Page 176 of The Kingdom's Reckoning
Graeson looked back at Kalisandre, a silent question sparkling in his eyes.
She nodded and shouted over the wind, "Do it!"
With a wicked smile that probably made him appear crazed, he swung back around, dipping over the clearing.
The wind muffled Moris' shouts.
With one quick swipe, Graeson snatched their bags with his rear claws. Then he charged forward, his gaze set on Moris.
Moris twisted in the air to look back at Graeson. His eyes widened when he realized Graeson was heading straight for him. He tried to dive, but he was too slow. Graeson reared. With his other back paw, he snatched Moris from the sky.
Shouting, Moris smacked one of Graeson’s claws, the jab barely more than a prickle.
Graeson barely heard Moris’ disgruntlements as Kalisandre’s laughter filled his ears. The sound was pure and full, untainted by the weight of the world and what was to come.
His lips curved into a makeshift smile. Because he didn’t know when, or even if, he’d hear it again, Graeson savored the moment.
Chapter 69
MYRA
The wagon creaked noisilyover the cobblestone path. The wheels scraped against the stones, the sound echoing down the narrow street. Piles of vegetables were strewn on top of a faded black tarp. As Bax forced the wagon over a lip in the path, a small onion jumped out and rolled onto the ground. A muffled "Ow" escaped from the vegetables.
Myra’s brows shot up, but she flattened her expression as a stranger passed by the trio. Rian quickly rubbed his arm and twisted his shadowed features into a pained expression. The woman raised her brows at Myra but carried on down the street, not giving them a second glance.
"Really?" Myra mouthed at Rian, horrified that the woman thought she had smacked him.
Rian shrugged as Bax jostled the wagon.
"Shut it," Bax hissed at the vegetables as a potato rolled down the pile, revealing a soft, white feather.
Myra swiftly rearranged the produce as they hurried through the crowded streets of the lower district.
Laurince had been appalled when Phaia had suggested that he hide in the wagon. But without an alternative solution, hebegrudgingly crawled inside it. The wagon was barely wide enough for the tall captain. He had to fold his wings around himself and curl into a ball just to fit.
All around them, pedestrians walked with brisk paces, their heads on a constant swivel as they glanced over their shoulders. Across the street, a man hurried over to a woman and a child who were peering into the window of a bakery. Slipping a hand around the woman’s waist, the man whispered into her ear. The woman’s eyes widened, and she tucked her child closer to her side as they rushed down the street.
Word of the incoming soldiers was spreading fast across the capital. Apprehension and panic drenched the streets, pouring down them like a heavy stream during a storm. All around them, doors slammed shut, shutters banged closed. Those who hadn’t heard about the rumors yet were quickly noticing the uneasiness of the others, their steps quickening.
"We need to hurry," Rian whispered, head low.
The soldiers hadn’t made it to this part of the capital, but they would be here soon. It was only a matter of?—
A high-pitched scream sounded behind them.
The pile of vegetables shook, and a few rolled to the side.
"Don’t look," Bax ordered, his shoulders raising to his neck. But even he had a hard time not looking when a woman screamed in terror.
Despite knowing they shouldn’t, all three glanced over their shoulders, and the wheels of the wagon halted. Up the street, a guard shoved a woman against the window of a store. Her head hit the glass so hard that a crack spider-webbed across it. Those nearby stumbled in their tracks, their faces paling in horror. Many quickened their paces as a result.
The guard shouted at the woman, spit flying into her face with each syllable. "Where is he?"
"I-I don’t know," the woman stammered, her brown skin taking on a sickly hue.
"You do not know where your husband is?" the guard demanded.
"No, I—he ran to the market."
