Prince of Flight

by Mandy M. Roth

  “You remind me of the past in some ways, but you give me a spark of hope that the old ways will not always be so,” said Keonae, drawing a look of surprise from Sachin.

  It was true. He knew the truth of Lazar. He was rightful king of the Falconi. Soon, they’d make a move and help him regain the throne from his twisted half-brother. In the meantime, they were busy fighting off recent attacks on the edges of their kingdom from the vultures.

  Keonae glanced around the table. “Dare I ask what the vultures have been up to? It’s bad enough they seem to rise from obscurity, but now it is as if they have a hand in nearly all that is going wrong back home.”

  Chapter Two

  The men present shared concerned looks, probably fearing he might break upon hearing anything in the way of news on the vultures. Keonae lifted a hand. “Worry not. I have put the past behind me and will not shatter to pieces with talk of them. I asked because I wish to know and because I sense you’ve been leaving a lot out of our last meetings in regards to them.”

  Sachin cleared his throat. “We believe we can account for their large numbers.”

  Keonae waited, saying nothing more.

  Sachin glanced to Lazar and then to Keonae, hesitant to speak further.

  “Tell me.”

  “It is merely a theory for now,” said Sachin.

  Rossi spat to the side, cursing the bird gods before returning to ranting about the vultures. “Carcass feeders!”

  Lazar lifted his beer to toast the statement. “Agree. They are bottom dwellers.”

  Most had assumed the vultures had permanently tucked themselves away to lick their wounds from the wars of two centuries ago. Some were even rumored to have fled to the human realm to escape being tried for war crimes. Keonae himself could attest to the vultures being comfortable with passing between realms—he’d been ambushed by them upon human soil and that was why he had not healed as he should have. On Accipitridae, he would have been left whole, perfect as he had once been, not marred. Not still with pain at random times. He should have had full mobility. He didn’t.

  It had been hoped the vultures’ numbers had dwindled as had those in most of the bird kingdoms. Those hopes had been dashed in recent months as verification of the increase in vulture numbers came to a head. They were attacking all kingdoms within the bird realm and in numbers that took everyone by surprise. It was clear they had successfully overcome the low birth rates that had beleaguered the realm for so long.

  They were poised to be a serious threat to Accipitridae once more. Keonae touched his scars gently and then let his hand fall away to avoid bringing attention to them. Vultures had left their mark on him, a permanent reminder of their cruelty.

  “What theory do you have on their numbers being so high when all the rest of the realm struggles so with new births?” asked Keonae.

  The men were quiet for far too long and Keonae knew the information they had was not good. It was Lazar who finally spoke. “They have found a way to artificially breed. They have perfected this over the last century through aid of human technologies in the fields of reproduction, DNA cloning, and something they refer to as genetic engineering. Kabril is meeting with a team of scientists from here, learning all he can of this.”

  “They played gods?” inquired Keonae, his breath nearly stolen at the idea of something as sick and vile as vultures managing to create an army from scratch. “They did this within the realm?”

  Rossi shook his head. “Not all of it. No. From what we are learning most took place here in remote locations. We know very little beyond this.”

  Keonae found himself lost in worry and thoughts, his mind a mess and his body tense and tight. After a while, he noticed no one else dared to speak, giving him time to absorb the news.

  “Are you well?” asked Sachin.

  Keonae nodded. “Reflecting on matters best left in the past.”

  “Hard to keep it behind you when we come and set it before your table, yes?” asked his friend.

  Keonae slid him a knowing look. “I need to be kept abreast of the situation back home, regardless of what that situation may be. How many more attacks have been reported?”

  “A half-dozen. Rossi confirmed it was vultures because he had to engage with them. He managed to capture one who gave confirmation of what we had only recently learned. They bred an army.”

  He looked to his younger brother. “And?”

  “I walked away alive, unlike some who were with me,” Rossi said softly. “They died honorable deaths. They fought for their kingdom.”

  Lazar stiffened in his seat. “The eagles have sent reinforcements to help us with our borders.”

  “Are their own not at risk?” asked Keonae.

  Sachin shook his head. “Not at this time. And their numbers are greater than our own. They have offered the falcons assistance as well, but only after assuring Kabril would not take offense.”

  Keonae snorted. “They do not want Kabril carrying a grudge. He is much like our father.”

  The men all agreed.

  “The owls have reached out as well. Seems they are willing to assist. I believe they do not like knowing the vultures have gained knowledge over them,” said Sachin.

  Keonae laughed. “And pull themselves from their never-ending quest for knowledge? I am shocked. Will they throw books at the vultures? Beat them to death with scrolls?”

  Rossi laughed and drank more beer. “They have already tried to convince the queen a more rigorous education should be in order for the newly birthed children within the realm.”

  “Oh, of that I have no doubt. Our tutors when we were young fledglings were all of the owl kingdom. Do you recall?”

  Rossi groaned. “Yes. Do not remind me.”

  Keonae was surprised to hear the owls had joined against the vultures. They thought themselves scholars, too smart and above war to be bothered. But they knew the stories of old—of a time when the vultures ruled the realm—and it was not a good era for the shifters.

  Not in the least.

  Each kind tended to stick to themselves and handle their own conflicts. It took a serious matter for peace between the races, regardless of how fragile it was, to be reached. Although, Keonae doubted very much anything in the way of peaceful negotiations would happen with Lazar’s people. Not with tensions as high as they were.

  “Remember when Aeson was unhappy with his history lessons and decided to pull pranks on the tutor?” asked Rossi, talking of their brother.

  “I do. Father scolded him and required he clean chamber pots for a solid week.”

  Sachin laughed. “Speaking of Aeson, was he not to meet us here tonight as well?”

  Lazar nodded. “He told me he would meet us here. We assumed he would be here, in the bar.”

  Keonae grunted. “He’s not. He’s probably home bedding his mate. That seems to be his favorite pastime anymore. If that is what he calls fun, fine.”

  “I should be home with mine,” Lazar added, grinning. “Trust me when I say she looks better than all of you put together.”

  The others razzed him about his wife, whom they all liked. Keonae didn’t have an opinion of her as he’d not had the pleasure of actually meeting her. The others spoke highly of Lazar’s woman. That was all that mattered to him.

  “This talk makes me thankful I have no mate to speak of.” Keonae finished the beer and opened another. “I have no one to answer to. I am free to live my life as I wish. Kick back and enjoy drink and no commitments.” At the very thought of commitments his mind centered on Lark. He would answer to her if she would have him, but the problem was she never would. She was too good for him. Too beautiful, kind, and caring.

  More than he deserved and more than he dared hope for. In addition, she was human, and humans and his kind only worked if they were true mates. The gods would not grant him one. Not with his past sins.

  In some ways, he’d gotten what he deserved. He’d bloodied his sword too many times to count. He’d killed the en
emy even when they begged for their lives, and when one requested a quick death, he denied them as much, making them suffer. There had been a time when he was one of the most feared of the hawks’ warriors. Bloodthirsty and bent on winning as all warriors were, he’d been ruthless in his quest for victory in battle. But in the end, he’d been blinded by lust, then nearly blinded for real. The bird gods demanded payment due, and payment he had made.

  “I still cannot fathom why we’re meeting in this dive,” said Rossi. “Aeson has raised his standards. He probably showed, took one look at this place, and then fled. Smart man.”

  “Hey, I like this bar. It is one of my favorites,” he said, omitting the fact that it was only his favorite because of Lark.

  “You have been living as a human for far too long if this bar holds appeal,” said Sachin. “Your standards have fallen greatly.”

  Had they not been friends all their lives, Keonae would have taken offense. As it stood, he knew Sachin’s words were birthed out of concern and a healthy grain of truth. The bar was a hole in the ground.

  Lifting his beer, Keonae inclined his head to make a toast. “To using women to serve one’s needs so long as I’m not tethered to a mate, and to dives like this. May the shit hole-in-the-ground places always welcome a motley crew such as us.”

  Rossi’s sound of disgust wasn’t lost on Keonae. “Brother, tell me you’re not planning to continue living here in this realm. More to the point, near this place. The human realm is a wonderful place to visit, but to lay roots? To call home? Also, I believe the human term for this is hole-in-the wall, not ground.”

  Sachin groaned. “Rossi has moaned since our departure. Mayhap the moons back home are afflicting him.”

  “Make fun of humans,” said Lazar to Rossi before he drank his beer. “I dare you. I will tell your wife. Lucy will unman you.”

  “Hey, none of that now,” said Rossi with wide eyes. “Her moods have been sour enough with me of late. She needs no encouragement. I had no idea human females could be so violent. Pregnancy has made her scary. I show no fear in battle, yet I shake in her presence. I spent last night sleeping upon the floor outside our chamber doors as she deemed me in the dog house, whatever that means. Humans are very strange beings.”

  “My wife just happens to be human too. As does your queen,” reminded Sachin. “If they hear you talking about their tempers, they’ll team up with Lucy and they’ll all geld you.” Sachin leaned forward as if daring Rossi to say more. Wisely, Rossi shut up.

  Keonae laughed, bringing a look of surprise from the males around him. “What? I find it humorous that you are all terrified of little human women.”

  “You really need to meet them face-to-face,” said Sachin. “They’d scare the feathers off a vulture.”

  Keonae smiled wide and felt the pull on the right side of his face from muscles he didn’t use often. He quickly schooled his expression, dreading drawing attention to his misshapen smile.

  “Speaking of vultures,” said Lazar, knocking lightly on the table. “You were correct, Keonae. We have held much back from you in the past months.”

  Keonae nodded, figuring as much.

  Lazar continued. “They have been attacking on the edges of the kingdom, we believe in an attempt to test our forces and our protection lines. To date, they have not been successful in gaining access to the hawks’ area, but I do not think that is their true mission.”

  Sachin let out a long breath. “Nor do I. They seek to distract us while testing our resolve.”

  “Bottom feeders,” mouthed Rossi.

  Lazar nodded. “Word reached us that they’re planning a raid here in the human realm. And if our spies are correct, this raid is to occur not far from where you lay your head, Keonae. And we do not believe it will be far in the future.”

  “I would like to place guards with you until this blows over,” said Sachin, tipping his head. “I know you will protest and tell me no, but think upon it. You are not the seasoned warrior you once were. You have lived the way of a human for far too long to stand alone against a threat such as them.”

  “Says you,” added Keonae, knowing he hadn’t just withdrawn from the fight and lost his edge. If anything, he worked harder, trained harder, and spent more time preparing for a battle that may never come. The blood thirst that had once been his driving force was no more. That had been beaten out of him and died the day his world changed forever. But upon reflection, he knew it would make him a better warrior. One who could stand against a foe and not allow the thrill of the kill be what guided his actions.

  Rossi lifted his beer. “We first assumed they were making a move upon you, trying to draw us out, but then new information came to light—they seek a woman.”

  Keonae wasn’t following. “What would they want with a human woman? They have never been known to show an interest in this realm before. When they ruled supreme, the portals were banned. What has changed?”

  “That, we do not know,” Sachin said, leaning back in his chair. “It is troublesome. They show the females of our realm no mercy when they capture one, so think of what horrors they could inflict upon a human woman. Consider allowing the guards to be placed near you. It would set all our minds at ease. Should the vultures make a move upon you, they will be able to assist.”

  Keonae flinched at the thought of the enemy getting their hands on a human woman. They were ruthless, and if they had human women in their sights, something was very wrong. Keonae had become protective of the humans to some degree, feeling as though he was part of them now, even though he doubted highly that any human would accept what he was. Should they realize he could sprout wings and fly, they would probably shoot him first and then examine his dead remains later. Humans were like that.

  Except for one human female he found himself very drawn to. The idea of the vultures being anywhere near Lark set him on edge. The urge to stand and seek her out was strong, but just then, she came to him. His heart fluttered and he had to temper his breathing to avoid alerting his companions to just how much the woman meant to him.

  Chapter Three

  The door from the main area of the bar opened and Lark appeared, carrying a tray full of beers. Her long, blonde hair was pulled up haphazardly, falling in sexy, loose sections around her face. She stood tall for a human female, just under six feet with her heeled boots on. He liked that. Liked knowing there was a chance he could fuck her while standing. Not that he’d done more than converse with her to date. Still the fantasy remained, always lingering just below the surface, teasing him. Jeans fit her long legs and hugged her tight ass, only serving to turn him on more.

  She’d only been working at the bar for about four weeks, and in that time Keonae found himself frequenting the place more than previously. Nearly nightly to be exact. He craved her, wanting to simply occupy the same space as she. Lark had a softness that made him want to wrap her in his arms and protect her. And she enjoyed talking with him, though he knew not why. He was hardly a man of interest, yet she seemed to hang on his every word, as he did hers. She had a certain pull over him, one he didn’t necessary like, but one he couldn’t deny.

  He was attracted to her in a way he’d not been attracted to a woman in nearly a century. He normally had no problem telling a woman if he wanted to fuck her. With Lark, however, he had issues even allowing her to see him in any sort of direct light, fearful she’d do as every woman did when seeing him in full light for the first time.

  Flinch and recoil.

  There had been a time, long ago, when women spoke of how handsome he was, how attractive. He was now hideous—a scarred mess of a man who had wanted nothing more than to hide away in the human realm and leave the past far behind him.

  “Are you even listening?” asked Rossi.

  Keonae tipped his head. No, he’d not bothered paying attention. His focus was still upon Lark as she came deeper into the back room, paying him little mind as she adjusted a tray of drinks. He’d wanted to show her off to the men, but n
ow that they were here, he simply wanted them to go so he could spend time with her. He didn’t want their judging gazes upon him.

  He wanted to go to her, touch her, be touched by her, but he didn’t dare move from his chair. Tonight he felt on edge, too close to doing something questionable. He could stand rejection from others, not that it lasted long, but he couldn’t risk the look in Lark’s eyes when she caught sight of him fully. She was different. He needed her to accept him for who and what he was, though it made no sense to him.

  “I daresay your brother is ignoring you,” interrupted Lazar with a snort as he found amusement in something. “He must feel you babble endlessly as well. We all share that opinion, Rossi.”

  Sachin laughed. “That we do.”

  Rossi followed Keonae’s gaze and lifted a brow when he looked in Lark’s direction. “I would take offense, but I think something else holds his interest.”

  “Or rather someone,” stressed Lazar, noticing Lark as well.

  Uncomfortable knowing the men had seen his keen interest in Lark, Keonae attempted to find his place within the conversation once more. “Vultures, yes. They’re evil, vile pricks. We should string them all up. Blah, blah. What are we doing about them?”

  The men shared a look and laughed.

  “Oh yes,” said Sachin. “Someone else holds his attention. Dear friend, we were taking a moment from talk of enemies to discuss the coming festivals. It would mean a great deal to Kabril to have all of us home for it. Though, I highly suspect your interests do not lie within festivals unless the celebration was to be held between a tall blonde’s legs.”

  Keonae didn’t comment because Lark picked then to approach their table. Her gaze found him and he averted his, trying to keep the scarred side of his face in the shadows of the dimly lit area at the end of the table.

  “Keon,” she said, holding her tray of beers. “I brought refills for you and your guys.”