Page 131 of Wings of Ash & Flame
“Fuck,” she muttered.
“Someone being a sore loser?” Dawson teased.
“No.” She refused to meet the shit-eating grin she knew was plastered on his face.
“You sure about that?”
“No,” she admitted, the word slipping out more like a petulant whine.
“Thought so.” His laughter carried on the wind.
And it was that laugh—genuine, unguarded—that snared her attention. The usual weight etched into Dawson’s features melted away. Eyes bright and playful, a smile softening his face, dark hair tousled into a halo by the breeze.
Alaire caught herself staring, captivated by this unburdened version of him. Like her, up here, he seemed free.
They landed back in the clearing, Alaire’s legs wobbling slightly as she dismounted.
Dawson approached, a sly smile tugging at his lips. “You did well today. You two are a formidable team.”
Her chest swelled with pride at the compliment. “You weren’t so bad yourselves.”
“Obviously,prince.Have you not been paying attention?” Solflara cut in, smug as ever.
Alaire laughed despite herself.
“What?” Dawson asked, tilting his head.
“Solflara assumed our superiority as a team was already obvious.”
He stepped directly in front of the phoenix—bold move. “It was rather rude of me to doubt you. Please accept my most heartfelt apology.”
She blew a torrent of smoke at him.
“Guess I’ll have to work on her approval.”
“You sure will. She’s a complicated one. But a tip to the wise—compliments go far with her.”
“And with what female do they not?” Dawson murmured.
Alaire ignored him, moving toward her pack. “So, are we heading back? I’m starving.”
“No.”
“Moretraining?”
“I told you today would be different. We’re spending the night out here.”
“Both of us…here?” She balked.
The bastard took immense pleasure in her squirming.
“But we have comfy beds not too far away.”
“One night. You can handle it. I’ve already cleared it with your professors.”
Alaire swallowed, taking in the infuriatingly confident male in front of her. This was a terrible idea. Beyond terrible.
He reveled in her expression, his grin deepening. “Being a prince has its perks.”
