Page 14 of Kingdom of Shadows and Wings

“Oh, good. You two are still here.” Helene returns, balancing three small dishes. “I brought dessert.”

Olive squints at the other woman. “Why?”

“It’s a peace offering.” Helene sets a bowl and spoon in front of each of us before sitting on my right. “Since we have to train together, we might as well get along.”

As the black-haired fledgling takes a bite of her dessert and launches into a new technique she learned in combat training, I start to feel a little bit guilty. Maybe I misjudged her. Helene wasn’t actually rude to me, just…abrupt.

Olive gives an almost imperceptible shrug and digs into what appears to be custard. “This is pretty good.”

I’d been too nervous to eat more than a bowl of stew, but I’m starting to relax. With a friend or two in my corner, I just might make it through my next month at Flighthaven without a nervous breakdown.

“Okay, you’ve twisted my arm.” Picking up my spoon, I scoop a large bite of the dessert. The thick, creamy custard, with its delicious vanilla flavor, melts on my tongue. “Wow, this is good.”

Helene smiles. “Right?”

The faint bitter aftertaste doesn’t register until I swallow a second spoonful. I frown. “What’s…”

My tongue stops working.

My hand halts mid-air, the spoon halfway to the dish.

My entire body seizes, muscles locking up and freezing as if I’m encased in ice. I can’t move, blink, or speak.

I can’t even suck air into my rigid lungs.

Panic swallows me.

Oh, gods. I’m going to die.

“Lark? Lark, are you okay?” When I don’t respond, Olive shoots a murderous glare at Helene. “For Gallora’s sakes! What did you do?”

My heart’s racing so fast, I’m afraid it’ll explode. Whether that’s from my ratcheting anxiety or whatever I just ate, I don’t know. I just know my lungs are on fire, and I’m helpless. My vision blurs. I can’t breathe. Is this what happened to my sister?

Leesa, I’m sorry.

I barely notice when Helene rises and lowers her mouth to my ear. “Welcome to Flighthaven, newbie. Why don’t you run along to the commander and beg to be reassigned? We both know you won’t hack it here.”

She pats my shoulder and starts to walk away, pausing to glance over her shoulder. “Oh, and if you tell anyone about this, I’ll make your life miserable.”

Olive rises too. “Helene, tell me what you did. What the hells is wrong with you?”

The sharp ring of Helene’s laughter cuts through my panic. “Don’t be so dramatic. She’ll be fine in a minute.”

My lungs scream. A minute? I’m not sure I can last that long.

“What a bitch.” Olive drops back onto the bench beside me, her soulful brown eyes brimming with concern. “Try to relax.” She shifts on the seat, and I think she’s rubbing my back, but I still can’t feel anything. “It’s okay. You’re going to be fine.”

What if I’m not fine?

I shake off the thought, willing my galloping heart to slow.

As the seconds drag by, dark spots dance in front of my eyes. My vision darkens, and thoughts dissolve in my oxygen-starved brain.

This is it. I’m going to?—

A huge tremor wracks my body, releasing my muscles from their prison. Gasping, I fight to suck air into my tortured lungs. I inhale one deep breath. And then another. And another.

“Easy.” Relief laces Olive’s voice. “Slow down, or you’ll hyperventilate.”

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