“No.” I couldn’t help but smile, though, as my gaze ran over the large, double-story room that featured a back wall of glass that looked out over a training yard. “I’m here to do more testing for a possible beast taming placement.”
A full smile broke onto his face at my words. “Well, that’s great news.”
“It is?” I offered curiously. Talk about a warm welcome, I suppose…
“Sure! It means we could—” Suddenly, his words were cut off as a familiar, large and muscular frame appeared in the doorway leading from the training yard out back.
Ronan. I offered him a small smile, unable to help myself, before looking toward Niz who immediately flew off his shoulder to come sit on my own. I let out a small, amused sound as he nuzzled my cheek and I offered him a scratch under his chin. I wouldn’t lie, the little wyvern was quickly becoming one of my favorite beings in Alfemir.
“Could what? Whatcouldit mean, Ry?” Ronan asked in a deadly calm tone that made my skin prick with awareness.
He approached my side, placing a hand on my lower back. The action caused me to shiver with pleasure as he offered a pissy look at the other man. The man stared at the space between us, or lack thereof, before focusing on Niz. He was taking the entire scene in with a level of surprise that I was confused by. He stumbled back a step.
His hands went up defensively. “Nothing, Ronan, just meant it could mean her finding her placement. Hope it goes well for you!”
And then he was gone.
My gaze moved to Ronan, noticing that his eyes narrowed on the man’s retreating form, before asking, “He’s a bit odd. Is everyone around here like that?”
“He’s something alright, and he better stay away from you,” he muttered, looking annoyed before seeming to realize what he said and looking down at me. His expression warmed as he said, “You’re here.”
“I am, actually on time also,” I teased. “I bet you didn’t expect that.”
Just like I hadn’t expected him to get so protective about another man being near me…I mean, I hadn’t just imagined that, right?
Ronan smirked slightly. “I may have considered the possibility of having to come by and wake you up—I know you aren’t a morning person.”
The idea of him waking me up didn’t bother me nearly as much as it should have.
“You know, the other morning I smashed my alarm clock to pieces, so it could be potentially dangerous to do that…” I warned before offering a small wink. He chuckled, the soundabsolutely wonderful coming from his lips and making me smile further.
“I’ll keep that in mind…For now, though, let’s get back outside.” Ronan gently prodded me toward the door, keeping his hand on my back. “Niz is far too excited to see you, and I would rather he not shift inside. It’ll be a pain in the ass to get him through any doors if he won't shift back.”
“You wouldn’t do that, would you?” I asked in a sweet voice to the wyvern as I looked up at him on my shoulder. He licked my cheek before curling up on my shoulder. “See?! A total angel.”
Ronan scoffed at the creature's action but didn’t respond.
As we walked into the training space outside, I looked around the vast acreage on all sides. The back of the yard contained four different stables that all had entrances into the contained yard. I knew that they were where the Tamers kept the untamed beasts that were brought in from the mountains and the Western Forrest. Distantly, I could hear some of the untamed beasts, making me nearly roll up on my toes in excitement. I was eager to see them after everything I’d read.
“We’re going to start small, see if you form a connection with any of the creatures and see how they react to you. We will also test to see if you can influence their actions while giving your own commands,” he explained simply. “Of course, there’s always a level of danger associated with beast taming, but if it's your placement?—”
“It is more likely to come naturally, and the influence you have over the creatures will be far greater than a normal angel,” I filled in. “I’ve been reading about the placement as well as studying up on the different creatures.”
Pride shone in Ronan’s gaze as he nodded. “Good, then we can get right into it. We’re going to start with a phoenix that justarrived. She’s a bit shy, but I’m going to introduce the two of you.”
I nodded in understanding, feeling the nervous excitement growing under my skin.
“Niz.” Ronan snapped his fingers twice in a purposeful pattern before pointing to our left, and Niz immediately left my shoulder. I watched as he landed on a large post nearby, almost perfect for his size, before settling down and keeping an eye on us. The wyvern really did listen to Ronan well, and I was a bit in awe of the mastery the man had in his placement. After all, Niz could just throw a fit and eat Ronan if he wanted.
“Be right back.” He strode toward the first building as I let out a long exhale.
I was determined to block out my father’s words and not let them affect me.Today was going to go well. It had to. Because if I didn’t place…Well, he had made the consequences clear.
RONAN
Ifelt immense satisfaction at seeing Kieran in my domain, looking around the forested environment with clear interest. I walked out of the first stable, the untamed phoenix I’d chosen flying above me. The minute we cleared the ceiling, she took off, gaining height. A trill left the creature's throat when it realized that a thin, gold chain still connected the two of us. I could feel the annoyance coming from the creature as she circled above us before landing on a nearby post, larger than the one Niz had claimed as his own during my work day.
“Wow,” Kieran whispered in awe, wide eyes glimmering with interest. “I’ve seen pictures and illustrations of phoenixes, but I’ve never seen one this close. She’s beautiful.” Her words had the phoenix preening as I fought the urge to tell Kieran that the most beautiful thing here washer.
