OOPS. RUMAL FROZE UNSURE OF how to respond. He hadn't meant to insult her. It hadn't occurred to him that she might be sensitive about it.'Maybe you should apologize,' suggested Kerak. 'What does she mean by "whip your ass"? I thought she only carried a sword.'Rumal shrugged, 'I'm not entirely sure.'He could almost see the waves of annoyance pulsing off her. Thinking hard, he made an attempt to lighten the situation. 'Is whipping ass' something you do regularly?'KASSIE BIT HER LIP WHILE she tried not to smile. Okay, maybe she'd overreacted a little, but she wasn't letting up that easily.'Only to idiotic males who suggest I'm vertically challenged. I can squeeze into places you'd never fit in.' Umm, actually that didn't come out quite as intended- Well if I don't point it out he might not notice, she thought.RUMAL ROARED WITH LAUGHTER. 'BUT would I want to?'He watched as Kassie's back quivered. She still didn't turn round though. Might have to try something else, he th

SIAN FELT A LITTLE OUT of sorts. Loi had beaten her to standing during flight, and now Cat could talk to Loushka. It hardly seemed fair, she thought, letting out a quiet sigh.NESHA HEARD AND CREPT CLOSER to Sian, brushing his beak against her. She seemed happy at the attention, stroking and combing his mane with her fingers.'You should teach her free-falling tomorrow.'Daron, in the midst of unpacking, looked up in surprise. 'What?''Sian. You should teach her free-falling. She needs something special to do that none of the others have done yet.' Nesha explained, 'Why not whisper the idea to her now, she can surprise the others tomorrow.'Daron glanced over at Sian and noticed she looked a little down. Making her smile would make him feel pretty good. He stood and went to sit next to the petite blonde.BEAUTIFUL WEATHER GREETED US THE next morning and we stumbled around, packing up. I looked forward to getting to the castle and not needing to pack and un-pack each day.Kas

SABYN STILL HAD HIS ARMS around her waist. Loi felt grateful he couldn't see the massive scowl on her face. Torn between the two, now very annoying, voices in her head that argued as to whether his apparent deceitfulness was fair or not, and if it even mattered.She sighed.'Are you okay?' Sabyn asked his voice hesitant.Loi considered her reply, getting a mild sense of vindication from the long, awkward pause. The rational voice in her mind pointed out that she would find out soon, while the grouchy voice said, not soon enough!'When will we reach the castle?' She was careful to keep her voice neutral.'By this evening.''SHE'S GROUCHY WITH YOU,' TOMIAR informed him.'I'm aware of that,' he snapped.'My, aren't we snippy. Well, Mr Snippy, I thought you might like to know that Loushka and Alek would like to show them the Wrenok basin.'Sabyn sighed. 'I'm sorry. I just don't like knowing she's grouchy at me.''I understand,' Tomiar thought sympathetically. 'But try to see it

THE GRIFFONS LANDED IN SEQUENCE with Loushka foremost. Alek gave me a swift hug then swung his leg over the saddle and slid down. I heard muffled thuds when the other men slid down. I stared wide-eyed across at Sian and Loi on one side, then to Kassie on the other. Turning back, I watched Alek and the others approach the group gathered to greet us. He stopped a few meters from the front of the group, the four men halting behind him. All those in the group waiting bowed deeply. Hmm okay, must bow when introduced, I thought, taking mental notes. Alek spoke briefly to someone then turned and beckoned us.THE WOMEN EXCHANGED ANOTHER GLANCE, then slid down from the griffons. Kassie gave Kerak's leg a squeeze before she left and the griffon made a soothing noise like a purr. Feeling nervous, she headed toward the other three. She saw Audrey waiting for Cat by Loushka's foot and the dog shadowed them while they moved. They strode forward in a line and stopped just behind the men.ALEK T

SIAN HAD JUST FINISHED TYING a belt around her waist when someone knocked on the door. Cat went to answer it and Sian checked her reflection again. The light blue dress made her blonde hair and blue eyes appear brighter. Pleased, she smiled at the reflection.'WE'RE TO FOLLOW THIS MAN to the Great Hall,' I said when the others came to stand beside me.'For breakfast and then to meet with the Lady Elena,' the page explained. 'And you can bring your dog. I will bring some food for your cat to your room.'Again we passed through a maze of corridors, and I marvelled at the workmanship of the castle, wishing I had time to admire it.We heard voices as we neared the Great Hall and two guards opened the enormous doors for us.ALEK FELT ODDLY NERVOUS AT the thought of seeing Cat and he couldn't understand why. It had only been overnight. Elena had arranged for an extra seat next to each of the men. Having the space beside him made him feel lopsided and every courtier in the room had s