Page 11 of Urn My Love

But there was no way I could leave until I made sure she was okay. Although I hadn’t scented another presence in her room, I couldn’t rule out that she’d been taken from the room by force. I knew very little about her, but I got the distinct impression this hadn’t been a sightseeing trip.

She was on a mission.

Regardless of my annoyance, I’d been impressed at the speed my little mate could fly. Shifting to my gryphon form with its larger wingspan, I’d been able to cover many miles and close the gap between us. Still, it was just after two in the morning by the time I spotted her circling a mile ahead of me.

The fear that had slowly been growing in my chest faded just at the sight of her.

That relief was short-lived.

Because she’d tucked her wings and plummeted to earth almost faster than my eyes could track. It was as though she had no intention of stopping.

Had she been shot down? What if she’d had another episode and passed out?

My heart had stopped beating at the thunderous boom as her body collided with the ground and blue fire erupted around her. I blurred through the sky, pushing myself to close the distance even though I knew it was too late for me to save her.

No one survived a freefall like that.

I came to a stop mid-air, my massive wings keeping me from dropping to the ground as I stared in horror at the blue fire erupting from where she’d impacted.

My brain struggled to comprehend the truth that I’d lost my mate. I didn’t even realize I’d stopped breathing until a form stepped from inside the fire and I sucked in a gasping breath.

Could it be?

Iolani stepped from the flames, like an ancient goddess of war. Her skin was bare except for the fire dancing over her like an eager pet greeting its master. Long blue hair flowed around her face as though it were made of fire.

Her mouth moved, but I couldn’t make out the words. Silver wings snapped open, and my eyes widened as fire rippled over her wings without burning a single feather.

How had she survived that fall? It was impossible.

I didn’t care. All I cared about was that she was alive.

So you can have another chance to ignore her and act like the backside of a donkey?

Flashes of light flickered in the darkness surrounding her, and I shrieked as I recognized the loud pop of gunfire.

She’d survived the fall only to be shot.

Pumping my wings harder, I pushed myself to get to her side, ready to protect her.

Covering the last of the forest between us, I watched as Iolani stood tall, not so much as flinching as the bullets fell around her. There was a sharp crack, the angry neigh of a horse, and I was forced to shield my eyes as brilliant fire exploded over the rocky outcropping.

I’m almost there, Iolani…

The fire was gone just as fast as it had begun. It was obviously paranormal in origin, but I didn’t have a clue where it had come from or who was controlling it. When it died back, the men were gone.

I scanned the woods, but there were no signs of movement other than the riderless horses weaving through the trees, trying to get as far away from the fire and bullets as possible.

Again, I breathed a sigh of relief when I spotted Iolani standing tall, a dark stallion behind her. She’d been spared the fire’s fury… and now she was going to face mine. How could she risk her life like that?

As I covered the last few feet of forest separating us, the ground gave way, sending Iolani and the dark horse plummeting off the cliff.

After seeing her crash into earth, I wasn’t sure if Iolani had the strength to fly herself to safety. What if she’d injured her wing and was unable to fly?

I dropped from the sky, my body piercing the air as my eyes locked onto my target.

Iolani had maneuvered between falling boulders and was clinging to the neck of the horse. He was frantically trying to right himself, and I saw the dark wings for the first time.

Pegasus.

---