Page 93 of Swift Wings Shadowed Heart
“You were saying.” I tilt my head to one side. This is certainly strange, and I shouldn’t be taking it lightly, but I like seeing him unsettled. It makes him more real. The man is too in control. It’s nice to see that he sometimes feels uncertain like the rest of us.
He opens his mouth to say something, then shuts it again. It’s clear there’s much on his mind on the subject, but for some reason, he doesn’t seem willing to talk about it. For my part, I would rather talk about that than whatever is causing this damn block on my abilities. At this point, I’d even talk about making more mistakes with him.Wyrm’s rot!I would ride him right here, right now, if I could.
He collects himself. “I was saying… there must be something blocking you. Based on the strength of your abilities and how easily you mastered some of the other maneuvers, I believe that a mental barrier exists.”
“And I believe you’re over-reaching,” I spit, anger rising. “There’s no mental block. There’s nothing wrong with my mind.” I turn my back on him, unable to look him in the eye. Since the night of the Rite of Flight, I’ve seen my dead mother more than once. Moreover, I’ve seen him morph into a dragon. Maybe killing a person does that to you. It unhinges you, damages your humanity, drives you insane.
“I must be honest, Skysinger Wyndward… you seem unwilling to correct the issue,” he says.
Rubbing my temples, I will the developing headache to subside. “Of course, I’m not unwilling. I would love to spear some Screechclaws right through the heart just as much as any other Skyrider. I just don’t know why it isn’t working.”
He’s quiet for a long time. I glance over my shoulder to see if he’s still there. He’s looking into the distance, rubbing his chin.
“Perhaps,” he says at last, “it has to do with our accelerated training schedule and the added stress of knowing we are expected in Hearthdale.”
I bite my lower lip, feeling guilty for the worry etched on his features. I take it back. I don’t think I like seeing him be anything but self-assured and in control.
“All right,” he says, seeming to come to a decision. “I know what we’ll do. We are taking the rest of the day off. You and Phoebe may do as you please. You’re also exempt from curfew, so if you wish to fly during the night, you can.”
“Really?!” My excitement is already building at the thought of gaining a bit of freedom after so much demanding work.
He nods, looking pleased with himself.
“Thank you, Vaylen!” Without thinking, I grab his hand and squeeze it.
His eyes rove around, searching for onlookers. I start to release him, but he quickly interlaces his fingers with mine, preventing it. He glances at my lips. For an instant, I think he will kiss me, but he takes a step back, breaking all contact. Disappointment hits me, leaving a sour taste in my mouth.
I think he’s about to walk away and leave me to enjoy my freedom when he says, “Do you see that peak, the tallest?” His gaze points north toward the Dragon’s Teeth Range.
I nod.
“I will be waiting for you there at midnight. I hope you come. There is one terribly big mistake I’ve been preparing to make. It’s all I’ve been able to think about.”
With the deep timbre of his voice still ringing in my ears, he turns and walks away, erasing all my doubts. Oh, he hasn’t forgotten his proposal. Instead, he’s been making preparations. By the four winds! I’m instantly aroused.
* * *
My free timeis riddled with anticipation. I fly, perched on Zephyros’s head, my hair loose from its oppressive knot, flapping in the wind. While Phoebe performs some of the maneuvers, still practicing during her time off, I force my body into stillness while I let my mind wonder.
The events of the past dozen days whirl in my mind. So much has happened. I graduated from the Academy. I exacted my revenge on Neutro Cindergrasp. I was chosen. Not only that, but I also bonded my dragon. I got away with murder… maybe.
And on top of all of that, there is High Prime Vaylen Stormsong.
He wants me. His gaze holds the blue of a storm-swept sky, and the unwavering adherence to what is right. High Prime Vaylen Stormsong is the steel backbone of the Sky Order, and yet, he’s willing to risk it all for me.
Even though I had changed my mind about making him part of my plans, I needed only a small push to find my way into his arms. A shiver runs through me, and it has nothing to do with the cool breeze blowing from the Dragon’s Teeth.
—What is it you are thinking of?Zephyros asks.
I’ve learned to keep him locked away whenever Vaylen enters my thoughts. Whatever is between me and a man is not a dragon’s affair, so my response to him is only a mental shrug.
—It is that loathsome human, is it not?he sneers.
—Why do you hate Fragor?I don’t think Zephyros will volunteer an answer, but maybe it’ll shut him up. I have a decision to make about tonight, and I don’t need him to distract me.
—We are talking about Vaylen, nothim.
—There seems to be no distinction between the two in your mind.
