Page 42 of Court of Twisted Angels

It's almost what it felt like that day training with Azrael, with the wings. This absolute freedom, this perfect harmony between body and sky. The magic sings through every fiber of my being, transforming the terrifying plunge into something beautiful. Something sacred.

Chunks of crystal and stone rain down around me as the tower continues to collapse. But I'm dancing between the debris now, letting the power guide my movements in a deadly aerial ballet. Each dodge and spin comes naturally, as if I've done this my entire life.

The ground rushes up to meet me, but there's no fear now. Only exhilaration as Azrael's magic carries me safely through the chaos of the crumbling spire.

My feet touch the ground with impossible grace, Azrael's magic cushioning my landing. The three gemstones pulse against my chest in sync with my racing heart, their swirling colors casting ethereal patterns across my skin. Debris from the fallen tower rains down around me, but the borrowed power deflects it effortlessly, creating a shimmering dome of protection.

The arena falls silent. Thousands of faces stare down from the floating observation platforms, magnificent wings and hornsof various races catching the late afternoon sun. Their perfect features twist with disbelief as they process what they've just witnessed - a human not only surviving the trials, but claiming the tower's heart itself.

A child's voice breaks the spell. "She flew!" The words echo across the stone amphitheater, bouncing off ancient pillars carved with scenes of past trials.

The crowd erupts. Wings snap open in displays of gold, white, and silver as the xaphan rise from their seats. Their cheers roll like thunder across the arena, mixing with the crystalline chiming of magic bells that mark a trial's completion. Even the Praexa in their private viewing boxes lean forward, their multiple sets of wings shifting with interest.

I stand tall despite my exhaustion, letting them see the blue light still dancing across my skin. Let them see what their "lesser creature" has accomplished. The gemstones warm against my chest as if in approval, their ancient power humming through my bones.

A human has completed the trials. Their perfect system lies in ruins around me, along with their tower of impossible challenges. The magic thrumming through my veins feels like victory itself - wild and bright and utterly untameable.

24

AZRAEL

The crowd's roar drowns out my heartbeat as Kyrie stands victorious in the arena. Golden light streams through the crystal dome above, casting her in an ethereal glow. Blood and dirt streak her face, her auburn hair wild around her shoulders, yet she's never looked more magnificent.

"The trials are complete. We have a victor." High Praexa Nathaniel's voice booms across the amphitheater, his three sets of pure white wings spread wide. "Kyrie Kael has succeeded where countless others have fallen."

My hands grip the ornate stone railing of the nobles' viewing box. Pride swells in my chest – I helped create this moment, trained her for months in secret. Yet bile rises in my throat. She doesn't know the true price of these wings, what becoming one of us really means.

The other Praexas gather around her, their wings creating a circle of white and gold feathers. Magic crackles in the air, ancient runes lighting up along the arena floor.

"The wing ceremony will commence with the rising of the full moon," Nathaniel declares. "Let it be known that in twenty-eight days, we shall welcome our second human victor into our ranks."

Twenty-eight days. My chest constricts. Twenty-eight days until they bind her soul to New Solas forever. Until they twist her into something she never wanted to become.

Kyrie's gaze finds mine across the arena. Her green eyes shine with triumph, with trust. My little bird, so fierce, so determined. She's won her freedom, her mother's cure, a better life.

No longer caring about who watches, my wings spread and I push off the ground, landing beside her. I'm not sure how she feels about me, and we definitely need to talk about the soul bonding.

"Do you want to go?"

She looks at me and nods, and I follow after her into the corridors. She walks beside me, head high despite her exhaustion. The same fierce determination that got her through the trials radiates from every step. Her fingers brush against the conduit band I gave her. I wonder if she realizes she doesn't need it anymore.

The silence stretches between us with so many unspoken words. I'm not even sure what to say, knowing now that I have truly betrayed her trust and tied her to me despite how she felt.

But I had to. I hope she sees that.

"I'm going to shower," she says when we reach her room. I nod, uncertain of where that leaves me. She grabs her clothes and then gives me a loaded look. "Will you be here when I get back?"

"Do you want me here?" I don't tell her I can't go far now.

"Yes."

"Then I'll be here."

Kyrie nods, and I watch as she goes. She isn't gone long, just long enough for me to think, to weigh the words I need to say.

She's so beautiful. That's all I can think when she comes back in, her hair falling in waves and her skin glowing. I have to swallow hard, my emotions feeling too hard to ignore right now.

"You were amazing," I breathe.

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