Chapter 169

IGNATIUS WAS ON HIS FEET in an instant, a hand on Catherine's chair when her facewhiter than a ghostwent vacant and she drew her hands to her mouth, her eyes looking tragic again.

'What? Your Highness, what's happened?' His heart pounded, body tense as he stared at her, willing her to answer.

Catherine's eyes met his and the vacant expression vanished. 'Loushka!'

The mention of Alek's griffon surprised Ignatius; he had assumed the link between the red-maned griffon and Catherine would have dissolved with the others. Catherine shoved her chair back, the wood screeching, and made for the door.

Ignatius lunged after her with a curse. 'Princess, wait!'

He hadn't wanted the soldiers or allies to see her yet, not until she looked calmer and more like their sovereign, but she didn't slow, racing down the corridor. He hit the stairs a moment after her and took them two at a time, just managing to catch her arm before she reached the top and stepped onto the deck. In a swift and not unexpe