Page 51 of A Thieving Curse

“Get to them, anyway.” Alexander held up a claw-tipped finger. “One, we walk. That’s not actually an option if you want to get there. Especially on your legs.” She frowned, but he held up two fingers and continued. “Two, I turn into a dragon and we fly.” His lips twitched. “So I’ll be naked again.” She felt her face heat and tried to focus on looking unbothered. He uncurled a third finger. “Or three, you let me carry you. We still fly, but I stay dressed.”

“What do you mean, carry me?”

“The same way I got you to the cave the night with the wolves. You were unconscious, so you don’t remember.” He stepped closer and her chest tightened. “But it went something like this.” Before she could react, he picked her up.

Raelyn yelped. “What are youdoing?”

He held her with one arm tucked under her knees, the other at her back with his hand cradling her waist. “Sweeping you off your feet and carrying you.” His fangs flashed in a roguish grin. “So. Walking, dragon, or carrying?”

She glowered. She didn’t miss his use ofsweeping you off your feetafter her comment about her childhood daydream, but she chose to ignore it. “You seem to have already decided.”

“So you’re saying you agree with me? Excellent.” Without waiting for an answer, he unfolded his wings. He sprung into the air, his wings propelling them upward.

Raelyn screeched and instinctively wrapped her hands behind Alexander’s neck, even though her bruised arms protested. As he flew high over the forest, she pressed against his muscular chest, holding tight, her heart hammering.

“I’m not going to drop you, Princess,” Alexander said softly. “You don’t have to strangle me.”

“Sorry.” She loosened her grip on his neck, just a little. “It’s your fault. You could have warned me!”

“Where’s the fun in that?”

“Oh, so it’s fun to scare me to death? Is that it?” She stopped herself before she said anything that would make him angry. Even though she realized he wanted to stay in control, she didn’t need him accidentally transforming into a dragon mid-air.

“All right, I’m sorry.” He picked up speed as they headed downhill. “Forgive me?”

She watched the pines rushing by beneath her, with nothing but the strength of his arms to prevent her from falling onto their points. “I’ll think about it.”

But the further they flew without his hold on her wavering, the more relaxed she became. Raelyn still held onto his shoulders, mostly out of fear of wearing out his arms. She loved the feeling of the wind on her face, her skirt pulling against her legs. The sound of air rushing past her ears, and even the beat of Alexander’s wings was exhilarating. She could almost imagine she was flying on her own. The thought made her grin, and she couldn’t stop. Alexander’s body was comfortably warm, keeping her from getting too cold as darkness fell.

They swept over the trees as the stars and crescent moon came out, bathing the world in dim light. Rivers and lakes passed beneath them in winks of sparkling silver. He shifted her in his arms, adjusting his grip.

“Are you getting tired?” she asked.

“My arms are a touch stiff. Don’t worry, you’re light. Besides, we’re getting close. I smell smoke.”

She sniffed the air but didn’t smell anything.Maybe he has a dragon’s sense of smell.He drifted lower, closer to the trees.

Anticipation hummed through her.How close would Alexander let her get? Would she be able to see her parents’ faces clearly? Would she get to hear Gareth’s voice? How long would he give her to silently say goodbye? A horrible thought occurred to her. What if they were already in their tents for the night? She buried that notion, desperate for even one last glimpse of her family.

A couple minutes later, she spotted a smattering of bright, red-orange dots glowing close together. Alexander must have seen them, too, because he slowed and headed in that direction, weaving between treetops. She smelled the smoke now.

The prince emerged from the trees over an unoccupied part of the pass, around a bend from the campsite. His wings flapped around her, stopping them, then he drifted to the ground.

He eased her down onto her feet. Raelyn stood unsteadily and had to catch herself against his chest. She snatched her hand away and winced as the bruises on her arms ached. The clatter of pans, crackle of burning wood, and buzz of voices drifted through the woods.They’re so close.

Alexander pinned her with a steady gaze. “We keep to the trees. Stay in shadow. You can look, but don’t speak.”

“I understand.” Her voice came out small and weak.

He turned and strode into the forest. She followed. The prince moved with remarkable stealth, and she did her best to do likewise, slipping among the trees. The voices became more distinct as they walked closer, as did the scent of roasted meat. Someone laughed, and her stomach clenched.They’ve moved on.

She caught glimpses of knights and servants through the trees but couldn’t identify any of them in the darkness. Alexander grabbed her shoulder and gently pushed her to a crouch. He held a finger to his lips and crept forward, keeping low as he led her with his hand on her shoulder.

They stopped, facing a bush flanked by two pine trees. He moved behind her and placed his hands on both her shoulders. His grip was loose enough not to be rough, but firm enough to saydon’t try anything.Raelyn pushed some branches aside and had to cover her mouth to keep from crying out.

Mother and Father sat next to each other near the largest fire, their faces toward her. They were far enough away she had to squint to make them out. They ate in silence, focused on their own plates. That wasn’t like them. She looked around for Gareth. Panic swelled when she didn’t see him.How long will Alexander let me wait?Perhaps Gareth was inside one of the low tents nearby.Please. I need to see him.

The moments ticked by.Where are you, Gareth?One of the tent flaps opened, and someone ducked out, firelight illuminating his face.Gareth!She bit her tongue to keep herself quiet.

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