My curiosity got the best of me. I really did want to know what this great big quest of his was all about.
"I promise I won't laugh," I said seriously.
Quinn faced me. "I’m going to find Mistral, the air spirit, and get a pair of wings."
6
Quinn
"Wings?"Farley repeated.
I didn't expect him to understand. He must've thought I was ridiculous. That was the same reason why I hadn't told any of my family members. A fox with wings was unnatural, something that didn't exist in real life. That's what they probably all thought.
But Farley was a stranger, and despite how cute he was, I doubted we would ever see each other again after this. Because of that, I felt safe telling him my deepest desire.
"Either that or he can bless me with a raven form, too," I teased. "But I'm trying not to be too greedy. Anyway, like I said, you think it's silly."
He raised a tiny, angry finch brow. "Did I say that?"
"Well, no, but—"
"Then don't put words in my mouth."
I chuckled. "Okay, sorry. Won't do it again."
That wasn't the reaction I expected, especially from a guy with a ton of attitude. For a moment I thought maybe he was just being polite but, then again, this wasFarley.He didn't strike me as the type of person who was polite just for the hell of it.
Farley landed on top of a nearby shrub. His gaze was unfocused, like he was thinking deeply. "You're half bird shifter, yet you can't fly," he said. "Makes sense that you'd want wings. Anyone who thinks that's stupid doesn't understand how you feel."
The world slowed down. I blinked in surprise. Farley's words were blunt, yet got straight to the heart of my emotions.
"You actually agree with me?" I asked.
Farley opened his mouth to reply, then stopped. He looked flustered for some reason. He grunted and said, "Obviously. That's why I'm helping you find Mistral. He'll... be able to help you."
Excitement raced through my veins. "I hope so. Honestly, it's a relief knowing you don't think I'm crazy."
Farley met my eyes. They shone like shards of dark, hard diamonds. "You want freedom. That's not crazy. That's the most natural thing in the world."
I inhaled a sharp breath. That was it. Freedom. How did he know exactly what I desired?
My eyes slid to the leg band glinting around Farley's ankle again. When he noticed me looking at it, he quickly took flight.
"Shit, if I was earthbound, I'd be pissed off about it, too," Farley muttered.
I smiled. "You're pissed off about a lot of things, aren't you?"
"And what about it?" he demanded, but he didn't sound angry.
I didn't mind that he was so cranky. It suited him. Plus, the fact that he was a tiny fluffy ball of rage was adorable. Not that I was going to say that to his face, especially since I was pretty sure a bruise was forming where he'd dived me earlier.
"Nothing," I said. "We'd better get moving. This mountain's not gonna climb itself."
Farley grunted. "Right."
The sun beat down on us. While I struggled to grab a hold on the steep rocks, Farley flew overhead with ease. This trek up the mountain was easy for him and his wings, which only filled me with more determination. The sooner I met Mistral, the sooner I could fly, too.
Farley said he knew where Mistral was so that was one problem solved. Now all I had to do was beg for his blessing. Whatever he wanted me to do, I'd do it.
