Chapter 34
Chapter
Thirty-Four
Percival shook his body, fluffing his feathers. Then he slowly lowered himself, sitting on the wet cobblestones in the alley behind the bakery. He looked towards Leo, tilting his head.
Leo stepped up beside him, placing a hand on his back. “Okay. I can do this.” He smiled tightly. His hand trembled.
They’d talked about this at length. Originally, Percival had asked Briar if he’d come across any instances of humans flying on the backs of phoenixes in any of his books.
He had. But apparently, they’d used special saddles.
Briar had even shown Percival and Leo a picture of a phoenix saddle in one of the books.
From there, they’d tracked down an old and used phoenix saddle. After some reinforcements, it had been decided the saddle was safe for use.
The moment Percival had suggested they fly together, Leo had seemed beyond excited. But now that the time had come, Leo’s whole body tensed and his breathing came hard. He stared at the saddle on Percival’s back as if it might attack him.
Ebony cawed. She watched from the rooftop above, keeping an eye on her witch and phoenix. Uzoth stood beside her, arms crossed. He’d fly with them. He’d said he would catch Leo if he fell.
Leo’s face had grown pale at that pronouncement. But hopefully Leo would be safe on Percival’s back. Uzoth’s presence was just a safeguard.
Leo stared up at Ebony and Uzoth. “I can do this.”
Percival nodded.
Leo reached out and gripped the pommel. “I can do this. I can.” He climbed onto Percival’s back. His feet pushed into the stirrups. He huffed. “I think I’m ready.”
Percival stood.
Leo’s body weight tilted from side to side. “Shit! Oh shit! Oh shit!”
Percival spread his wings. He flapped.
“Oh shiiiit!” Leo screamed as they took off.
Percival looked back. Leo’s eyes were wide as he leaned forward. He gripped the pommel tight with his hands. Beneath them, Grady, Wulfric, Briar, and Jack waved up at them. And directly below them, Ebony and Uzoth flew.
With a flap of his wings, Percival soared above the rooftops.
Leo gasped. Percival trilled, trying to calm the witch he loved. He made sure not to fly too fast or too high. He wanted Leo to love this like he did. He wanted this to be something joyous that they could share.
“We’re so high up!” Leo’s words whisked quickly away with the wind.
For a few moments, Leo didn’t speak again. His body shifted from side to side. They flew over snow-covered rooftops, busy streets, and empty alleys. Leo remained completely silent.
Does he hate this? Is he too scared?
Then a bark of laughter exploded from Leo. “This is bloody amazing!”
Percival glanced back. Leo’s hands were still tight around the pommel. But he looked around, eyes wide and filled with wonder. “It’s incredible, Percy! Fucking incredible!”
Percival trilled.
Leo pointed. “Look! There are the Christmas markets!” He pointed again. “There’s the city library.” Once more he pointed. “And over there is the palace! Can we fly over it?” Leo kept pointing out landmarks as they flew. He grinned, eyes sparkling.
Ebony flew beside them now. But Uzoth still flew below, ready to catch Leo. Percival took them all over the city and then to the city edge. They soared over the forest and the lake.
Leo patted the feathers in front of the saddle. “It’s beautiful, Percy. Thank you.”
Percival’s chest puffed up. He trilled. The two of them were flying. He took them higher over the forest, now that he was certain Leo wouldn’t panic.
He opened his beak wide, reaching for the heated core within himself. Orange and gold flames burst in front of him.
“Whoa!” Leo laughed. “Magnificent! You are magnificent, Percy!”
Percival shot more fire. Then he did it again and again, wanting to show off. Leo cheered him on.
Eventually, the sky began to darken. Percival dipped his wings, turning and taking them back. This time, he didn’t need Ebony to guide him. He’d learnt the way home.
They landed in the alley behind the bakery and the apartment. Leo let out a whoop and clapped as soon as he climbed off. Ebony landed on the rooftops.
“How did you find flying, Leo?” Uzoth asked as his feet touched the ground.
“Amazing.” Leo’s voice shook slightly as he removed the saddle. “Thanks for being there, Uzoth.”
“I am glad to assist. Although, I am also glad my assistance was not necessary.” Uzoth inclined his head.
Percival stepped away from Leo. He shifted into his human form with a burst of fire. He was getting very quick at that now. “So you enjoyed it? You weren’t scared?”
“I was terrified!” Leo chuckled, walking to Percival. “But then I got over that. It was incredible. Thanks for sharing the skies with me.” He gripped Percival’s arms. “You took me flying.”
“I’ll have to take you up again soon.” Percival smiled.
“I’ll hold you to that.” Then Leo pressed a kiss to his lips.
Percival dressed. His clothes were in a crate beneath the stairs, which had mostly been out of the snow.
The bakery door opened.
“Have fun, Leo?” Grady smiled. “You looked good up there with Percy.”
“It was incredible.” Leo grinned.
“I’m glad.” Grady clapped him on the shoulder. “Can you come help me get some supplies? We’re running low on a few things.”
“Do you want me to come too?” Percival did up his boots.
“Actually, could you help in the bakery?” Grady asked.
Percival hesitated. He and Leo always worked together. But it wasn’t a big deal. They’d only be apart for a short while. “Of course. I’ll see you all soon.”
Grady, Uzoth, and Leo walked off. Percival glanced up at Ebony. But she was already gone. For a second he stared up at the sky. He smiled. They’d flown. It had been everything Percival could have hoped for.
Still smiling, he entered the bakery and closed the door. Wulfric nodded at him, stirring something on the stove.
“Percy, is that you?” Jack called from the front area of the bakery.
Percival came around. Briar served a dwarf at the counter. Jack stood with a woman and man in dark-red robes.
Jack gestured to them. “These are the two sorcerers I was telling you about. They want to talk to you.”