It shakes its feathers, shivering hot sparks into the air around me like fireflies. Opening its mouth, I catch sight of fire rumbling in its throat.I was born in the age of dragons, it says.I will pour molten wrath over anyone who dares approach this place.
I consider the firebird with awe.Thank you, Phoenix.
Running footsteps draw my attention back to the entrance to the springs. Jasper shoots through the opening, skidding to a halt beside me before he slides right off the cliff.
“Jasper!”
“Marbella, come quickly.”
“What’s wrong?”
“She… Elyria…” Trusting me to follow him, he runs back in the direction he came from. Baelen is close on my heels as we descend through the wide entrance into the tunnel, racing along the pathway lit by spider web. The cavern at the end glistens a rainbow of colors around us while the rhythmic single water drop echoes in the silence.
Elyria stands toward the middle of the pond but at the shallower side nearest us. She is wet and shaking, immersed to her waist, eyes wide, chest heaving.
I frown as we pull to a halt at the water’s edge. Elyria doesn’t look quite right…
“I came here to heal my wing.” She presents her back, speaking over her shoulder through chattering teeth. “But now my wings are gone.”
