A sharp crack echoed in the distance, and a metallic lava scent drifted their way.It reminded her of the odor produced when she made her jewelry, and it was much closer now.Frying fungus, one of them had to do something.Now.
14.Yes, Your Majesty
No!Theprincewaslying.The shock had Ransom’s mind blanking.No.His father had possessed integrity.He was sure of it.The same honor and valor Ransom tried to use in ruling their clan.Gryffnn ruled in his stead with the same boldness and fairness.His father wouldn’t have acted that cowardly.Then he glanced at Scarlett, caught her sympathetic reaction.She believed the prince.His gaze went to Talon, and the Trolleris’s brown eyes held the same sorrow and compassion.
Turmoil bubbled through Ransom’s mind.Grata, could it be true?His mother?Had his father used her to save his own skin?Ransom thought back.He’d been a youngster still, but this explained so much.The mood swings in his father.The changes.His father’s lack of patience and harshness.And his mother.One cycle, his mother had been there and the next…
As a child, he’d assumed she’d gone to her room since she’d never been strong, especially after the birth of his sister.Servants had whispered.He’d recalled that, but he’d never attended a funeral.
His father had changed after his mother’s death.Later, as an adult, Ransom had told himself he’d mourned his lost wife.He also recalled the elders reiterating the unspoken laws about flying boundaries.None of them were to go into or near the mountains.While he and his friends had tested the limits, they’d never flown too close.The tolerance they’d obtained from working with the smaller stones to produce their jewelry had been enough to keep them safe.The prince hadn’t gained control of his mind until he and Nanu had crashed in the mountains.
Was the prince telling the truth?One or two of the older warriors were still alive.They might know.His father’s papers were the other option.He’d never gone through them—hadn’t wanted to pry into his parents’ private matters.Ransom swallowed.If he survived…
Grata!How could his father have traded his safety for that of his wife?He’d given her to the prince.Then, a truth struck him.
A horrifying one.
Who the hell was he to judge?
He’d followed in his father’s footsteps, capturing Scarlett to offer in exchange for the safety of his people.
He’d done the same phrullin’ thing.
While his parents’ marriage had been one of convenience between clans, Ransom had lucked out and found a woman who completed him.One his dragon adored.Strong and mouthy and courageous.Scarlett would go down fighting at his side.
He glanced up again and met Scarlett’s gaze.She winked at him.Winked!And despite, their lack of verbal communication, he could practically hear her probable words.We’ll kick his royal purple butt.
Scarlett would fight to the end, and he could do nothing less.There was still time to fix this, to do the right thing and act with honor.
Think.
The loudest crack yet reverberated within the chamber.Talon hissed.Scarlett’s eyes rounded.Ransom’s best guess—the wall no longer contained the lava.
“The volcano is erupting again,” Scarlett snapped.“If we don’t get out of here, we’ll all die.”
“You speak falsehoods.I do not believe your trickery.”
Ransom blinked.The prince might have magical powers, but he was an idiot.
“Go and look,” Ransom said.“We can’t go anywhere.That way.Walk toward the popping and cracking rocks.”
“I can’t hear anything,” the prince said.
Scarlett shot him a side-eye while Talon’s nose twitched several times.
“We will leave the chamber,” the prince announced.“I would see this volcano that worries you so much.One at a time.You.”He flicked his fingers at Ransom.He repeated the action, and illumination spilled into the chamber.
Ransom found himself able to move.Hesitating, he sought Scarlett’s gaze, but she remained frozen in place.
“Go,” she said.“Hurry.”
Ransom nodded and strode from the center of the chamber.He glanced over his shoulder, saw the prince tottering after him, and increased his pace.Once they reached the intersection, Ransom glanced to his right.Grata!Scarlett was right.The lava had broken through and was crawling in their direction.Thankfully, the flow was a trickle, but that could change.
“This is the exit.Go back for Scarlett before she gets trapped.I promise not to leave.Where would I go?You control my mind.I can’t escape.”
The prince nodded.“Very well.Wait outside at a safe distance.We will be with you soon.”
Ransom dived through the chamber entrance, furious at his helplessness.Think!His dragon roared, almost deafening him.Of course!
