Page 74 of Monster's Pretty Bride

I grab Eryss, hauling her against my chest. “Holdon.”

She grips me tightly, arms wrapping around my neck as Ilaunchinto the sky.

Thryx follows along with the remaining gargoyles. One of them is holding Catalina limp in his arms, along with two other surviving warriors.

We take to thenight, the wind tearing at our wounds, the scent of blood thick.

I look backonly once.

Thryx is covering our escape. He’salone, standing atop the crumbling stronghold, his stance firm, his massive wings spread wide as heroarsa challenge at the approaching army.

Mybrother. Mywarrior.

Suddenly, anexplosion.

The entire strongholderuptsin a blast of fire and stone, a monstrous cloud of debris swallowing Thryx and everything in its wake.

“THRYX!”

Iroar, my body twisting midair,lungingtoward the flames.

But Eryssscreams, her fingers digging into my shoulders.

“Naranus, stop!”

I freeze, wingsshudderingagainst the wind.

The fire consumeseverything.

No one,nothing, could have survived that.

Thryx isgone.

The enemy?Gone with him.

It was hisplanall along.

My chestburns. My vision blurs, red-rimmed, rageboilingin my blood.

Hegaveus a chance.

Ihad to leave him.

I don’t even realize I’m shaking until Eryss presses a trembling hand to my cheek.

“Naranus,” she whispers, her voice sosoft. “I’m… I’m so sorry.”

My heartshattersin my chest.

But I don’t let it show.

I lock my jaw, swallow the grief, and look ahead.

We’re almost to thesanctuary.

A place prepared for times like this, hidden in the mountains, protected by magic. A place where I can regroup. Plan.Revenge.

I willnotlet Thryx’s sacrifice be in vain.

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