He doesn't let me finish the protest. One moment I'm standing on my own feet, the next I'm being lifted like I weigh nothing at all. But instead of throwing me over his shoulder like before, he cradles me against his chest, one arm under my knees and the other supporting my back.
The position is somehow more humiliating than being carried like cargo. It's intimate, possessive, the kind of hold that implies ownership rather than simple transportation. My hands instinctively clutch at his shirt for balance, bringing me close enough to feel the steady rhythm of his heartbeat through the fabric.
"Put me down." The demand lacks conviction, my voice muffled against the warm expanse of his chest.
"No."
He strides toward the temple's main doors, carrying me like I'm some sort of prize he's claimed rather than a person he's abducting. The Nashai watches us go with serene acceptance, as if xaphan carrying off struggling humans is just another day's work for her.
The winter air hits us like a slap when we emerge from the temple's warmth, sharp enough to make me gasp and curl instinctively closer to his heat. His wings spread wide as we step onto the marble steps, black feathers tipped with red catching the light from the temple's enchanted lanterns.
"What are you?—"
The question dies in my throat as his wings beat once, powerful enough to lift us both off the ground. My stomach drops as the temple falls away beneath us, marble and gold shrinking to toy-sized proportions while we rise into the winter night.
Flying.
He's actually flying.
I've seen xaphan in the air before, distant figures moving between the city's towers like predatory birds. But being carried through the sky is something else entirely—a combination of terror and wonder that steals my breath and makes my heart hammer against my ribs.
The wind tears at my hair and dress, winter air sharp enough to make my eyes water. Below us, New Solas spreads like a constellation fallen to earth, lights glowing warm against snow-dusted streets. The view is breathtaking and horrible all at once, beautiful enough to make me forget for a moment that I'm being kidnapped by magical forces beyond my control.
"Where are you taking me?" I have to shout over the wind, my voice barely carrying above the sound of his wings cutting through the air.
"Home." The word carries finality, as if the matter was settled the moment divine magic decided to interfere with both our lives. "My home, where you'll stay until we figure out what the fuck the gods want from us."
The presumption in his voice makes me want to hit something, preferably his smug face. But we're hundreds of feetabove unforgiving stone, and struggling now would only ensure I fall to my death rather than simply being abducted.
This is not how my night was supposed to go.
5
MIHALIS
The familiar weight of black iron gates and obsidian lanterns greets me as I descend toward the basalt walls of my home. Each ember-filled lantern pulses in recognition of my approach, the enchantments I wove into this place years ago responding to my presence like loyal hounds.
I should be at Vestige right now, buried in ledgers and finalizing arrangements for tomorrow's Praexa delegation meeting with Grix. The representatives are notoriously particular about protocol, and any misstep could cost me months of careful negotiation. Instead, I'm carrying a snarling human thief through my front gardens because the gods decided tonight was an excellent time to upend my carefully ordered existence.
My boots crunch against the smoky quartz pathway as I stride past the night-blooming flame lilies that line the approach to my home. Their petals burn without consuming, casting flickering shadows across Heidi's face where she's pressed against my chest. She's stopped struggling, but I can feel the tension in her small frame, coiled like a spring waiting for the first opportunity to bolt.
Smart girl. Unfortunate that it won't help her.
The front door swings open before I reach it, revealing Thera's sharp-featured face creased with disapproval. My head cook and unofficial house manager takes one look at the woman in my arms and raises an eyebrow that could cut glass.
"Working late again, I see." Her tone carries the particular brand of censure only someone who helped raise you can manage. "Though your usual companions don't require quite so much... assistance walking."
"Not now, Thera." I know she means the associates that usually come over for a drink and a meeting. I never bring women back here. I wouldn't dare.
Which is why she's staring so hard right now.
I brush past her into the entry hall, my boots echoing against black marble shot through with veins of gold. The massive chandelier overhead flickers in response to my irritation, enchanted flames dancing higher as my control slips.
Heidi's head swivels as I carry her through the space, taking in the weapons displayed along the walls and the high, arched ceiling that vanishes into shadow above us. Her gray-blue eyes are wide but alert, cataloging every detail like the practiced thief she is. Escape routes, potential weapons, anything that might give her an advantage.
She won't find any. I built this place to be a fortress, not a cage, but the distinction becomes meaningless when your prisoner is determined to flee.
The guest room I have in mind sits on the second floor, far enough from Irida's quarters to ensure my daughter won't be disturbed by whatever tantrum the human decides to throw. I take the stairs two at a time, my wings folding tight against my back to avoid catching on the marble banister.
