“What about… the lighthouse?” she suggested after a moment. “Idolive there, after all. I can be pretty certain no one else is going to be around.”
Pierce stared at her, amazement writ large across his features. “Youlivethere? Alone?”
Celeste nodded. “Yes – completely.”
“Then the magic I sensed –”
“We can talk about it at the lighthouse,” Celeste said firmly. “Come on – it’s only about a half-hour walk back to where my boat is docked, and then the trip across the water is short. We can talk about it all when we get there.”
“The sea looks a little rough today,” Pierce said after a moment. “Are you sure it’s safe?”
“I’ve taken the boat out in rougher weather than this,” Celeste told him, as she turned to head out into the open field again. “It won’t be an issue.”
“Hmm.” Pierce didn’t sound all that convinced. “What if I said I had a faster – and safer – way to get us to the lighthouse?”
Turning to him with a frown, Celeste was about to ask him what he meant – and then realization crashed over her. “Wait – do you mean –?”
“I know we’ve been waiting twenty years to have this conversation,” Pierce said, “so you’d think I could wait half an hour more. But to be honest, I think I want to have it as soon as possible.”
“But… I only just foundoutyou’re a pegasus!” Celeste almost wailed. “Youcan’ttell me just like that that you want me to ride you!”
“It’s safe, I promise you,” Pierce told her, looking up into the sky, clearly gauging the air currents, before glancing back at where the crowd – almost the entire population of Portsmith – was still enjoying the grill, gingerbread, and mulled wine. No one was paying any attention to them whatsoever.
“That’s not the point!” Celeste said, but she had to admit, the tiniest little part of her was curious. And more than a little tempted. When she’d first heard about shifters, she’d thought it must be incredible to be able to change your form like that, and the idea of mythical shifters had fascinated her. Becoming a mighty winged griffin, a unicorn, adragon…she had to admit, she’d been a little envious, especially sinceherpowers meant she’d only ever be able to guard the magical wards, and never do anything exciting with her life. The idea of riding a pegasus… well. She had to admit, it sent a shiver of anticipation rolling down her spine.
“Well… I guess it would be okay,” she said after a moment. “The seadoeslook pretty rough.”
“The winds are rough too, but I can handle it,” Pierce said. “And it’s only a five-minute flight.”
“Is that all?” Celeste said, as disappointment curled up through her stomach. “I mean… oh, that’s good. Nice and quick.”
“All right. I’ll shift again now,” Pierce said, before he glanced at her. “I guess you must know how this works? No matter what form I’m in, I’ll know who you are.”
“No, I understand,” Celeste said, nodding. “You don’t have to worry about me.”
Pierce only returned her nod, and then he began to… change.
Once again, Celeste felt the shimmer of magic pass over her skin, even as Pierce’s form began to shimmer, a silvery glow emanating from him as his human body transformed into that of a massive, pure white, winged horse.
Celeste couldn’t hold back her gasp – even though she’d seen him in the parade, he truly was magnificent in this form.
“Are yousureabout this?” she asked, as she approached him slowly. She knew he wasn’t dangerous – she knew that shifters retained their human consciousness even in their animal forms.But still… riding him…
She couldn’t say why – or rather, shecould– but the whole idea made her blush furiously.
Come on.Grow up. He just wants to get us to the lighthouse as quickly as possible.
That did certainly seem to be the case, Celeste thought as the pegasus pounded one of its front hooves on the ground impatiently – or she supposed, encouragingly – and tossed its head.
“Okay, okay,” she said, holding up her hands. “If you insist.”
She’d never really ridden a horse before, however, let alone aflyinghorse. She couldn’t really call herself a very outdoorsy person, to say the least. But still, she grabbed hold of a handful of Pierce’s silky mane, and he leaned down, bending his front legs so she could pull herself up.
“Okay… well, here goes,” she muttered, as she swung her leg up over his shoulders, settling herself just in front of his wings.
She was still gripping the thick, soft hair of his mane as Pierce rose to his full height again, glancing back over his shoulder at her with his silvery eyes, as if to check she was ready.
“I – Ithinkyou can take off now,” Celeste forced herself to say, knowing there was a tremble in her voice but unable to help it. She supposed that it was, in a way, reassuring that Pierce was checking she was okay – and, somehow, even in his pegasus form, she couldseehis concern in his eyes.
