bothered her. “Why are we stopping?”
“Do you require a bathroom break? And more water?”
“Yes, to both,” she said.
“Go behind those trees over there.” Leo pointed out a clump of trees and bushes. “The stream cuts closer to the path just ahead.”
“Oh, joy,” she muttered.
Leo laughed. “Hurry. If the search team flies this way again, we’ll be more visible.”
The warning lent her feet wings, and she scuttled behind a trio of trees to take care of business. Leo was waiting for her when she emerged. They drank before setting off again. As Leo promised, they soon reached the cave. The trouble was a precipice lay between them and the cave.
“Can’t we fly up?”
“The cave entrance is on the face of the cliff. The ledge isn’t big enough to hold my body while I shift back to human. Climbing is the only way.”
She sighed. “I guess that makes it safe from the dragons tracking us. All right. Let’s do this.”
“You ascend, and I’ll follow you,” Leo said.
Although she hated the plan, she followed his instructions.
“There’s a place for your right foot here.” He guided her boot into position. “Grip that rock with your right hand.”
Bit by bit, Leo helped her to climb the cliff face. Once they neared the cave mouth, he rose to the same level as her and helped her crawl into the cave. She collapsed on the uneven rocky floor, her trembling legs refusing to function correctly.
