As the cart drew up, Gavi felt his muscles tensing. He wanted to be far from here, but there was no way he could leave Aria. The driver of the cart wore a long white robe. He jumped down from the cart and bowed to Aria, pressing his face into the ground. Keethior squawked and flew away, leaving Gavi glaring at the empty sky. What could he do? Stay with Aria, the Othra had said. Okay, Gavi would stay with her. But who was this man and why was he bowing to Aria?
Aria swayed and Gavi reached out to grasp her elbow. The sand, stretching in every direction, radiated heat. Gavi’s eyes longed for a bit of green.
“I am here to take you to your father’s palace,” the driver said, not meeting their eyes.
Aria smiled a beatific smile. It would have been more convincing if her eyes weren’t half clos
