Shegave me a kind smile and waved her hand towards theawaiting space expectantly.Ihesitated untilAbraxasgave a beat of his wings and the gust of wind nearly took me off my feet.
Torilaughed as my hair flew into my face and mouth, sticking to my lips.Igrumbled and finally climbed into the carriage.Isat down next toJunas the princess kickedAvlyn’slegs to make room for herself.Avlynsat up and pulled the door closed, locking it in place with a latching beam.
Thewhole carriage shook asIheard the metallic clink ofAbraxas’ talons against the iron rings, and my stomach dropped out as we lurched away from the ground.
Someonewas screaming.Oh, it was me.Musculararms wrapped around me, andAvlynwhispered in my ear, “I’vegot you.”
Iquieted asIfelt color rising into my cheeks.Thiswas the closest we had been since that day at the lighthouse.Ireflexively wanted to jerk away butItoldJunthatIwould be brave.Instead,Ilet myself relax intoAvlyn’sgentle embrace, at least untilAbraxasrose above the castle roof.
“Howhigh will we go?”Iwas nearly shouting and could barely hear myself over the roar of the wind through the slats in the carriage.Myhair whipped around my head again.
“Abraxassaid we will stay just below the clouds, so we don’t get too wet,”Toriresponded.Somehow, her short hair managed to whip around her head elegantly, like she was born to ride the wind.
Wecontinued to rise, andIdidn’t try to wiggle out ofAvlyn’sgrip, especially as the air temperature continued to drop.ToriandJunwere both looking out the small window and pointing.
“Wannahave a look, my lady?”Avlynasked.Ishook my head ferociously.Theychuckled and wrapped a fur around me before joining the twins.
Myfingers dug into the edges of the soft fur asIpulled it tighter around myself.Thetrio gave an excited whoop and pointed out the small window.Junturned back to me. “Pallas, come look.”
“I’mfine right here, thanks.”Jungave me a soft smile and turned back to the window.Aftera few more minutes of excited chatter from the three of them, my jealousy got the better of me.Icrawled over besideJun, and he moved over to let me see out the small window.
Wewere so high that the trees below us looked smaller than ants.Myinstinct was to pull away from the window immediately, butAvlynset a warm hand on my lower back and gave me a gentle smile, andIcouldn’t seem to pull away.Iremembered the top of the lighthouse, and suddenly, looking down at the incredible space between me and the ground seemed less terrifying than holdingAvlyn’sgaze.
Aswe flew over the countryside,Isaw small lines of people and soldiers traveling along the small brown strips that were the roads, cutting across a sea of grass.TheVitmosriver shimmered in the sun like a snake carved from diamonds, and the sea stretched out beyond that, endless.
Ittruly was an exhilarating sight to see the world so very far away.Suddenly, everything in life felt very small, single threads in a much greater tapestry.
“Notsomething you see every day, eh, hellcat?”Avlyngave me a warm smile, andIfelt the hand on my back tighten ever so slightly.
“No, it certainly isn’t.”Westayed at that window for quite some time, until rolling grasslands gave way to snowy peaks, andIfeltAbraxasbank to the west.
Bestnot to fly directly over enemy territory.Theking’s rumbling voice echoed through my head, answering the questionIhad only thought.
HowdoIkeep you out of my head,YourMajesty?
Don’tthink so loud.
Igrumbled, andIheard deep rumbling in the sky above.Asshole.
Heardthat.Quitea mouth on you, my lady.
Iswatted at the air around my head likeIcould drive him off, andJungave me a puzzled look.Toriunderstood immediately.
“Don’tpester her,Abraxas.Ineed her working.”Shemoved over to the trunk in the corner.Unlatchingit, she revealed dozens of scrolls stacked on end.
“Ifigured we’d have time for a little work on the flight.”Shepulled out a scroll and revealed the most detailed mapIhad ever seen of theRiverKingdom.
“Howfunny.Ihad the same idea,”Ireplied, reaching into the satchelIbrought along.
Ipulled out a few of my own scrolls and look back to seeTori’sface twisted in displeasure.
“Lessons, huh?”
Iignored her. “Juntold me the practice of mindfulness and meditation was common inNiata.Didyou ever practice it?”
Sheshrugged her shoulders, butIsaw the tightness in her face. “Occasionally.”
“Well, it is the best starting place for controlling your power better.”
