Lynel took another swig of ale before answering. “After that attack, it scorched our western crops and chased all the game from the forest. We think it made its nest in there, though to be honest, we haven’t investigated.” He looked down at the table in guilt.
It was nothing to be ashamed of—the griffin was a powerful dark creature, as dangerous as it was bloodthirsty. Civilians stood no chance against their large claws and beaks.
Zach nodded to me, subtly, confirming what he’d told me just before dinner. After asking around, the villagers had all said something similar—that the griffin always went off in the direction of the northeastern forest. We’d also discussed the merits of going to the nest directly, hopefully to catch the bird in the midst of healing, rather than waiting for it to attack the village, so innocent lives wouldn’t be lost.
“We’ll leave at first light for the forest,” I said, leaning over to touch Lynel’s shoulder.
Lynel smiled. “Thank you, milady. Your kindness knows no bounds.”
I smiled back and caught Zach’s eyes across the table, but he quickly looked away.
In my room, I snuggled into the cool comfort of clean sheets. After sleeping under cloaks in the forest, I was more than appreciative of the bed. Still, sleep didn’t come easily. Lying in an unfamiliar room, alone, was harder than on the leafy forest floor under a sea of stars next to Brom.
Tonight, I was more uncomfortable than usual. Zach and Brom were in the next room. I knew that and yet, I couldn’t escape the echo of the griffin’s screech. It had been foolish of me to shoot that arrow. I’d been pushing down the guilt of it for the whole evening, but now I let it settle over me like a second quilt. Not only had I put lives in danger, but also we would waste a whole day tracking down the nest and slaying the creature. I had panicked—terrified we couldn’t defeat it without my magic. Was I being too cocky, thinking that way?
No. For once, I’m not the cocky one.
It was Zach. Thinking he could slay the beast without my help. I didn’t care what the stories said—no man had the strength or skill to take down a troll’s lair by himself. With that griffin streaking toward him like a comet, he would’ve been driven into the ground.
And yet, I remembered how he fought at the breach in the wall. How his sword dripped with blood.
Maybe I should’ve trusted him to kill the griffin. He certainly was capable—I’d wanted him as my partner for that reason. But there was a difference in trusting someone and possessing blind faith. I rubbed my cheek against the pillow and felt the ache of the bruise my mother left me, and along with it, the terror I’d felt with the dwarf’s magic keeping me in place, waiting for the taste of his blade. How foolish I’d been.
That wasn’t going to happen again. I couldn’t let myself make the same mistakes with Zach as I had with my other partners. I’d watch his back, and he’d watch mine, linked with the power of our Kiss.
I rubbed the heels of my hands against my eyes. As I rolled over and faced the door, I noticed amber light emanating from inside my pack. Slipping out of bed and padding across the wooden floor, I crouched and opened the bag. The light turned to a soft glow as my fingers closed around the enchanted compact mirror. I clicked the latch, and it popped open. Blinking against the onslaught of amber light, I heard my name.
“Ivy?” The voice of the Master Mage was soft and brought comfort.
My eyes now accustomed to the light, I could see Gelloren’s face within the glass. “I’m here.”
He smiled, his beard twitching. “How has your journey been? Where are you?”
“A village in between forests. They’ve given us lodging and food for the night.”
Gelloren nodded. “How many days’ ride from the mountains?”
“I can’t be certain. Five? Maybe more.”
“How is your new partner? Pulling his weight, I’m sure?”
My fingers tightened around the compact, and the engraved ivy of the mirror pressed so hard into my palms I knew it would leave the pattern on my skin. Now was the time to tell him. Tell him that Zach refused to Kiss me. That this mission was as hopeless as it was impossible. But what then? As Zach had reminded me, we had already come so far, and it would be a waste of time to turn back now. Even if I did, who else was as skilled as Zachariah?
“Yes, Master Gelloren, he’s quite strong.”
“Oh, so you’ve had a need for the Kiss?”
I cursed myself for walking into that. I tried to keep my face neutral. “We had a run-in with a griffin, that’s all.”
“How did your magic affect him?” The eagerness and curiosity in the mage’s voice was clear.
I fiddled with the hem of my undershirt. “The Kiss wasn’t necessary. We managed to drive it off with arrows. But Master, it’s late. I should…”
“Yes, yes, get some sleep. I’ll contact you again in two nights. I hope you will have made more progress, Ivy. The signs grow ever more alarming. We had yet another storm—the ice froze an entire field of crops—and another flock of sparrow harpies was spotted just beyond the wall. The fate of Myria and the other kingdoms rests in your and Zach’s hands.”
...
A soft knocking on my door woke me. Stumbling out of bed, I cast a quick glance at the window. It was still dark outside, but the pale hint of dawn nudged the horizon. I groaned, massaging my temples. Not good, Ivy. How unlike me to sleep late on a mission.
Thinking it was Brom, I pulled the door open without throwing on a cloak. Zach stood in the doorway, dressed and ready, his hair damp.
“Good morning,” he said with a smile, glancing at my long undershirt and bare legs.
I resisted the urge to cover myself. It was my own fault for answering the door indecently dressed. “I’m coming,” I said sharply.
“No rush. Brom just went to fetch the horses.”
I pulled the door closer, half shutting him out. “Call him Bromley. You don’t know him well enough to act so familiar.”
Zach gave me another one of his amused smiles. “I disagree. We shared a room. We’re plenty familiar.”
I pressed my lips together to keep from smiling.
“Besides, he doesn’t mind.”
“He’s just being polite.”
“Don’t worry, princess, I’m sure he still loves you more.”
“I’m getting dressed now,” I declared, and shut the door in his face.
“Too bad,” I heard him say through the wood.
I almost flung the door open and whacked him on the back of his head with my shield, but decided I needed him conscious. So instead, I pulled on my tunic and pants, then laced up my vest and boots. After fixing my hair into a braided bun, I shouldered my pack and made my way through the quiet house and out into the chilly morning.
Brom had our horses waiting. Zach was already astride and checking the knives fitted into the saddle. Lynel and his family were outside, along with Toreck and two other men. I took Patrice’s hands and thanked her, but she insisted on a tight hug. Patrice’s arms were warm, and she smelled like freshly baked bread and earthy herbs—I realized then that this must be what being hugged by a mother was like. Safe and comforting. I reveled in it for a few precious moments.
Then Patrice drew back, took a pack of food from one of her children, and handed it to me. “It’s not much, but…”
“It’s more than enough,” I said, taking the bundle and tucking it into my saddlebag. Then I turned to Lynel, Toreck, and the two other men.
Before I could say anything, Toreck said, “Don’t worry. We’ll be accompanying you only as far as the edge of the wood. Your partner made it clear he doesn’t want us along for the fight.”
Zach avoided my eyes as he continued to check his daggers.
Toreck’s jaw was tight and his brow furrowed. I didn’t want any civilians with us, either. If things went badly, their blood would be on our hands. But I wondered what Zach had said to offend him so much.
“We’re very grateful for your bravery,” I said with a nod to the other men as well, “but we want all of you to return to your children.”
Toreck uncrossed his arms and hooked his thumbs in his belt. “Yes, well, best be off.”
As the men led the way on their horses, I rode Lorena next to Zach. “Just what did you say to them?”