Page 110 of Guardians of the Assassins
“So we either take our chances with the bridge, the river, or keep going and find another way across.” None of those options were appealing. It would be dark soon, and she didn’t want to run across any of the patrols they’d mentioned. She very much doubted that the fae would be very friendly.
Before either of the men could make a suggestion, the hippogriff nudged Caedmon, chirping and pawing at the ground. His yellow eyes closed, his head tipped to the side as if listening to something the creature was saying.
When his eyes popped open, a big grin stretched across his face. “We have a ride.”
Her eyes widened in alarm. She opened her mouth to protest, then snapped it closed. She would not put her mates at risk just because she had trust issues. She eyed the hippogriff critically. “Will she be able to hold the three of us?”
Caedmon grinned, scooping her up in his arms, his hands cupping her ass. Morgan squeaked at the unexpected move and wrapped her arms and legs around him, her hold tightening in panic when he headed toward the hippogriff.
She expected him to deposit her on the creature’s back. Instead, he mounted the creature in a single, smooth move like he’d done it a thousand times. She clutched at him when shefound herself astride his lap, facing backwards. “Shit! Warn a girl next time!”
The hippogriff pranced under their weight, chirping happily, her feathers fluffing. Atlas joined them a second later, seating himself behind Caedmon.
It felt weirdly intimate to be seated in Caedmon’s lap and gazing at Atlas.
Before her mind could go down a dark, smutty alley, the hippogriff took off with a lumbering lope. Morgan gave an embarrassing squeal, clutching Caedmon to her chest, leaving her staring directly at Atlas.
Gazing at him helped calm her racing heart.
Much sooner than she was ready, the hippogriff’s wings snapped wide and they were airborne. Her stomach soared into her throat, then she went weightless.
Caedmon’s arms tightened around her, his hands sliding up her back, keeping her stable. She refused to think that he was the only thing holding her secure.
And she definitely wasn’t thinking about how they managed to remain on the beast without plummeting to their death.
It felt weird to be flying without any control, much less facing backwards. Seeing her mounting panic, Atlas leaned forward and kissed her. Then nothing else mattered when Caedmon ran his hands over her while Atlas’s mouth destroyed her sanity.
The hippogriff bobbled beneath them, and Morgan jerked back in alarm, spying a shape flying next to them.
A familiar shape.
Morgan tipped her head to the side and squinted. “Loki?’
The beastie yipped excitedly, grinning proudly as he flew next to them, swooping and diving, his eyes bright red, the crest of the phoenix blazing on his chest.
“That must mean Kincade got through and managed to get a hold of Thanatos.” She was practically giddy at the thought of seeing her mates again, almost forgetting their method of travel.The hippogriff chirped playfully, then the two of them were racing toward the castle.
But as they neared, unease stirred in her gut.
It looked like a fucking army was waiting for them.
Streaks of magic soared through the air, shattering when it hit a barrier. Orbs flashed and exploded. It was only a matter of time before the wards failed and the fighting began in earnest.
And her men were somewhere in the middle of it.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
ASCHER
Loki guided them toward the back of the castle. They coasted downward, the ground fast approaching, and Morgan had to give a lot more props to the gardog for even attempting to fly. She tightened her hold on Caedmon, nearly strangling the poor guy, but he didn’t complain, his grip holding firm.
Atlas wrapped his arms around both of them, their touch the only thing that kept her from freaking the fuck out.
To her great surprise, they landed smoothly, the hippogriff taking a few galloping steps before slowing to a short trot, gently coming to a stop near the back wall of the castle.
Morgan was torn between throwing herself off the horse and just staying wrapped up in their arms. Both of the guys ran soothing hands over her, but it was the sight of the rest of her mates stepping out of the shadows of the castle that kicked her into action.
She barely got herself untangled from the others before Ryder grabbed her around the waist and plucked her off the creature. She wrapped herself around him, taking a few shuddering breaths of his wild, fresh green scent.
