His eyes close. His head bows. “Druna… Sorry I said that. I don’t want you gone. Sorry I lied to you. Please, stay.”
A lump lodges in my throat. I wish… I wish he’d say those same words to me. How crazy is that?
“Fine.” Ardruna is still for long moments, then she bumps her head against his shoulder. “I already said I’d never leave you, Ro. So get over it.”
He lets out a choked laugh. “On it.”
“I’d never leave you, either, you stupid oaf,” Talton says.
“I know,” Roane whispers.
It’s such a soft, tender moment and I feel like I’m intruding. Not the best feeling, especially since I’m the one they want to send away.
I clear my throat. “So, about leaving…”
“He just said he hasn’t found a way out,” Ardruna says. “If there is no way out, it’s a moot point. Besides, he doesn’t really want you to leave, do you, Ro?”
He frowns. “Druna, she has to go.”
Her growl rises in volume. “Dammit, Ro.”
Right…“Listen, I have an idea,” I say. “There is one creature said to have great wisdom.”
“Don’t tell me. I know. It’s me.” Talton hops around. “I’m the wisest of birds?—”
“It’s the griffin,” I say. “It’s worth giving it another shot.”
“And how do you purport to make a griffin tell you…” Roane nods. “Ah. The egg.”
“The egg, yes. Griffins collect knowledge. They may know of another way out of here.”
“That’s a terrible idea,” Ardruna says. “You can’t go up there again. We’re lucky that griffin didn’t come seeking revenge and snatch her up again after?—”
“It’s a great idea,” Roane says.
I swallow hard and risk a glance at him. He isn’t looking at me, though, his gaze empty.
“Griffins are nowhere as wise as I am,” Talton declares. “If you give me some time to think, I’m sure I’ll come up with a solution.” He tilts his head to the side. “Why are you all looking at me like that? All right, I’ll ask around. I have connections.”
“We don’t have time for you to interrogate all the monsters in the land,” Roane says.
“Oh, we’re in a rush?” Talton flutters his wings. “Exciting.”
“Yes, we’re in a rush.” Roane gestures at the egg. “We’ll take it and negotiate.”
“We?” I arch a brow at him. “What do you mean?”
“How were you planning on getting up there,” he gestures with his hand, “on the roof of the world?”
“I was planning on asking your firebird very politely whether he’d fly me up there,” I confess.
“No need. He’ll obeymeand I’ll take you. Phoenixes are dangerous steeds.”
“And now you’re suddenly worried about my safety?” I blurt out. “Seriously?”
He fixes me with his gray eyes. “I always am.”
I open my mouth. Close it again. The truth is, it’s a huge relief having Roane fly me up there. I’m all bluff and bluster,pretending I’m not afraid or worried about this crazy plan I’ve concocted, but the more I think about it, the crazier it seems.
