When I’m done reading the letter, I head straight back out of the window and shift back into a phoenix. I glide around the grounds until I spot Archie, shift again, and, about two seconds before I land on his back, warn him, Brace yourself.
You forget I can read your mind whether you want me to or not, he teases as I land. Where to?
Anywhere but here.
- - - - -
Is it a little late for me to ask where we’re going?
We’ve been riding for about an hour. We left the castle at a lope, but Archie slowed back to a walk as soon as we were out of eyeshot of the Castle of Light guards who were eyeing us. We’re nearing Portia, City of Nymphs, and I’m not exactly looking forward to a second encounter with them, but a part of me almost dares them to attack me—especially now that I don’t have Milo w
