Page 97 of Crown of Ashes and Awe

Viggo pulled his hands away from me and retreated a few steps. “You wouldn’t!”

I nodded my head toward Tearloch. “Separate me from him and I will.”

He stopped. “Fine. I’ll allow him to come, but only him.”

Tearloch leaned back against the wall with a smile, folded his arms and crossed his ankles. “No, old friend. Not interested.”

Another guard rushed in. A short man with a pointed nose that matched the point in his hairline. “They’re coming! We have to go!”

Viggo advanced again. “Restore it. Restore the dragon and I’ll let you go.”

I blinked. “I wouldn’t know how. I only kill them.”

His eyes widened with fury, but he still didn’t dare touch me. When shouts echoed inside the drake house, he turned and fled, pushing his traitorous soldiers and druids out of his way as they scattered like rodents.

I laid my hands on the young dragon and willed that same power back into it. It recovered its strength quickly and stood, shook itself, and fled as if it might never come back.

Tearloch rushed toward me. “We could have used that. Maybe we could have fit.”

“Oh no. I doubt it will allow anyone near it again.”

He sighed. “I’ve been thinking.”

I pointed to the bridge now filling with fleeing traitors, guards andArd Draoi. “Do you want to talk, or do you want to run?”

The rest of our friends gathered around, waiting for his verdict. There were ten of us. Still missing Griffon. I could face anything…if necessary.

Tearloch dropped his gaze. “It’s up to you. I think I was…so afraid I’d lose you, I made you flee when you might have wanted to stay. I was the one taking your choices away.”

“You won’t lose me, no matter what.” I pulled his head down so I could press my forehead to his, then I looked deep into his blue-green eyes. “And if you ever doubt it again, you and I are going to have words.” Then I winked.

Once again, we were surrounded by the king’s guards. This time, no one drew weapons, but they did insist we stay put.

Moire reached us first, out of breath and speechless. Griffon, his father, and Rowena led an entourage that carried a seat on their shoulders upon which sat the king. Griffon broke away to join us and ensure his wife was whole.

When Moire stepped forward and opened her mouth to deliver whatever speech she had in mind, I held up my hand to stop her.

“Not you,” I said. “I’m not interested in anything you have to say—or anything you care to predict.”

Gasping and insulted, she looked to Tearloch.

He shook his head. “Look on the bright side. She didn’t try to kill you at first sight.”

Bodies parted for the king, who hobbled along with his cane, his steps steadier than they had been earlier. He lifted his free hand and said, “Oh, my child?—”

I stopped him as well. “I’m sorry. I’d think Rowena gets the first word, don’t you?”

The redhead stepped around her grandfather and came to me, timid and hopeful and heartbroken all at the same time. As she neared, I could tell she didn’t know what to say, so I took two quick steps and wrapped my arms around her.

“Mother,” I said. “I have a mother.”

“And I have my baby back.”

I shook my head and straightened. “No. She’s gone. But when you’re finished mourning Asimi, you’ll have me.”

King Aristaeus pounded his cane on the floor. “May I be allowed to speak to my great-granddaughter now?”

Rowena stepped to the side but held onto my fingers. Her hands were as soft as I remembered them. And who knew how long ago that was?

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