Page 16 of Shadow Wings

My chest puffed out. I was Drae, and myformwas perfect. My scales were unflawed lapis lazuli, my fangs were daggers; my tail was a battering ram. But I would not let his pretty words cheat me from the gold. A small part of my mind said I was being weird, the Phaetyn side again; I’d never really cared about wealth. But I really needed a golden trinket.We had a deal, Lord Tyrrik. Teach me to fly, then give me mytreasure.

Though the urge to stretch my wings swelled from deep within, I worried. What if I did itwrong?

“We can only practice in this clearing,” he said, pursing his lips in a frown ofapology.

I sniffed indisdain.

Tyrrik rounded behind me, and I tensed, instinctively knowing that was my weakest point ofdefense.

“Shh, Ryn,” he said soothingly. “You know I would never hurt you. I’m just going to show you what it feels likefirst.”

He took my right wing, and I followed his lead, stretching it out. I arched with pleasure as the breeze danced over my wing, the air causing it tolift.

“You were made to fly, and it will come to you naturally, in the same way you do not consciously inhale after exhaling,” the Drae said. He held onto the end of my wing, slowly lifting and pulling it down. “Can you feel how the air catches underneath when I dothis?”

I can, Ianswered.

“Now pull them down together, both at the same time. Your wings will reflexively lift after a downstroke.”

He stepped around me, eying the drop off the edge of the clearing, then glanced out at the semi-circle of trees about ninety feet back from the edge. “There is not as much room here as I would like, but you’ll get the idea. When it’s safe, I promise, we’ll go for a realflight.”

I’m ready. I strode to the edge of the drop, my steps resounding with my body weight; I was about half the size of Tyrrik’s Drae form by my estimations. I stretched my neck over to survey the drop. It was about one hundred and fifty feetdown.

Tyrrik continued muttering advice beside me. “Tuck your legs into your body. Flatten to speed up, and raise your head and tail toslow.”

I rolled my eyes and dropped over the side. His startled yell echoed behindme.

Stretching my wings wide, joy filled me as the current caught and held me, the air billowing beneath my wings. My fall was gently slowed until I was floating. I banked to the right around the semi-circle clearing then pulled my wings tight and stretched them wide, pushing down against the currents. I lifted and lifted until I was in line with the tree tops. The temptation to continue upward and soar into the unknown was nearly overwhelming. I wanted to see how fast I could fly, if I was faster than the other Drae I’d seen streaking through the sky, and if I could go on endlessly—it sure felt likeit.

I circled around the clearing another three times, taking the opportunity to flatten myself for speed and arch my neck and tail upward to slow down. I reveled in the knowledge that I was a fearsome beast, powerful and strong, and in flight, I was graceful, even elegant. Flying was a dance, and I was amaster.

I did one last lap then decided I was done. The sunlight was irksome, and I really did want my nap. Extending my legs, I landed at the top of the clearing, tucking my wings in as my feet madecontact.

Tyrrik’s eyes shone as he practically ran toward me. His smile, a rare thing to behold, was as wide as I’d ever seenit.

I furrowed my brow, concentrating on my body. The air shimmered with blue energy as I shrunk back into my humanform, or rather my Phaetyn form. The air cleared, and I glanced down to make sure my clothes were in place before extending my open palm toTyrrik.

He placed the golden pill box in my hand without aword.

“You know,” I mused. “I thought this Drae business would beharder.”

The Drae cleared his throat before speaking. “We are predators. We need to be able to protect ourselves once we transform. Your powers should comenaturally—”

“Should?” I asked, raising myeyebrows.

“I’m unsure how your Phaetyn blood will affect some elements of your transition,” headmitted.

I nodded, gaze fixed on the golden box. So shiny. This was my greatest treasure. I’d put it in a great spot. The thought halted me. No, it had to go in a secret spot, somewhere no one would find it. My eyes slid to Tyrrik. Would he try to steal it back? I’d need to be careful.No onestole my horde. Even knowing I was being irrational, I couldn’t talk myself out of my obsession with treasure. “I’m going insidenow.”

“Okay,” Tyrrikanswered.

His tone was odd, and I peered back at him as he drew another object from deep within his aketon. The golden pill box was nothing in comparison to the huge ruby heheld.

My chest rose and fell as I fixated on it. “Where’d you getthat?”

“Doesn’t matter, does it?” he said. “Although, I’ll give it to you if you stay for anotherlesson.”

The ruby was a real treasure. I’d put it in the secret spot, too. I’d take extra,extracare no one foundit.