Page 30 of Fate and Flame
Here come the cetani.
I didn’t want to be excited, but I was. I faced the arena once more as the creatures that I had only ever dreamed about marched by. Their massive feline bodies were awe-inspiring, and their feathered wings and sharp eyes were every bit intimidating. The largest cetani led the others through the parade as they circled before us until there were so many moving in circles, I couldn’t keep them straight, aside from the one in the center.
“That’s Asha, my mother’s cetani.” Fen pointed to the large one. “And that’s Cal behind her. He’s grown since last I saw him.”
Asha leaned her head back and roared, jolting me as the rumbling sound filled the air. As one, the cetani stopped. Frozen in place. The draconians filled the arena, mixing with the beasts, mounting them.
“You should go,” I told Fen.
“I won’t leave you here.”
“I’m a big girl. You should go see Cal.”
He needed no more persuasion as he hopped off the stage and weaved his way through to his cetani. Cal nuzzled him and then dipped low so Fen could mount him.
“Won’t you join them?” Umari asked Greeve.
He glanced at me and back to her, then shook his head. I knew he didn’t have a Cetani because of his magic, but he could still fly through the skies with them.
“You should,” I protested.
“Next time.” His eyes flickered with resignation.
“Prideful males,” Umari grumbled and walked off the stage, leaving the three of us standing.
Asha moved first, stepping out of the crowd of beasts, lifting off, and one by one, the others followed until an entire aerial fleet filled the skies. Dracs from above and below screamed and whooped in celebration as we watched the riders fly, scoop and soar. I lost sight of Fen, but I could feel his stress melt away as he rode Cal.
Sometime later, the Cetani began their descent until, as one, they landed in a perfect line and let their riders off. I finally caught sight of Fen, and the smile didn’t leave his face the entire walk back to us.
“Is there anything you wanted to do before we head back?” I asked Greeve. “You’re the one who was homesick after all.”
“You were homesick?” Gaea asked, probably before she realized she’d just shown her own interest.
“I’m ready to go back now. It’s nice being home, but that’s home too.” A warm breeze circled him. His dark hair shifted around him as if he were underwater. The wind was his true home. His comfort and constant companion.
“Let me say goodbye to Umari and I’ll be ready,” Fen cut in.
“Send her all my love.” I rolled my eyes, causing Gaea to turn away and chuckle.
As I watched Fen step away, I was overcome with desire for him. He’d come here just to cater to me, even though the other females eyed him carefully. I pushed the jealousy aside as his own yearning filled me, coalescing with mine. This was what it meant to have a mate. To be one.
Gaea cleared her throat, jerking me back to reality as Fen got lost in the crowd. “It’s easiest for me to take you back one at a time. Do you care who goes first?”
Greeve stepped forward. “I’ll go first. I am used to traveling on the wind.”
“You are?”
“Yes,” he said, holding his hand out.
In a moment they were gone. I stood waiting until Fen came back. “She said to tell you she’ll miss you.” He winked and I grumbled.
“I bet she did.”
Gaea was suddenly back and standing right beside us.
“Who is next?”
“Ladies first.” Fen leaned in and kissed my forehead.
