Page 116 of Dark Shadow of Guilt

“I’ll carry you. I don’t want you crashing into the gateway on your own.”

She sighed, taking Dom’s offered assistance and rising to her feet. “Let me fly on my own for a bit. The physical exertion will push this craziness out of my head.” Maddy snapped out her wings.

The sun was still shining, though a dark cloud threatened to dull it.

“Wait,” shouted Dom. He wiggled his fingers, clothing her since a robe wouldn’t do. With another motion, he donned his usual black garb and teleported his weapons from the house before he joined Maddy in the sky above the house.

Your wings are beautiful, he pathed.

She stalled but then resumed flying. “Did you just talk in my head?”

He nodded.

She chuckled. “Mating seems to be the gift that just keeps giving. Prettier feathers. Life. Death. Telepathy. I should be overwhelmed. And maybe I am but don’t know it.” She pursed her lips and blew out a long breath. “Let me try.” Maddy squeezed her eyes closed as if that would help.Dom, I love you.

Message received and back at you. He soared straight up, flipped, and beelined for the ground, head down, wings back. Just before plowing nose-first into a snow-packed mountain peak, he pulled up, smiling, bumping a fist into the air.

“I want to do that,”pathed Maddy.

“When your wings are stronger.”

Instead of obeying, she angled her neck, tucked her wings, and arrowed toward the peak.

Dom’s heart stuttered. He raced to catch up, to save her if needed. But he couldn’t pass Maddy.Damn female. She was fast. Dom yelled out when she neared the ground.

At the last moment, she arched her wings and shot upward, laughing. Pulling alongside him, she said, “Did you see that?”

Dom growled. “You could have been splattered on the mountain.”

“But I wasn’t.”

“You’re damn fast. Add that to your list of mating perks. But no more stunts. My heart can’t take it.”

They flew side-by-side, taking in the sights below, skimming the ice-capped White Mountains and Loneliness Desert.

Now that we can path, can you read my thoughts?asked Madeline.

Can you read mine?

She furrowed her brows.No.

And I can’t read yours, either.

Good.

Why? Are you planning to keep secrets?

Just some. To maintain my feminine mystique.

Dom grinned.

How close to the gateway are we?pathed Madeline, looking pleased with herself.

He pointed ahead to a shimmer in the air.There.He dropped beneath her. “Pull in your wings.”

When she did, he caught her in his arms and inched forward.

With her arms tight around Dom’s neck, Madeline closed her eyes and muttered, “Please. Please. Please.” When she opened them, she asked, “Well?”

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