Page 52 of The Shadow Fae Rhapsody
Landon draws a long golden flute from his waist. He places the instrument close to his helmet and a tune plays in the air, beautiful and soft. I don’t know how he is making that sound without having to remove his mask.
His performance doesn’t bother me until I feel sudden goosebumps on my skin.
“Farewell, thief. It was nice knowing you,” the jester waves. I store the annoying painting into my satchel, but the unease doesn’t fade.
Golden slits of eyes pop open and widen all around us. The loafing wyverns suddenly become more focused at the sound of that beautiful melody.
My heart leaps to my throat at the sight. “Anytime now, Nimue.”
“Don’t rush me!” She holds up her hand. Her eyes remain sealed to find her water.
A copper colored wyvern turns its massive head towards us. I hear the rattling in its throat. They usually do that right before they breathe out a simmering blast of flame.
My heart is pounding in my chest so hard that blood is thumping in my ear. “We’ll be turned to crisps soon.”
A dash of white scales enters the courtyard. Pale with a pink belly and a barbless tail.
I don’t believe it…
“Coral, you came for me!” I can’t hide my delight. And fear.
The little wyvern stands in front of me bravely to defend us against the surrounding mighty monsters. She screeches and spreads her wings wide threateningly. It’s like a puppy trying to bark at a group of gargantuan elephants. But the other wyverns cease moving for a moment, studying her curiously.
“The baby is courageous, but I don’t think it will win against these bloodthirsty fiends,” Nimue says quietly, shaking her head. “I need more time, Rhianelle.”
We don’t have time.
“We better make a run for it first,” I say nervously. “On my count. One, two, three—”
Before I finish my count, Nimue tugs my hand and charge forward. I feel the singing heat behind my neck. I think the water wraith has just saved my life. We sprint southward as fast as we can, barely missing the snapping jaw of another colossal wyvern.
Landon descends from the fifth floor casually, stepping on the back of a wyvern like he’s using stairs. He snaps his fingers and the walls around us move.
“The gates are closing!” I yell in despair as the metallic slab slowly drops like curtains. My heart is racing in my chest, the fear propelling my run. I might not make it in time. I don’t want to be trapped with an insane fae inside a house that wants to kill me.
“Come on, Rhianelle!” Nimue pulls me, her grip on my hand is tight enough to hurt. I fight against my exhausted calf muscles to make it through.
Coral lowers her head and nuzzles at my feet.
“What’s wrong?” I exhale too sharply, breathless from the run.
“I think she wants you to hop on her back,” Nimue interprets blindly.
“I don’t think—”
The wyvern nudges me again.
“All right, then.”
Coral hunches her body closer to the ground for me to climb on her. I place my foot on her hind leg, using it as leverage to push me off the ground. I swing my leg over, and once I’m settled, Nimue hops on right behind me. For a moment, I’m afraid our weight would be too much for the baby wyvern.
Before I can voice out my concern, Coral charges forward at full speed.
“Oh my. Slow down,” Nimue begs, her webbed fingers digging on my shoulders to hold on.
My little Coral clears the gate in no time. This may be less graceful than riding a Noctral, but it’s way faster than sprinting on our feet.
More wyverns, bigger ones, await us on the open field. Coral evades them easily with her slick moves. She’s a survivor. Just like me. We’re going to make it. We’re going to go home to Svenn. I made a promise.
