Florence stared back. “I’m not sure,” she said, shaking her head slightly. “I think . . . I think we’ve just experienced a coup d’état.”

A Touch and a Whisper

The Revinir and her grand party of mind-controlled dragons and slaves made it back to Grimere, arriving to much fanfare from those on the ground. Dragons of all species lined the road that led up the hill to the castle. They bowed to the Revinir as she and her group soared between them.

Hundreds of the former king’s green-uniformed soldiers were hard at work on the castle and surrounding grounds, building a new drawbridge and repairing the entry and turrets, which had been partially destroyed by fire and dragons fighting. Thisbe resisted the urge to gawk at the ridiculousness of it all and instead played her part, acting like the others. The Revinir soared into the charred grand entrance to the castle, while the other dragons landed outside and let their passengers off to walk in. Thisbe didn’t dare look back at Drock. She could only pray that he would behave according to their plan and manage to continue resisting the Revinir’s call. She wasn’t sure when she’d see him again.

As the Revinir landed in the huge entry room, Thisbe noticed that the gilded tigers, which had once belonged to Princess Shanti, were gone. In their place were a few soldiers in blue uniforms. Thisbe recognized them from the catacombs. She saw them point at her. Her cheeks burned at the pleased looks on their faces.

But Thisbe stayed seated like the others. She didn’t move, though her body ached from the journey. She longed to get off the Revinir’s back and look at Rohan. To talk to him. To try to wake him up and make him recognize her. But she knew she had to wait, especially now. She struggled not to give the soldiers nasty looks as they informed others nearby that the Revinir had captured her.

“It didn’t take long to capture that one,” said one soldier.

“My powers have grown,” boasted the Revinir. “She and Drock came right to me once we grew close enough.” She chuckled, though it sounded more like a deep rattle in her chest.

“What about the twin?”

“Have you seen her around?” asked the Revinir. “Apparently she’s somewhere in our land, planning to attack me.”

“No sign of her,” said the soldier, looking alarmed.

“No doubt hiding in the forest as usual,” said the Revinir. “I’ll have Thisbe working up some broth again in no time so that when Fifer emerges, we’ll be able to get her. Surely she’ll accept anything Thisbe cooks for her.” She turned her head slightly. “Everyone, disembark.”