sounded, sitting still, letting your mind roam free.
Even when my biggest worry involved keeping Pirate away from Mrs. Cristople’s tabby cat, I usually ended up composing to-do lists in my head while my classmates communed with the universe.
This time, I really tried. I closed my eyes and looked inward, focusing on my soul, my strength, my power.
My complete lack of control over the thread that was stolen from me.
I didn’t even like it when my keys weren’t on the third hook of my kitchen organizer at home. Now I kept a new set in my front right pocket. All the time.
I slipped a hand into the pocket of my sundress. Sure enough, I had the SpongeBob keychain one of my preschoolers had given me. I just didn’t have a vital part of my being. I clenched my fingers around the keys, wincing as the metal dug into my skin.
Eerily enough, I didn’t feel any different. How could someone have snatched such an important piece of me without me even missing it?
I still hadn’t managed any major revelations by the time Dimitri came to escort me to dinner. His loose-fitting cream shirt accentuated his wide build and olive skin. And as I was about to compliment him on his legs—Dimitri hardly ever wore shorts—he pulled me in for a kiss that warmed me from head to toe.
His lips brushed mine once, twice. “You ready, Lizzie?”
“Always,” I said, taking his hand.
Despite everything that had happened, Dimitri seemed more relaxed here. I couldn’t even put my finger on exactly what it was. We certainly hadn’t enjoyed a typical homecoming. It was more like landing in Oz.
Perhaps Dorothy had something there when she said there’s no place like home.
We made our way down to the first floor of the house, passing through the main entryway, with its amber walls and gorgeous tile floors. I hadn’t noticed them before, and with good reason. This time, I paused to admire the pair of mosaic griffins, standing proud, their powerful lion’s tails wound together as they flew over olive groves and vineyards.
“It’s beautiful,” I told him, running a toe over a sky blue section.
He squeezed my hand. “My grandfather had it commissioned for my grandmother as an anniversary gift. Iforget which one. See here.” He led me toward the back hallway where the sky gave way to the heavens, and in the center, to Dimitri’s family crest. “See the long pointed rays coming down from the sun? They represent the four elements.”
“Earth, ocean, fire and air.” I didn’t get an A in Greek mythology for nothing.
“The other rays represent the twelve griffin clans. The sun of Vergina is the symbol of all griffins and is incorporated onto the markings of each clan. On my family’s crest, it’s situated in the clouds. We are the Helios, which means we are of the light and sky.”
I studied the gold and blue crest. “Isn’t that true of most griffins?”
“The most well-known, maybe,” he said, giving in to a moment of pride. “But other clans draw power from earth or fire.
“Or water.”
“Yes. The Dominos clan is of the sea.”
“That’s the clan who took you in.”
“Our fathers were friends. I asked for their protection and received it when my sisters were about to succumb to the curse.”
He fixed his gaze on the Helios crest, the symbol of his family, his home, everything he’d tried so hard to defend. “We need the Dominos now as well. There aren’t enough of us left. Of course, in return, I’m pledged to aid them in any way they need.”
I didn’t like the sound of that. “Hopefully, it won’t be anytime soon.”
“It won’t.” He stood directly in front of me, his expressionearnest. “This time, I promise, Lizzie. I’ll do everything in my power to make sure the next few weeks are just about us.”
He ran his thumb along my lower lip, and I was about to reach up and kiss him when Pirate dashed in from the side hall. His claws clattered across the floor as he rounded a potted fig tree, slid
Even when my biggest worry involved keeping Pirate away from Mrs. Cristople’s tabby cat, I usually ended up composing to-do lists in my head while my classmates communed with the universe.
This time, I really tried. I closed my eyes and looked inward, focusing on my soul, my strength, my power.
My complete lack of control over the thread that was stolen from me.
I didn’t even like it when my keys weren’t on the third hook of my kitchen organizer at home. Now I kept a new set in my front right pocket. All the time.
I slipped a hand into the pocket of my sundress. Sure enough, I had the SpongeBob keychain one of my preschoolers had given me. I just didn’t have a vital part of my being. I clenched my fingers around the keys, wincing as the metal dug into my skin.
Eerily enough, I didn’t feel any different. How could someone have snatched such an important piece of me without me even missing it?
I still hadn’t managed any major revelations by the time Dimitri came to escort me to dinner. His loose-fitting cream shirt accentuated his wide build and olive skin. And as I was about to compliment him on his legs—Dimitri hardly ever wore shorts—he pulled me in for a kiss that warmed me from head to toe.
His lips brushed mine once, twice. “You ready, Lizzie?”
“Always,” I said, taking his hand.
Despite everything that had happened, Dimitri seemed more relaxed here. I couldn’t even put my finger on exactly what it was. We certainly hadn’t enjoyed a typical homecoming. It was more like landing in Oz.
Perhaps Dorothy had something there when she said there’s no place like home.
We made our way down to the first floor of the house, passing through the main entryway, with its amber walls and gorgeous tile floors. I hadn’t noticed them before, and with good reason. This time, I paused to admire the pair of mosaic griffins, standing proud, their powerful lion’s tails wound together as they flew over olive groves and vineyards.
“It’s beautiful,” I told him, running a toe over a sky blue section.
He squeezed my hand. “My grandfather had it commissioned for my grandmother as an anniversary gift. Iforget which one. See here.” He led me toward the back hallway where the sky gave way to the heavens, and in the center, to Dimitri’s family crest. “See the long pointed rays coming down from the sun? They represent the four elements.”
“Earth, ocean, fire and air.” I didn’t get an A in Greek mythology for nothing.
“The other rays represent the twelve griffin clans. The sun of Vergina is the symbol of all griffins and is incorporated onto the markings of each clan. On my family’s crest, it’s situated in the clouds. We are the Helios, which means we are of the light and sky.”
I studied the gold and blue crest. “Isn’t that true of most griffins?”
“The most well-known, maybe,” he said, giving in to a moment of pride. “But other clans draw power from earth or fire.
“Or water.”
“Yes. The Dominos clan is of the sea.”
“That’s the clan who took you in.”
“Our fathers were friends. I asked for their protection and received it when my sisters were about to succumb to the curse.”
He fixed his gaze on the Helios crest, the symbol of his family, his home, everything he’d tried so hard to defend. “We need the Dominos now as well. There aren’t enough of us left. Of course, in return, I’m pledged to aid them in any way they need.”
I didn’t like the sound of that. “Hopefully, it won’t be anytime soon.”
“It won’t.” He stood directly in front of me, his expressionearnest. “This time, I promise, Lizzie. I’ll do everything in my power to make sure the next few weeks are just about us.”
He ran his thumb along my lower lip, and I was about to reach up and kiss him when Pirate dashed in from the side hall. His claws clattered across the floor as he rounded a potted fig tree, slid
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