Page 75 of The Great and Terrible

“They were—are—known to be vicious,” Patch whispered, a tremor in her voice.

The cool metal of my ring told a different story. Did the pegacorn sense my connection to the former king and queen?

I took a step toward them, but Jasher tightened his hold on my hand, keeping me at his side. “They won’t harm us,” I promised. “Trust me.”

Seconds passed before he freed my fingers. I lifted to my tiptoes and kissed his cheek, surprising us both. His gaze swung to me, but I only smiled before approaching the pegacorn. Both bowed their heads, allowing me to pet their snouts. Such soft fur. The gemstones in my jewelry glowed, as if thrilled with the contact.

I gasped, my heart leaping. “They offer us a ride to the City of Lux.” The knowledge burned within me, as if they’d spoken out loud. “We’ll reach our destination in two hours rather than two days.”

“And let them drop us from the sky?” Leona shuddered. “No thank you.”

“Stay here, then. I’m going.” The black horse kneeled and slightly flared his wings, helping me mount with ease. “Jasher?” I arched a brow at him.

He jutted his chin. “I’ll go.” As he stalked over, the girls followed him. He helped the pair mount the white horse before climbing behind me, adjusting his pack, and wrapping his arms around me.

What an amazing development. “Did you ever hope to travel by pegacorn?” I asked my co-rider, anchoring my fingers in the animal’s mane. “Wait. Never mind. Until today, you believed they were extinct.”

“So did the rest of the world,” he remarked.

“Well, get ready for a delightful experience.” I’d flown to my grandparents on my father’s side, who’d moved to Florida when they’d retired. There’d been turbulence, butunlike other passengers, I hadn’t cared or worried. Being in the air had felt natural.

The pegacorn turned and kicked into a gallop, moving faster and faster through the forest. Dodging trees. Spreading further and further apart until… They leaped and flared their wings, catching a current and gliding up, up. Flapping and flapping, soaring higher and higher. Wind whipped through my hair, and I laughed.

Jasher tightened his hold on me. “This isnotdelightful,” he grated into my ear, and I laughed again.

“Is the ice cold Tinman afraid of flying?”

“I assure you, I’m not ice cold or afraid of flying.” He nipped my lobe, a gesture meant in jest that sent ripples of pleasure cascading through me. “Falling on the other hand…”

I’d already fallen—for him. All amusement fled. There was no denying the depths of my feelings. I liked him. Maybe even loved him. Yet we were closer than ever to saying goodbye.

I twined my fingers with his. “Come with me to Kansas,” I pleaded, pride no longer a factor.

His hold on me tightened. He nuzzled his cheek against mine and placed our joined hands on my torso. The heat of his skin seeped through my clothing, warming my bones. “There are things you don’t know about me, princess.”

“Tell me then.”

He didn’t. “Consider staying. The people of Hakeldama need you.”

That… no. “I’m just one person. What can I do?”

“Kill more monstra and recruit others.”

“You are well able to do that.”

“Yes, but the forest has never provided me with an oasis or paid homage to my nearness. The pegacorn aren’t here for me, but you. I can’t produce liquid armor from thin air or stand in an inferno of flames.”

The warmth dulled bit by bit, and I shivered. “My father?—”

“Can be brought here, as you were.”

But would he want to move? DidIwant him living in this dangerous land? “He wouldn’t survive travel or be okay with an innocent dying in his place.” A life for a life. I hadn’t forgotten. “Neither am I.”

“That isn’t always the case.”

“Well, if we can avoid the death thing, and I can find a way, I can maybe possibly come back after Daddy is...” I let my words trail off, shamed I’d even entertained such a thought.

“Yes. Maybe.”

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