Page 31 of A Simple Truth (the Freckled Fate #2)

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FINNLEAH

I trailed Orest’s tall figure as we hiked the hill to the top of another island. I was dressed in my fully mended black leathers, feeling a bit odd wearing them for the first time since the Glide attack. My few weapons, all strapped on the side of the small sack with a few essentials, laid tightly against my back.

I thought I would get used to the loud waves of the roaring ocean, but each time we made our way to the cliffy islands, a certain level of reverence filled my soul at the limitless horizons sprawling below us. A gust of wind played with my braid as I adjusted some of my hair.

Dragons…actual dragons. Perhaps I really should’ve questioned what that meant yesterday. But I already lived amidst Destroyers, what was another fire breathing, scaly creature? One I had never seen before...one that I’d have to fly on.

Just another day in my life. I swallowed as we approached the top of the island, clenching my clammy fists.

“These are the dragons ?!” I gasped, as we made it to the green pasture covered in gigantic dragonflies, eating what I could only guess was sticky nectar in the large buckets that a few Creators were refilling. My eyes wandered in complete bewilderment as I observed these amazing creatures. Actual dragonflies. With two sets of wings, a long body, and a thin tail. As if made from crystal like glass, their bodies resembled a clear mirror, reflecting glimpses of morning rays.

Dragonflies… I shook my head as we made our way through the pasture.

Gideon and Zora were already stationed by one of them. The General was dressed in his black pants, off-white tunic, and a black leather jacket. His two large swords were strapped to his back, the blood rubies glowing in the sun like a bloody halo.

“Ready?” Zora asked, sending me a half smile. I nodded in reply, handing my bag to the General as he put it with the rest of our supplies in the large, white saddle bags attached in the space between the creature’s wings.

Xentar finished chatting to the couple of Creators close by, and turned to greet us.

“This is Greyfas,” he said, petting the creature softly. “He is one of the fastest ones here. He will fly you across the desert in no time.”

“Are they made of glass?” I asked, unsure if I was ready to come any closer to the giant critter’s legs, realizing that I wasn’t sure which one was more disturbing: a typical fire breathing dragon or a gigantic insect.

“They sure look like it, don’t they?” Xentar chuckled. “But no, they are not made from glass, but they look like that so they can fly undetected. The sun reflects off their bodies like a mirror, leaving almost no shadow. And other than the slight buzzing you might hear, they are quite silent.”

“How did you get them?” I asked, finally bringing myself to touch the creature as I ran my hand across its sectioned body.

“Well, you can’t buy them in a shop. They were created by yours truly.” Xentar theatrically bowed at the waist.

“But these are living beings...” My eyes widened as the realization of what Xentar did to create them came crashing down. But before I could say anything else, he patted me on the shoulder.

“Everyone pays a price in a war, Finn. This was my minor contribution.” He clicked his tongue and averted his eyes away from me, looking towards the pasture, where the creatures peacefully mingled. “But don’t worry, many of them were bred after. So, I am not turning into Insanaria anytime soon,” he joked, yet I could sense a bit of sorrow in those gold eyes.

The General climbed into the saddle, extending his hand to me. I hesitated.

“Nervous?” he asked arrogantly, smirking.

No, I was going to say, but then I would obviously be lying. “A little,” I responded honestly, taking his hand. With one motion, the General’s strong arm easily pulled my body up. I stiffened at the closeness of his body, afraid to take a breath. The General reached forwarded, grabbing the reins resting on the saddle in front of me. I could feel his mouth stretch in a wide smile as he leaned in to whisper into my ear, his warm breath like a feather tickling my neck.

“Don’t be scared. I won’t bite…unless you're into that.”

My face flashed with a hint of pink, but I managed to straighten my back, turning to him with my chin up. “Oh, General, you forget that I will,” I snarkily replied as his arms wrapped tightly around me until I was nestled against his body.

“Believe me, I remember.” His sultry chuckle slithered down to my core, and I couldn’t resist my own smile creeping up my lips. He tugged on the large strap against my waist, securing me to the saddle, and then pulled back the reins.

“Hold on,” the General commanded. I wasn’t sure if my heart stopped because his cold nose brushed against the tip of my ear, or because he moved the reins in a wave-like motion that sent Greyfas into a rapid ascension, straight into a wild flight.

My stomach suddenly dropped, the hastily-eaten breakfast quickly disagreeing with the method of travel we had chosen, demanding to come out. I swallowed the promptly increasing saliva in my mouth as bile crept up my throat.

“You’re going to throw up, aren’t you?” Gideon shouted through the icy skies as the wind sped past our ears. I wanted to deny it but couldn’t, only managing to turn my body fast enough to the side as I hurled my guts straight into the clouds. A blink and a small flash of silver fire incinerated my returned breakfast into ash.

I ran my hand against the small goggles on my face, attempting to wipe a bit of condensation from the cold sweat running down my forehead. My greenish, pale face winced, mortified at the trajectory of my puke and the winds gushing around us.

“Well, this is going to be a fun trip,” Gideon roared behind me, and I grimaced again, afraid to look below us.