by A C Wilds
“Wanna get out of here?” Grey says, coming up behind me. He doesn’t touch me, but I know he wants to.
“Yeah, how about we start on those flying lessons. I’d like to feel free, if only for a little while,” I say, turning toward him. In this light he is so beautiful. His hair glistens with the light of the moon and his eyes shine bright with mischief.
“Call out your wings, and let’s start with the basics,” he says, popping out his own. The pristine white feathers have a glow to them, and I’m sort of jealous that his are so pure looking.
My wings appear with just a thought, and the darkness seems to swallow them up. I stretch them out to make them more flexible, giving them a little flutter. The breeze lifts Grey’s hair and he gives me a smile.
“Ok, now I want you to think of your body being weightless. Hold your muscles tight and let your wings lift you. Trust in them. They were made to carry your weight. If you need to do a running start, that’s ok too. Once you’ve jumped into the air, pump them up and down until you’ve reached the height you want, then level out your body horizontally and flap them some more. You can’t glide until you’ve hit a wind current.”
“So you mean I have to keep flapping these things to stay up there. Doesn’t that get tiring?”
“Of course it does, but that’s why you have to practice. I’ve also learned, since we’ve started sharing magic, that I can use Cass’s wind to lift me up a bit. But try the regular way first, so you know what to do.”
Extending my wings a bit, I take a running leap. Once I’m airborne, I flap my wings until I get some height. My body is heavy and my wings feel weak, but I press on. I get about forty feet off the ground and pull myself horizontal while my wings continue their up and down motion.
Gliding through the air, the cold wind on my face wakes me up. It lessens the tension that I’ve been carrying around all these weeks. A weightlessness befalls me, and the feeling of liberation and freedom in my grasp.
The night sky looks impossibly close, like I could touch the stars. Grey flies up to meet me and we take off together. I pump my wings faster, bringing us higher, finding a wind current, and coasting along it. Flying is easily becoming one of my favorite things.
“How are you feeling?” He shouts. The smile on his face is infectious and I give him one right back.
“This is amazing! It’s a nice change, being in the sky and away from everyone.”
He flies closer to me, reaching out his hand. I place mine in his and we ride out the wind current together. We break once the current dips down, and start to fall a bit toward a clearing.
“Try using your fire magic when the wings are in flames. Maybe the asshole had it right. Maybe they are a conduit for the magic.”
The more I think about it, the more truth I hear in what he is saying. If my wings are the missing piece of the puzzle, then maybe I can control the stone’s power without Noli. Maybe I’m the Changer that will really change everything.
With a thought, my wings ignite. The flame is a bright beacon in the night sky. I do a bit of a twirl to test out their strength. The flames stay true and don’t extinguish. Grey looks at me in awe.
“Those are so fucking cool,” he says, the smile he’s had on since we’ve took flight growing wider. “Now try to burn down that tree.” He points to a long tree sitting in the middle of the clearing. It’s far enough away from everything, that if my aim is off, the whole forest won’t go up in flames.
“Ok, but make sure you’re ready with some water magic to put the flames out if this goes wrong.”
He nods his head in agreement, and I land in the clearing. Looking up at him, I try to get some strength. I have to be able to do this on my own. Having the guys’ magic is awesome, but it’s useless if I can’t control it.
Pulling from the mixed pool in my center, I find my fire thread. It’s humming with so much energy that I’m afraid to try. It’s almost overwhelming, but then my wings seems to suck out some of that magic. It’s like my wings are feeding off of the pool inside me. With a new resolve, I point my hands at the tree and will my fire to come through my palms. The tree ignites the way I want it to. The flames are concentrated and only a small circular hole can be seen in the tree, almost like a laser was shot from my hands.
Grey lands next to me and wraps me in a hug. My flames have no effect on him, but I extinguish them anyway. It feels good to be wrapped up in his arms. He’s warm, safe, and reminds me of home. A home I’ll never see again.
“Do you miss it? Home, I mean.” I ask, breaking the hug enough to look at his face.
“Yeah. I miss it a lot. I miss not having all this shit to worry about. I miss football. I miss pizza and beer, and I mostly miss just being normal. No weird Fae magic or slavery or Courts. How about you? Miss anything special?”
“The food for sure. I mean, the stuff here is good, but there’s nothing like junk food. Also, showjumping. I know I could do that here, but it wouldn’t be the same. The circuit is something special. Competing against other riders, proving you’re better. And makeup. I miss makeup a lot.”
“That’s not something I thought you’d say. You don’t look like a makeup everyday girl.”
“I’m not, usually, but there is nothing like a new Morphe palette.”
“I’ll take your word for it. Wanna fly again? Maybe race this time? Winner gets oral?”
I snort, pulling him back to me for a kiss. My tongue invades his mouth and makes him think of all the dirty things I could do to him with it.
Pushing off his chest, I jump in the air and take flight seconds later. He sees my move for what it is, a distraction, and shoots right after me. I’ll never let him win.
Chapter 19
Welcoming
Azra
The dragon horde arrives the next day. Izzy and Eugene welcome them at the edge of the protection barrier. There are so many that I don’t think the accommodations we prepared are enough. Men, women, and children of all ages come trailing in the gates like refugees. Their clothes are torn and they look malnourished. I wonder how long they have been in hiding.
Walking up to the gate, my guys and I prepare to greet them as one. They’re about to go into battle with us, giving their lives to better the Fae race, the least I can do is make them feel more comfortable with their would be savior. As much as I hate to admit it, that’s what I am.
Eugene approaches with an older woman. She looks like she’s about a hundred years old. Her long gray hair is braided to the side of her head. She holds a cane of birch and walks a bit slow, but when I approach her, the first thing I notice are her eyes and all the power she holds behind them.
“Mara, this is Azra, the Changer,” Eugene says. The old woman gives me a smile, and then drops her cane to grab me in a hug. The warmth of her body soothes my soul, and it’s something I didn’t think I needed till now. The guys are affectionate, but there is nothing like the hug of a grandmother. I had one once, but she died when I was a child.
I lean into it more, and she pats my back. Breaking the hug to look up at me, she has tears in her eyes. The connection I feel with this lady is instant. It’s also super strong.
“I can’t believe you’re here. You’re finally here,” she says, pulling me back in.
“Thank you for coming,” I say into her shoulder. I can feel the whole crowd looking at the exchange, and I’m worried what they may be thinking.
“No thanks needed. It was our duty to come and help. We have waited so long to gain freedom, to watch you change the world.”
There’s so much confidence in her voice that my mouth goes dry as I try to wrap my mind around a whole race of Fae waiting for someone like me to help them. A weight of responsibility crushes my shoulders. Shax steps up to me, and places a hand on the back of my neck, rubbing circles with his thumb. Some may see this as dominating, but it’s more for comfort and support. So much expectation. I feel like I’m drowning. My chest starts to hurt, and my breathing comes in and out u
neasily.
“Allow us to get you settled, and then we can have a more formal meeting,” Izzy says, saving me from myself. The old woman smiles again, and then turns to her people and starts to shout orders. Her voice is strong, and speaks of the power she has over everyone.
“Let’s go inside. Let them find their rooms, and then we can talk more in private. I can feel your anxiety through the bond,” Shax says, turning me toward the manor doors.
We walk upstairs and I plop on the bed, trying to steady my nerves. The guys all find their seats and wait for me to speak. Staring at the ceiling, I take a deep breath in and out and Cass sends calming vibes down the bond. I roll over into him, and curl around his body. It starts to build up and before I know it, tears are pouring down my face. I begin to sniffle and then the flood gates open and I’m full on crying. Snot and tears stain his shirt, as he holds me tighter.
Shax comes up behind us and fits himself into my back. The other guys come to crowd in with us, and we stay like that until my breathing evens out. I am so grateful for these four.
“Sorry, guys. I got overwhelmed with all the responsibility I have now. Seeing those dragons, the reality of what they are, what they’ve had to go through, was too much. Did you see the children? They wore rags and were filthy. Izzy’s people are lucky, but the dragons show the true face of this war. I was a nobody, working in a diner, wasting my life, and now I’m one of the most important people in this realm. It’s very… constricting,” I confess, staring at the ceiling. I can’t look them in the eyes just yet.
Sitting up, I scoot to the end of the bed and make my way over to the bathroom. I run the cool water over my face, and breathe in the fresh air. Walking back into the room, it’s really hard to look at them. What if I fail? What if they lose faith in me?
“You’re stronger than you think. Think about how far you’ve come. All the things you’ve accomplished. You turned Greyson into a Fae. You gave yourself flaming wings. There is still so much more to explore. Don’t put yourself down. Have confidence in your abilities. We will stand with you no matter what. If you perish, we will as well, fighting by your side,” Gunner says with a small smile. He’s seen the most violence out of all of us. This war must be hanging over him as well, reminding him of the past. His face is open, and I take a chance. I think the others need to know.
“Have you told them your story?” I ask, almost in a whisper. If we’re going to go into battle with each other, they should know they can trust him.
“No, I was waiting for us all to be together without an audience,” he says, getting up from the bed and moving to one of the windows. He opens it up and lets the cool breeze in. Taking a deep breath, he turns to the guys and tells them his tale. His emotions are all over the bond, and the guys can feel his guilt and sorrow.
“I didn’t know,” Shax says, when he’s finished. “I thought you did it for the money.”
“No, the money was never important to me. In fact, I have most of it saved. Never spent more than I needed to survive. It’s blood money, Shax. I don’t want any part of it.”
“Well… shit. That’s fucked up, dude. I can totally relate though because that twatwaffle Michael did the same to me,” Grey says, making everyone smile.
“It’s not an excuse though. Sola was my friend. She trusted me and I betrayed her. I made the choice to do it. I was asked to do it because your mother is the cruelest being in the world, and I’m just as selfish,” Gunner admits. He’s still so broken.
“It’s not going to be easy to forget it. I won’t lie to you, but thank you for telling us your story. Thank you for showing us that you truly are a part of this bond. That you’re with us in this fight,” Shax says, getting up to go to Gunner. He embraces him, and a look of shock comes across my face. This is new, this physical touch. It shows how far we’ve come.
Gunner breaks contact first and looks over at Cass and Grey for confirmation. They nod to him, accepting the past as the past, and claiming our future together. Rubbing my hands on my face, I try to think about what’s next. Where do we go from here? Training is starting to feel irrelevant at this point. I don’t have time to hone my skills like the guys have. We need to get a plan of action together so that Michael will be defeated and Lucifer will be killed.
“When do we go speak with Mara and the rest? I want to start making a plan of attack. All this waiting and hoping isn’t getting any of us anywhere. We need to act now, while they are still confident in their power,” I say, watching Shax for an argument. Being alpha gives him certain decision making liberties, and when to put us all in danger is one of them.
“I can ready them for you, if you’d like,” Cass says, getting up from the bed and coming to kiss my palm. His touch is so gentle and comforting that I lean a little into him. I’d really like to hide out in here for a while. Not have to deal with the reality that I’m sure is going to smack me in the face. There is something about Mara that I can’t place.
“Greyson, why don’t you go find Red and Ash. They were in the stables this morning speaking to one of the managers about getting more Fae steeds for the battle,” Shax asks, observing Grey’s reaction to an order. To my surprise, he gives no lip and leaves the room. Shax and Gunner are left. The tension in the room is minimal and for the first time since Gunner has joined our bond, I feel like I can breathe. Our bond is stronger, and I know that our magical connections will be as well.
The operations room is filled with Fae when I walk in. Grey and Cass are seated near the head of the table, and I walk over to where they have held a seat for me. All eyes are on me as I go to sit near my mates. Shax and Gunner trail behind me, looking very much like the soldiers they are.
A hush goes over the crowd and I take a seat waiting to see who will speak first. Izzy gets up from her seat, Acalon standing with her. They look like a formidable pair, while their two other mates stand just behind them.
“Thank you all for coming. This is a war that will not be won easily. It’s going to take every one of us to make this dream that we hold in our hands a reality. Azra is here to help us, and to finish off the monarchy so that Faerie can return back to the place it once was. But that doesn’t mean the rest of us don’t have a part. She is only one Fae. We are many. There are plenty of other positions that need to be filled. Yes, lives will be lost, but think about your children or their children. When Faerie is brought back to it’s glory then they will be free and can do anything they wish. No more hiding,” she says, and a cheer erupts from the room. Her speech gives me goosebumps. She’s a natural leader.
My throat starts to close a bit as I stare wild eyed at the rest of the Fae here in this room. The weight of it all is pressed firmly into me. Reminding me that there is no escape. That I hold all of these lives in my hand. If I fail, they will perish, or I will be leaving them for a worse fate. The dragons are strong and willful. Their fire burns inside them, and Mara is at the top of all this power. This raw heady power that wraps itself around me in a comforting hug. She smiles a knowing smile, and I can’t shake why.
“Before we continue, I need to get something out in the open,” she says, looking directly at me. The guys tense up and I notice the shift in her men as well. An older gentleman sitting beside her closes his hand over hers. She offers him a quick glance and then turns back to me.
The whole room holds in a collective breath as we wait to hear what she has to say. Her body is tense in the chair. Her aura flickering in and out with power. She’s nervous, but something else. Excited?
“You’re driving us crazy, lady. Just spit it out,” Grey says, cutting the tension. His arms are crossed over his chest as he leans back into the chair. He has no patience, and in this moment I’m grateful for it.
“Sorry. This is just so much to take in. We’ve waited so long for Azrael to come home,” she says, offering a small smile. Unshed tears form in her eyes, and a catch forms in her throat.
“What do you mean, ‘come home’,” Shax says, perking up with
attention. A strum of nervousness flitters through me. Excitement rolls around my body and my magic jumps to come out and play.
“She means that Azrael has finally come back to us,” a strong male voice says from the doorway. My eyes widen in shock and a strum of recognition flows through me, Jack.
“What are you doing here? I ask in disbelief. This wasn’t something I saw coming at all.
“Who is this?” Cass say, shifting in his seat. A nervousness flutters through the bond and I can tell the guys don’t like this any more then I do.
“This is Jack. He was a customer at the diner. I’ve known him for a while now,” I explain, watching his grin widen at the mention of our connection.
“Yes, a while now. Azrael has been one of the best waitresses I have ever had,” he says with a sinister grin. It sends a shiver of foreboding down my spine.
“But what are you doing here, Jack? How do you have a connection with the horde?” I ask, still perplexed on why he’d be with them.
“This is my horde. Where I was born. Mara is my aunt. She raised me after my parents perished. I got caught on Earth during the war and couldn’t come back until the portal was open. I almost didn’t make it in time,” he says, looking at Mara with affection. At least in this he tells the truth. The other part I’m not so sure.
“You knew what I was? Just as Noli had?” I interrogate, turning to Noli for confirmation. She looks uncomfortable at the mention of her betrayal. I feel bad, but it needed to be said.
“I didn’t know Jack was a dragon. I knew he was magical, but I needed to protect you. I couldn’t risk confronting him and then him guessing who you were,” she says, her arms crossed over her chest in annoyance.
“Noli speaks the truth. We never had a conversation out of the small interactions at the dinner. I had my suspicions though. You look a lot like your mother,” he replies, stopping my heart. No one has mentioned my mother. I didn’t think anyone knew her.