Page 86 of The Poison of the Earth
I make it to Nell’s office but she’s not there. I turn, headed to our apartments when Kai finds me.
“I just finished giving orders to Fane,” he says, falling into step beside me. Fane is one of our top soldiers and will be acting as Lilac’s second-in-command while we are gone. I had floated the idea of Kai staying to manage Thistle Grove, but Ollie and Kai had quickly shot that down.
I nod. “Good. The youngest Daven sister is going to act as messenger if needed. We need more wings,” I say, frustrated forthe first time about how small I have kept my inner circle.Small is safe. But now, with things exploding on all sides, we need more people.
We’re about to go to the apartments when Korben calls from down the hallway. “Yo, we leaving or what?” He smiles, his unkept hair in disarray and his small sword strapped to his back. He’s not much of a fighter but he’s incredible eyes on the ground. We’d had to promise we wouldn’t make him marry anyone before he’d agree to come with us. I need another set of eyes, with Kai and I both concerned about Oleander’s safety. Especially since we haven’t had much chance to see the extent of her magic.
I shake my head. A Toxa.Incredible. There hasn’t been one born in centuries. And none are alive, as they tend to be used to poor ends. I frown. Not Oleander. We won’t let that happen to her again.
Korben has a pack over his shoulder. “Ollie is downstairs.”
Kai and I turn, headed back downstairs.
When the three of us get there, Nell and Cook and Lu are standing outside with Ollie. Lilac is still haggling with that pretentious ass. I sense Kai’s worry. He wasn’t raised around many fire Fae, given that his mother was dead and his father was a high ranking officer in the High King’s army, he was surrounded by mostly water Fae. After the attack, when we ran, we had a chance to get to know Fae of all varieties, and I know Kai found most fire Fae difficult.
Cook’s big brown eyes are full of tears and she throws herself at me, floury apron and all. I pat her back. “We’ll be fine.”
“Oh aye, I know ye will, it’s Ollie I’m worried about.”
“Thanks Cook,” Kai says archly.
“Uff, hush you,” she says chuckling.
Ollie hugs Lu, who also looks near to tears. I see Lu hand Ollie a package with a watery yet mischievous grin. Ollie drops her pack and shoves it in, hugging Lu again.
Nell rolls her mossy eyes and holds out my leather pack. She has added an attachment under the straps. I raise an eyebrow.
“A gown of Oleander’s. Her clothes take up significantly more room than yours. Kai has one too.”
I snort.
“Quite the spoiled creature,” Kai says fondly as Ollie turns. She’s in blue breeches that Dana made her and they lace high at her waist and are tight on the ankles, billowing between. I know she has an under layer beneath, as we had been worried about the temperatures flying. Ollie has her nice leather boots on that she prefers even under her dresses. A luxe green blouse, with a pale blue corset with straps over it. I hold out a thick brown wool sweater to her. She tugs it on and pulls her long, tight braid out. Kai, Korben and I all don warm sweaters too before readjusting our cloaks. Kai helps Ollie put hers on and pulls the hood up over her pointed ears.
“You’re quite sure you don’t want to ride with one of us?” I ask again.
She smiles, “I’m sure it would be more entertaining to ride with one of you, but no. I’ll be fine. I’m a good rider.”
Korben guffaws. “I’ll fucking bet.”
My arm snaps out, backhanding him in the gut.
I finally turn to Lord Flamestaff. “We’re ready. Give us the quick version of how to control these animals.” I eye the nearest griffon. Its eagle eyes are intelligent and it cocks its head as it takes me in. I get the uncomfortable sensation that it is sizing me up.
Flamestaff manages to look down his nose at me, which is difficult as we’re of a height. “You sit in the saddle and hold on, much like a horse. We’ll attach the straps before we take off.”
“Straps?” Korben asks.
“In case of aerial maneuvers,” one of the women answers.
As Korben starts to argue about whether or not he believes ‘aerial maneuvers’ should even be an option, I step closer to the griffon near me. It has the head and front legs—and wings, obviously—of an eagle, its hind end is the lush tawny fur of a lion. It tilts its head as I get near. I hold out my hand for it to smell.
The woman holding its leash yanks its head back just as it extends its neck to smell me. “Ya fool man! She’ll bite your hand off!”
I glare at the black-haired woman and as I do, her eyes take me in and her gaze turns hungry. My almost-friendly glare turns into a glower.
“Ohhh, what a good bird,” I hear Ollie coo and I turn to find her.
The woman holding the leash of a light blonde griffon is arguing with Lilac and Oleander has... more or less snuggled up to the griffon. It’s butting her gently with its head as she scratches it.
