Page 87 of Swift Wings Shadowed Heart
“Are you all right?” Vaylen asks.
I nod.
“What happened?”
“I… I wasn’t expecting that. It felt… different. Vast.”
“Yes. I should’ve warned you, but I’m so used to it now that I forget. Can you get up?”
“Sure?”
“Need help.” He puts a hand out.
“No, I’m fine.” I get back up on my feet, giving Phoebe a sheepish grin. “Maybe you should try it next. Show me how it’s done.”
Her red eyebrows draw together, and after nodding with determination, she jogs off and takes her position facing the cliffside.
“She seems like two different people sometimes,” Vaylen says, watching her fondly.
“You noticed?”
“Of course.” He sounds offended by my question. “I make it a point to notice. I’m responsible for every Skysinger in my Clutch. The more I know about them, the better I can serve them.”
“That’s a novel concept. Maybe you should teach it to the teachers at the Academy. They only ever seem to look out for themselves and their advancement up the ranks.”
“Sadly, it’s no different in the Sky Order,” he says under his breath, focusing on Phoebe as she takes several deep breaths in preparation.
With the grace of a dancer, she swings her arms to the sides, making a circle as she brings her hands together. When they meet, she thrust them toward the cliffside at the same time that she stamps a boot forward, ending in a lunge that braces her against the power that erupts from her cupped hands. Her Wind Blast is strong, no doubt, but it’s not as impressive as Vaylen’s. And there’s no glow around her or Trueno.
“Excellent work, Breezehart,” Vaylen praises her with sincerity, and she beams.
“I like your style,” I tease.
She blushes and shrugs one shoulder.
“Mind if I borrow it?” I ask. “I think it would help with my balance.”
“Have at it,” she says, not a hint of animosity in her tone. She has never minded sharing. The woman will surely have a special place in Heratrix’s Heavenly Halls one day.
“All right.” Rolling my shoulders, I take my position once more. I crack my neck and take several deep breaths in preparation.
—Do not embarrass me again, Zephyros says.
I ignore him, letting my deep breaths calm me. When I’m ready, I focus on the flow of my inner energy and move with it. In the end, I perform my own dance, a gentle swaying as I let go of the lock on my power and let it suffuse me. My arms follow the same swaying motion until they come together at the wrists, one on top of the other. My fingers form claws. A blinding light builds and builds between them, forming a sphere of wind power. It grows impossibly brighter, but my eyes adapt. I suspect they’re glowing—just like Vaylen’s.
—That’s enough for now, little one. Let it go, Zephyros says.
I do as he says and throw my arms out, expelling the sphere along with all the accumulated power. A huge Wing Blast explodes from me, creating a deafening sound as it breaks the resonance threshold. I stagger back but hold. A bigger chunk of the cliff’s edge breaks off and crumbles down the side. Rocks and dust hurl toward the valley.
Lowering my arms, I blink in awe. I glance back and find Phoebe with an arm thrown over her brow to protect herself from the brilliance. Next to her, Vaylen’s eyes are aglow, a protection against the blinding light. They dim and return to their beautiful blue hue.
Phoebe approaches. “That was amazing.” She leans closer, a hand covering her mouth from the side to hide her words from Vaylen. “You and Zephyros glowed even brighter than the High Prime and Fragor.” Shaking her head in awe, she heads toward her dragon. “So amazing,” she mutters to herself.
As she leaves, Vaylen walks over, looking stern. I wring my hands, wondering if I’ve done something I shouldn’t have.
“That was extraordinary,” he says, sounding impressed. “Did you… give it your all?”
I shake my head. “Um, no. I was afraid to.”
