OF VALORI

woodsmoke and humanity grew stronger with each step. Distant sounds of city life, merchants calling their wares, the clang of

rived," he announced, his tone flat. He had imagined this moment countless times over the past fortnight and the relief he

yes widening at the sight of Valoria's imposin

d with surprising stealth for a creature her size, her golden eye

ine. "I can't risk the humans seeing her. Gr

r arms around the griffin's neck, burying her face in the soft fea

eine with her beak before backing

can hunt for herself until I get

ing quickly at her ey

e eastern gate of Valoria. Guards in polished armor sto

r guard demanded, hand resting c

a visitor," Dante replied

worn appearance and the subtle differences that marked her a

ered before she could speak. "She's under

es, but to Dante's relief,

you in years. Where h

there," Dante replied wi

ping aside. "Keep your

ets of Valoria, Madeleine pressed closer to Dante, ove

or someone who claims not to be one

o get by and not be bothered in

d with a hand at the small of her back. "I'll set you up with them

at him in surprise.

uth twitched. "Don't sou

ed. "Just impressed. You don't

ed. "Lucas and Sera will keep you

're really leaving, then? Just

ide streets until they reached a modest but well-kept building

smelled of dried herbs and healing potions and elixirs. A man with s

ade. What finally brings you back to civilization?"

e acknowledge

er face lit up at the sight of Dante, and she rushed forward to embrace him. To M

she released him. "Still ke

nkling at the corners. Her gaze shifted to M

needs a place to stay. People who can

Lucas said with a knowing smile. "And

e said, ignoring the comment. "They took so

heard rumors. People buying magical

d. "They took my griffin. And I found

unter, studying Madelein

said firmly. "And so

d further. "Any friend of

adeleine said quickly, casting a sidelong glance at D

ged knowing glances t

p her or not?

him. "We have the room upstairs. S

adable. "Lucas and Sera are apothecaries. They can teach you about human rem

d uncertain. "B

ut her off. "This is wher

e quickly masked her disappointm

nternal battle. Then, with a curt nod to Lucas and Sera,

l out, to ask him to stay, if not for good, then just for a while longer. But what right did she have? He'd

s his dark head disappeared from view, s

y, coming to stand beside her. "

, not trusting h

the shop. "Let's get you settled. Yo

ow and followed her new guardians through

Sera promised as they climbed the stairs. "Show

top of the stairs. "This will

assured him, touched by th

ucas insisted on showing Madelein

bathhouse afterward, saying Madeleine might a

ria's merchant quarter as the afternoon light began to fade. Sera led

away the grime of travel in scented waters, Madeleine thanked her benefactors on

stening to the unfamiliar sounds of the city beyond her

certainty of her journey with Dante, her luck was finally changing. The thought followed her into sle