“A bit overprotective, are we?” I teased.
“I do not safeguard my mate because she is weak or unable to defend herself,” Daxton said, extending his hand. “I protect her because she’s too important to lose.”
“All right.” I sighed as I accepted his hand and climbed into the saddle in front of him.
“Thank you,” Daxton whispered against my ear with a soft kiss.
“Only for you,” I whispered.
His arms encircled me in a fortitude of unwavering strength. My animal sang at our proximity, his grip on my waist tightening as I leaned into him.
“I’ll take it,” Daxton purred as his hands slid across my inner thigh to regain control of the reins. His touch lingered, and I tilted my head to see the corner of his mouth turning up.
“I have a question,” Shaw said as he found his seat on a tan-colored mare. “Why are we not teleporting directly to the clearing like Zola?”
“My teleporting magic radiates a specific signature,” Daxton answered. “I’ve learned over the years that Minaeve can detect where I leave from but not where I’m going. I don’t want to take the chance of her sensing our departure from here and endangering Crimson City.”
“She can detect it?” Shaw asked.
“She’s siphoned Daxton’s magic for centuries,” I said with a cringe. “I wouldn’t put it past her to recognize the power she’s acquired and desires above all else.” I tightened my hand along Daxton’s arm. “But never again.”
Daxton brushed his lips along my cheek in a silent thanks. “Once we’re airborne and over the western edge of the wilt, we can link, and I’ll teleport us the remainder of the way. Even her powers of detection have limits. The wilt interferes with magical signatures.”
“Sound plan,” Shaw said. “Thankfully, we won’t have to be flying for long.”
“Nervous about flying again, Shaw?” I asked as Daxton readied our mount.
“No.” Shaw scowled.
“Good,” Daxton said. “Let’s go.”
Chapter Sixty-Two
Skylar Cathal
Flying above the clouds brought tranquil ease to my mind, my animal rolling within me at the open sky above us, with the looming threat out of reach below.
The entanglement of the sun’s rays painted magnificent pinks and dashes of yellow and orange across the horizon. Nature orchestrated a masterpiece that artists could never accurately articulate with their canvases and brushes.
“You enjoy flying, don’t you?” Daxton asked.
“It appears so.”
“I can feel your power surging through your center, your magic interloping with mine. Do you have any assumptions about what your animal will be?”
“A stubborn one, most likely.” I laughed.
“I’m looking forward to meeting your animal form, Spitfire.”
I squeezed his hand. “Me too.”
“Whichever creature you shift into, I know it’ll be a magnificent sight to behold.”
I felt my animal surge in my center, her power drifting around me in a comforting embrace, linking ourspirits until we blended into one. I had never felt this deep a connection with her before, and I assumed it was because we were ready to shift—ready, yet unable until the mark of the trials was no longer inked on my skin.
“Shaw,” Daxton called out. “Take this.” Daxton tossed the end of a long rope through the open sky to Shaw. “Don’t let go.”
Shaw nodded in understanding, and in a silver flash, Daxton teleported us through the Inner Kingdom. The pegasi bolted as their hooves touched down on soft grass, their wings beating as they adjusted to the change of scenery. I glanced around the clearing and realized this was exactly where we needed to be.
