Page 116 of Crown of Wings and Whispers

“Archer. Griffon.” Gloir reached for his sons, then let his arms fall. “I should have explained. I thought I had more time.”

“It’s all right, Father,” Archer said. “Tell us now. Which of us did you intend to be king?”

I saw Griffon stiffen, saw him exchange a look with his father. Then Gloir nodded. “You, Archer. It was always meant to be you.”

Griffon relaxed and slapped his brother on the back. “You see? There was always a plan for you.” He stretched to catch my hand, then pulled me beneath his arm. “Father, the DeNoy is mine. My wife, Lennon.”

Gloir looked me over, peered into my eyes, and smiled. “Reminds me of your mother. And Bridie.” I was then the recipient of a wink honed and perfected for fifteen thousand years by a man who once held the Power of Beauty and Vanity.

I willed my blush to fade while I searched Griffon’s face to see just how much genetic material he’d inherited from the man. And it was there. Sadly, I’d have to explore it another time.

“I’ll return soon,” I told the king, “to take you back to Hestia.”

Griffon shook my shoulder. “We. We will take you to Hestia.” He turned me to face him and leaned down to kiss me. Just before our lips touched, he said, “Do not call that dragon until after I finish kissing you, my love. I don’t like surprises that big.”

Alwyn joined us, out of breath. “Best be goin’. Sand’s runnin’ out.”

“You couldn’t buy more time?”

He shook his head. “I’m fair to certain the woman cheats!”

DEAR READER,

The next chapters cut to the scenes purposefully hidden from you so the surprises could keep coming. You will want to know what happened when you weren’t allowed to watch. Hopefully, all your questions will be answered. Then we’ll get back to the crew’s dragon ride out of Hell…

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Hidden Scene 1—Get In The Car, Mother

(Backing up just a little, to Griffon, Archer, and Bridie in her kitchen.)

“Just what do you know of dragons, Mother?”

Bridie rolled her eyes and went back to the oven to set the timer. “M’ daughter was a DeNoy hunter. Ye don’t imagine she discussed her business with meee? Who better to entrust with her seeecrets?”

“That’s it.” Griffon pointed to the door. “You and Archer. In the car. Now.”

Bridie was affronted. “’Ere now. I have a goose in the oven. Why must we go to the car?”

“Because your walls have a hundred ears…at least.”

Once Archer’s car was checked for pixies, Griffon saw Bridie into the front seat and slid in behind the wheel. Archer climbed into the back and leaned forward just as eager as Griffon was to learn what their step-mother knew.

Griffon started them off. “Well, Mother?”

“What would ye like to know?”

“First, I think you should know that when Lennon and I were here for the wake, she had no idea what it meant to be DeNoy. As a Fae, she shouldn’t have needed to have her eyes opened—”

“That’s where ye’re wrong, dear. DeNoy are not Fae. The DeNoy are Hestians, from Hestia. It’s where the Fae come from, but Lennon isn’t Fae. Once she is locked into that dragon, she can go anywhere she pleases. She can will herself to whichever realm she likes.”

“Where did Daphne learn all this?”

“Yer father gave her a book. His history. All about how his father had to send him and his brother away, to Earth, to save them from a sly god. Did ye never meet Afi?”

“When I was young.”

“Ah, well, in the beginning, the brothers were close. So close, in fact, they both fell in love with the same woman. Moire, the oracle.”

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