Page 15 of Rings and Wings and Stardust Things

“Well! I’ll just leave you two alone then.” She gave me a knowing look before slipping past Ryon and disappearing down the hall.

The door hissed shut behind her, leaving Ryon and me alone in the thick, tension-filled air. My heart pounded in my ears as I tried to find the right words to break the electric silence between us.

And then, just like that, the tension fizzled as he blinked and looked away. “I should’ve waited for you to get dressed.”

Oh.

I clutched the throw tighter around me, my cheeks flaming, but his next words hit me like a bucket of ice water.

“I need to talk to you.”

RYON

Istared at Savannah, my feathers ruffling involuntarily as memories of last night flickered through my mind. The way she felt in my wings, the intoxicating taste of her skin, the breathless sounds she made when I...

I shook my head, fighting to clear the dizzying thoughts. This was madness. She was a human, here on a professional assignment. I couldn't allow myself to be consumed by these wayward desires. And yet, the mere sight of her set my heart pounding with an intensity I'd never experienced before.

“Savannah,” I began, my voice emerging as little more than a husky rasp. I cleared my throat. “I've just received word from my brother. There's been some sort of business crisis that requires Helko's attention.”

Her nose crinkled. “But I had meetings today with him and Sharlar about the ceremony. I thought last night went so well.”

“And things will still go well,” I assured her quickly. “You’re the professional at this, right. For now, however, Helko needs to focus on this other matter.” I shrugged, feigning nonchalance though my insides twisted with a strange mix of guilt and excitement. “Father has instructed me to keep you...amused in Helko's absence.”

Savannah's eyes widened, and I could have sworn a faint blush crept across her cheeks. Surely she didn't think I meant... No, of course not. This was business, pure and simple.

Wasn't it?

“I thought perhaps we could explore beyond the city limits,” I suggested, grasping at the first idea that came to mind. “There are some breathtaking natural wonders not far from here. If you're amenable, that is.”

To my relief, Savannah nodded, a spark of curiosity kindling in her gaze. “That sounds wonderful. I'd love to see more of your world.”

“Excellent. Then I'll meet you in the entry hall in, say, an hour?” I hesitated, my eyes roving over her delicate features one last time before I forced myself to turn away. “Don't be late.”

The words carried more weight than I intended, and I hurried from the room before she could respond, my pulse thundering in my ears. What was happening to me? I was a Zorax, raised with discipline and control. And yet this human woman made me feel utterly unraveled, unmoored from everything I thought I knew about myself.

I paced the entry hall, my talons clicking against the polished floor with each restless step. My wings twitched with a strange, fluttery sensation that only grew more pronounced as the minutes ticked by. What was I doing? This was foolish, reckless even. And yet the thought of spending more time with Savannah, of revealing the wonders of my world to her, filled me with an excitement I couldn't deny.

At last, she emerged, and my breath caught in my throat. She wore a flowing tunic of deep emerald, the fabric clinging to her curves before flaring out around her legs, grey leggings underneath sheathing her legs. A sheer wrap of the same vibrant hue draped over her shoulders, leaving her slender arms bare. My gaze lingered on the elegant line of her neck, the delicate hollow at its base, and I swallowed hard as memories of how her skin had tasted assailed me.

“You look...” I began, then trailed off, unable to find the words. In truth, there were no words in any language that could adequately describe her beauty in that moment.

Savannah's cheeks flushed slightly, and she ducked her head. “Thank you. I wanted something comfortable for our outing.”

I gave a short nod, my throat too tight to speak. Gesturing for her to follow, I led the way to the private hangar where a sleek, silver flitter awaited us. As we settled into the compact cabin, I took a moment to orient myself, refusing to meet Savannah's inquisitive gaze for fear of what she might see in my eyes.

With a gentle nudge of the controls, the flitter hummed to life, and we lifted effortlessly into the air. I angled us towards the soaring spires of the city's heart, allowing Savannah to take in the breathtaking vistas as we wove between glittering skyscrapers. Her soft gasps of wonder drifted to me, and I couldn't resist stealing glances at her expression of rapt delight.

All too soon, the city fell away behind us, giving way to the rugged, untamed beauty of the Teloril mountain range. I guided the flitter lower, skimming over lush valleys and crystalline lakes that shimmered like liquid diamonds in the afternoon light. When a particularly striking peak loomed before us, I banked sharply, circling its snow-capped summit before alighting in a secluded meadow carpeted with fragrant blooms.

“This is one of my favorite places,” I said as we disembarked, retrieving the woven basket I'd packed earlier. “Few Draen venture this far from the city.”

Savannah turned in a slow circle, drinking in the panoramic vista of jutting peaks and verdant slopes. “It's breathtaking,” she murmured. “Almost like something from a dream.”

A strange warmth blossomed in my chest at her words, and I found myself unable to look away from the play of sunlight across her features. With an effort, I tore my gaze away, busying myself with spreading out a blanket and unpacking the various delicacies I'd chosen for our picnic.

As we settled onto the blanket, Savannah regarded me with those endlessly curious eyes of hers. “Tell me about this place,” she said. “What makes it so special to you?”

I hesitated, uncertain of how to put the depth of my feelings into words. “It's a connection to our past,” I began slowly. “A reminder of the wild, untamed spirit that still beats within every Draen heart.” I gestured to the craggy peaks that surrounded us. “These mountains have stood witness to the rise and fall of empires, to the eternal cycle of life and death that governs all things. When I'm here, I feel...grounded. At peace.”

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