Chapter 22
Up high in one of the tall, thick trees, I glance out over the forest and over at the large structure and my last obstacle before I can join the team going to the Hollow.
My stomach dips and churns as a couple of Winged Shadow warriors fly up the huge thing in seconds like it’s nothing to them before disappearing up among the clouds. It’s what the structure is for—a practice tool for all Winged Shadow.
I stare down at my hands, thinking they will give me the answer to how I’m supposed to do what they can so easily, and soon.
But I can’t even fly a couple of feet above the ground, let alone against the wind and elements.
And apart from the many obstacles that holds, I also need to learn how to land.
My gaze follows a couple of black birds as they easily fly in and out of the trees and a thought drops into my mind.
All young birds learn to fall in order to learn how to fly. So, maybe I can do the same… Just not anywhere too high.
I climb down the tree and make my way through the forest, searching for a place I can practice. Somewhere no one else can see me.
Moving farther away from the main academy, closer to the mountains, it takes another half an hour before I come across a hidden waterhole with large rocks and trees around it that keep it mostly concealed.
It appears deep enough that if I were to jump in, I wouldn’t break anything.
The rocks also range in different sizes with the smallest looking to be about twelve feet while the tallest looks about thirty. I could start off at the smallest and then work my way up.
I thumb my pendent and double-check to make sure there’s no one else around before pulling off my jacket, top, trousers, boots and socks.
I make sure my halter top is in place—something I’m glad I thought to wear instead of trying to figure out how to release my wings through slits in my clothing—before climbing up one of the smaller rocks, taking a deep breath and releasing them.
They spread out around me and the itch under my skin immediately disappears.
I focus and pull them up off the ground but wince when I get a feel for the full weight of them.
Even though I’ve been training, it will take a bit for my body to get used to the added weight.
Staring down at the deep pool of water, I try to imagine flying. Or at least floating. That’s all I have to do right now. Float.
Before I get the chance to talk myself out of it, I jump.
The wind whips against my face and a sliver of hope builds inside me.
But two seconds later, I crash into the water with the weight of my wings pulling me under. They start to drag me down further, so I quickly pull them inside my back before swimming to the surface with a gasp.
Well, that was an epic fail. But what did I expect? To float, I actually need to use my wings. Not just assume the wind will do all the work.
Once I catch my breath, I swim to land and start climbing the next highest rock, trying to convince myself that maybe I need to be a little bit higher.
Once I reach the top, I release and spread my wings, close my eyes and jump. All while solely focusing on trying to hold my wings open and wide while moving them a little back and forth.
The wind brushes against my face this time, and when I hear no splash, I open my eyes only to realize I’m doing it. I’m floating above the water.
I quickly feel the pull and strain on my shoulders the longer I try to hold myself, but I focus and manage to stay where I am.
My wings move only a little, almost like they’re vibrating, but it’s enough to keep my feet a couple of inches above the surface of the water.
A thrill of excitement rushes through me. I’m actually doing it. I’m floating above the water.
A deep chuckle sounds out, and my excitement is short lived when I lose my concentration and drop into the water like a floundering fish.
Quickly pulling my wings back in, I swim to the surface and find Malakai stripping to his underwear and jumping into the water beside me.
Planning to avoid him, I swim in the opposite direction, but arms coil around me and drag me into his hard body.
Before I get the chance to elbow him in the gut and shove him away, I turn and see the look he gives me.
“I’m sorry,” he says. “I’m sorry we stayed away from you for so long. For not coming to you sooner and telling you how we felt.” He watches me with an expression full of longing and need. “For not telling you that we don’t care who or what you are as long as you’re you.”
The walls I built when they ignored me slowly start to crack with his words. Maybe they—I stop myself. No. If they forgot about me once, they could easily do it again.
“Malakai, I can’t…”
Fear flashes across his face, followed by sadness and pain. “Let me help you,” he quickly says, changing the subject with a wince.
I remember his injury and glance down at his side. “Have your ribs healed?” I ask and the tension in his shoulders drop.
“They’re fine,” he promises, but I still reach out and slide my hand across them watching to see if he winces in pain again.
Instead, his eyes darken with lust and his grip on me tightens.
“Let me help you, Sena,” he whispers, his eyes blazing down at me, holding me captive.
“How?” I ask but instantly regret it when a mischievous smile appears.
Before I get the chance to ask him what he’s up to, his grip moves to my sides, and he pulls me up and out of the water before throwing me upward.
I soar into the sky and pause for a millisecond before dropping back down under the water.
I swim to the surface and watch Malakai as he glides over to me with a smile.
He reaches out and grips my sides once more. “Now this time when you’re up in the air, let your wings out and try and flap them a little like you did before.”
I open my mouth to make some excuse, but realize I’d only be doing so out of spite because I’m feeling hurt and upset.
He’s come up with something that might work and seems safer than jumping off dangerous rocks that reach up to thirty feet.
Sighing to myself, I pull up my big girl pants and try to ignore the way his hands feel against my body. The way they instantly heat the skin beneath it and make me shiver.
“Ready?” he asks, his voice a little deeper.
I nod and he launches me upward. I release my wings and focus on moving them, wincing when the weight tries to drag me down. I push through the ache in my shoulders and manage to last a couple of minutes before the weight becomes too much and I start to fall.
I pull them in just before I hit the water.
Malakai swims over to me again and without a word, takes my waist and waits until I’m ready before throwing me up again.
The silence between us becomes deafening, and his warm touch becomes a blaze that slowly chips away at the cold rooted somewhere deep in my bones.
Time passes with my mind slowly lured in by his smoldering looks of longing, of hunger and need. I watch how his body moves as he throws me up in the air. The way his muscles become taut and firm.
I constantly have to remind myself I’m angry with them and that my treacherous body is not the one in control here.
Forcing myself to focus on the task at hand, I finally manage to hover, holding out for a little longer each time.
But as soon as I manage that feat, Malakai becomes more distracting.
He stays silent, but his expression grows more intense, and every slight touch of my skin becomes a need my body craves.
His gaze darkens and my eyes find his mouth as his tongue slowly traces the edge of his lip.
A slow burning ache builds inside me. Something that consumes my every thought as his fingertips skim against my side.
I find his eyes once more, unable to look away and whatever expression he sees on my face, has hunger flicking across his own.
He exhales sharply, nostril flaring. And instead of throwing me upward into the air, he drags my body closer to his, and the warmth of his body curls into me making me shiver.
With a vicious curse, he dips down and slams his lips to mine, letting out a deep, husky groan that I feel slide right down my spine.
He teases me, tormenting me with his lips and talented tongue, only making me crave him more. Crave a touch that quickly grows more possessive with each moment that passes, slowly consuming me until it’s all I can think about.
I moan, and the kiss turns bruising. He crushes my body to his, kissing me harder and holding onto me as if he’s afraid this moment will be his last.
Maybe it should be? Maybe this should be our goodbye. Our end.
But the minute the thought flits across my mind, a deep sadness rises inside me, and I hold onto him tighter.
I missed him. Missed them all.
They quickly became my family. Became who I wanted to see every day. Who I wanted to talk to and take care of.
I thought I was finally becoming a little more whole. I thought our bond would only grow stronger… not wither away.
I melt into him, pretending for just a little longer.
His lips trace my jaw, my neck, teasing me until he’s practically holding me up, while my body trembles in need.
“Malakai,” I moan, and he groans as he traces a hand down my body, pausing for a moment to make sure this is what I want.
But my mind isn’t functioning right now, it’s my overheated body that’s in control.
I whimper and feel him smirk against my lips right before he slides his fingers down to my core.
With the slightest brush of his fingers, heat shoots across my body making it almost unbearable with need.
He slips a finger inside me and groans a deep throaty noise that coils low in my stomach.
In and out. In and out. The feel of his hands and warmth of his body surrounds me and it’s all I can focus on. All I can think about.
His lips nip against mine, sliding against my jaw and cheek and every slight touch becomes sensitive.
The need for release overwhelms me, consuming my body and mind.
I close my eyes and grind against him, needing something more to push me over the edge.