“‘Need an answer.’ Of course you do!” I read. My pulse quickened, and I finished the letter, crushing it in my hand.
Voices sounded in the atrium as someone entered the school, letting in a gust of blustery wind. The sound of heavy items being heaved inside was followed by a familiar voice dishing out orders.
“Vanya!” I shouted, shutting the letter inside the book of fairy tales and racing out into the school’s grand entryway.
She embraced me with a tight hug, and I felt like, somehow, everything would turn out all right. But as she pushed back, examining me at arm’s length, she instantly asked, “What’s wrong? Why are you here?”
Swallowing the knot in my throat, I said, “Myth needed to stay here after all.” After initially telling her that Myth would be staying off campus, this felt like a small betrayal, even though the words were true. I longed to tell her everything, but in this game, knowledge of the truth was as good as a target on her back.
She pursed her lips, unconvinced that my answer was complete, and led the way back to the common room. Now that it was second semester, we could officially pass through the door inside the school rather than circling around to use the outside door to House Ruby. So far, Vanya and I were the only first years present, and only three others in the entire house had returned from the holiday. The common room was blissfully empty as Vanya told me about her trip with her oldest sister to the Drak Mountains. Laughing with her about the falls she took on skis was medicine to my soul.
“Now, please tell me you have something more to share thanit was fine,” Vanya said when she asked me about my break.
Blazing fire. Dead body. Rush Covington. Secret magic.
All of that was dangerous ground. I fixed my eyes on the fire, settling for, “I’ve been practicing flying with Myth, now that Bryce isn’t here to keep me pinned to the lair.”
“Good for you!” She sat forward, eager to listen.
I talked about flying and found myself smiling, getting lost in the memories of swooping over buildings and mingling with the stars.
Just then, Shep walked in from behind the bookcase door. He peeled a newsboy hat from his head and pinned his eyes on me. A smile curled one side of his mouth.
Vanya nudged me with her elbow as he approached.
“Ari, Vanya. No surprise that I find you two lost in conversation.” When I didn’t say anything, he added, “Enjoy your break?”
Vanya waited for me to reply first, and I finally barked out a strained “Yes.” Shep took a seat beside me on the wide stone hearth. My body suddenly felt hotter, and not from the flames. Shep had not crossed my mind one time since I’d eaten dinner with his family the last night before the break. I’d been thinking about someone else, more than I cared to admit.
“Ari was just telling me how much better she’s gotten at flying over the break,” Vanya said, leaning onto her elbows from the chair where she sat.
“Bryce never really lets us practice,” I admitted, picking awkwardly at a hangnail.
“Can’t really blame him though. If you hatchlings fell to your death on his watch, he’d lose his job. Besides, all that changes second semester,” Shep said with a grin.
My insides pinched at the worddeath.
“Hey, tomorrow, if you don’t have anything going on, let’s fly together,” he said, tapping my arm with his elbow.
“Oh, sure,” I fumbled, staring wide-eyed at Vanya, who was grinning like a fool.
Noting Vanya’s grin, he added, “You come too.” Shep stood and marched off toward his dormitory.
When he was gone, Vanya tossed a pillow at me.
The next day, we flew with Shep. I had no excuse not to, save that it was freezing. But the sun was out, and Vanya insisted. I begged Myth to behave, then lost myself in the joy of flying. We curved over the forest and dove over the lake, his claws skimming the surface of the ice. Vanya laughed and screamed in delight as her deep purple dragon swooped low and rose high. Nearby, Shep flew in mechanically perfect movements on his dragon, Petra. Her scales shone in the sun like mother-of-pearl, a brilliant contrast to Shep’s skin. They were amazing to watch, and I could see why he was a champion racer.
Fingers stiff from the cold and heart finally less heavy, I returned to the school with Shep and Vanya. Vanya and I were laughing at his commentary on the professors when I spotted Rush storming from the door at the back terrace. My laughter died in my throat and I coughed.
“It’s the cold,” I said, touching my throat as Vanya scrutinized me.
“And all that hollering you were doing,” Shep teased.
Normally, I would have blushed at such a comment, but my attention was on Rush’s distant form. He stopped short when he saw me and spun back toward the school.
Shep was still talking. “I can remember what it was like, first learning to really fly. It’s the best feeling in the world.” Then, quieter, “Thanks for joining me today, Arivelle.”
His use of my full name drew my attention back to his face, but my mind was spinning out.
