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After Titus proclaimed his intent to breed Avera, the viziers disappeared to their rooms. Not Titus. He sat in the common area, drinking. Heavily.

Avera feared what would come when night fell. The volcano had calmed since its initial eruption. The clouds overhead thinned. The heat remained.

You are out of time, Avera, Calixte remarked.

“I’m aware.”

I didn’t think you someone to submit.

“As if I have a choice.” The drug impairing her free will had long vacated her system. Klothi had offered to dose her again, but Titus had vetoed that idea, claiming he’d rather she fought as it would make her capitulation all the sweeter.

There is still time to flee.

Flee into the danger of the plains or allow that despot to defile her?

Only one option gave her a chance. It also would most likely lead to her death.

There is a way to cross the chasm. Head toward where the three lava streams converge before going over the edge, Gunther stated.

She glanced at the dragon. “Cross how? There is no bridge.”

The ravine isn’t as deep there and the magma that fell already begins to harden. While it was malleable, we shaped it to form a path across to the other side. You will have to climb though. We clawed spots for you to use as handholds.

Avera gaped. “You did that for me?”

We all did when we went hunting.

“But why?”

Because you are not like the others, Avera Voxspira. We would aid you.

Especially since it would vex our betrayers. Lance added, practically grinning.

Avera eyed the sky. “It’s almost dark, though.”

It will be dangerous. However, that area has had its nests of crunchies cleared. That said, you will still have to move quickly.

Hope began to beat in her chest. “Do you really think I can succeed?”

You won’t know unless you try.

Avera hugged all three, whispering, “If I do manage to escape, I will find a way to rescue you.”

We know you will, Calixte replied.

We have our diversion prepared. Lance didn’t state what kind, only added, Be ready.

Avera slipped back into the tower only to encounter Titus drunk and smirking. “It’s almost time. Won’t my people rejoice when they hear I’ve impregnated my consort?”

Avera didn’t reply but fled to her room and paced. Could she really do this? Could she afford not to?

The promised distraction started as thumps overhead.

Titus bellowed, “What the fuck are those lizards doing?”

It was Klothi who hollered, “They’re fighting. Kachezi, Karoki, come with me. We have to stop them.”

“Not so quick,” a drunk Titus yelled in reply. “I want to see this first.”

In mere moments, they disappeared to the roof and Avera wasted no time. She fled down the steps into the shrine itself, racing for the doors.

Her heart thumped madly as she tugged to pull one open. It moved more easily than expected and hot air wafted inside, the intensity of it almost stealing her breath.

Outside, the orange glow of a lava river bubbled as it flowed past the shrine. Avera took a step outside and felt the heat through the soles of her slippers.

So hot.

She closed the door in the hopes of gaining time. When they noticed she’d disappeared, would they think to search outside? Hopefully not until she’d moved far enough away.

Avera descended the steps, ready to wince or be burned to a crisp. The scorching air and earth certainly should have seared her like a roast on a spit, but the dragons spoke truly. She came to no harm.

Upon that realization, she ran in the direction Lance had suggested, worried. From above she could see the area where the streams converged, but on ground level, it disappeared. At least she did know that the ditch of magma to her left was one of the channels that joined the other two.

The fast pace she set tired her quickly, especially after days of captivity.

Each breath hurt the lungs. The uneven stones dug into the soles of her feet through the thin fabric of her slippers.

However, the guardians had spoken the truth about her clothes.

They didn’t burn. The white became filthy, that couldn’t be avoided, but at least she didn’t end up nude.

Then again, she had bigger things to worry about, crossing the chasm while avoiding the monsters that lived in that crevice being a huge concern.

If she survived that she had to find a way to steal a horse from the camped army because she’d never get anywhere solely on foot.

The plains that had been fairly quick to cross on horseback took longer on foot. It didn’t help she stumbled often. Her own fault, as she kept peering over her shoulder, expecting pursuit.

Her breathing hitched and her muscles cramped as she pushed herself beyond her limits. She couldn’t stop. To slow down would mean capture. Torture. A future that horrified. Better death than submit to Titus.

She could have sobbed with relief—if her eyes weren’t so dry—when she saw the channel of lava join with the other two, the landmark she’d been aiming for.

She skirted to the side of it and peered down into the chasm, a dark abyss only faintly visible because of the glow of magma.

It appeared to cool almost as soon as it hit the dark crevice, the surface of the lava crusting black so that only orange veins pulsed.

Lance had said she could cross here, and she saw the spot he meant. It reminded her of the winters in Daerva when the servants would dump the snow from the ramparts down the side of her castle, forming a sloping mound. Only this heap was made of scorching hot rock.

A quick glance back showed nothing, the fallen night making it difficult to see far. For all she knew, Titus or his wretched viziers lurked in a pocket of shadow. Perhaps even now one of the lizards that lived in the dark eyed her hungrily.

She sat on the edge of the chasm and dangled her feet before dropping to the mounded heap.

To her surprise, her foot sank into the still-soft rock.

She grimaced as she tugged it free, losing her slipper in the process.

She might have grabbed it, only the hole she’d made upon landing closed, sealing her footwear with it.

What a sight she’d make, one foot bare, her dress streaked in ash, her hair straggling and knotted. She could only hope she survived long enough to shock the first person she saw.

She clambered down a short way, huffing as she sought to keep her balance. She could only faintly see where the mound stopped sloping and joined the other side. As she reached the far wall, she paused.

Had she heard something?

A glance left and right didn’t reveal a threat and yet the hairs on her nape lifted. She had to move quickly. If she could make it out of the chasm, whatever lurked couldn’t follow, assuming they’d not lied about the monsters being restricted.

She slapped her hands on the wall, seeking the promised handholds.

As her fingers caught an indent above her head, something scratched to her left.

She pulled herself up, grunting as her toes scrabbled to find footing.

Once she’d secured herself, she skimmed her hands over the wall, looking for the next spot to grab.

Scritch.

She closed her mind to the noise of the thing that crept nearer. Stared at the rock face even as she couldn’t make out any details. Strained with all her might to heave herself higher.

Higher.

She could see the lip of the chasm. Almost within reach.

Which was when the monster struck. It grabbed Avera by the ankle with sharp teeth that drew a cry of pain and yanked her down.