Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 88265 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88265 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
I’m almost on the other side when a portal appears on the ledge. I feel Aruan’s presence before he steps through the circle of lights. I don’t have to look at the dark, frantic expression on his face to know what he feels. Anxiety and terror reach me through our bond. Then I notice the purple bruise darkening his jaw and the black circle around his left eye. His upper lip is cut and swollen.
A new kind of fear slams into my chest.
What happened to him?
His calm reassurance reaches me through our bond, letting me know he’s all right. I’m far from put at ease, but I don’t have time to linger on why he looks as if he’s been in a fight because Maeva trips on one of the boards and goes down face first, sprawling out behind me. Still clinging to my hand, she nearly pulls me down with her.
Aruan’s voice reaches me both from the ledge and through our bond. “Elsie!”
I hurry to say, “I’m fine.” I help Maeva to her feet. “We’re fine.”
I don’t want Aruan to storm to me, which is exactly what he wants to do. I can feel his intention. However, I have a bigger problem than dealing with my mate’s anguish right now. It’s vital that we cross over quickly because Betty is getting tired.
“Come on,” I say over my shoulder. “We have to hurry.”
We make it across in a few more strides.
The moment my feet hit solid ground, Aruan is in front of me. I let Maeva go and move aside to make space for the others. They stumble onto the ledge, falling down on their knees, crying. When Vitai clears the bridge with Eucabeth in his arms, I release Betty and Ducky.
Ducky heads toward the waterfall and perches on the ledge to rest. Betty lands a safe distance from him. I sigh with relief, my heart still beating a mile a minute. I don’t even want to think about what would’ve happened if Vitai hadn’t fixed the ropes. In my mind’s eye, I see them give and the bridge swing through the air before crashing against the rockface, splintered wood flying everywhere. But we’re here, safely, thanks to Betty and my new friend.
Aruan locks his hands around my waist and stares into my eyes. Everything we’re not saying but thinking passes between us. He’s both relieved and furious. Alarmingly so.
I blow out a shaky breath when he pulls me closer and wraps me up in his arms, soaking up the warmth and the feeling of safety until he kisses the top of my head and whispers in my hair, “We’ll talk about this in my quarters.”
I push away, picking up on something else that worries me—a thought that’s not my own.
Someone tampered with the bridge.
I go cold, searching Aruan’s eyes for confirmation. Yes, that’s what he thinks, what he knows. The bridge didn’t collapse from wear and tear. Why would it? The Alit would never be so negligent as to let the sole access to their palace deteriorate.
This was no accident. Someone cut the ropes and loosened the boards. Why? Because one of us is a target, and it’s not Vitai or the people from Earth.
It’s me.
First the poison and now this. I almost got seven people and myself killed.
“No.” Aruan’s voice is unrelenting. “You’re not responsible for someone else’s actions.”
Maybe. Either way, now is not the time to argue. I put my hand on his cheek. “What happened to you?”
He cups my hand, pressing my palm against his face. “Nothing.”
“That’s not nothing.” I pull my hand free and trace the cut on his lip. “Someone hit you.”
“It was nothing I couldn’t handle.”
Quoting his earlier words, I say, “We’ll talk about this in your quarters.”
He doesn’t protest when I walk to the two pterosaurs, though the surfacing of his power comes through our bond. He’s being cautious, ready to melt them just in case.
“Good girl.” I pet Betty when she lowers her head to nuzzle my hand. “You did great.” Going over to Ducky, I give him a scratch under his chin, which makes him close his eyes in bliss. It’s insanely cute. “You too, buddy. Thanks for your help.”
I become aware of Karl and the women staring at me. They’re quivering on the ledge, looking at me strangely.
Right.
I sometimes forget how frightening the sight of a dinosaur is.
I say goodbye to Betty and Ducky, giving each a last caress. When I return to the others, they pretend to be studying the remnants of the boards that lie scattered far below.
Betty and Ducky stretch their necks. Their piercing cries reverberate through the valley. The mist has evaporated. A brilliant sun shines over the black sea. The pyramid mountain with its foaming waterfall and moss-covered cliffs stands out against the backdrop of the green jungle. With the rainbow colors of the pterosaurs perched on the ledge, it makes a striking picture. Maybe it’s just the thrill of having escaped with our lives, but I don’t think I’ve seen a more beautiful scene.