“All is well?” he asked.
She nodded, looking much happier than she had earlier. “Lola’s coming to get the eagle back as soon as she can. It won’t be for a while, though. Did you talk to your boss?”
“Yes. She was surprisingly unsurprised.” He wasn’t sure whether he should be embarrassed or grateful. Possibly both. “In any event, I can stay the rest of the summer.”
Leonie smiled, the last traces of worry clearing. “The children will be happy to hear that.”
He put a finger under her chin, bending to claim her mouth. “Not just the children, I hope.”
Her hands slid around the back of his neck as they kissed. When she pulled back, her eyes caught the morning light, shining.
It should have been strange, seeing that sparkling gold instead of the familiar deep amber. Yet somehow, it wasn’t. He didn’t sense any foreign presence lurking behind that bright, clear gaze. There was only her.
His mate.
Leonie reluctantly released him. “We should find the kids. They must be wondering what’s going on.”
“Moira will explain. She and Ragvald are looking after them today.” He caught her round the wrist, pulling her back. “You’re taking a day off. No arguing.”
“So bossy.” Despite the complaint, she took his hand, fingers lacing through his. She glanced down, brow creasing. “Your claws are back.”
“You said you liked them.”
“I do.” She looked up at him, a trace of worry flickering across her expression. “It’s just…”
He stopped her with another kiss.
“It’s fine,” he murmured against her lips. He squeezed her hand, keeping his claws retracted. “Come with me. There’s something I want to do.”
Leonie still looked a little unconvinced, but let him pull her along. “Then why are we moving away from the privacy of my cabin?”
He chuckled under his breath. “Not that. Not yet, at least.”
Shan led her away from the buildings, out into the grounds. This early in the morning, the fields were deserted, all the campers still at breakfast.
He released her, stepping back. “Fly with me.”
From the way her eyes widened, he might as well have proposed they commit a public act of indecency. “You mean, shift?”
“You told me you always dreamed of flying. I didn’t know about your ability at the time, but I could still taste your longing. You have wings now, if only for a short while. Let’s make the most of them.”
Leonie wrapped her arms around herself. “I’m…not sure I should.”
“Why not?”
“Lola can’t get here for at least a week. I’ve never had both animals for that long.” She bit her lip. “I’m worried it might be hard to separate them again. It might be safer if I don’t shift.”
“Leonie. You cannot repress your nature.”
She gave him a look. “You’retellingme?”
“The irony is not lost on me,” he said ruefully. He held up a hand, claws sliding out. “But that’s how I know. You cannotground yourself out of fear. And it’s not healthy to cage your animal.”
Her gaze strayed to the sky. He could see the desire in those golden eyes, but she still shook her head. “It’s only a week. I can go that long without shifting.”
He could feel his qiongqi, prowling at the back of his mind. Perhaps he should take that quivering anticipation as a warning…yet he was sure this was right.
“Please,” he said softly. “If not for yourself, then for me. I want to see your griffin. I want to see you fly.”
