Page 14 of Swift Wings Shadowed Heart
As the whirlwind shrinks, we’re physically pulled together, our feet sliding over the floor. He’s only a few inches away from me, a thin layer of energy glowing brightly between our hands. What is this? Heat builds between us, growing uncomfortable.Shit!We’re going to end up melding with each other. Maybe this is why duels are forbidden at the Academy.
My gaze locks with his. A jolt goes up my spine, a force that seems to twist itself around each of my vertebra, like ivy climbing a trellis. He grunts and winces, back straightening. Something tells me the same thing is happening to him.
Teeth bare, he resists the force trying to bring us together. His closeness is almost as unbearable as the strange energy pulsing between us. My skin pebbles. My gaze roves over his face, pausing at his lips.
The fact that the urge to kiss him—a man I just met (even if I plan to seduce him)—assaults me at a scary-as-fuck moment like this is a clear sign that I’m certifiably insane.
He seems to notice the effect he’s having on me. His blue eyes fall to my lips in turn.Oh!Even though he’s been pretending, it’s obvious he hasn’t been able to turn off the attraction that sparked between us on that balcony.
He jerks his head to one side. “Trying to pull away isn’t working, Singer,” he growls through the pain and chaotic uncertainty of this moment. “Brace yourself. It’s time to try something different.”
“Wait, what are you going to?—?”
High Prime Stormsong stops fighting against the energy flowing between us and steps forward. The motion makes me lose my balance. I stumble backward. As I begin to fall, he interlaces his fingers with mine and takes two more steps forward, quickly shoving me against the wall to prevent my fall.
The glow that seems to fuse our joint hands lessens. The pain twisting its way into my spine diminishes. We both breathe out, our shoulders dropping a couple of inches in relief.
Blinding pure-white light explodes between our palms. I close my eyes against the piercing force, gritting my teeth in a growl. The force expands with a violent blast that sends the High Prime flying across the small room—the connection finally broken.
—Wyrm’s rot! What’s wrong with her?
His wayward thought floods my mind as his back hits the opposite wall, and we slide to the floor in unison, heads lolling. My eyes roll back, and I black out.
* * *
“Singer Wyndward. Singer Wyndward, wake up!”Someone slaps my cheek.
My eyes blink open.
High Prime Stormsong crouches in front of me, dark eyebrows knitted together, pupils blown so big only a small rim of blue remains.
I swallow thickly and glance around. The table and chairs are back in place. He even smoothed his hair down.
“Come on, stand.” He grabs me by the arms and lifts me up.
Damn, he’s strong!
I wobble a bit.
“Can you walk on your own?”
“Of course.” I push him away. Sniffling, I run stiff fingers through my hair and smooth it down.
He watches me from under a deep frown. Distrust swims in his gaze.
Wyrm’s rot! What is wrong with her?The thought he had just moments ago plays back inside my mind.
“Your test is over,” he says. “Exit through the back of the room and wait there.”
I try to think of something to say, something that will save me, but I don’t even know what happened. I have no idea what combination of words can make this day have the outcome I’ve wished for so long. But maybe I’ve already done enough damage, and the best thing to do is keep my mouth shut, so I straighten, nod once, and do as he says.
I enter another waiting area with a long wooden bench. I bury my face in my hand and scrub vigorously, massaging circles into my temples.
Please, choose me. Please, please.
The mantra repeats over and over inside my head. If I’m not chosen, I don’t think I’ll be able to go on. Bitterness will eat me alive. I will not, cannot, serve as a lowly Claw, bowing to those who soared higher. I know there are many ways to serve Embernia, know that I could climb up the ranks to become a general for our ground troops in theLand Order, but I have so much more to give to my country. So much more.
Please, Heratrix, whisper my name in his ear. Let him choose me.
