“Rough night?” I asked.
“Um . . . I . . .”
Once more, I got to see the reddish glow bloom on hercheeks. It was too much. The next moment, I leaned closer and placed a light kiss on her forehead.
“I woke up . . . and . . . you were gone,” Alina said.
“I intended to do some work in the morning.” I breathed in, enjoying her light feminine scent.
“How’s the building going?” she asked.
“Not well.” I chuckled.
“Frid and Victor are still asleep.”
Instead of answering, I played with the lock of her hair.
“I missed you this morning,” Alina said.
“Put on your flying suit. I want to show you something.”
The early fog coated the mountains below us. I stood on the edge, surveying the valley ahead. The dull morning sun was never warm enough to brighten the peaks, but today the monumental stillness spoke directly to my soul. I looked back, watching Alina in her black suit, she was irresistible wearing my family colors, as if she belonged to the clan, to me. I shook my head, amused by the direction of my thoughts.
“Why are we here?” she asked.
“I want you to try shifting.”
“But, last time . . .”
“I wasn’t ready. Now I know, you are... unpredictable,” I continued.
“I am not. I am very predictable, and easy to work with.”
“Is that so?” I placed myself directly behind her.
My hands held on to her waist, I inhaled her flowery scent and one loose curl from her messy bun brushed against my cheek.
“Yes,” she said in a breathy voice.
“Concentrate on your dragon,” I whispered, before lifting her up and launching both of us off the cliff.
Alina screamed and her hands flew up.
“Turn!” I shouted, but she was still panicking. “Turn!” I held on to her lean frame as we descended fast.
At last, I shapeshifted, still holding on to her. Softly, I landed on the rocks below.
“What are you? How could you do this to me?” she cried, her voice shaky, her eyes watery, wild.
“This is how you learn,” I said.
“I can’t, this is too hard. I can’t concentrate on anything.” She panted.
“It’s just a skill. Some people are better at it, that’s all. You have to keep pushing.”
“How long did it take you to turn?”
I stayed silent.
