“Can you change?” she asked him.
“Not quite. I tried back in the forest.” He nodded at the plain. “It’s not like they don’t know we’re here.”
She bounded forward, and he got the chance to admire just how fast she could run unfettered by trees and underbrush.
To avoid wasting breath, she asked him telepathically, I still can’t hear them; can you?
No, I think Urien has been cloaking them, he told her. Otherwise I would have heard them a lot sooner. They would never have gotten so close.
That, and he’d allowed himself to be distracted by her sensuality. Damn it, he had known they had lingered too long, but he had done it anyway. This was all his fault. She was in danger again because of him. She messed with his head and his old, well-honed instincts short-circuited. He was never going to get so impatient with his men again when they fell for a beautiful face.
They’re chasing us while believing you can shift into a dragon? Even telepathically her mental tone indicated how suicidal she thought that was.
Unless they know otherwise, he said. Could be why they’re so aggressive. Maybe they do know about the Elven poison and that it should be wearing off soon.
She tripped and almost went down. He leaped forward to grab her arm. She turned a horror-filled gaze toward him. But that would mean the Elves—Ferion—knew we would be attacked.
Or it means at the very least that one of the Elves passed some helpful information on to an interested party, he agreed. He urged her back into a run. And to be fair, for all Ferion knew, you did what you said you would and drove me over the Elven border and left me.
Screw fair, she snapped. I see that Elf again, I’m gonna rip him a new one.
He couldn’t help but grin. I want to be there when you do.
She dropped back to keep pace at his side. When he frowned a question at her, she said, Don’t worry about me, big guy. I can beat any pace you set.
He laughed out loud. I just bet you can, lover.
She tossed her head. I’m just bored with rubbing your nose in it.
Despite their banter, they both knew their situation was growing more desperate. He kept watch behind them and soon he saw a horde of Goblins running out of the forest. Along with them appeared a score of armed riders on horseback.
Pia glanced behind as well. Goblins don’t ride, she said. Even I’ve heard that. Horses won’t tolerate them.
That’ll be their allies, the Dark Fae, he told her. He realized his raptor’s eyesight was much better than hers. He could see the Fae riders perfectly.
For the first time during their flight, her face showed strain. They have crossbows.
Buck up, girly girl. He gave her his machete smile. Things are just getting interesting.
He picked up speed, and true to her boast, she kept pace, her mane of blonde hair flying behind and long gazelle legs flashing. Damn, he was proud of her.
The land broke up ahead of them, a rocky bluff rising along the horizon. They had run perhaps a half mile more when a dozen Dark Fae riders appeared along the top of the bluff.
The riders on the bluff weren’t riding horses.
They were astride Fae creatures that looked like giant dragonflies. Huge, black-veined, transparent wings glimmered with rainbow hues.
Pia slowed and came to a stop when she saw them. Beside her, Dragos did the same. She pressed a hand to her side and turned in a circle. They were trapped.
She sat down on the ground and put her head in her hands. He knelt beside her and put an arm around her shoulders. He didn’t say anything, and neither did she. There wasn’t anything to say.
Once they had stopped running, their pursuers slowed and approached with more caution. The Goblins spread out in a half-circle formation, the Dark Fae riders interspersed among them. The Dark Fae atop the bluff remained where they were, sitting astride the giant dragonfly creatures while they watched the scene unfold below.
Pia shaded her eyes as she stared at them. The third one from the left radiated a chill Power unlike any of the others. She swallowed, trying to relieve her dry throat. “Over there,” she said. “The Fae King is on the bluff, isn’t he?”
Dragos sat behind her and pulled her against his chest. “Yes. He’s waiting to see if he’s needed.”
“Still no shift,” she said. It wasn’t a question.
He shook his head. “I need a little more time.”
He needed time they didn’t have. She turned her face into his sun-warmed skin. His breathing was slow and easy. She marveled at his calm.