Chapter 28

ANA

Zia stroked Flub's snout as he lowered his massive head. "We need your help, strong friend." She scratched his chin. He thumped his foot with each stroke. "Can you break a hole for us? Fresh air would be nice, and I bet there are tasty treats in the rubble for you."

The beast gave her a curious look, tilting his head as if considering the proposition. A series of grunts and chuffs rumbled from his throat, seemingly agreeing. Zia pointed toward the wall.

With a slow, deliberate approach, he nudged the rocks with his massive head. With a toothy grin, he displayed his impressive tusks. He backed up, focused on the obstacle, and licked his nostrils thoroughly.

Then, with a bone-jarring bellow, Flub charged. The cavern echoed with the thunderous impact. The rock groaned in protest but held. Ana's breath hitched. Her hand flew to her mouth, teeth carefully pressing into her knuckle without breaking skin. Eyes wide with disbelief, a silent prayer hung on her lips. Then, as if in answer, a substantial fragment broke away. The crash echoed like sweet music.

A pained snort escaped the creature, and a tremor shook the cave as he rammed again. Flub strained, muscles bunching beneath his thick hide. He continued pulverizing the stone with his massive head. Dust and debris rained down.

His mighty tusks made simple work of the loose rocks, hurling them aside with ease. He sifted through the rubble, chomping on unearthed insects with gusto. The opening grew steadily larger, requiring a group effort to clear the mounting pile. Everyone pitched in, their faces soon masked in a film of dirt.

Taking turns to rest and avoid exhaustion, Ana watched Flub with curiosity, then turned to Julie. "Why did Gregor give you such a wonderful beast?"

Julie patted Flub's leg. "To help us find food."

Ana's brow furrowed. "If Flub could do this, then why…"

"Gregor's soldiers patrolled the area," Julie said. "They would have heard us, and Gregor would have punished us as an example." Her voice held a tremor, and fresh bruises marred her face. No doubt from the woman's tone, she'd experienced punishment more than once.

A wave of sympathy washed over Ana. "I'm so sorry." Ana fiddled with her shirt hem. "No one deserves such treatment." She reached out hesitantly, then settled for a pat on Julie's shoulder.

Julie met her gaze with a resolute nod. "We all would have done the same as you."

"I'm also sorry for my uncle's deeds." Quinn shook his head, disgust evident on his face. "I assure you, I don't condone such treatment."

"When this castle is ours…" She turned to him. "Then gargoyles will not be a concern anymore."

The sound of Flub's pounding echoed through the cavern as he tirelessly worked to break through the wall. He relentlessly performed a dozen or more strikes, each one progressively more sluggish. He strained again, a pained snort escaping his throat, and with a final, earth-shattering blow, he broke through.

With a grunt, the creature lifted his nose and took a deep breath. Moonlight and fresh air filtered in through the opening. The group cheered, their voices blending with the echoes as they rushed toward the gap, eager to escape the suffocating heat and putrid odors.

A world of trees greeted them, their dark silhouettes painted against the moonlit sky. The atmosphere thrummed with the songs of insects, and sweet floral scents filled their noses—a stark contrast to the stifling confinement they'd endured. It was a paradise compared to their sweltering prison. After a long, arduous night trapped, the sight of stars twinkling through the parting clouds brought a sense of relief.

A gasp escaped a lone enemy, his sword drawn, who stumbled upon them. His eyes widened. Before he could raise an alarm, Tilda's boomerang whistled through the air, sending him crashing to the ground. The silence returned, heavy with unspoken urgency.

"Tie him up!" Julie's voice cut through the momentary chaos. A gnome emerged from the cave, rope in hand, and secured the fallen gargoyle.

"Zach, check for others," Quinn ordered as he pointed toward the left. "I'll take this way."

Time seemed to stretch as they disappeared into the darkness. Finally, they reappeared.

"I didn't see any others," Zach confirmed, landing beside them.

Quinn nodded. "Neither did I." He turned to Ana. "We have to move quickly if we're to reach the castle by dawn."

Gnomes peeked out from the opening, a mix of fear and resolve etched on their faces. Their eyes darted around.

Julie, her gaze steely, approached Quinn. "Zia and I will take the young and elderly to the castle," she declared. More wee people exited from the tunnel, grunting as they pulled a cart over the rubble. "Flub will pull them." She gestured to a group of determined gnomes, their frail appearances belying their fighting spirit. "They'll fight with you."

They wielded makeshift weapons: rakes, pickaxes, hammers. The clink of metal echoed as they sharpened their blades under the moonlight. Bark armor adorned them, the sweet scent mingling with sweat as they prepared.

"Flying everyone back by morning is impossible." Quinn ran a hand through his hair, worry furrowing his brow. "There aren't enough of us to do so."

Ana glanced at Julie. "Any chance you have some of those overgrown beetles?"

Julie nodded toward the armored comrades, her eyes narrowing. "We had some," she said, her voice steady but her knuckles white as she clenched her fists. "Before Gregor captured us. They should be nearby." She whistled, then yelled, "Xoston."

A gnome in orange darted over. "Please call the swarm."

He nodded, cleared his throat, and smiled at Ana before starting his song. His yodeling vocals echoed through the crisp mountain air, a melody that seemed to stir the very earth. The grass swayed in response to his commanding call.

The ground trembled, a rumble rising from the depths. Cracks snaked beneath them, spewing soil skyward. Ana stumbled, her eyes widened. Quinn reached out, grabbing her arm as the ground rocked, threatening to swallow them whole, and steadied her.

From the opened fissures, a dozen enormous beetles emerged, their shiny carapaces catching the moonlight. Several burst forth directly below startled gnomes, eliciting yelps of surprise. Unfazed, they clung on, knuckles white as they gripped the insects' sturdy exoskeletons.

The colossal bugs shook off excess dirt, a cloud of dust billowing around them. With impressive efficiency, the gnomes outfitted their mounts with bark armor and helmets. The iridescent wings fluttered as they moved, dislodging more clumps to reveal a stunning array of colors: vibrant red, sunny yellow, and lush green adorned with elegant spots.

"Each carries two." The wee man nodded to the beetle as he scratched under its chin.

"We'll take the rest," Quinn declared, scanning his army.

The wee men stood ready, weapons grasped tight. The beetles clicked and chittered amongst themselves.

QUINN

Quinn approached a gnome, but Ana caught his arm. "Wait," she urged, warmth radiating from her body, igniting a spark within him. Leaning closer, a magnetic force pulled him. "I want to…" Her voice trailed off.

A smile tugged at Quinn's lips as he tangled his hands in her hair, drawing her close for a passionate kiss. The world blurred as they broke apart, chests heaving. Shivering, he grew lightheaded, a rush of desire coursing through him.

Nuzzling her neck, Quinn murmured, "I love you."

As he closed his eyes, the weight of the day's events and the impending worries overwhelmed him. Fatigue enveloped him, but her sweet, honeyed scent provided solace as he inhaled deeply. With her nestled against his skin, its smoothness soothed him, her warmth embraced him.

"I love you, too," she whispered.

His fingers caressed her cheek. "I've been thinking." How could he word his next sentence delicately? "Perhaps you should stay with…" He trailed off, gesturing toward Flub and the cart.

"Don't you want me with you?" She stepped back. "Why?"

He closed the distance again, unable to get enough of her. "I don't want you hurt," he confessed, his chest thick with worry. "You're the last piece Gregor seeks. Here, you'd be safer." His hand cupped her chin, and she leaned into his touch.

"I won't leave you. I promised." Her gaze locked with his. Her jaw tensed. "I can fight. I can help."

Despite her affirmations, the fear was evident in her tone and by the tremor in her hands.

He nodded solemnly, a mix of resignation and acceptance. As much as he wished to shield her from harm's way, he appreciated Ana's stubborn spirit. "I don't wish to battle the queen. I know I can't win." He grasped her hands, pulling her close, his lips meeting hers in a searing kiss.

Tilda cleared her throat.

Ana wobbled as they broke apart.

A final glance passed between Ana and Quinn, a silent promise to see this through together before the harsh reality of the situation demanded their focus.

"We need to go," he said as he secured his sword. "The longer we stay, the more danger we face." Quinn let out a sigh and turned to two male gnomes. "Can I offer you both a lift?" They nodded, and he gripped them in his arms. However, he couldn't help but look back at his beloved with worry.

Snickering, Tilda approached Ana. "I could prepare a room for you next time."

"You said to give him a chance." Ana lifted Tilda into her hug.

"But not in front of everyone." Tilda's smile reached her eyes.

"It was just a kiss." Ana met Quinn's gaze, her battle-ready form a picture of uneasy determination.

"That was some kiss." Tilda laughed, but the jovial sound did little to lighten the weight on Quinn's shoulders. With reluctance, he tore his leer away from his beloved. He had a war to fight.

"Soldiers, to battle," he bellowed.

As they rose into the air amidst a mighty roar, the loud buzz of the beetle swarm joining them in a V-formation, Quinn couldn't ignore the tension gripping him. The wind howled, tugging at their clothes and whipping their hair. Wispy clouds slowly covered the moon, casting eerie, elongated shadows across the land.

An ominous feeling settled over him, weighing heavily on his senses. His kingdom held captive, Ana at risk, fear gripped his heart. Could they prevail against his uncles' forces? He pushed the doubts aside, his jaw setting in grim determination.

Failure was not an option.