Page 184 of Cursed Evermore

In the distance, floating islands defied all logic, suspended in the air by magic so pure it made the atmosphere shimmer around them.

The exhilarating beauty melted away my fear, replacing it with something sensational that raced through my veins.

Hedion banked left, and my stomach heaved in the most delicious way as we spiraled around a mountain peak so closely, I could have reached out and touched the stone.

Crystal formations jutted from the mountainside, catching the sunlight and scattering it into a thousand fragments across the valley floors. The mountain's power thrummed against my skin, as if recognizing the magic of the creature I rode.

Clouds drifted past us like ghostly fingers as we flew above eagles and other brightly colored birds I didn't recognize.

We hovered there, Hedion probably sensing my fascination, then his wings cut through the air with more powerful, rhythmic beats as we flew away into the arms of more magnificence.

Gods, thiswas living.

Flying was living. Wild and dangerous and absolutely intoxicating. A taste of freedom in its purest form.

It was art and poetry written in the wind and sky. The perfect medicine for a broken soul.

Reckless joy bubbled through me, and every nerve in my body sang with elation, the fear I'd carried previously suddenly seeming small and insignificant.

Up here, suspended between the earth and the heavens on the back of a creature of legend, I felt truly alive for the first time in my life.

Part of me wanted to beg Hedion to keep flying, to never touch the ground again. Because I knew I would never be the same after this.

Something had awakened in my blood that recognized Hedion's magic. And nothing would ever compare to these precious moments dancing with the clouds.

“We can keep flying, my lady, but Lord Nightblade would be quite cross. He doesn't like us going far or staying out too long without him,” Hedion warned.

“It's just a desire. I've never flown before.”

“We shall fly whenever you wish.” His voice was filled with pride.

“Thank you,” I answered him without speaking, hoping he could feel the joy in my heart.

Suddenly, a dark shadow hovered above us, blotting out the sun. Vast as night, it consumed us, swallowing the light. Then the sound of massive wingbeats thundered, drumming through the air above us.

I looked up to see what it was, and my gaze met the thick, black outline of wings and scales. I stopped breathing. Hedion's flight wobbled beneath me, and I sensed his change in demeanor. Then the mental pull of my shackle told me exactly who had found us.

Before I could draw breath, the massive form banked left sharply and plunged lower, revealing a dragon so immense it made Hedion seem small. Seated with predatory grace between its shoulder blades was Wolfe Nightblade, like a king of nightmares astride his beast.

Wolfe's face was a mask of cold fury and wrath. Even from this distance, I could see the hard line of his jaw and the way his dark eyes burned with barely contained rage.

Wild raven hair billowed in the wind like smoke, and his hands gripped the dragon's scales with white-knuckled intensity. Every line of his body radiated anger that promised consequences.

Those midnight eyes locked onto mine with an intensity that made my blood freeze, but beyond his merciless stare, I witnessed raw panic. The sight twisted my insides and dried my throat.

Gods, he looked absolutely pissed. Pissed as fuck atme.

Yet he said nothing, only looked away, but I sensed he spoke—mentally—to Hedion, because the dragon groaned.

“I'm sorry, my Lady, we're being ordered to fly back to Vyrenth Hollow.” Hedion's voice drifted into my mind with a cautious edge.

“I understand,” I answered, gripping the scales tighter.

Hedion dipped low then turned back toward where we'd flown. Wolfe kept close. Almost too close. There were moments when I thought the dragons would crash into each other.

Wolfe kept his focus on me, and I got the impression that he was concerned I might fall.

Each beat of his dragon's wings sounded like ripples of thunder. I heard and felt it deep inside me. The same way I felt him.