Page 87 of Wings of Ash & Flame
“He can see whatever he likes.I won’t be looking.You could stand to learn that lesson.”
“Excuse me?” Alaire nearly lost her grip on the handle.
“You could at least pretend to hide your reaction to the prince.”
Heat crawled up Alaire’s neck. “We are not talking about this.Ever.”
“No need to talk when your stomach flips and your heart rate spikes whenever he’s near.Personally,I don’t see the appeal.”
“Trust me.Neither do I.”
“Liar,liar,feathers on fire.”
“Solf,enough.” The phoenix had struck a nerve—one she’d rather not examine.
“Alright, everyone,” Professor Ross called. “Review the basics with your celestials. Discuss what feels natural, and what needs improvement.”
Novices dispersed across the field. Alaire rolled her eyes as Kole immediately began showing off, his bald head glinting in the sunlight.
“Alaire, Solflara.” Professor Ross approached, hands clasped behind his back. “A word, if you please.”
She nodded, wary.
“Most of the others have had weeks to master the basics. You’re starting from an entirely different place. For the next few classes, you’ll focus on fundamentals. Today, we’ll review takeoff and landing techniques.”
He looked between them. “Both require coordination and control—a dance between you. Sometimes your celestial will defer to your lead, but they know the skies better than you. Pay attention to their movements, the feel of their breathing, the bunch and release of their muscles.”
A ring of smoke enveloped the professor. His mouth stretched into a smile.
“We do not require extra time.” Solflara scoffed, muscles tense beneath Alaire. “It seems this teacher requires a lesson.Ready?”
“Ready,” Alaire answered, giddy as a child tasting sweets for the first time.
Professor Ross raised his hand. “On my mark. One, two?—”
With a powerful beat of her wings, Solflara launched them skyward.
“You didn’t wait for three.”
“I told you,we are not beholden to him or anyone else at this academy.We’re only here because you insist it is required.”
Alaire’s retort died as the ground fell away and wind roared in their ears. She gripped the handle tightly.
“Keep your body relaxed and lower yourself closer to me.”
She leaned forward, shifting her center of gravity as Solflara advised, then extended one arm, letting it skim the air above the phoenix’s wings.
The sky was dotted with fliers and their bonded, each displaying unique aerial skills. A leviathan moved in smooth, rhythmic waves, wings taut as its immense body carved wide spirals in the sky, dorsal fins flexing. A hunter-green beetle kept its elytra open in flight, thin membranous wings beating furiously. Its six legs tucked tight, spiraling at unmatched speed.
“Try narrating what Solflara is doing,” Ross instructed, voice magically amplified. “Each time her muscles shift or her breathing changes. You’re learning a new language.”
As Solflara sped across the skies, Alaire called out, “She’s coiling her legs. Wings angling back slightly. Heartbeat accelerating. Tail pointed opposite our direction.”
“Excellent. Now, basic turns. Start with gentle banking to feel her responses.”
This flight was different from their first—less wonder, more precision. Alaire guided Solflara into a smooth turn, thephoenix’s muscles responding effortlessly. They moved as one, attuned to each other’s breathing, body language, and subtle cues.
Around them, Archer and his snowy owl, Aleisia, made sharp, precise cuts through the air. Kaia and Hadrian flew fast and true. Professor Ross’s gaze lingered on Alaire, offering the occasional tip.
