“I didn’t realize your power had such consequences,” he said, tone somber. “This upcoming battle—it’s a lot to ask of you.”
I put my hand over his as warmth spread through my chest. “Risking our lives in battle with Ozul is a lot to ask of you, too—and the other Eagle Riders. But we could possibly be the only things standing in the way of this creature becoming insanely powerful.”
Talon pulled me even closer and spoke beside my ear. “All of that may be true, but that doesn’t stop me from hating the thought of you in danger.”
I shivered at the vibrations of his deep voice so close to the sensitive skin of my ear and neck. “If it makes you feel any better, I don’t want you to have to face this thing, either.”
“It does make me feel better,” he said and kissed my neck.
My eyes fluttered closed as I let out a sigh of pleasure and leaned back into him. Behind me, his chest rumbled with a chuckle, and I turned to look at him wide-eyed. “What are you laughing about?”
“Neo,” he said, running his hand over my hair. “He’s warning me I better not take this any further while we’re riding on his back.”
“I’m sorry, Neo, we’ll behave,” I promised, heat from a blush creeping over my skin even as I had to stifle a laugh.
But when I tried to lean forward to put a little distance between us and hopefully cool things off a bit, Talon gently tightened his hold. I gave in, leaning back against his wide chest.Tomorrow, we would walk through the gates of hell, facing all the horrors within. Despite the countless very real and pressing worries on my mind, being so close to Talon on the back of his eagle, nothing but wind and sky around us, silenced every thought in my head.
All too soon, though, the pasture where we’d left Shazeera and Zamir came into view. Even from this great height, I knew Shazeera raised her head, ears pricked to watch us approach. A shiver of worry whispered through me at the thought that I might not be able to talk to her now, especially when I was about to face the Devourer.
But before I could make the attempt, a familiar voice pushed its way into my mind.
There you are. I was beginning to worry the wind carried you away.
And I’m so thankful to hear your voice,I told her, tension immediately melting from my shoulders.Even though you clearly didn’t have a lot of faith in my abilities,I added teasingly.
I turned to Talon with a relieved smile. “I heard Shazeera just now.”
She snorted.It wasn’t you I was worried about. That eagle could have been simply exaggerating his prowess in a windstorm.
“Good,” Talon said close to my ear. “You were right about the difference in energy distribution this time. It didn’t drain you or hurt your bond. Let’s hope tomorrow goes the same way.”
Neo landed, and Talon dismounted first before catching me as I launched myself off Neo’s back. Shazeera waited for us, tossing her head in impatience as Zamir remained statuesque beside her.
I went straight to Shazeera’s side and put my hand on her warm neck.
I’m glad you’re back safe,she said.So tell me truthfully: Do you feel fully prepared for the battle ahead?
Yes, I was able to absorb the windstorm’s power until it increased my own. I’m ready,I promised her, though I couldn’t ignore the little tremor of apprehension that ran through me.
She couldn’t, either, by the way her ears swiveled suspiciously at me. But Zamir drew our attention.
Zamir saluted Talon and bowed her head to me. “Commander, I contacted Falcon as you requested, and he needs to know when he should be here to guard Shazeera.”
“Tell him tomorrow at dawn,” Talon said.
“Understood,” she said and strode away toward the palace, presumably to send word to Falcon.
To me, Talon said, “I’ve asked Falcon to guard Shazeera since Baz, Kestrel, and Zamir will be with us. He is trustworthy.”
I nodded, grateful for Talon’s foresight. I didn’t want to leave Shazeera unguarded while we faced unknown horrors in the west wing. I stroked Shazeera’s silky coat. “I’m worried for Shazeera if anything should happen to us,” I said.
She snorted and shook her head.Do not even speak of such a possibility.
It would be foolish not to,I told her.
“I’ve already prepared for that,” Talon said, and when my eyebrows shot up, he added, “not that I expect us all to go in there and die, but you should always make plans in case of death during battle. Falcon will fly Shazeera back to your people if we are killed.”
“And you trust him?” I asked, anxiety still twisting my insides. I wished it were Baz, Zamir, or even Kestrel—Eagle Riders I had come to know and trust to look out for Shazeera.
