“We will have to change our sleeping arrangements,” Victor said after a short pause.
“I suppose you want my room?” Tynan said slowly.
“Yes.” Frid looked straight at him.
Tynan was quiet, only his furrowed eyebrows indicated that he heard what she said.
“What happened to you the other day? Did you meet the wild pig?” Frid abruptly changed the subject.
“Yes. That was humiliating.” I sighed.
“You just turn to your dragon form. No animal is crazy enough to threaten a dragon,” Frid said.
“I could not . . . do it.”
“Why?” Frid looked puzzled.
“I froze. I could never turn as quick as you guys,” I explained.
“We used to train for it. Remember, Ty? We climbed up the wild peak and jumped. It was so long ago,” Frid added.
“You jumped? How would that help you to turn faster?” I asked.
“You jump and then you try to turn before your body hits the ground.” Frid lifted her eyebrows.
“But what if you can’t turn on time?”
Instead of answering, Frid made a not so discrete gesture of slicing her throat with her finger.
I looked down at my bowl, trying hard to tame the firethat burned deep in my chest. I promised myself that I would never turn down opportunities because of fear or uncertainty. I promised myself that I would stay strong if I survived, that I would be a warrior, not a victim. If that meant that the old me had to perish for a new one to be born, I was ready for it.
“I want to try it,” I said, noticing Tynan’s head jerked in my direction.
“It’s too dangerous,” he finally said.
“You all did it,” I protested, shifting my gaze from him to Frid and Victor.
“That was long ago. We did not know any better,” Tynan responded.
“I don’t know what the future may bring. I don’t know what will happen to me tomorrow. But I want to be prepared.” I glared at him.
From the corner of my eye I saw that Frid was nodding in agreement.
“I will take you,” Frid said.
“No. I will,” Tynan responded and stood up.
CHAPTER FORTY
TYNAN
Imade a mistake. Being with her, alone, was not what I should be doing. I squinted looking at the strips of orange light coloring the peaks in the distance. Turning back, I found Alina in her well-fitted flying suit, standing timidly by the edge.
We met outside, her dark crimson locks framed her face, and a pink blush colored her cheeks. After not seeing her for days, I could hardly find the words to speak. She was perfect; with her soft, glowing skin and tiny freckles on her nose. The more I looked at her, the more I realized that I would never meet anyone else like her. She was like the sweetest dream, so unbearably tempting. She was also brave and stubborn, all at the same time. In another world, in othercircumstances, I would never let her go. I would fight for her. Make her choose me, make her feel the same things I felt.
I watched her graceful movements, as she took a step closer to the edge.
“Don’t tell me you’re afraid of heights,” I chided.
