Page 34 of When the Moon Met the Sun

His eyes widened slightly, and I could feel his surprise in my own chest.

Feeling the need to over-explain, I rambled on, “I mean, truly, if it’s alright with you. It’s just, I’ve been cooped up in The Haven like a bird in a cage, and Idearlymiss feeling the wind in my hair and wings. I miss the sky.”

Robyn shook his head slightly, then let out an awkward laugh. “Yes, yes, of course that’s alright. Truthfully, I’m not sure why I hadn’t thought of that before now. That’s no problem at all. I apologize for not considering how cramped The Haven must’ve felt for you. I hope you enjoy yourself up there,” he said, though I couldn’t help but notice the slight look of disappointment in his eyes, matching the feeling radiating from him into my own chest.

I nodded, feeling a tad embarrassed.

Robyn turned to face the rest of the group, then smiled. “Alright, my Valwain. Let’s get going!”

***

Turns out, traveling to Diorum was much more enjoyable than I had thought it would be.

The sky was clear of clouds and endless, as if I could fly forever. The wind pulled stray hair from my braids that whipped across my face, but I didn’t mind. The feeling of freedom that flying gave me was euphoric. More than once, I paused mid-air, wings pumping, and simply tilted my head skyward towards the sun, feeling the air currents slide between the feathers of my wings and wrapping around me like a hug from an old friend.

I observed the group from above the entire day. I noted how Rayven stayed close to Robyn, how Lark stayed close to Rayven,how Teagan and Robyn led the way on their wolves’ backs, and how Chess brought up the rear. I noticed how Ezra had decided to ride with Quinn together on one horse, him holding onto her waist from behind. And I couldn’t help but notice how Margo often looked up at me, awestruck.

At one point, I watched as Margo seemed to get increasingly more upset. I lowered my height in the sky, flying close enough to hear her as she begged Teagan to let her fly with me. When I vouched for her to Teagan, promising to be careful, she gave me a wide, toothy grin.

Teagan had been hesitant, but I learned Margo had a secret weapon in her arsenal—puppy dog eyes. Teagan had folded in an instant.

When I’d neatly tucked Margo’s small frame into my arms, I shot up into the sky in a spiral, causing her to let out a series of giggles. I couldn’t help but smile as we leveled out and I heard her gasp. She hadn’t been able to believe the sight of her kingdom from that angle, how the forests and hills were so vast they disappeared into the horizons.

We only remained a few moments, as I could see Teagan was visibly anxious, before I placed Margo back in her spot upon Lychen’s saddle.

Besides that, I made sure to use as much air zirilium as I could without tiring myself out too much. I only used it when I was high enough I knew nobody could make out what I was doing, and I didn’t use any other zirilium for fear of being spotted by the group below.

Why I was so fearful, I couldn’t place. It was just instinct, to hide that part of myself.

We had stopped for lunch earlier in the afternoon, the wolves leading the way forcing us to keep a fast pace. Now, my stomach growled as I watched the sun dip lower into the sky, changing froma bright blue to different shades of orange and pink. The sight brought a small grin to my face.

Not only was I hungry at this point in the day, I was also tired. My wings were beginning to ache, and my shoulder blades strained from the effort of flying for an entire day. I’d never trained as Dimitri had, learning to fly for such long distances.

Maybe I should have.

I looked down just in time to see Rayven pointing towards our left, and following his direction, I could make out a small town in the distance, not too far off. I took the liberty of assuming this was Diorum, where they had told me at lunch we’d be resting for the night. Ezra had also mentioned it was completely out of our way, but that this is the route that the late king and queen had taken to get to their family cabin, so it was tradition to pass through.

I tilted my head back down towards the group, having felt a tug of something I couldn’t place in my chest. I realized Robyn was waving for me to descend.

I took my time, relishing in the freedom I always felt in the arms of the vast openness before me.

Stars, I love being a child of the sky.

Eventually, I came to fly next to Robyn, who had a small smile of his own on his lips. I realized in that moment that I hadn’t been feeling just my own joy, but his as well.

“It’s incredible, how different you appear when you’re in your element.” He tilted his head skyward, as if he were still searching for me up there.

I paused, not knowing how to respond. I had been watching the group most of the day, yet had failed to notice just how much my own husband seemed to have been watching me.

I cleared my throat, then decided to change the topic. “So, this is Diorum?” I motioned to the small town that was now just moments away from us.

Robyn nodded, looking ahead at the group of wooden and stone buildings. “If you can, be patient with them. Everybody in the South knows who you are by now, and they’re wary, from what Rayven tells me. But once they get to know you, I’m sure they’ll love you.”

I nodded in understanding. If the roles had been reversed, I’d be wary, too.

“Also, I have a request, if you will,” he said, his voice lowering just a tad.

Still softly flying next to him and Atlas, I looked at him and cocked an eyebrow, encouraging him to go on.

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