Griffin leaned against a tree, watching me dumped like a bag of human garbage. “Kicked out?”

I dusted off my clothes. “You don’t seem surprised.”

“Not. Seen it coming for a while, yeah? I’m going to come with you for a bit. I got something you should learn.”

We walked side by side through the forest, angling to the south. “What’s that?”

“Teach you how to make things from the earth. Not with your power, but with your hands. Teach you the ways of a blacksmith. It’ll keep you company while you’re away. I think you’ll have a knack for it.”

That was not what I’d been expecting.

The days and nights rolled into each other and we only stopped when fatigue or the pain in my healing leg finally demanded I rest. There was a strange emptiness in my heart I chose not to pay attention to.

The loss of my Peta. Of Ash and Cactus.

Of watching Bella cry as I was dragged away, never having even met my niece.

Of understanding how much the mother goddess had used me.

The edge of the desert beckoned me on the fifth morning. Flat, empty, desolate. The ground was baked so hard it might have been concrete. A hot wind blew across the expanse, kicking up tumbleweeds and dust.

“So this is home.”

“Did they give you a time period?” Griffin asked as we stared out over the horizon.

“They didn’t. Banishment is forever, you know.”

“Only because they don’t know you can survive it. Yeah?” Griffin punched me lightly in the arm.

I laughed, but it was bitter-filled. “Yeah, I know.” Which was why the punishment didn’t scare me. “Griffin, my father banished Cactus too. He won’t survive.”

“I’ll get the boy, take him to a safe place after I show you what I gots to show you. A place outside our world where he can be safe and wait on you. Yeah?” He tipped his chin forward.

“What do you mean, wait on me?”

He burst out laughing. “How long before you decide you’re going to leave this desert? How long before the chains that hold you here weaken and you break this rule too?”

My face heated with embarrassment. “I don’t try to be disobedient.”

“Nah, it comes natural to you. Every Spirit user is like that. It’s why you’re so much fun.” He winked and headed out onto the flats without me. I watched him go, thinking about what my future might hold.

He was right about one thing. I wouldn’t stay here forever. Peta needed me, and I needed her. A little more time I could stand apart from her, but not forever.

No, not forever.

I took a step and my bare feet touched the hot, hard ground. The earth shivered as I reached out for my power, feeling its strength.

Above my head the whoosh of wings tugged my gaze heavenward. Shazer flew high above, Peta balanced on his back in her leopard form. Her eyes met mine and I raised a hand to her as they banked away from the desert. I dug into my bag and pulled out the blue sapphire. With a toss, I sent it into the air. Peta caught it in both paws. “Take it to Finley.”

I held a hand up to her, the pain of losing her once again tearing at me.

“Wait for me, my friend. This is not forever. A little while and then . . . then we will be together again.”

CHAPTER 27

I watched her walk into the desert. The walk of shame was not lost on me; I’d done it more than once. A smile tugged at my lips. The defiance in her stride, the tilt of her head. Every part of her screamed rebellion. I liked her already.

Exiled into the desert . . . she would not have done it if she truly thought it would cause her or her loved ones pain. I had no doubt she went because for the moment, the threats had passed. Or so she thought.

“She thinks she’s safe, doesn’t she?” Tom whispered from my shoulder. I glanced at the fairy and then to the woman who’d more than captured my attention.

“Yes, she does.”

Tom hiccupped. “What you going to do about that? ’Cause I know you aren’t the nice boy everyone thinks you are. Eh?”

I couldn’t take my eyes from Larkspur, until the Pegasus flew overhead. I crouched, feeling my heart tug at me. Peta clung to the equine’s back, but she never looked my way. Lark lifted a hand and something sparkled in the air between her and Peta.

“I have to let her fall further, Tom. She has to be broken before I can help her. But I want to keep tabs on her. That’s where you come in.”

“Ahh, Talan. I don’t want to stay in the desert! My wings dry up and—”

“I saved you from having your wings removed. Samara was going to rip them from your back, if you recall.” I held a hand up to him and he stepped into my palm. “Go and keep an eye on her. I’ll check in with you at the edge of the desert twice a year. Summer and winter solstice.”

He grunted and lifted off from my hand in a drunken wobble. I put my hands on my knees and rolled my shoulders.

“You need to be shattered, little Larkspur,” I whispered. “And I will be the one to do it.”