Page 183 of Psycho Gods

It was too stunning. Was this what the realm had always looked like? Was my vision that bad? Why had it changed overnight?

My skull ached as I thought about.

I shook my head and concentrated on the task at hand—I was going to prove Vegar wrong. The change in my vision was a problem for another day.

There were wings on my back.

I was an angel.

It was time to fly.

That was what was important.

With newfound determination, and cute fluffy mittens on my hands, I took off my coat and thermal shirt. Folding them neatly in a pile, I ignored the goose bumps that exploded across my exposed skin as I flexed my thighs.

For once, the cold was barely noticeable.

The day felt mild.

I bent down.

Crystals clattered and air whooshed as I splayed my wings.

Cartilage and bones snapped deliciously as I shook the unused appendages and gritted my teeth.

Ignoring their heavy weight, I bent my head low and remembered Knox’s instructions. I flexed my back muscles. My boots sank into the warm dirt, and steam heated my ankles as my upper body shivered.

Everything faded away as I concentrated on the will coursing through me.

I was going to fly.

My wings spread wide, and I flexed my back muscles as I pushed upward with everything I had.

Nothing happened, but I didn’t let it deter me.

I was going to be smart about this.

My wings disappeared as I pulled them back inside me, and I rolled my neck, stretching and trying to loosen up. I wasn’t going to exhaust myself needlessly.

After I mentally and physically recovered, I withdrew my heavy wings and tried again.

I had this.

Hours later, I collapsed onto my knees with exhaustion and heaved. The cartilage in my wings felt frozen stiff, and it hurt to retract them.

I’d leave them out, just for a few more moments.

My heart pounded erratically, and my breath was loud and uneven as I choked on the snow-drenched air.

Of course, since I was cursed with misfortune, a few minutes into practicing, the blizzard conditions had returned.

A storm had raged continually since.

Now the snow slammed against me in a punishing blur, and my teeth chattered uncontrollably. Visibility was nonexistent.

The world was a vortex of white and gray.

I was bone tired.