Page 64 of My Faire Lady

Nestling deeper into her nest, she folds her wing back, just enough for her eyes to find mine, and blows a puff of air through her snout.

Lottie hovers over my shoulder. “I don’t think she likes me.”

“She doesn’t like anyone this early.” I unlatch the door and swing it open, stepping onto the dry, raised slab. “Come on, Shadow. You won’t be able to fly once humans start showing up.”

She whinnies and faces the wall. I laugh under my breath and pull a wrapped sandwich from my pocket, handing it to Lottie.

“What a shame,” I say, backtracking away. “Lottie even made a jelly sandwich for you.”

The pegasus’s head snaps up, and she pins her attention on Lottie.

I smile. “Strawberry and grape.”

Shadow jumps up and swings her wings their full breadth, each feathered tip touching the opposite walls. They flap, whipping our hair around our heads, and Lottie’s free hand grabs mine. My breath catches, and I give myself a heartbeat to savor the warmth of her palm before I unravel our fingers.

“She won’t hurt you,” I say, settling my hand on the small of Lottie’s back. “Right, Shadow?”

The pegasus shoots me a glare, then tucks her wings tight against her sides and steps closer. Despite the trembling of her fingers, Lottie remains still as Shadow lowers her head and sniffs at the sandwich.

“I would have never guessed a pegasus would like jelly sandwiches,” she says, unwrapping the parchment paper. “Why not peanut butter and jelly?”

“She’s allergic.”

Lottie barks a laugh, then sobers at the blank look on my face.

Her eyes widen. “You’ve got to be kidding.”

Before I have a chance to say anything, Shadow snatches the sandwich from Lottie’s outstretched hand and swallows without chewing. The creature ruffles her feathers and inches forward, pressing her head into Lottie’s chest, sniffing for more treats. Lottie spares me a look and smiles, her eyes sparkling as she rubs a palm down Shadow’s snout.

“It’s nice to officially meet you, Shadow,” she says. “You have the most beautiful wings.”

Shadow preens, and her ears flatten against her head as Lottie reaches forward, dragging her hand down the snow-white mane and across the golden feathers.

“What do you say, Shadow?” I grab the reins from a hook beside the door. “Should we show Lottie the view?”

Shadow whinnies and lowers her head far enough for me to loop the bridle over her head.

“Wait,” Lottie breathes, her eyes shooting wide as she retreats a step. “We’re going to ride her? In the sky?”

“Yes.” I lead Shadow out of the stall and toward the doorway.

Lottie jogs to my side. “Is she strong enough to hold us both?”

Shadow whips her head around, narrows her eyes on Lottie, and blows a hot burst of air into her face.

Lottie presses her lips into a thin line and nods, sliding her forearm across her mouth. “Noted.”

I chuckle and guide Shadow outside. The grass on the arena is still waterlogged, and water pools in the rivets left behind by yesterday’s jousts. By next week, it’ll be completely dried out, and if not, I’ll cast a drying spell. If there’s enough magic left.

I trace an invisibility rune against Shadow’s shoulder.

Lottie steps to my side, her throat bobbing on a swallow. “What am I meant to hold onto? There’s no saddle.”

“I’ll be right behind you.” The air thins between us, and I hold my breath, anything to stop her from overwhelming my senses. “Maintain your balance with your thighs, and if you feel unsteady, lean into me. I won’t let you fall.”

A rosy pink paints her cheeks, but she nods and steps closer, eyeing the height of the pegasus.

“Here.” I bend my knees and lace my fingers together. “I’ll swing you up.”