Deeper and deeper, into the desert we trek. Over and across large dunes.
The sun has crested its apex as we eventually find a stone suitable for Lach. And a mere stone’s throw away is an oasis. The crystal clear water reflects the deepening blue sky above us. Tall palm trees dot the perimeter of the distant side and sway gently in the wind.
“Perfect.” Lachlan leads his horse directly to the water. “We can ha’ our lunch here. And the horses can graze and water while ye learn to fly,” he calls over his shoulder to me.
My gaze settles on the rippling blue water in front of us. “Do you think we?—”
“Could go swimming afterwards?” Lachlan finishes for me and glances back at the water. “Aye, you’ll want to wash the sand off after falling so many times.”
“Who said I’m going to fall?”
“It will be a gods damned miracle if ye dinna.” He chuckles loudly.
I throw my canteen of water at his back.
He sidesteps it without looking and it soars past him.
My arms and legs burn as I climb up the red stone. The hand and footholds are easy enough to spot and use, but my climbing muscles are nonexistent from months of neglect.
Lachlan’s feet dangle from over the side as he waits for me. A bead of sweat rolls down my face and neck before soaking into the fabric of my scarf. I dangle precariously as I pause from one handhold to the next, wiping a sweaty hand off on my thigh.
“This is why ye learn to fly, so ye dinna ha’ to climb!” He shouts down at me.
I stare straight ahead at the rock, cursing him under my breath.
With a deep exhale, I continue on. One foot and hand at a time before I finally reach the platform on the top of the pillar. Lachlan pulls his legs off the side and stands, grinning at me. My mind empties, staring at his naked torso. The muscles are so exquisitely lined and chiseled. His tattooslook even more detailed in the sunlight, each vane of feathers darkened by his sweat.
“Tired already?”
I whip my braid behind me and lean over my knees to catch my breath. He rubs a gentle hand across my back and chuckles.
“Catch your breath. We ha’ all the time in the world.”
But with his words, my stomach tightens.
We don’t have all the time in the world. And I worry that this might be a waste of time now. I know flying is important, but just forme.Restoring magic would benefit everyone. Straightening, I wipe my palms against my blouse, and bring out my wings.
“Just tell me what to do,” I grumble.
Lachlan grins, and the tattoos on his skin ripple, bursting into large iridescent black wings. My breath catches. The power and beauty that radiates from his wings bewilders me. He stretches them out, his wingspan practically double what mine is.
“Stretch your wings out wide,” he orders.
I follow his instructions and he walks around me, assessing my posture and strength. He grazes a fingertip along the tip of my wing and I tremble.
“Sensitive, isn’t it?” His voice brushes against my neck, and I shiver. My wings raise higher as I work through the sensation, and he grins.
“Learning to fly is nae easy. So whatever expectations ye ha’ about learning how to fly in one day—lose them.”
I nod at his words, but a small voice inside of me scoffs. I am Odin’s heir.A Valkyrie queen. Of course, I’ll learn how to fly immediately. I was born to do this.
Lachlan nudges me towards the edge of the stone and leans over the side. The excitement vanishes as I look over the edge, seeing how high we are.
My pulse skyrockets, and my palms sweat.
That is a long way down.
Lachlan cocks an eyebrow and crosses his bare arms over his chest. “Far, huh?”
