“Thanks. She is going to try a few more things. Newer treatments. There’s still hope,” he said with a shrug that made my heart collapse.
Rush and I exchanged a knowing glance. If Clarence’s mother had access to the magical remedy Rush had used on our wounds, she might be able to get well. My teeth ground againsteach other at the thought that the duke was hoarding that kind of thing all to himself and his special club of criminals.
As we approached the lair, Prescott checked a watch in his pocket. “We don’t have long.”
Myth couldn’t fit in a stock car easily, which meant they would have to drug him and force him in, a thought that twisted my stomach.
Inside the lair, the dragons danced about as we saddled them, clearly feeling our combined nerves and sensing the danger ahead. I physically ached to see Myth again, to fly with him.
Soon, I reminded myself.
When we had all four dragons saddled and ready, a moment passed as we stood there, in the semidarkness, like racers waiting at a starting line.
“Ready?” asked Rush, turning to look at each of us.
“In the twelve years I’ve known you, this is by far the craziest thing we’ve done,” Prescott said, grinning from ear to ear as he slapped Rush on the back.
We all gave our assent and climbed in the saddles. This time, when my arms wrapped around Rush, it felt right.
“I told you,” he said over his shoulder.
“Told me what?”
“You’d get comfortable back there.”
“Don’t flatter yourself, Covington. Not all women fall for you.” I smiled and pressed my face against his back.
“I’m not worried about all women, Miss Mireaux.”
My breath faltered. “Is that right? The papers say you’re quite the man about town.” He could probably feel my heartbeat through his coat.
He swiveled in the saddle to peek back at me. “Believe everything you read, do you?” His lips twitched, and I couldn’tstop staring at them. “Then let me give you a lesson you must have missed in your infinite studies.”
“You’re a teacher now? How intriguing.”
He took my hand and laced his fingers into mine, pulling it up to his mouth. His lips grazed the back of my hand, and suddenly, it felt like we were already flying.
Prescott whistled at us. “If you two don’t quit, we’ll miss our chance.”
Rush grinned over his shoulder, and I craved that smile like a gambler craved the next big race.
“Let’s go,” he said, shifting around in the saddle. I sagged against him, hating that we had no privacy or time right now. “Don’t worry, Mireaux. I offer private tutoring if you’re interested in continuing your studies.”
He couldn’t see my smile as we took off into the night, but he could feel my fingers as they curled against his chest.
We flew through bitter wind and chimney smoke, over the northern edge of Treston and the endless evergreens that crowded against the city, until we saw the pale walls of the Covington estate, illuminated by faint moonlight. I was shaking with cold by the time we descended, and I couldn’t imagine how cold Rush was, taking the brunt of the wind. He let go of one of the handles and pressed his arm over mine.
“Hang on tight. This is the fun part.”
I cinched my grip tighter and leaned backward with him as we angled down. The train was already moving away from the estate, as expected. We spotted its steam chuffing into the night and banked northward.
We moved into the planned formation. Vanya and Prescott flew out front, ready to descend on the engine, relieve the engineer of his duties with a hefty dose of wintercress, and change our course. Clarence flew beside us, lowering toward the only coach, where at least one guard would be stationed. Bevhadn’t been able to discern how many men were on this train, only that it was the right one. Rush and I angled toward the solitary livestock car, where my dragon waited.
I had begged Rush that we’d check on him first. He’d relented.
We coasted directly over the train for several minutes, then Rush directed Azeron as close as possible to the train. Up ahead, Prescott had lowered himself onto the train and was standing with an arm uplifted for Vanya as she descended from her saddle.
She made it look easy. But when it was my turn to climb down, all I could see was the countryside sailing by and the jostling train car’s rounded top. Rush stood with legs spread wide, knees slightly bent, and hand outstretched.
