Page 80 of Kingdom of Shadows and Wings

With one last glance at my sleeping roommates, I ease open the door and peek down the hallway. Once I’m certain no one’s watching, I steal toward the alicorn stable. Curfew already came and went, but no one intercepts me on the way. Even if they did, Abel told me that first-time offenders just get sent back to the dorms with a warning. My jittery nerves don’t seem to get the message.

I creep inside the dim structure, my eyes taking a moment to adjust.

The door to Thorne’s room is closed. I send up a silent prayer that he’s in his instructor quarters instead. Or a heavy sleeper.

With measured steps, I head toward Zephyr’s stall. Though I probably woke him up, he’s on high alert when I reach him, ears pricked forward.

He snorts in greeting, and the alicorn in the adjoining stall lets out a high-pitched whinny.

“Shhh. We’ve got to be quiet.” I keep my voice low as I rub Zephyr’s silvery nose. “And…I’m going to need a huge favor.”

Saddling him in the dark takes a small eternity, but I manage the job without making too much noise. Before leading the alicorn outside, I give the place one last cursory glance and breathe a sigh of relief. No guards in sight. No grumpy flight instructor ready to rip my head off either. Just a barn full of sleepy alicorns.

Outside, I try to work up the nerve to mount the massive creature. This all sounded feasible in theory. Borrow an alicorn. Fly to Royce. Return and slip back into bed before anyone notices I’m gone. Now that the moment of truth has arrived, though, the flying part of my plan churns my stomach.

“You can do this.” Though the words are more for me than for Zephyr, I keep my voice soft and soothing as I pat his neck. “We’ll stay low to the ground. And we’ll be back before anyone misses us.” I take a deep breath and ease myself into the saddle. “Ready?”

A lazy drawl interrupts my monologue. “Nice pep talk. Truly inspirational.”

I freeze as Sterling Thorne emerges from the shadows. “What are you doing here?”

“What am I doing outside the alicorn stable? The place where I often work and sleep? Do you really need me to answer that?” I shake my head as he reaches Zephyr’s side. “Don’t let me interrupt…whatever it is you’re doing.”

The air leaves my lungs in awhoosh. My lips part, but I can’t form any words.

He wraps his hand around the reins. “I think this just might be the first time I’ve seen you speechless.”

“I…” I what?Don’t mind me. I was just sneaking out for a late-night flight?

“You know,” he tilts his head, “this is starting to become a habit.”

“What is?”

His smile widens as he gestures toward the building. “Your nighttime visits. Sneaking around.”

Irritation ripples through me. “I wasn’t sneaking.”

“Then please enlighten me. What would you call it?”

“I was just, uh…going to practice with Zephyr.”

“In the middle of the night?” He leans in and inhales. “Have you been drinking again?”

“No! Of course not.”

“All right. No need to get defensive. It was a legitimate question after…well, you know.” He pauses, but when I stay silent, he continues. “So tell me, what were youreallydoing out here? And don’t lie. I know you stole two tokens from my room.”

I don’t bother arguing. We’re wasting valuable time, and I see no way around admitting the truth to Thorne. “Okay,” I take a breath and try to steady my nerves, “I might as well tell you. I was going to take Zephyr on a little flight, um…home.” When his jaw drops, my explanation tumbles from my mouth. “Just for tonight! We were going to turn right around and come back.”

Incredulity crosses his features. “You’re serious. You were actually going to attempt this reckless plan.” He scrubs a hand over his face, his jaw muscle twitching. “What in the hells were you thinking?”

I knew it was only a matter of time before that calm charade of his shattered.

“Yes, I’m serious.” The words come out a hiss. “Believe me, I know the risks. I just?—”

“Oh, do you?” He yanks me from the saddle, holding me tight even after my boots hit the dirt. “Fuck, Lark, you’ve never even been on a solo flight before. You’ve never even been more than ten feet off the ground!”

Anger surges through my veins as my entire body tingles with awareness. “I’m well aware.”

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