He says, “Supreme Incorruptible…”
Okay, that seems to be my name now.
“Will you grant me my wings?”
I blink at him in surprise. He doesn’t need my permission. A quick glance at the line of wings tells me there’s a pair straining forward as if they know who their owner is.
“Your wings are your own, Rhain. Take them and heal.”
I look for Carmen, Rhain’s wife, but it doesn’t look like any of the females from Harem Hall are among the gargoyles gathering at the edge of the cliff. Rhain collects his wings and waits at the entrance to the springs for his turn to heal.
When I turn back to the crowd, I find countless gargoyles waiting in the air at the edge of the cliff, remaining in a holding pattern that takes my breath away. There are at least a hundred. Some of them carry wingless ones. Others are injured themselves. I gesture them forward while Baelen helps those who can’t fly for themselves.
“Anyone with injuries or who has lost their wings, come forward to heal.” My voice lowers. “Um… Priestess?” I spin, finding her at my elbow.
How does this female manage to stalk my heels so closely?
“Can you please make sure they access the springs in the order of greatest need? Anyone who is badly injured needs to go in first.”
“Of course, Supreme Incorruptible. Your ruling on this is wise.”
My ruling?
She relays my instructions to the waiting gargoyles and sets to work assessing their needs as they come forward. There are so many. Half of their wounds aren’t fresh, but days old. Not from the battle but from mistreatment over time. The female slave whose neck Howl nearly broke on the night he made me prove I didn’t have my storm power, bears deep bruises around her neck and is unable to speak. She tries, but I stop her.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t stop him,” I say to her.
She shakes her head, swallowing, still trying to speak, finally tapping her chest and placing her hand over my heart, nodding at me before the Priestess leads her to the growing line.
My eyes well up. I freed her. But it wasn’t soon enough.
A cheer breaks out and I turn to find Llion and Liliana beaming at the entrance. They cross the distance to me and their happiness is like a warm hug. It sings through me, soothing the worry I feel for Elyria.
I say, “You made it.”
Liliana’s tears have dried and her hands are entwined with Llion’s. “Thank you, Supre—”
“Marbella,” I say firmly.
“Thank you,Lady Storm,” Llion rumbles, a smile lighting up his golden eyes.
“I guess I can live with that.” I bite my lip before tears fill my eyes. “I’m glad you’re okay.”
He presses his big palm against my cheek, a gesture of appreciation, but his expression swiftly becomes solemn. “My children.”
I nod. “They’re in danger. The Elven Command has increased its efforts to kill gargoyles who cross the border.”
“I trust High Priestess Talia to look after them, but the Elven Command is corrupted by sorcery. There’s no saying what could happen.”
I shudder. “Could their sorcery defeat Talia’s deep magic?”
“I don’t want to find out. I need to go to them and bring them home.” He looks to his wife as she squeezes his arm. “Weneed to go to them.”
Llion had escaped across the border with his newborn children after he believed Liliana was killed. He hid them for a year, escaping detection, but the Elven Command made a deal with Howl to kill any gargoyles who tried to escape Howl’s rule.
“Take whatever you need from the palace and bring your children back safely. Bring the High Priestess home too. Your people…” I clear my throat. “Mypeople need her here.”
When they fly away, the old Priestess appears at my elbow again. “Do you wish to heal Baelen Rath now?”
