Page 80 of Shadow Wings

You definitely would, heagreed.

I purred with his praise and then mentally slappedmyself.

As Tyrrik held out a claw for Dyter to climb aboard, I crouched close to the ground and leaped into the air, beating my wings down to create the lift I needed to fly. As the air caught under my majestic wings, I could barely contain the need to throw my head back and roar. I climbed above the pine trees and glided down over the rockymountain.

I was flying, and it felt so incredibly right. I was a Phaetyn, I possessed some of their powers, and I wanted to help and to heal. But in my heart, in my soul, I wasDrae.

Relenting, in part, to the joy in my heart at knowing who I was, I let loose a smallroar.

You must stay quiet,Tyrrik said, already in the air behindme.

I did as he said, but I could totally rip the emperor’s head off. Probably. With a little moretraining.

I circled to let Tyrrik lead the way. He altered our course, and we headed farther north. I glanced ahead and saw Dyter sitting on his butt in Tyrrik’s claw, pale-faced and wide-eyed. I chortled my amusement and beat my wings hard to surgeupward.

Maybe I would remain in my Drae form for a while. I was sick of being human-Ryn, barefoot in acorset.

Where is the Gemond Kingdom?Iasked.

Tyrrik answered,Straight ahead, nestled in the mountains at the northern end of the realm. They are much closer to the emperor’s lands there. Not as close as Azule but within his reach. You must be onguard.

Okay, what should I be lookingfor?

You watch the ground for Druman; I’ll watch the skies for theemperor.

That suited me just fine. I needed to be searching for signs of Phaetyn anyway. I’d briefly forgotten Kamini’s sister during my joyride.

Even if she’s been very careful, finding her shouldn’t be too hard if she’s still alive and in thesemountains.

I startled before remembering Tyrrik would’ve heard the last conversation I’d had with Prince Kamoi. If I couldn’t see any signs of Phaetyn-juiced growth between here and the Gemond Kingdom, I’d have to search the mountains farther east the first chance Igot.

To the west,Tyrriksaid.

I peered west and saw a dozen clusters of vibrant green standing out in stark contrast to the barren land below.I’m looking at the ground. I gnashed my fangstogether.

I just happened to see it out of the corner of myeye.

Sure youdid.

He didn’t answer, but I felt his amusement through the weaving bond between us. The bond reminded me of his push and pull hoo-ha, and I blocked out the memory, setting my attention to theground.

We didn’t come across another patch of green for half an hour, and this time, there were several dozen patches in clusters over a dozen or so mountain ranges. I lowered as movement caught my eye.Tyrrik, what’sthat?

His great head swung to look down, and his alarm blared through my mind.Druman,he spoke.We need to get in the cloudline.

I obeyed, beating my wings and following him higher until we floated through wisps of cloud with a foggier view of theground.

I scanned the Druman below, spotting five of them milling around the patches of green. My thoughts stirred uneasily.Why are they around the green patches?I askedTyrrik.

Maybe they’re digging forpotatoes.

I rolled myeyes.

Or maybe they know a Phaetyn has to have caused thatgrowth.

That was my concern.Tyrrik, they can’t find Kamini’s sister beforeus.

I know, but we don’t need to worry. It’s just one Druman scouting party. Even if they report the sighting to Drayden, it will take him a while to respond. Once we get to Gemond and heal, we’ll go out looking forher.

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