Page 111 of Phoenix Rise

I snorted a laugh as Anna snapped on Trix’s leash, and handed it to Mari.

“C’mon, Angel, let’s run,” I urged.

Moments later, I ran beside Anna as a human, on two legs rather than four. Part of me mourned that it would always be so. A Liberi and Satyr hybrid would never run as a Dire.

But then again, I might no longer run as one either.

Despite my blocking efforts, she picked up on some of my angst.You aren’t going beast?she asked.

Nope. Like being with you like this,I stated. A nice sentiment, but not the entire truth.

The rising moons sent their light trickling down through the dancing leaves. They called to my beast, and I looked up through an opening to see the bright, and totally full, orbs.

No wonder you were horny all day,Anna said.

It was so much easier to converse via the mindbond while running. Cut out on the panting.

Or most of it, anyway.

Yeah, too bloody many full moons.My beast hammered at me hard. Or rather, I was hard, and grateful for the shadows cast by the trees. I wanted to shift form so badly my gums ached.

But I was afraid to. My shoulders still itched like mad.

Is your beast reacting to the moons?Her mindvoice panted as though it, too, was breathless.

My critter doesn’t know what the hell to do about the moons,I confessed.Except root.

I knew she could feel it along the link. A fizz of continual static as my beast constantly pushed to surface. She wasn’t unaffected—I could sense the way her heart pounded, and her scent was rich with arousal.

It lit my world on fire and made it hard to breathe.

Emphasis on hard.

Does that dream plateau really exist?she asked.

You bet. It and I have shared some stonkin’ private moments.I opened my mind to the imagery, and sent it to her.

Her stride faltered.How far is it from here?

Too far.I was panting openly now, and it wasn’t due to exertion.But I know another place.

I’m not into public displays.

We’d seen a few other Dires romping through the woods, and I snorted a laugh.When we get the Dragon and Bellati on board, might have to change your mind on that, Angel.

That’s different.And—I felt the pang along the link, along with her doubt that there would ever be a “happily ever after” for us.

I bumped her with my shoulder.You have to have faith, Angel.Then I lunged off the path, following another no wider than a game trail.

She followed after me, and I caught a glimpse of what she was looking at...

I do have a great butt,I agreed.

You were eavesdropping again,she accused.

Can’t help it. You think loudly. And I’m a nosy bugger.

The path grew tricky—large, gnarly roots curled across it. She slowed, watching her footsteps in the darkness. My eyes were sharper than hers—I didn’t even glance downward as I ran.

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