Dead.
Terror crashes through my veins.What about…?I cannot even think the end of my question, much less propel it through the mind link.
Aodhan surfs past me, downy barbs gleaming sapphire-black in the unremitting lightning.I see fresh tracks?—
When he, too, doesn’t finish his sentence, I snap my gaze off the blood-soaked snow and hunt the sky.Aodhan?
It’s a straight shot to the castle.His tone is ragged now.
What’s going on? Is it Izolda?
Silence.
Horrifying, bitter silence.
Aodhan!I scream.
As his quiet endures, I picture Izolda wounded and captive. Not dead. I refuse to so much as entertain that possibility.
Dádhi, Aodhan just rushed off. Do you know what happened?
Where are you?he queries instead.Is Vance with you?
Yes. He’s with me.
I’ll see what I can find out.
I keep my gaze on the tracks, not caring if I end up miles away from the castle. As long as they lead me to Konstantin.
A sleigh parked haphazardly comes into focus and so does the palace. I sink, lowering too brusquely. I snap my wings to avoid ramming my passengers into the ground. Serpents might be strong and almost invulnerable but their bones can still break, and their skin still tear. Like mine.
By some ergonomic miracle, I manage to straighten out and hover just above the sleigh.
Vance and Mestyla let go of my talons just as a hailstone the size of Salom’s head thwacks my spine, bowing my whole body.My talons clip wood, then snow, as I smack down ungracefully on the ground.
Oomph.
What happened?my father cries out.Isla?
Poor landing. No need to fret.I try to add a smile, sensing my poor father is on the verge of heart failure.
Has Mestyla talked?
I’m still in feathers. Will shift and get back to you.The instant I’m in skin, I turn toward the Serpents, who’ve remained on the sleigh.
Vance is painting a sigil on the bench—one that encloses it in a skin of protective magic.
I lunge up the footboard. “What was your plan, Mestyla? To snatch Konstantin’s necklace? His throne?”
Mestyla startles at my harried pitch, or is it my proximity that sends her scurrying backward like a spooked child? Her knees buckle, and she drops onto the leather bench.
“It’s all right,” Vance says. “The princess means you no harm.” To me, he asks: “Where did Aodhan fly off to?”
“I don’t know but I imagine he went to see Izolda.”
“Means me no harm?” Mestyla squeaks. “The Crow Princess murdered my father!”
My head rears back. “What?”
