Page 196 of Wings of Ash & Flame
“Looks like we’re going to have to slide the rest of the way,” he murmured, leaning close. The heat of his breath on her ear sent something dangerously electric through her. Dawson shifted forward, edging in front of her, his shoulder grazing hers—a touch that felt more intentional than accidental.
“Seriously?” Her pulse stumbled. She blamed it on the altitude.
“Serious as your loud snores.” Before she could stop him, Dawson dropped onto his ass and pushed off.
“I do not!” Her voice boomed through the crevasse. “Snore, that is.”
Grumbling, she sat, the icy surface chilling, and pushed off. The world blurred white and blue, wind tearing at her hair until it resembled a winter-stripped tree. Her ears popped on the way down, but joy surged through her veins despite the jarring final tumble onto a blue-black floor of ice.
When she got to her feet, her eyes locked on the blue flame—captivating, otherworldly.
“We need to be careful,” Dawson said, gaze transfixed.
“What we need is a plan.” Alaire lowered her mental shield again.
“That too.” He smiled faintly. “I’m surprised you don’t already have one.”
“I aim to please.” She smirked, turning to her phoenix and asking down the bond, “Solflara,if you wouldn’t mind.”
She released a torrent of flame.
“Whoa!” Dawson gave Solflara’s fire a wide berth. “Some warning would be appreciated.”
“Why would we do that when this way is so much more fun?” Alaire snorted. “Technically, you asked for a plan. We’re just delivering in the areas you and Beck fail to excel at.”
The fire engulfed the ice, heat shimmering, but as the flames receded, the barrier remained untouched.
“It’s been a long time since a phoenix’s flames could not breach a barrier not already magically fortified,” Solflara said, solemn rather than miffed. “The one in Orion’s Belt was one thing,but this…this feels different.”
“What do you think it means?”
“I don’t know yet,but all of this feels connected to something far greater than an academy trial.This is old magic—ancient—and it shouldn’t be hidden here.”
“It’s the same pull I felt with the ring at the ball…the same one that drew me to you.I don’t know what it means,only that this is where I’m supposed to be.”
“Hm.”
Alaire turned back to Dawson. “Solflara confirmed my suspicions. It’s old magic,” she said, frustration creeping into her voice. “We’ll have to try something else.”
Dawson stepped forward, expression grim and determined. “I’ll try.” A flicker of wind sparked between his fingers as he lifted his hands. “Maybe it’ll take a prince to break through defenses of ice. Not like it hasn’t been done before.” He winked at her.
The audacity.
He unleashed a burst of aether, a blinding torrent of air that slammed into the ice. The ground vibrated with the force, cracks spidering across the surface—but the barrier held.
“Maybe we can’t use magic.”
“There’s no way we could carve through that. It would take days, and we don’t have that kind of time. We can barely last another night out here. Let me try once more.” Dawson closed his eyes, anchoring himself.
She couldn’t help noticing how his eyelashes fanned delicately across his cheekbones. As if sensing her gaze, his eyes snapped to hers.
She sucked in her cheeks. “Ready, prince? We don’t have time to stand around ogling, do we? Though I don’t blame you—your view is quite exquisite.” It was easier to deflect her embarrassment than admit she’d been admiring him. Those unguarded moments were her favorite; she’d tuck them away for later.
Dawson’s magic split into two streams flowing from his palms.
Alaire spun the handles of her blade, hating the helplessness creeping in.
“Alaire,your ring,” Solflara urged.
