Page 40 of Swift Wings Shadowed Heart
He huffs. “Against your fellow students, not mad creatures from the Blighted Arcs. You don’t have the slightest idea how things are on the front lines.”
I seethe, but he’s right. I glare down at my interlaced hands. I’ve only read about the Blighted Arcs, a barren land eroded by time and wind where its abundant natural arcs are said to serve as perches to the Screechclaws.
“I’m sorry, Skysinger,” he says, surprising me. “I’m taking it out on you, and none of this is your fault. My Clutch is there, and I’m worried about them.”
An apology? Something else I didn’t expect from him.
“It’s all right,” belatedly I add, “Sir.” A pause as I hesitate. “Can you… tell me more?”
He shakes his head. “Need-to-know basis for now.”
“I hope your Clutch is all right.”
“It’s your Clutch, too,” he says with a wry smile that seems to be part of an extended apology.
I return his smile, a warm feeling spreading in my chest. “Can you tell me aboutthem?”
His smile turns fond as he nods. “Sure. There are fifty-two of us. You’ve probably heard of some of them.”
I nod. “Dakar Cloudwalker, Eleonora Nightsong, Morwenna and Madeline Airglide.”
“Of course. We’re a tightly knit group, disciplined. We have each other’s back in a battle. They tease newcomers, but if you prove your mettle and show respect, you’ll soon feel like one of them.”
“Sounds like a nice group. I can’t wait to meet them.”
He sighs. “You will. Sooner than expected.”
“Oh?”
“The time we have for training has been reduced to two weeks.”
“Two weeks?!” Four hardly seemed like enough, but two?
“It’s all we’ve got. We’ll have to work hard. I fear sleep will become a luxury.”
It seems I should feel dismayed, but instead, the idea is exhilarating. “I won’t disappoint you, Sir. I’ll give it all I’ve got.”
One of his dark eyebrows rises up in an arch. “I expect nothing less from this year’s best Academy graduate.”
Chest full to burst with anticipation, I look out the window. Buildings rush past, blurring into scenes of Zephyros and I soaring through the sky over enemy territory, Wind Blasts shooting from my hands, my power enhanced by my dragon’s. I think of the bond we will form and wonder when and how it’ll happen. I imagine us razing entire enemy encampments to the ground, and picture every citizen in Embernia, including the King, licking my boots in appreciation. Best of all, I picture a future where fear is forever swept from my heart. A future where no one would dare threaten me or mine. A future full of happiness.
Out of nowhere, a vivid image of Vaylen’s strong arms wrapped around me as we kissed pops into my mind. We’re in a hotel room,myhotel room. I’m sitting at the edge of the bed, while he kneels in front of me, my legs caging him in.
I lift a hand to my lips, feeling the fierce and passionate stroke of his mouth against mine. My eyes cut in his direction. Our gazes lock. Something passes between us, a secret acknowledgment. He was in my room, and we kissed.
Vaylen’s jaw ticks as he holds my gaze, not shying away but steadfast. Without words, I understand what he’s telling me.
He is owing to his mistake and assuring me it’ll never happen again.
I bite my lower lip and smile inwardly.Oh, Dear Vaylen, the door is now open. There’s no way I’m letting you shut it.
20
Rhea
The carriage rolls to a stop on the outskirts of Emberton. Vaylen throws the small door open and jumps out as if to escape the tight confines of the carriage and the lingering fumes of his recent admission: he’s not a cogwing, doing only what he’s supposed to. He has instincts that overpower his strict rules.
I hurry after him, wondering if we’re in one of Emberton’s peripheral landing fields. I had assumed we would ride the carriage all the way to Sky’s Edge, but if we’re stopping now, this means Vaylen is riding on Fragor.
