PBPGD

CHAPTER 109

Lia clutched the note in her hand while she watched people rush about.

Is there another war happening?

Ian had said it was just a simple inquiry, but there was no way that Claude would have only sent Ian a note.

She believed no, she knew he wouldn't.

For this reason, she wrote a reply and headed back up to Ian's study. It was empty, save Pollan. He was resting on the perch, pecking at some kibble.

"Pollan," she called, closing the study door. The bird looked at Lia, opening his wings wide and rubbing his beak against her hand.

She laughed, patting him affectionately and tying the note onto his leg.

"Go back to Del Casa and give this to Claude, okay?"

He screeched softly as if he understood what she said. Lia opened the window and let him soar into the sky.

He spread his wings wide when a loud gunshot rang, the bullet grazing the tip of his wing.

"Pollan!" Lia leaned out the window, looking first in the direction the bird flew, then toward the bullet's origin.

Ian stood there holding a rifle, eyes frigid.

Is he insane? He deliberately aimed for Pollan, even though he knew he was Claude's hawk! How could he?!

"Ian!" she screamed, furious. "What are you doing?!"

Ian looked up at her silently, then handed his rifle to the soldier next to him.

He jumped onto the tree nearby, climbing it deftly up to the second floor window.

He grabbed her hand roughly, surprising her more than his acrobatic stunt did.

"What do you think you're doing?" she cried again, digging her heels in.

"Were you trying to send a note?"

"Pollan is Claude's hawk. I can send a note to him if I so choose!"

"I didn't allow you to."

"Why are you acting like this all of a sudden? What's going on? Is something wrong?"

Why have you changed so much?

lan ran a hand through his hair, glaring at the hawk disappearing into the distance.

"Don't let our guest out of the room until I return," he ordered the attendant waiting on the ground outside. Lia blinked, staring at him. The Ian she knew would never give such cruel commands.

She jerked her hand away, running toward the exit as fast as she could. But Ian swiveled from his perch on the sill, catching up with her in a few strides and throwing an arm around her waist.

"Let go of me! Was this your plan all along? Did you use my mom as bait? You said we were friends!" Her voice rose hysterically.

Ian curled his lips as he watched her face turn ashen at the sound of the key turning in the lock.

"You can't be serious."

"I'm not trapping you here forever. I'll be back in four days. All I ask is that you stay here quietly and not make a fuss."

"Where are you going, then?" she demanded. "You don't have to take it this far. What's going on?"

"If something happens to your grand duke, I'm the only one who can protect you."

"What?" Lia's voice faltered. "What are you talking about, Ian?"

"Lord Ihar is buried under a collapsed mine. I'm leaving to go rescue your man."