Indigo nodded, his pearlescent face gleaming in the dappled sunlight. He dropped the sail and took up the oars.
Out of the corner of his eye, Colin saw a fuzzy brown creature the size of a small bear burrow into the ground offshore. “What was that?”
“Wood rat. Harmless unless provoked, but they carry a tick whose bite could kill you if you don’t seek immediate treatment from a healer.”
Colin grunted. “Any other deadly creatures I should be aware of?”
“Dorinclees. Uh, it translates roughly to silent cat. They’re a type of cougar that lives in the trees. When their mouth is closed, it blends into the rest of their face, making it look like it doesn’t exist. Thus, the name. Their claws likely won’t break your dragon skin, but they could rip me apart.”
“Good to know.”
“Drop anchor here,” Leena commanded.
The oread did as she requested. About a hundred yards ahead of him, Colin could make out a small wooden dock.
“It will be quieter if we fly to the end of the dock, but don’t go any farther.”
“And we need to be quiet why?” Colin slid on his pack and stretched his wings.
“The, uh… you’d call them razorwings.”
“Razorwings.” Colin didn’t like the sound of that.
She tipped her head and spoke to him like a child. “Too much noise can attract a type of bat that slices its victim’s skin with a barb on its wing and then drinks its blood.”
“Fabulous. Just what I wanted to hear.” He handed her the other pack.
“It’s better to know what you’re getting into.”
“Mmmm.” He swept her into his arms. “Ready?”
“Yes,” she answered, but her voice sounded strained.
He understood why. He felt it too, how naturally their bodies fit together. Suddenly he was in no hurry to make it to shore. He’d hold her like this all day if he could.
“Indigo, remember to pass on that message I gave you to Sylas,” Colin said, delaying their departure another moment. He’d given the oread the scroll the falcon had brought him from Rogos.
“I will not fail you, sir.” Indigo’s tinny voice came on a breeze.
Something large and dark moved in the water, perhaps awakened by their voices, and swam under the boat, sending waves lapping against the hull. Colin watched it circle behind them. With a sigh, he resolved that they needed to get a move on.
Colin flapped his wings and rose into the sky, soaring to the small dock and landing gently on the wooden planks. But he took his time lowering her onto her own two feet.
Leena straightened her robes, brushing the natural fibers as if his touch had covered her in sparks. Well, the feeling was mutual. He smiled to himself and followed her as she walked briskly into the forest.
Not a word was spoken as they navigated a narrow trail through the trees. Even when he noticed a bright-blue snake swallowing a wood rat whole only a few meters from the trail, he held his tongue. This place was brightly beautiful but undeniably dangerous.Not unlike Leena.Gorgeous, exactly the type of woman he’d always dreamed of… and she’d crushed his heart into powder with one kiss. The thought balled into an icy knot in his gut.
They climbed a steep incline, and then the path widened into a suitable road, still surrounded by forest but with far more room on the trail.
She fell back to walk beside him instead of in front. “We’ve passed beyond razorwing territory. We can speak now.”
He grunted his understanding but remained silent. She glanced back at him, noting his somber mood.
“You haven’t forgiven me for the kiss, have you? I can’t say I blame you. I should have been more cognizant of your feelings. Please accept my apology.”
“You already apologized,” he mumbled. “I’ll tell you I forgive you if you want to hear it, although there’s really nothing to forgive. I was a willing participant. You know I wanted to kiss you. I could have stopped you, and I didn’t.”
“Yes, but—” She grimaced.
