Page 82 of Kingdom of Shadows and Wings

For a few minutes, we’re quiet as Zephyr flaps his powerful wings. Chilly wind whips across my face, tugging strands loose from my braid. To my surprise, I’m not afraid. Quite the opposite. For the first time, I’m discovering the exhilaration of flying. It’s like I was made for this.

“You okay?” Thorne’s deep rumble pulls me back to reality.

“Yes.”

“Are you sure?” He gives me a gentle squeeze. “Because you’re awfully quiet. And that’s not like you.”

“Just enjoying the flight.” I twist around to catch a glimpse of his face under the starlight, a little surprised to find genuine concern there. “You act like I talk nonstop.”

“Wellll,” he draws out the word, “you do sometimes. Especially when you’re pissed and hurling insults.”

I flash him a sugary sweet smile. “Maybe if you weren’t such a hard-ass all the time, I wouldn’t be pissed.”

Thornetsksand shakes his head. “And here I thought you promised to behave.”

I roll my eyes, then twist back around to face forward. “Oh, please. If I were misbehaving, you’d be the first to know.”

He barks a laugh, and I can’t help but think that he doesn’t do so nearly enough. “Noted. Now tell me where this friend of yours lives.”

After I give him directions, a comfortable silence ensues for a while. Thorne traces slow, small circles on my belly, a shivery sensation radiating from his fingers. I don’t even know if he’s aware, but I sure am.

A sharp warmth settles low in my stomach as heat creeps up my neck and into my face. I’ve never been more thankful to be facing away from him.

As we near the village of Beckkerun, Thorne banks Zephyr to the left.

At the sudden move, my stomach drops. I clutch his arm again, and he offers me a squeeze in response.

“Where exactly is he in Beckkerun?”

I focus on his nearness and not our height. “A half mile away from the constable station, near the church.”

The silvery moonlight bathing the village helps me recognize the buildings below. Nearby, scattered houses with thatched roofs, sagging mud frames, and small gardens dot the landscape.

When we approach the town proper, roofs with clay shingles predominate, indicating wealth from either the merchant class or minor nobles. Government buildings constructed of stone appear milky under the moon, the same as the church. In the far distance, Aclaris’s lone mountain range rises. Much closer is Castle Axton.

I wait for a nostalgic pang at seeing my childhood home, but the emotion doesn’t come. All I crave now is freedom.

“See those buildings to the left with the clay shingles?” I point below. “Beyond them are smaller structures, though not as worn as the peasants’ houses we passed.” Royce may be a merchant, but according to him and how he described his home, he’s not as well-off as most. “The fifth one down is my friend’s house.”

Sterling directs Zephyr to that area and lands him in Royce’s grassy front yard.

After we dismount, Thorne secures Zephyr to a tree and gives his shoulder a friendly pat.

My chilled cheeks warm, and my pulse quickens. His mood changes, growing more intense. After a moment, he rests his hand on my arm, keeping me close.

Everything within me flutters, sending my pulse into a reckless sprint, urging me to focus on him alone…his expressive brown eyes, strong jaw, perfectly sculptured nose, silky hair…

An expectant sigh parts my lips.

His gaze drops to them, the air surrounding us electrifying. I wonder if, like me, he’s remembering last night’s kiss.

A loud creak interrupts the moment.

Flinching, I look over.

Royce exits his house, the lantern he holds near his head capturing the way his lined face slackens. His startled gaze jumps from Zephyr to Thorne to me.

“Lady Lark?”

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