Page 138 of A Flame of the Phoenix

Tallia said viciously, “We’ve slaughtered every one of your serpents in this castle.”

With that news, Mordecai reconsidered his next move. Instead of bracing against them, he moved so fast Tauria’s gasp choked in her throat as his hand wrapped around it from behind her.

His mouth leaned to her ear. “If I discover you had anything to do with this before tomorrow night, I’ll kill you and replace this throne with someoneloyal.” The last word was a hiss, and she whimpered in true fear when he dragged her back.

The balcony doors slammed open from the force of his body as he used her as a shield against the rebels attempting to throw a dagger or arrow. Next thing she knew, they were standing on the stone railing. Mordecai lifted her into his arms, and his wings shot them high.

“Where are we going?” she asked.

“To the war camp. Those pests won’t have long enough to warm a single seat before I slaughter them all.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

Zaiana

Zaiana needed the air no matter that the wind cut ice chips across her cheeks. Atop the Lakelarian castle, she could admire the beauty of the kingdom. Though the temperature left her with little desire to fantasize about a life here. Her eyes cast over the snow-thick mountain peaks, envisioning a world with no end beyond Ungardia.

After they’d locked up Kyleer, she’d resisted the impulse to check on him.

Zaiana shook her head, hissing under the mask she wore over her mouth and her nose to ward off the lashing, bitter air. Her resentment toward herself clawed at every crevice of her thoughts, and she could hardly bear it. She needed out. Free of her own mind, and as she balanced on the pointed crest of the highest part of the castle, she did not unglamour her wings.

She didn’t know what she was doing here. What she hoped to achieve.

She scrunched her eyes shut and stood from her crouch. Her boots maintained their grip on the snowy slope of the roof. Hersingle hand wrapped around the spire was all that kept her from falling the fatal height.

“What are you doing?”

That voice was the last she wanted to hear. She snapped her lids open and looked down to where the bastard stood across another part of the roof.

Maverick watched her, arms folded, with his wings towering over his shoulders. His brows bore the weight of his disappointment and anger.

“Has she sent you to kill me for leaving without order?” Zaiana asked.

“No. I’m wondering who she’ll send to kill both of us for it.”

Zaiana’s jaw tightened. “Why would you follow me, if not by her command?”

“Boredom, I suppose. It was getting rather dull in that awful castle.”

“Dakodas favors you. She won’t be pleased.”

“I don’t really care.”

Her response was nullified at that, because she didn’t care about the Spirit’s retribution either.

“Now, want to tell me why we’re freezing our asses off for no good reason?”

“Go inside.”

He asked, “Did Marvellas reprimand you for being here?”

“No. I brought her a prize. So I hope you have one.”

“You’re hoping for my safety? Now I’m even more concerned.”

His assessment of her footing and his tracking over her shoulder gave away his thoughts.

“I’m not going to throw myself off this roof.”

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