Jasper’s smilebecomes fainter the further we fly away from the valley. By the time we reach Mount Erador, he has become deadly serious and increasingly protective of Elyria. I’ve chosen to sit behind Baelen this time so I can look back to the both of them more easily.
After we finish off the food we brought with us while we fly, she whispers to him, “I’m okay,” but he doesn’t seem convinced.
He calls to me from where he sits behind her with his arms wrapped carefully around her. “Can you take us directly to the deep springs?”
“Of course.” I speak to the Phoenix and we eventually set down right outside them. The ledge outside the opening to the springs is cast golden in the late afternoon sunlight, the cliff face above it a soaring expanse of mottled brown and gray rock.
Elyria takes a deep breath before she slides off the Phoenix. “I’m ready.”
I give them space as they head inside, but as soon as they’re gone, I spin to Baelen. I don’t even have to say it.
He gives me a knowing look, his eyes twinkling. “I don’t think they’ve admitted it, let alone acted on it.”
I can’t help but smile. “Can you give Jasper a nudge?”
“Hmm. No.” He grins. “She’s a gargoyle who will follow the gargoyle way. It’s up to her, remember?”
I blush.All that ‘going to his bed’ business.“Okay, so her relationship with Jasper aside, what is the best way to protect her now? She used to be untouchable and I’m worried she’ll forget she’s vulnerable now.”
“I think we have two choices: one is to take her to Rath land. The Elven Command is less likely to focus their attack there because it’s too far north to provide a good pathway to the springs. Also, the elven army will be more reluctant to attack other elves. On the other hand, it’s closer to the front of the battle.”
“Our other option?”
“Keep her here in the Royal Residence.”
“But this is their target.”
“It is… but Indira had an idea that I supported… And given that I now know the deep springs must be protected at all costs…”
He glances up.
I follow his gaze.
The cliff face shifts above me. Pieces of mottled brown and gray rock slide away from each other, pulling out and up, rising and taking on new forms: muscled legs, broad wings, determined faces. Almost the entire cliff face peels off as seventy gargoyles materialize. From beneath their massive wings, smaller gargoyles emerge, all female, all armored and armed to the teeth.
There is only one clan whose wingspan is broad enough to hide other gargoyles within it: Hideaway. And there is only one clan whose females are as ferocious as these: Grievous.
Baelen leans in to me. “Indira made an agreement with the Hideaway Clan. She said that both Grievous and Hideaway made up the greatest numbers in Howl’s army and that they owed the royal line a debt.”
I chuckle. “She guilted them into this?”
“Actually, I think they would have done it regardless. The respect you showed Cassian didn’t go unnoticed. He was apparently very protective of his clan. He kept many of them alive when Howl would have killed them.”
Bethany and the other females fly down to the ledge, followed by the males. There are so many of them that they fill the space and some have to hover above us. They either take a knee or bow their heads. “Supreme Incorruptible, we honor you.”
“I am honored,” I reply. “And grateful that you will protect the deep springs from the elves.”
Bethany saunters toward me, stopping with her hands on her hips, beaming at me. “Supreme Incorruptible, I hope we meet your expectations.”
“This is… truly amazing, Bethany. Thank you. Is Gretel safe?”
“She stayed on Mount Grievous along with a quarter of our females. I hope you understand, we still need to protect our homes from the panthers.”
“Definitely. The more of those beasts you kill, the better.”
As the gargoyle warriors disperse, the Phoenix breaks into my thoughts. It says,I will also be here to protect the springs.
Phoenix?
