“You said those beasts are dangerous?” I ask.
“Indeed.”
“He shouldn’t put himself in danger for my sake. I’ll be fine soon. Nothing some rest and food can’t fix.”
“Even if it’s wildcat jerky?”
I make a face and laugh. “I suppose I’ll get used to it. Naida is a great cook. She spoiled me.”
I miss her, the scent of oil she used on my hair after washing it, her cooking, her tales. I miss Brogan, carving me animals out of wood, offering them with a quiet smile, asking how my day was.
And Eiras, laughing as he tickles me. Sitting on my pallet and telling me stories of his wanderings. Teasing me about my mark and my unladylike manners.
Gods.My lungs won’t get enough air. I need to get out of here. Staying here was never the plan.
“Let’s head back down,” I choke out. “Shouldn’t we help him?”
“Roane? He told me to stay put and watch over you.”
“Then why don’t you go make sure he’s okay? I’ll be fine.”
“Great.” Ardruna growls. “So now I’m supposed to babysit both of you?”
“I said I’ll be fine,” I grind out. “I’ll play with my dolls and suck on my thumb until you get back.”
“Oh…” She barks a laugh. “You and Roane do have something in common after all.”
“And what might that be?”
“A nasty sense of humor?—”
“It’s called sarcasm,” I say.
“—and thinking you know it all.”
“I don’t—” A huge shadow falls over us, and I stumble backward, lifting my arms to protect my face. “Hells!”
An impression of enormous feathered wings, white and black, an enormous beak, claws?—
“Griffin!” Ardruna yells. “It’s a griffin!”
And I’m airborne, those wicked claws wrapping around my middle, digging into my back. My scream is snatched by the wind as the griffin carries me off the balcony and up, toward the ceiling of the cave.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
SAVE ME
ADELINE
I’m flying high up in the air, my heart in my throat, black dots swimming in my eyes. The giant claws around my body won’t let me breathe. My chest spasms.
Down. I have to get back down to the ground. But how?
Stories,Naida had told me. That’s my power. I know so many stories, but what’s the use if I pass out?
Panic grips me. Before I start screaming until my throat is raw, I close my eyes and focus on what I know. What’s the story of griffins? What is their weakness? I know they like gold, but I don’t have any to offer in exchange for my life.
Think, Aline.
