Idir carried Momo high into the sky, flying farther and farther away from the Barbarian City.
As the distance stretched, fear began to creep into the child's heart.
He twisted his small body desperately in Idir's grip. "Bad snake—where are you taking me? Why are we going so far?"
His voice trembled.
Why was he being taken farther and farther away?
Idir glanced at him, his voice low and steady. "I'm taking you away. You can't stay by Nina's side."
At those words, Momo struggled even harder. "I don't want to! I don't want to leave Mother! Let me go—I want to go back!"
He bit down at Idir's hand, furious and panicked. "Let go of me! I want to go back!"
He didn't want to leave her. He didn't want to go anywhere with this terrible snake.
Idir's brows drew together tightly. "Stop struggling. You can't stay with your mother; you have to come with me."
If the child stayed, he would bring misfortune to Nina. If the curse awakened in him one day… he might even hurt her.
