Page 77 of Wings of Ash & Flame
She continued scanning until she spotted Kaia’s conspiratorial grin. Relief flooded her chest—at least her friends had her back. Beside Kaia stood Hadrian, her arcstorm, nearly as large as Beck. His plumage was a mosaic of grey and pale blue, like morning fog streaked with yellow. Storm-cloud eyes watched Alaire, talons scraping the sand in restless anticipation.
Next to them, Archer stood tall beside his snowy owl, the white feathers a striking contrast to his bright red hair. He gave her an encouraging nod—Kaia must have filled him in.
A low buzz from a nearby beetle pulled her focus back. Celestials and their fliers stood in a loose formation, a reminder that she alone appeared unbonded.
Self-doubt slammed into her. All the reasons she didn’t deserve Solflara came rushing back.
“It wasn’t your decision to make,” Solflara stated.
“Your comforting skills could use some work.”
“You’re a flier and a Vallorian.You don’t require comfort.You require a backbone.Find yours.”
She rolled her shoulders, steeling her spine, and strode toward the center of the room.
When it became clear she intended to stay, the jeers began.
“Look who decided to show up without a celestial,” sneered a fae bonded to a massive brown owl, its yellow eyes tracking her steps.
“She must be desperate,” another said with a smirk.
Snickers followed. Alaire kept her head high, jaw tight. The words stung, but she wouldn’t cower.
“Face it,” someone jeered, “all you’ll ever be is nothing. Just like the rest of your kind.”
Alaire turned slowly, meeting their gaze with a burning stare. She didn’t bother to reply—her plan would speak for itself.
Movement caught her attention: Kaia stepping forward. Alaire gave a subtle shake of her head. No one could suspect Kaia had been in on this.
The old ache of unworthiness flared, whispering that failure was inevitable. The metallic tang of blood filled her mouth—she’d bitten her lip too hard. The sting grounded her, pulling her out of the spiral.
She focused on her breathing, loosening her posture as she moved to the center of the coliseum.
Professor Ross emerged from the far tunnel in a navy tweed ensemble. Everyone fell quiet once he stepped onto the sand, waiting with bated breath to see how she would be publicly embarrassed for daring to attend a class meant for bonded pairs only.
“Novice Aerendyl, it’s a pleasure to see you.” Stepping up to meet her, he dropped his voice an octave. “I hate to do this, but unfortunately, we’re about to start, and this class is for bonded pairs only…” His voice trailed off in polite dismissal.
“I understand, Professor. But in that case, I’m exactly where I need to be.”
Alaire brought her forefinger and thumb to her lips and let out a sharp, piercing whistle that echoed across the coliseum’s open expanse.
For a heart-stopping moment, nothing happened. She held her breath, letting the suspense build as they’d practiced. Doubt in the room pressed against her, thick with the weight of everyone’s suspicious stares.
She felt Solflara before she saw her—a ripple of heat brushing her back, subtle at first, like the embrace of a warm summer evening. Then it grew, a crackling shimmer of energy that sent the hairs on her arms standing on end. The air itself seemed to bend.
Solflara—her phoenix.
Gasps rippled through the crowd as every eye snapped upward. A burst of golden light split the sky, blinding and glorious. Solflara descended in a graceful, predatory sweep of wings, flames dancing along her feathers. Heat licked across the stone floor.
Alaire remained still, her gaze locked on her peers. The awe in their slack jaws and wide eyes told her everything.
The light behind her flared brighter. Solflara landed at her back, letting out a shrill cry that tore through the coliseum. Professor Ross’s lips parted in wonder.
“As you can see, Professor,” Alaire said, leaving no room for doubt, “I am bonded to a Celestial Familiar.”
His gaze flicked between her and the phoenix at her side. She could’ve sworn she saw a spark of pride in his eyes before it vanished.
Solflara planted a wing before her, a shield of fire. Alaire let the heat wash over her.
