Page 7 of A Kiss of Healing & Honor (Darkstone Academy #4)

By the Unconquered Sun, I couldn’t wait to get back in my own skin!

I’d been trapped in this tiny, pitifully weak human body for over a year now, unable to fly, with frail fingers and toes tipped with thin nails that tore like paper when put to proper use. Ugh.

Wings and talons were a hundred times more useful. And in a few more minutes, I’d have mine back.

The thought made my fingertips itch in anticipation. I flexed my toes inside my boots and tried to remember what it felt like to sink my talons into soft flesh and carry my kill away to feast on a cliff.

Even better, I had a fight to look forward to after a year of forced inaction on this fucking island. I ached to teach those miserable little earthworm robbers a lesson about what happens when you steal from a Wind-Walker.

Jacinthe was mine. My aerie-mate. Mine to protect. Mine to love.

Mine to share with three others, I reminded myself.

Wind-Walkers weren’t known as the sharing type. But for Jacinthe’s sake, I’d promised to try.

So far, it hadn’t been unbearable.

As much as I hated to admit it, I’d been terribly lonely before I met Jacinthe. Since hatching, I’d lived in a crowded aerie, surrounded by my clutch-mates and my older siblings. Wind-Walkers were independent by nature, but rarely solitary.

Before Jacinthe arrived, the other humans on this island had feared me and treated me like a monster. With a few exceptions, I’d scared the shit out of them even when I tried to be friendly.

At first, their fear had felt like respect, and I’d gloried in it.

Back home, I’d just started rising through the hierarchy by winning a few challenge-duels against my clutch-mates. I’d been proud—so idiotically proud—when my clutch-mother, the king’s vizier Lady Aeolia, chose me to represent the Wind-Walkers among the humans.

Hah! I was so fucking stupid back then. As soon as I touched down on this island, I got a rude shock. Here, I was nothing but a glorified prisoner of the earthworms.

Now, at least, I had friends to keep me company and amuse me in my exile.

Speaking of friends… I glanced at Tama, striding at my side. We’d already fought side by side once. Despite his lack of wings, he was a mighty warrior. And a master of underwater combat where I ruled the skies. Tama and I made a fucking awesome team.

In his expression, I saw the same eagerness I felt at the thought of punishing those who’d stolen Jacinthe from us. Together, we’d make them regret the day they hatched.

∞∞∞

Ilhan

We hastened to Mage-Healer Armand’s office in the infirmary. The door was open, and I saw my mentor was engrossed in a book spread open on his desk. As usual, a flask of wine and a goblet sat within easy reach.

“Mage Armand,” I greeted him. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but this is important.”

My mentor’s head snapped up as our group crowded into his office. It was a big room by castle standards, but cluttered with dusty books, bunches of dried herbs, jars, bottles, seashells, rocks, and a bunch of other junk. A human skeleton strung with wires hung from a hook next to the door.

His weathered face creased with concern at the sight of our grim expressions.

“What’s happened?” he asked, rising to his feet. “Is someone hurt?”

I shook my head. “No, but we need your help. It’s Junior Apprentice Jacinthe… Aunt Amella has betrayed us and delivered her to Duke de Norhas. He sailed away last night and we need to go after her.”

“That’s terrible news!” Mage Armand’s face creased in distress. “How can I assist you in this crisis?”

“We want you to lift the shape-changing spell on Boreas and Tama,” I replied. “So that they can ferry a team to the duke’s fleet and rescue the princess.”

Boreas and Tama both turned to look at me. I saw their incredulous expressions.

Damn. Maybe I should have consulted with them before announcing my plan, I thought. Then I gritted my teeth. Like we had any time for a council of war!

“Oh, so that’s your plan, Friend Ilhan? Harnessing us like your horses and oxen?” asked Boreas. His expression and tone were both mocking.

“Friend Boreas has a point,” Tama said. “I never agreed to ferry any of the Drylanders.” His lips curled in scorn as he spoke the last word.

He had no reason to love the castle’s guards, who’d been his jailers for many months.

I met his depthless black gaze and remembered how he’d ripped out Lord Roderigo’s throat in a flash. Goosebumps raced across my skin under my clothing.

Both of Jacinthe’s lovers were proud. And very much not human.

I needed to convince them to follow my plan.

“If we want to rescue Jacinthe, it’s the only strategy that makes sense,” I replied shortly. “Without ships of our own, you two are the only way we can transport men-at-arms over to the duke’s fleet and rescue Princess Jacinthe.”

The plan had come to me while standing in Castellan Guisbald’s office. In his dragon shape, Boreas could easily fly Gwydion and me, along with any of the castle’s men-at-arms brave enough to ride a Dragon, over the water to the duke’s ships. And Tama could pull a raft filled with weapons and more men.

From stories that Jacinthe had told me over the past months, I knew the merman was freakishly strong.

Boreas snorted. “Let’s talk about your strategy once I’m back in my true shape.”

Tama’s lip curled in a sneer. “Yes. This discussion can wait.”

“Fine,” I said, irritated that they were choosing the worst possible moment to be difficult.

I turned back to Armand, who was watching us with a frown. “Mage Armand, can Gwydion and I help you do it?”

Armand shook his head. He looked pained. “Without authorization, I’m forbidden on pain of death to lift the spell binding Prince Boreas and Lord Tama to human form.”

“Here.” I thrust Guisbald’s signed paper at him. “The castellan gave his permission.”

Mage Armand took it and swiftly read it. His expression immediately lightened. “Well, that changes things, the Twelve Gods be thanked!”

“The sooner the better, mage,” Boreas growled. “You know where the rest of me is stored.”

“Indeed.” Mage Armand rose stiffly from behind his desk, gripping the edge for balance. I wasn’t sure if it was because of arthritic joints or too much wine. “I’ll perform the unbinding spell in the chapel.”

∞∞∞

Boreas

The high vaulted ceilings of the castle’s chapel of the Twelve Gods reminded me of the aerie caves back home in Kappadokia.

Except for the stench.

The air here was thick, choked with the stink of stale incense, smoke, and hot beeswax. Dozens of candles flickered in tall, wrought-iron candelabras placed next to the thick stone pillars that lined the nave.

I shed my human garments and stood naked in the large open space in the center of the chapel beneath the watchful gazes of a dozen statues nestled in niches along the walls, each divine figure observing the proceedings with imperious detachment.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Alondra flush a deep scarlet and then turn her back on me. Over the past year, I’d learned that humans reacted weirdly to naked bodies. Maybe because they lacked proper plumage.

Next to me loomed the enormous Wind-Walker statue that contained my excess mass. It had been created when the old man standing before me had shrunk me down to human size.

Mage Armand took for-fucking-ever to prepare his spell.

My nails dug crescents into my palms as I clenched my fists, impatience boiling inside me.

When he was finally ready to go, Ilhan, Alondra, Tama, and Gwydion gathered around the perimeter of a wide circle chalked around me. The old man had roped them in to assist with the spell.

“Kneel, if you please, Prince Boreas,” Armand said.

Finally!

“And brace yourself,” he added. “This spell will be painful.”

“No shit,” I said dryly. It had only been a year since this same human’s spell had forced me into human shape. I remembered exactly what it felt like.

I dropped to my knees in front of the old man.

Mage Armand reached out, his hands hovering over my head. In my peripheral vision, I saw his gnarled fingers deftly weaving patterns in the air while he chanted something in a language I didn’t understand.

After a few moments, I heard the others join in.

The surge of their combined magic invaded me like tree roots pushing through cracks in a stone cliff. The green glow of power surrounding me smelled of herbs and other growing things.

“Now, lay your hands on the statue.”

At Mage Armand’s words, I threw my arms around the cold black stone.

A surge of energy poured through me as soon as I touched it. It vibrated against me with a deep hum that rapidly grew louder and stronger.

The spell is working!

My skin prickled with an impending shape-shift. I steeled myself against the flood of agony ripping through me as my puny human body swelled and expanded.

It took all my self-control not to scream as my muscles, bones, and tendons stretched and shifted in a cracking, popping flood of red-hot agony.

Finally, the last vestiges of my human shape melted away. My arms were replaced by my long-missing wings and my skin sprouted plumage.

When it was over, I stretched out my neck and shook myself with relief. The talons on my scaled, clawed feet scraped against the chapel’s flagstones.

I was finally back to myself. I roared in triumph, and my voice bounced off the chapel’s stone walls and vaults, filling the space.

As I rose to my feet, Mage Armand and my friends scrambled backwards to give me space. My body filled the nave and I towered over everyone now.

I couldn’t help grinning at them, forgetting that my jaws were lined with fangs, each as long as Ilhan’s forearm.

His eyes widened. He took an involuntary step backwards. The sudden perfume of his terror drowned out the chapel’s miasma.

My grin widened. Honestly, I didn’t intend to terrify him. But still, his reaction felt very satisfying.

Then Ilhan squared his shoulders and looked up at me. “Very impressive, Prince Boreas,” he said, sounding hoarse but otherwise calm. “The duke’s sailors are going to soil themselves when they see you.”

My crest-feathers rippled in pleasure at Ilhan’s compliment. “I fucking hope so!”

Human speech was harder with my restored jaws and throat, and my voice sounded different.

“I’d pay to see that,” Gwydion said, sounding amused. Unlike Ilhan, the Fae prince didn’t smell of fear. His silver eyes studied me with gratifying interest.

Likewise, Tama looked and smelled unmoved. His dark gaze swept over me in cool appraisal. Then he nodded.

Great to know the fish-man approves of me, I thought grumpily.

“Prince Boreas, may—may I touch you?” Alondra asked in a quavering voice.

Like her brother, she stank of terror. But she met my gaze with a lifted chin and clear eyes.

Alondra truly had a Wind-Walker’s courage. As did Ilhan.

My momentary pleasure in intimidating my human friends vanished. Instead, I felt something alien. Shame.

“Of course, Friend Alondra,” I replied, lowering my head to the stone floor. “Do as you wish.”

Her hand shook as she reached out. A shiver of pleasure ran through me when her fingers brushed the glossy feathers covering my neck.

“Your feathers… they’re so pretty,” she murmured, her voice awash with wonder.

I locked eyes with Tama once more. It reminded me we didn’t have time to waste.

“Friend Tama,” I announced, my voice echoing off the ancient stone walls of the chapel. “Your turn.”

A nod from Tama served as an accord, and I turned to Mage Armand and the rest.

“Let’s go to the cove,” I offered, the thrill of flight already surging through my veins. “I’ll carry you upon my back.”

Mage Armand and my friends exchanged wary glances. But no one said no.

I squeezed out of the chapel’s arched doorway. It was a tight fit, but I wriggled out without losing too many feathers.

Once in the courtyard, I lowered myself and pressed my belly against the flagstones.

Ilhan climbed up first, grabbing handfuls of my feathers on his way up to my back.

Then he reached down to pull Mage Armand up while Gwydion cupped the old man’s feet in his palms and lifted him.

Next, the two of them helped Alondra into place before Gwydion scrambled up and seated himself.

Tama crouched, then leaped high into the air and somersaulted. He landed neatly behind Gwydion with a thump that would have bruised a lesser creature’s hide.

“Show off,” I commented, snaking my neck around to survey my passengers.

Tama’s lips twitched briefly in one of his rare smiles. “You wanted me to yank on your feathers?”

I snorted, then ordered, “Everyone, hold on tight.”

Then I launched myself into the air.

The castle quickly shrank below us as I beat my wings and gained altitude.

After being earthbound for a year, it was fucking glorious to fly again.

The guards stationed on the walls looked like mere ants. They cowered in terror as my shadow passed over them. A spurt of satisfaction shot through me.

My wings beat the air with powerful strokes as I headed for the turquoise waters of Harbor Cove, sparkling just ahead.

I descended and landed softly on the wide white beach. My talons sank into the sun-warmed sand, and I sank down to let my passengers dismount.

“Your turn, Friend Tama,” I said.

∞∞∞

Their preparations made, Mage Armand and the others formed a circle at the surf line with a naked Tama at the center. Ilhan and Gwydion both stood knee deep in shallow water to complete the circle. Waves lapped at their thighs, soaking their breeches.

I curled on the sand, watching and waiting.

“Mage Armand, I request a boon,” Tama said, right before the mage started his spell. “Allow me to keep my lungs and my human voice so that I may continue to speak with my friends.”

Armand cleared his throat. “I can certainly do that.” He hesitated before continuing. “Forgive me for asking, Lord Tama, but why not do it yourself? I’ve heard stories about the Sea-People coming out of the water to trade with humans and, ah, do other things.”

“Indeed,” Tama said. “The elders of my clan know how to perform partial shapeshifts for communion with Drylanders.” His hands clenched at his sides, betraying emotion. “Alas, as the clan’s youngest warrior, I was sent here to fulfill the terms of the treaty before they could teach me how do to do this.”

Mage Armand nodded. “Very well. I will do this for you, Lord Tama.”

Just like he’d done to me, Armand stepped forward to place his hands over Tama’s silver hair.

He and the others chanted the words of the spell, sending vines of green magic to wind around Tama’s nude body.

Before my eyes, his body rippled. Feathery gills sprouted on both sides of his neck. His legs fused together, then reformed into a powerful dolphin-like tail.

He toppled backwards into the shallows with a splash and dove. When he rose to the surface, his silver hair fanned out around him, floating on the waves like seaweed.

“Now we hunt, Friend Boreas.” His voice sounded unchanged. He smiled fiercely at me, flashing a mouthful of shark-like teeth.

∞∞∞

Ilhan

The first stage of my plan was complete. Now we had what we needed to rescue Jacinthe.

Then I saw Boreas rise from his relaxed sprawl on the beach. Sand cascaded from his shimmering green belly feathers as he spread his mighty golden wings.

“Let’s go,” he said to Tama.

What? I thought in sudden apprehension.

“Wait! We need to strategize the best plan of attack, and—” I protested.

Boreas cut me off with a sneer. “You’re making this too complicated. This isn’t a board game.” His golden eyes surveyed me dismissively. “It’s simple: Friend Tama and I are going to get Jacinthe back. Then we’ll destroy those fucking ships and teach that fucking duke a lesson about taking what’s ours!”

I bristled. “You can’t just charge off blindly! We have to be smart and work together. You need—”

“Enough!” Tama’s icy voice sliced through the air. “Boreas and I can deal with any resistance the duke and his humans attempt. If they’ve dared to hurt Jacinthe, we will bring her to you and you will heal her.”

I knew it was useless to argue. They’d clearly made up their minds to do this on their own. But I had to try anyway.

Before my magic awakened, I’d been attending the Imperial Military College in Parrish. My tactics instructors there had emphasized that no plan, no matter how carefully made, survives the heat of battle.

But it was always worse to set out with no plan at all.

“So that’s it then?” I asked bitterly. “The two of you attack the duke’s fleet with no strategy? No plan if—when—something goes wrong?”

Tama shrugged. “Whatever happens, we will deal with it.”

“You don’t even know what kinds of weapons the duke has on board his ships!” I shouted in frustration.

“Ilhan has a point,” Gwydion said, putting his hands on his hips.

“I heard the ships have cannons,” added Alondra.

Boreas snarled down at us, clearly exasperated. “No puny human weapons can stand against me.” He turned to Tama. “Let’s go. I’ll go find the duke’s ships and let you know where they are.”

The great Dragon spread his green-and-gold wings and launched himself into the sky with a blast of air and stinging sand.

Tama flexed his powerful tail, sending a spray of water arcing through the air, and vanished beneath the waves of the cove.

Filled with apprehension, I watched them go.

I wasn’t alone in my feelings.

“Those fools,” Gwydion said, sounding disgusted.

“I hope they don’t get themselves killed,” added Alondra, scowling up at Boreas’ rapidly-vanishing figure.