Page 106 of The Poison of the Earth
“But that could take a couple days!”
“Probably longer,” I wince, “With that many.”
“We could eend word to Centerhedge to have any air shifters to leave and meet us on the way,” Ollie suggests.
“Let’s go,” orders Kai.
We head out and up the curved stairwell, following Korben, who learned his way around the castle better than the rest of us.
Another flight of stairs and we come up to the top of a huge turret. It’s a big open room, with hay on the floor and broad, open windows. Heavy timber beams cross the circlular space, and currently three griffons are roosting on one. A large nest is built onto a ledge.
Ollie looks around before delightedly calling “Feather!”
The griffon with the pale back end swoops down, landing in front of her and butting her chest with its head.
“Extraordinary,” Finnick says quietly behind us, “They don’t normally like anyone.”
I snort. “Everyone likes Ollie. Even Lilac, and that’s a feat.”
Korben chuckles.
Ollie coos to the giant beast that could tear her apart and I hear Kai shift. He crosses to Finnick and says, low enough that Ollie won’t hear it, “Let’s get one thing straight, pretty boy. That’s my mate.Mygirl. And you’re only still breathing after touching her because I’m allowing it. Do you understand?”
Finnick nods tightly, eyes narrowed.
Ollie turns, eyebrows raised. “He didn’t fuck me. I did enjoy his cock in my mouth though.”
“What? How did you get the soothsayer to...” I trail off.
Kai looks shocked, but I'm not sure about which part.
Ollie raises her chin. “Since you’re being rude as fuck, Kai, so will I. Quit being a prick. We’re all a family now. Get over it.”
Kai crosses to Ollie, dipping his head as he whispers to her. She shakes her head defiantly, anger flashing in her eyes as she whispers back.
I turn to Finnick. “Listen, we’re not usually such assholes.” I run a hand through my hair. “Sorry.”
It galls me a bit, but Ollie’s right.
His amber eyes land on me. Finally he says, “It’s alright. I imagine this is... hard for you both.”
Ollie snorts and I realize that Finnick might have just cracked a joke. It makes me like him more.
He whistles loudly. “The other two will be back momentarily.”
“We only get five?” I ask, outraged.
Finnick shakes his head, “No, a flight is twenty. We’ll get the rest from the lower stables on the way by.”
Twenty. I start considering our best archers. Finnick hollers for a groom to come up and help him saddle the griffons.
“No, Kai!” Ollie’s voice is louder. “I am not riding with you.”
I remember how frozen she was after our flight here and frown. She should ride with him.
“You are. End of discussion. Keep arguing and I’m gonna spank your ass right here, right now.”
Finnick straightens. “Youwill nottouch her in anger.” His voice is firm and I’m surprised by his balls. Kai’s a scary Fae.
