Page 72 of Swift Wings Shadowed Heart
—Oh, this had better be good.I mumble, taking off the robe and hanging it from a hook along a row of other clean robes. I’m left in my undergarments and boots, the satchel slung across my chest.Dragon’s breath!
—Are you planning to blow my leathers and boots dry?I ask.Have you considered the possibility the suit might get ruined?
—Quit asking so many questions andtrust.
—It’d be a lot easier to trust if you learned to communicate,I complain, taking a set of stairs that descend into the pool. Warm water climbs up my limbs with every step, its heavenly feel making my eyelids flutter.
I hold the satchel close to my chest, keeping it from touching the water. The air stirs around me, then gathers close to my body, I feel it, gently circling me. Slowly, I lower myself into the water until I’m fully submerged. To my utter surprise, my face remains untouched by water and so does the satchel. Zephyros has created a bubble around me, providing me with air to breathe and keep my clothes dry.
—Wyrm’s rot! This is amazing!I say.
—Thank you.
I try to remember if I’ve ever read about my wind elemental power being used in this way, but I can’t. I’ve mostly focused on learning about the skills that can be used during aerial battle, but I think that was a big mistake. Why did no one ever mention this?
—Now swim, Rhealyn,Zephyros says.
All doubts gone, excitement fills me. I dive, kicking off the bottom, amazed by how clearly I can see. The light starts to dim as I approach the back of the pool. That stirs my doubts again, but I tamp them down.
Trust, Zephyros said. Searching within me, I find that I can do that. I’m part of him. He wouldn’t let anything bad happen to me. My logical mind reminds me of what happened to Merrill Pyrewing, but the thought causes absolutely no disquiet of any kind. Merrill wasn’t bonded to Zephyros. I am. Besides, I don’t know exactly what happened.
I see a section that appears darker than the rest of the wall, the tunnel. It’s large enough for two people to swim shoulder to shoulder. Heart beating at a quick pace, I enter the tight space. My legs kick, propelling me forward. When I’m left in utter darkness, I stave off panic by brushing my hand along the wall.
—It’s been two hundred yards, right?I ask after a few minutes.
—I do not know. I was not counting.
—Listen, you…I trail off when I perceive a dim light ahead. After a few more leg strokes, I’m out of the tunnel. I swim toward the light. It grows brighter, but the water that covers me seems to go on forever. At last, I break the surface. I’m gasping for no reason. I had enough air all along. Moving in a circle, I inspect my surroundings. I’m in the middle of what appears to be a small lagoon. Zephyros sits at the edge, his neck elongated as he gazes at the full moon above.
I start in his direction with long strokes. When I reach the shore and step out, only my arms and legs are wet.
“That was amazing,” I say.
He grumbles deep in his chest, continuing to gaze at the firmament.
I follow his gaze. The moon is as silver as Zephyros, its light reflecting off him and giving his scales a magical bluish hue that shimmers like jewels. He looks magnificent, the most beautiful creature I have ever seen.
—Are you done gawking?he asks.
—You’re insufferable!
I glance all around and ask out loud, “Where are we?”
—This is our watering hole. The water is a bit too warm for my taste, but it is what we have.
Steam hovers over the surface of the small lagoon. The wind blowing across the plateau cools the water considerably, but it certainly isn’t as cold as it should be given its location. A gust of chilled wind accompanies the thought. Shivering, I remove my leathers from the satchel. They’re entirely dry, not even a hint of dampness in them. My boots are a different story. I loosen the laces and step out of them, making a face.
—May I?Zephyros asks, lowering his head toward the boots.
I frown, but step aside. He opens his mouth, and for an instant, I have the wild idea he’s going to eat my boots, but he blows on them instead. Even from a distance, I feel his breath’s warmth and…
—Ugh! About that breath mint.
—Too bad your feet cannot eat one too, he huffs.
—Hey, my feet don’t stink.
—To your pathetic human nose, perhaps.
