Julian’s tail thumped rapidly.He was on Team Foolish Things, which Ryder could really get behind.
“Okay, I’m going to shift, too, and then why don’t we go hunting?”
More tail thumping.
Oh!I can still speak to you through my mind!Julian laughed.Two powers at once.I’m so glad it works.Your plan sounds great, by the way.
“Fantastic.Normally, we would communicate through body language and pheromones.But I have to admit that telepathy works much better,” Ryder told him.
It would be handy between Grayson and I.Maybe he should seek out an Eyros Master,Ryder thought.
An Eyros?But I thought that you wanted to turn Grayson!Julian’s ears were pricked.Then they lowered.Oh, man, I listened to a thought I shouldn’t have.Your face says it all, even if I couldn’t hear your thoughts.
“You’re fine, Julian,” Ryder answered with another pat of Julian’s fuzzy head.“Idowant to be the one to turn Grayson.Very much.But it might not be the most advantageous combination now that it’s clear he will keep the Ashyr gift and gain the gift of whoever turns him.Balthazar has shown us that.”
But you… you love one another,Julian responded hesitantly, tail sweeping once as he cocked his head at Ryder.
“Grayson is our General,” Ryder said, trying to believe the words he was saying, “and it’s only sensible that he make the most strategic match in terms of Master and gift.Our love won’t be affected either way.”
Julian’s ears flickered.It might have been that he heard some noise off in the distance, but Ryder believed it was because he didn’t agree with this plan at all.
“You asked to be turned to save Christian,” Ryder said gently.“You, of all people, understand duty to others.”
Yes, I do, but Daemon and I were fated for one another.We were made for one another.If he and I were already together, I couldn’t imagine being turned by anyone else,Julian admitted.
“You’re comparing your destined relationship with Daemon to Grayson’s and mine?”Ryder was touched.
Don’t you?Those puppy eyes were turned on him.
“Y-yes, I do, but…” Ryder swallowed.“Let me shift here and we can hunt and–and talk some more if you like.”
I like talking to you, Ryder,Julian assured him.I don’t want to upset you.We can speak of other things.
“It’s sort of nice to say out loud what I’m having to tell myself inside.”Ryder shrugged.“But let me join you.”
Ryder closed his eyes.The ghostly forms of all his animals appeared before him as if on a carousel.Which one would he become?He had never become a Winter Wolf himself.But he saw that it was an option. He hesitated.He knew that if he kept spinning the carousel that he would see the form that Legion shifted into.He would know that form.He would remember.
But he stopped himself.Not now.When he was alone.Then he would do it.If he lashed out as Weryn because of it, he would not have Julian anywhere nearby.Shaking off that He reached for the Winter Wolf form and shifted into it for the first time.
Whoa!You’re bigger than me!Julian laughed.
Ryder’s eyes opened.He wasn’t that much nearer the ground than he had been in his humanoid form.He looked down at his front paws.He had a pure black coat.He shook himself and felt the heavy ruff around his neck move.
I thought we should Winter Wolves together,Ryder explained.
Julian danced around his form like the eager pup he was.Ryder let out a huff of laughter that was translated into a chuff by his Winter Wolf form.He remembered how proud he was to tell Lawson that he had shifted into a bear.Now, he had every animal from Earth or the Ever Dark–and perhaps other places too–at his disposal.
Unlike Julian who had struggled to shift into one form, Ryder realized that now there was no effort in it.His bones, flesh and organs moved like liquid filling a different-shaped vessel.He was liquid.His form was whatever he wanted it to be.He was both proud of this and a little sad.
For though he could share his delight with Demos or Siban, they would think it wonderful, but it would be expected.He wasWeryn.Grayson would be pleased for him, but he, too, wouldn’t give Ryder the pat on the head that a Master would have.Someone proud of what he could do.Proud of what he could be.Not that Lawson had ever been so effusive, and in the end, he had been so jealous that Ryder had mostly dreaded telling him.
He thought of Balthazar’s joy at being able to use the Kaly gift.For Caemorn, such an act would be simplistic and hardly notable, but he had given Balthazar his due and solemn praise.And Balthazar had basked–andpreened–in the light and warmth of his Master’s regard.OfKaly’sregard.Which would have been impossible for him to imagine in the past, but it was a real thing that had actually happened just the other night.
Regardless of who Grayson chose as his Master or Mistress, Ryder would share this with them.While Grayson likelydidn’tneed to be told “good job” and praised at all, it might be nice for him to hear it every once in a while.Grayson expected perfection of himself at all times.He would likely master his second gift easily.But still.Grayson deserved to be acknowledged, for his hard work and discipline to be praised.
Is it weird that I want to sniff your butt?Yeah, yeah, definitely weird,Julian said as he pulled back from doing just that.
Another chuff left Ryder.It will let us know each other’s scents, which is a good idea in the forest.
