Page 216 of Wings of Ash & Flame
“Rumor has it,” the first gargoyle said, tucking its chin into its palm, “you played damsel and phoenix all at once in the trial.”
“Truly impressive,” the second chimed in. “They say you even managed to ensnare the Prince of House Aetheris with his brooding stares. And what was it? Ah, yes—forbidden longing.”
She choked.
“You wouldn’t believe the stories,” the first crooned. “Secret midnight rendezvous, whispered declarations beneath the stars, oh, and my favorite—he saved you from death with a single smoldering glare.”
Even though she had savedhim, she wasn’t going to waste her breath correcting them.
“Deadly and romantic.” The second sighed wistfully.
Alaire let out a ragged breath. “How about I kiss him in the middle of the Aeriel Coliseum? Would that satisfy you?”
The first barked a laugh. “Hardly! But it would be deliciously salacious.”
“Perhaps throw in some heated looks of hatred and longing. Your brooding admirer thrives on that.”
She rolled her eyes and resumed her climb.
“Do let us know if there’s a wedding!” the first called. “We’re excellent at looming ominously from the rafters!”
“And free on weekends!” the second added.
Alaire didn’t look back, but a smirk tugged at her lips.
Damn gargoyles.
Inside the Australe Library, iron chandeliers flickered amongst tall windows, shadows slipping between rows of books. The air smelled of worn leather and old paper, a balm to her restless thoughts.
Headmaster Carth and the administration had buried the truth of the Astral Odyssey, just as they had with thebloodravagers. They’d claimed they didn’t want to incite mass panic. Professor Ross’s sacrifice was honored as a defense of the students. No one outside their group knew the truth.
Today, Alaire would tell them everything. She’d shared only a partial version with Headmaster Carth—unsure who she could trust outside of her friends. She hadn’t revealed her recovered memories, the truth of the Star, or who Ross really was to her and her family.
Her friends were gathered in a private nook. Kaia gestured animatedly with her hands when she spotted Alaire’s arrival, Archer leaned forward, riveted, while Caius lingered in the back, arms crossed, silent but intent. Dawson sat with one ankle draped over his knee, massaging his temples with two index fingers—the slant of his brows, his full lips, the tension evident in the tight lines of his body revealed his strain.
“Alaire!” Kaia squealed, rushing forward to squeeze her so hard Alaire could barely breathe.
Alaire hugged her back just as fiercely, all those moments when she’d nearly lost her flashing through her mind.
“Kaia,” Dawson said sharply, warning in his tone.
“I’m fine,” Alaire croaked from Kaia’s crushing hug.
“Al, we were so sure—Dawson was so worried?—”
Archer stood. “Heard you took the wrong turn during a promenade.” His posture was casual, hands tucked in his pockets, but his shoulders were taut.
Caius dipped his chin in greeting. His usual sneer was absent, replaced with wary focus.Progress.
When they’d all sat back down, Alaire set her hands on the worn table and looked around. “What happened to all of you?” she asked, masking the desperation in her tone.
Days of enforced rest had given her too much time to think—enough to piece together fragments, but not the full truth.Dawson had refused to share details until the soulwardens cleared her. So she’d asked to hear it from everyone, in person.
“Once you and Dawson made it through the portal, it closed behind you,” Kaia said grimly. “We were trapped. Every time we cut off one of the creature’s limbs, another grew in its place.”
“I remember,” Alaire said grimly. The thought of the slimy monster had bile rising.
“It was clever,” Caius added, pride coloring his voice. “Kaia noticed one tentacle stayed closer to its body. She figured it meant something.”
