Chapter 40 Raven #2
Reluctantly, I shift back, the transformation slower this time as I force myself to calm down.
I lower my head as soon as I’m human again, my leather wings folding against my back.
I didn’t want them to see me like that—feral, violent, out of control.
I got territorial over Keir like some newly-turned fledgling who can’t control her instincts.
White-hot shame washes over me, making my cheeks burn and my eyes sting with unshed tears.
“I’m sorry... I didn’t mean to lose my temper.” My voice comes out small, broken.
“Complete the bond before someone dies.” My father says, and I look over his shoulder.
Mom and Ziggy are standing there, along with what looks like half of the student body.
They must have all phased here to witness the spectacle.
Great. Everyone saw me lose it. Everyone saw the heir apparent turn into a raging beast over a half-completed mate bond.
Nodding my head, I walk over to Keir, hyper-aware of all the eyes on us.
Some students look awed; others frightened.
A few of the younger ones look at Keir with something like envy.
“Can we leave now?” With him being only half-bonded to me, it’s not safe to walk around.
My dragoness will attack anyone she perceives as a threat to him.
The next person who touches me might not survive.
“We should see the doctor first, then we can go anywhere you want.” Keir smiles, and despite everything—the shame, the fear, the anger still simmering beneath my skin—I can’t help but melt at the sight of his smile.
“Deal. Let’s take me to the doctor.” I extend my hand to Keir, and in a blink we’re headed to the lower nest area outside of the mini-hospital we have here.
The transition is so fast my stomach lurches, and I have to close my eyes for a moment to let the world stop spinning.
When I open them, we’re standing in the familiar courtyard.
Blinking, I look around slowly and re-orient myself. “That was faster than how Ziggy moves.”
“We’re called blink hounds for a reason.
We can vanish and move in the blink of an eye.
” He laughs a little, the sound warm and genuine, holding the door to the clinic open for me like a gentleman.
The smell of antiseptic hits me immediately—that sharp, chemical scent that means medicine and healing.
“Princess, where’s your cast?” Tom’s voice makes me jump. He’s standing in the hallway with a clipboard, and his expression shifts from casual to concerned the moment he sees my naked wing.
I take a step backward, suddenly feeling like a child caught doing something wrong. “I kind of lost my temper and shifted.” My eyes dart to Keir, then back to the doctor again.
“A half bond is never a safe thing with a black dragoness. They’re more volatile than usual and will kill without hesitation.
” The doctor says calmly, like he’s discussing the weather rather than my capacity for violence, then motions to the exam table.
“Let’s make sure you didn’t undo all our hard work. ”
I climb up with Keir’s help, his hands steady on my waist as he lifts me.
Then, I lay face down on the cool vinyl surface.
The material is cold against my cheek, against my stomach where my shirt has ridden up.
The doctor and Keir manipulate my wings onto other tables for support, their hands gentle but clinical.
I can feel Tom probing the bone, feeling for any give or misalignment.
“I’m going to X-ray the bone to make sure it’s safe to start stretching the muscles again.” Tom’s voice is matter-of-fact as he moves around the room, positioning equipment.
All I can see is the floor—beige linoleum tiles with small flecks of gray—until Keir takes a rolling stool and lies on it, rolling himself under my face so I can see him.
His storm-gray eyes are warm with affection as he looks up at me.
“How are you lying under there? That can’t be comfortable.
” He makes me laugh at his antics despite everything that just happened.
“The padded seat is just under my shoulder blades, and I just rolled. It’s worth it to see you smile.” He curls up and kisses me softly, his lips gentle against mine, catching me by surprise with the tenderness.
I hear the X-ray machine whir and click several times as Tom works. Then there’s silence as he examines the images.
“Good news, Princess—your wing is solid.” The minute the words are out of Tom’s mouth, I roll and sit up, nearly kicking Keir in my haste. Hope floods through me so intensely it makes me dizzy.
“I can fly?” My heart thunders in my chest, pounding so hard I can feel it in my throat. A huge part of the mating ritual is flying with your mate. And more than that—I need the sky. I need to feel the wind under my wings again. I need to prove to myself that I’m not broken.
“Gliding for now. Take-off may put too much strain on the wing.” The doctor, being a dragon himself, understands why I’m asking the question. His amber eyes are sympathetic.
“Once airborne, I can fly?” I tilt my head, trying to figure out exactly what I need to do. My mind is already racing through possibilities.
“Yes. But not in your human form yet—the bones are much thinner than when you’re shifted.
” He says with a smile, then his expression turns serious.
“I know that look, Raven. Don’t risk re-breaking your wing.
You were lucky the first time. A second break in the same place could ground you permanently. ”
The warning sends a chill down my spine, but Tom softens it by booping me on the nose like I’m still a hatchling. The gesture is so familiar, so comforting, that I can’t help but smile.
“I know, Tom. Thank you.” I hop off the table and grab Keir’s hand, lacing our fingers together. His palm is warm against mine, grounding me. “Let’s get changed and have that date.”
As we walk out of the clinic, I fire off a text to Corvis with my free hand: Need your wings to get airborne. After that, it’s all me. Meet at the coastal cliffs in two hours?
The response comes back almost immediately: I’ll be there. Be careful.
The sky is calling, and finally—finally—I can answer. But even as excitement bubbles in my chest, making my steps lighter, part of me remains vigilant. Now that I’m healing, now that I’m getting stronger, they might make their move.
I just have to be ready when they do.
I squeeze Keir’s hand tighter, drawing comfort from his presence. Whatever comes, I won’t face it alone anymore.