His voice filled my mind.Ah, there you are, child. How is your heart?
My heart… You heard about Araz…
I did, and I sense your grief. It is as deep as the ocean and as vast. But the sky holds more depth and spans the world. Shall we lose ourselves in it for a little while?
I smiled up at him.I would like that very much.
He dropped his head lower.See the golden feathers? Use those to pull yourself up.
I don’t want to hurt you.
You will not. Trust me.
I grasped the golden feathers that were thicker and rougher than the rest of him, using them to haul myself up and scramble onto his back.
“Careful!” Blue called out.
“I’m fine.”
Your anchor is afraid of me.
I know. I’m not sure how, considering that he is a part of me.
Is that what they have told you?
Well, yes. Why? Is that not true?
I’m sure it was when he was created, but any living thing once given autonomy will evolve into a self. Now hold on. Use the golden feathers. Anchor with your thighs and lean forward.
I remember.
“You ready?” Garrit called up.
We are,Pakshiraj said.
“Yeah, we’re ready.”
Garrit made a symbol in the air with his hand. “Then let’s go.” He ran to the edge of the platform and leapt off.
Blue let out a shocked screech. But the next moment, Garrit was rising, safe on the back of his thunderbird.
“What the feck!” Blue cried. “There was no need for them theatrics!”
Keyton’s laughter joined Pakshiraj’s chuckle in my head.
Hold on, Leela. It’s time to fly.
I leaned forward a little more, gripping with my hands and thighs, and the next moment, we were airborne.
Chapter 12
LOVE CAN DRIVE YOU MAD
High up above the world, wind on my cheeks, the rush of adrenaline keeping me warm, it didn’t matter that my eyes watered a little. Pakshiraj dipped and soared, but I kept my seat easily, instinctively moving and angling my frame to adjust trajectory with him.
Garrit flew parallel to us, but after a while, I forgot he was there, focused entirely on my experience.
Garrit says you are a natural.
