"Gryphon," Asher says. "We must travel to the Air Realm, and this is the only way."
I gulp as we reach the summit of the mountain. "We're going to ride them?"
King Lucian waits for us at the peak, and when he sees me, he climbs atop the black gryphon, pulling on the reins of the wild beast clawing into the snow. Madrid and Durk climb atop the silver gryphon, whispering to each other. Asher guides me to white and gold one, holding out his hand. "After you, Princess."
The beast is huge, magnificent, and entirely intimidating. Each of its claws are the size of my hands. The saddle is giant and embellished with gold. If I was scared to ride a horse, I can hardly register what I'm feeling right now.
Asher leans in, his hand on my waist. "I won't let anything happen to you. This is entirely safe," he says against my ear. "Well… usually."
His teasing only gives me more resolve. I straighten my back, square my shoulders and mount the gryphon. Asher follows suit, wrapping his arms around me and pressing his body against mine. "At last," he says, "I get you all to myself."
I can't help but laugh. His flirtations feel so artificial, but his affection is genuine and so harmless, fun… innocent. I don't know how I know this, but I do.
I lean over the beast's neck and pat its head. "Hey there, buddy. I don't know how to do this, but I just want to thank you for taking us where we need to go. Please don't drop me, and I'll do my best to ride you gently."
I turn to Asher. "So how do you control one of these—"
Asher pulls on the reins, and the gryphon leaps off the mountain and into the air.
I scream.
I feel like I'm about to die.
And then—then I feel more alive than I've ever been.
I'm flying.
On a creature that shouldn't even exist.
It's a cool day, and the air hits my face hard, and I breathe it in deeply and smile, holding on to a leather strap that's harnessed around the gryphon.
We fly higher and higher, and I let out a call of sheer joy as we soar into the sky, white clouds swirling around us. I no longer feel the pressure of Asher at my back, or the heavy stares of Durk and Madrid flying next to us. I no longer fear the long fall below me, or the weight of the choices weighing on my soul. I just feel free. Happy. Alive. Airborne!
But as the Crystal Palace fades from my view, worry sets in. I called Fen with his blood mark at the palace, but if he comes for me, I will no longer be there. I must find a way to call him again, once I get where I am going.
I note any land marks below us, in case I need to find my way back: a giant brown tree cascading over a forest, a long gleaming river.
I don't know how long the flight lasts, but soon I see a floating island in the sky, surrounded by clouds that look more corporeal than I know them to be. The gryphon land on the edge of the island, in a clearing surrounded by silver trees. Above, on ragged cliffs, other gryphon roar. They have chains around their paws, tying them to the mountain.
"This must be like a Fae airport," I say to Asher. "Gryphon International, maybe?"
He just rolls his eyes. Silly vampire. No sense of humor.
As Asher and I slide off the gryphon—me with as much grace as I can muster—a group of Fae dressed in white and blue robes approach us. The man leading them has long white hair and a very long white beard pulled into three braids with feathers woven into them. He scowls at us. "Madrid, Durk, you are not wanted here. And how dare you bring these… " he sneers, waving his hand at Asher and Lucian… "these creatures to our Tribe."
"They are on our side, Norin," Madrid explains patiently. "They found her." She pulls me forward. "The Midnight Star."
The group of Fae behind Norin come alive in hushed whispers, staring at me, but the man stays quiet, glancing my way for the briefest of assessment. "The last High Fae? She looks too human to be of any use. But we shall see." He looks back at Madrid. "You may stay three days. If she can summon the Midnight Star, we shall reassess."
"Dana and Dala will show you to your quarters," he says, gesturing to the two women at his side. They are twins, identical in every way, from their long sapphire hair to their matching robes. "Be advised, we are a peaceful tribe. There will be no violence of any kind tolerated here." He glares at the vampires. "We wish no part in this war you have thrust upon us."
"We understand," Madrid says, bowing. "You will not have any trouble from us." She gives warning looks to Lucian and Asher, and I suppress a grin. I'm not sure the vampires are the problem in this scenario. They have brought me here against my will. It's the human girl they should be worried about.
Dana and Dala—who I can't tell apart at all because they sound and speak the same—escort us through the city. A gentle breeze blows through the streets, carrying the smell of exotic flowers. We travel through the town center, where the streets are full of Fae going about their daily lives. Children play some kind of air ball game in a small park between shops, while their parents browse the local wares. The path we walk is lined with tall trees decorated with bells and chimes that catch the wind, creating a song around us. Long banners of white and blue fall from two towers in the center of town. The spires are works of art, carved from stone and glass and glinting in the sun. There are holes carved into them, reminding me of abstract paintings, and I wonder how they manage to stand.