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Spine stiffening, I continued to stare at the sky. “I won’t be happy until the girls are back in my arms.”
“They will be. My brothers won’t rest until they are. Neither will I.” He bridged the distance between us, reaching for my hand.
I jerked back as if he had the plague. Did he truly think I could just forget his behavior these past few days and let him comfort me? Or maybe he was looking to soothe himself, and I was his only option.
He grappled the air, his eyes flashing with pain, then quickly tucked his hands in his pockets. “If you want, I’ll have the servants put you in my mother’s bedchamber.” His smile appeared plastered to his face. “It has a wide terrace with a beautiful view of the southwestern skies.”
“Alright,” I finally relented, refusing to take his arm when he offered it.
I followed him down a set of stone stairs, keeping a wide enough gap between us, though his blasted feathers continued to tickle my arm. Ugh. Why did the elements have to stick me with him? I tried not to be awed as he brought me through a set of double doors, the wind from the open doorway at my back billowing my skirts until we walked into what I could only describe as an atrium, a tall winding marble staircase that descended into a hall with a towering glass ceiling. Wooden rafters crisscrossed several feet below the top of a ceiling, and I was reminded of a large bird cage, a Ravini cage. This giant atrium was meant for flying. Ha. Small castle. If Blaze thought this was small, the big castles must’ve been meant for giants. My parents’ entire cottage could fit on one of the many stairway landings.
My knees weak from either fear or fatigue, I held onto the banister as we descended, mindful that Draevyn was watching me. When he stopped to offer his arm, I refused. It was bad enough I was stuck in his castle. I wouldn’t be forced into the role of the helpless female relying on him to save me. When we reached another landing, Draevyn guided me down a long hall, his hand on my lower back and his wingtips grazing my arm. I walked faster, trying to escape his touch, but it was no use. He had longer legs and wings propelling him. Once my mates returned, I would insist we find someplace else to stay. I prayed they would hurry. I didn’t know how long I could withstand being in such close proximity to Draevyn without my mates acting as a buffer.
Chapter Twelve
Aurora Lykaios
Aurora didn’t understandwhy the porridge was sticking to the pot. She’d done everything she’d watched Yaya do—added water and stirred it until it bubbled. It didn’t bubble this time, but it was steaming, and she’d stirred it for a long, long time. She scooped what she could into two wooden bowls and set the bowls on the table. Then she sat on the bench opposite her sister.
Ember scowled at her food. When she lifted her spoon, the entire contents of the bowl stuck to it in one big lump. “It’s too hard.”
Aurora tried eating her porridge and the same thing happened. It was like a big leg of lamb, only it wasn’t. She frowned at the mess and then bit a piece off the spoon. It was a little chewy, but it was better than going hungry. “Just eat it, Em.”
Ember threw down her spoon with a pout. “I don’t like it here anymore. Can’t you take us to our uncles’ home? You saw the top of their castle.”
The spoon made a loudclankwhen Aurora dropped it in the bowl. “That’s all I saw.” How could she take them back to a turret? At least, she thought that’s what Uncle Nikkos had called it.
Ember pushed her bowl to the other side of the table. “Then take us to there.”
She shook her head. “What if we fall off?” It was just the poky top part of a castle, like the tip of an arrow. How were they supposed to get down? Or what if they got stuck on it?
“Uncle Blaze will fly up and get us,” Ember said.
Aurora motioned toward their loft bed where Uncle Nikkos still slept. He was probably very tired after flying so far. “Let’s wait until Uncle Nikkos wakes up. He’ll tell us where to go.”
Ember’s eyes watered with tears. “But I’m hungry.”
