Page 110 of Burning Crowns

‘Won’t that make it worse?’

Wren flashed a wicked grin. ‘Not for me.’

‘Please don’t seduce me right now.’ He closed his eyes, his face in anguish. ‘If I get any warmer, I’ll burst into flames.’

Wren restrained herself. ‘Don’t worry, the sun is setting.’

Tor looked pleadingly at the horizon. ‘I hope I make it until then.’

‘You will,’ said Wren, laying her hand on his leg and feeling the muscles tense beneath it. ‘And then, if you like, we can try to find a hot spring.’

Tor let out a groan. ‘Why would I want to bemorehot?’

‘Poor Gevran,’ she said, patting his knee. ‘I’ll look after you.’

Tor clicked his teeth, and the horse quickened its pace, cutting across the restless sands like a streak of black lightning. The sun soon set in earnest, the last of its light casting streaks of orange and red across the sky. A delightful breeze rippled through the desert.

‘Mmm,’ said Wren, as it kissed her cheeks. ‘This is much better.’

‘Now I think I could ride like this forever,’ said Tor.

As they veered east towards the Kerrcal Road, the sky darkened and the stars came out in full force, exploding across the sky in a riot of silver. Wren tipped her head back, watching them twinkle. ‘Isn’t it the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen?’

‘Almost,’ he said, smiling down at her.

Wren raised her chin, brushing her lips against his. Tor seized the kiss, sliding his hand through her hair. His tongue brushed against hers, gentle, searching. She melted into him until her entire body began to tingle.

All too soon, she broke away. ‘We should probably concentrate on the journey.’

He smiled against her lips. ‘As you wish.’

Wren turned back to the desert, smiling as he pressed a kiss to her neck. Night swept over the sands, curling them into its velvety embrace as Tor charted the way home,across the rolling dunes and through the sprawling woods, until at last, the white spires of Anadawn Palace rose up in the distance to pierce the dawning sky.

Rose

CHAPTER 34

When Rose woke up, the sky was bright and clear, the sun shimmering across a blanket of fresh snow. Better yet, Marino was knocking at the door of the cabin.

‘We were able to mend the hole in the hull,’ he said, when it swung open. His eyes were red-rimmed and tired, but he was chipper. ‘TheSiren’s Secretis even stronger than it was before. We are ready to depart on your order, Queen Rose.’

‘The sooner the better,’ said Rose, getting quickly to her feet. ‘We must get back to Anadawn as fast as possible, so we can prepare to battle Oonagh. This time wewillbe ready for her.’

‘We certainly will,’ said Anika, striding in from the kitchen where she and Celeste had been having an early breakfast. ‘Though from here, I will be going my own way.’ They had all decided that Anika should return to Grinstad to gather the finest of her brother’s soldiers before coming to Eana to join the fight against Oonagh. With the combined might of Gevra, Anadawn and the Sunkissed witches, Rose was certain they could defeat Oonagh. And she had Daybreak now, too.

All they had to do was find her undead ancestor.

Celeste kissed Anika goodbye, then joined the others as they made their way back down to the strand, where theSiren’s Secretwas already floating off shore. ‘We made the most of the high tide,’ said Marino, proudly. ‘We’ll have to row out to her.’

‘Allow me,’ said Kai, leaping into the rowing boat and nearly toppling it with his weight. He snatched up the oars. ‘I have the strength of ten men.’

Rose and Celeste rolled their eyes, but followed his lead, settling themselves at the back of the boat, while Marino clambered into the front.

‘Keep your eyes on the water,’ said Shen, drawing his dagger as he climbed in after them. ‘We now know Oonagh could be anywhere.’

Once aboard the ship, Shen and Celeste insisted that Rose go down to the captain’s quarters for safety.

‘I am just as capable of either of you!’ she protested.

---