Twenty-Eight
It took a lot of prodding and more than one handful of chicken to get Res up the next morning, but a short time later, we stood on one of the four landing platforms at the top of the castle.
Ericen eyed the edge of the platform with unease. “Is this where you execute people?”
I adjusted the saddle on Res’s back. “Only the ones I really don’t like.”
“I take it I’m safe then.”
I rolled my eyes as Ericen peered uneasily at the edge.
“This is incredibly high up.”
A smile pulled at my lips. “Don’t tell me the great Illucian prince is afraid of heights.”
The pale shade of Ericen’s skin contrasted with the indignant scowl that filled his face. “Of course not.”
Res snorted, and if ever the crow had made a more mocking sound, I’d never heard it.
Ericen glowered at him, and I laughed even as my heart stuttered a drumbeat in my chest. It’d been months since I’d flown from one of the landing platforms. Another of the many things I never thought I’d do again, just like I thought I’d never fly out over Aris with my own crow.
The platform door opened, and Kiva stepped out, Aroch trotting alongside her. “I heard you were jumping off the castle. Has Res flown this high with you before? I prefer you unsquished.”
I rolled my eyes again. “I’m not going to die.”
“You can get squished and not die.”
“She’ll be fine.” Ericen’s words steadied the beat inside me. He crossed his arms, meeting my gaze with a reassuring smile. “If there’s one thing I’ve learned about Thia, it’s not to underestimate her. She gets too much satisfaction out of proving you wrong.”
“You would know,” I said.
“Unless we’re talking about flirting. That she can’t do to save her life.”
“At least I’m not afraid of heights,” I shot back.
“Afraid of heights?” Kiva asked, looking delighted. “Did you know we’re over a hundred and fifty feet in the air?”
“I didn’t,” Ericen replied with an edge. “Shall I push you over to confirm it?”
“I would say Thia would catch me, but I’m still not convinced she won’t be flattened herself in the next minute.”
“You two almost sound like friends,” I noted, and Kiva blanched.
I laughed as I swung onto Res’s back. Leaning down, I whispered, “Let’s show them all what we can do.”
Rearing back, Res released a piercing call.
Then he leapt.
My half scream, half cry of joy was lost to the wind as Res dove. I’d expected him to soar straight out, to take the easy route. I should have known. After all, he had a flair for the dramatic.
Wind screamed past my ears, my eyes watering against the pressure. On reflex, I counted.
Fifteen, sixteen, seventeen…
Now!I squeezed my knees, and Res’s wings snapped open, catching an updraft that sent us sailing upward. He screeched, and I felt his joy intermix with wild abandon as the wind carried us higher.
We rose faster, his wings taut against the draft. In a burst of speed, we shot past the platform to Kiva’s whooping cheer.
