Page 62 of The Mirror and the Curse

Kai leaned close to answer, “Not at all. Xiretta’s three older brothers are notorious in these parts—they frequently try to break through the resort’s magical boundaries and cause havoc. But my extended family has a long history with hers. They’re mostly decent people, if a bit rough around the edges.”

Without touching her, he pointed out how to put on the parachute harness designed for tandem flight. Eddi would sit behind him, wearing the parachute intended to support them both in case of an in-flight emergency.

Once she wore the harness and Kai stowed her parachute and pack in his saddlebag—which looked no bulkier than it had before, due to more magic, no doubt—Eddi admitted in an undertone, “Whatever Xiretta is, she’s been kind and friendly and . . . I like her.”

Kai gave her a smile that warmed her to her toes. But a moment later he was all business again. “Better go say your goodbyes.”

While he finished preparing Flurry for flight, Eddi slipped and slid back down the slope to give Xiretta a heartfelt hug, then reached up to accept a quick embrace from Olis, who was still too shy to meet her eyes and kept shifting her weight on her hind legs. Eddi barely stopped herself from patting the centaur’s glossy chestnut side, realizing that might be considered rude.

“Girls, I can’t thank you enough for your kindness and hospitality.” She spoke so sincerely that her voice choked up a little. “You turned a terrifying experience into a fun one, and the tea was delicious. I truly hope I can come visit you again someday, or maybe show you around Faraway Castle.”

If she wasn’t mistaken, Xiretta turned away to blot her eyes with one rough sleeve. “If we get a chance, we’ll meet up with you again sometime. We’re both just thrilled to pieces to have met a real live princess and prince. It was my honor to feed you tea and macarons!”

Kai also thanked the girls in some language Eddi didn’t know. Then he escorted Eddi back to Flurry, who’d been dozing while they socialized. “I signaled Geoff Bryant that you were found and told him we would be searching for White. While we looked for you, Flurry spoke with a fterotó who glimpsed him heading toward the apple meadow, so we’ll check there first.”

His manner was so reserved that Eddi felt chilled even as he gave her a leg up. Once she had scooted back to make room, he vaulted up before her, swinging his leg over Flurry’s neck before lightly seating himself in front of Eddi. She got an eyeful of his glossy brown hair before he put on his helmet and reached down into his sack to dig out hers. Once she had donned it, he instructed her to pass him straps from the harness she wore, which he connected and tightened.

So much for keeping a cool and professional distance. At first he sat stiffly straight, and Eddi did the same, attempting to minimize contact. “You’d better wrap your hands too,” he said gruffly. “Don’t forget to close your visor first.”

Her visor closed with a click, and Kai lifted his arms slightly to allow her room. Eddi gave her new friends one more wave, then reached around him to grasp handfuls of Flurry’s silky mane and wrap her hands securely. Once he lowered his arms and closed his visor, she could feel his muscles work while he wrapped his hands.

Eddi did her best to view the situation objectively, but it wasn’t easy. Their helmets clunked together at times no matter how she tried to keep her distance, and their bodies and legs nested like spoons. “Only superglue could bring us closer,” she tried to quip.

“Just hang on, Eddi girl.” Was that a smile in his voice? “If you need to communicate with me in flight, release one hand and tap my arm.”

The wind and their helmets would make other communication nearly impossible. “Got it,”’ she replied stoutly.

“Then we’re off. Hang on tight.”

Flurry simply unfurled her wings and charged down the ridge, floating over rocks and ditches in her way. There was no sudden lurch as Eddi often felt when White powered himself into the sky from a standstill. The ground fell away behind them, and Flurry soared out over a deep canyon, making a gentle turn.

To their right, Eddi saw the cliff she had come so close to tumbling off. The beauty and terror of it all nearly stopped her breath. Only when Kai drew a deep breath did she realize how hard she’d been clutching him and relax her arms.

Flurry used an updraft to gain altitude, then headed in a direct line between high peaks. The vastness of the mountain range before them struck Eddi as if she’d never seen it before. Her helmet muffled the sound of rushing wind, and the magic in her flight suit prevented the cold seeping into gaps around her collar and cuffs from harming her. Flurry’s body was strong and steady beneath her, and she was with Kai. She was safe.

And yet . . . being so close to Kai was confusing. Eddi awkwardly rested her helmet against his shoulder, closed her eyes, and let herself relax. And enjoy the moment. What else could she do?

Flurry couldn’t fly fast while carrying two, yet it seemed only a few minutes had passed before Eddi felt the filly decelerate. Lifting her head, she peered ahead and saw the colorful shimmer of meadow flowers surrounded by beautiful rock formations. Amid the flowers, something white gleamed.

When Flurry landed at a smooth canter, Eddi was already unwrapping her hands.“White!”she called to him in her heart. Kai quickly unfastened the straps binding her to him, then caught hold of her arm as she slid off, ensuring her safe dismount. After a brief pause to pull off and drop her helmet and her gloves, she took off running.

As she approached him, she felt a wave of White’s guilt. She knew he had tried to find her after his mind cleared, but he couldn’t remember where he’d left her. Eddi swept away his self-recrimination with complete forgiveness and wrapped her arms around his neck, burying her face in his silken mane.

“Dearest White, my sweet boy, I will always love you!” she murmured. “I got a touch of whatever it was that terrified you, so I understand. It’s not as if you have nothing to forgive. We both mess up sometimes.”

His chin pressed against her back, and they stood together, embracing in the best way they could and loving each other.

“I think an apple apiece would do us some good.” Kai spoke from somewhere nearby, and Eddi appreciated the soothing quality of his voice.

Releasing White but keeping one hand on his neck, she turned with a smile. “I totally agree.”

When both fterotá nodded emphatically in agreement, Eddi laughed. Then she and Kai ran to select apples for their winged friends. For a change, Eddi presented hers to Flurry while Kai offered one to White.

Eddi did her best to communicate appreciation as she looked into Flurry’s nearest dark eye. “I owe so much to you, Flurry,” she said quietly, turning the apple so the filly could take dainty bites. Flurry’s velvety black nostrils fluttered in pleasure at the scent and taste. When she had chewed and swallowed the last morsel, she gently bumped Eddi’s shoulder with her nose before turning away to resume grazing.

Eddi approached Kai and White, her eyes wide. “Did you see that? She’s nose-bumped me twice today.”

White lowered his head to graze, but Eddi sensed his approval.

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