13. Chapter Thirteen #2
Ducking under the low fence rail, I step to Aven's side and follow his instructions.
Pulling off my fur-lined glove, I place my left palm flat against the warmth of his lower shoulder and my right palm over my heart.
Closing my eyes, I sense the rhythm of his inhale and exhale, slowing mine to match.
I discover a new space in the corner of my mind, grassy and sunlit, blocked by a glossy wooden gate.
Following my instincts, I flick open the chain securing it and step inside.
Sensing how easy it would be to step back and close it again.
At first, I hear my heartbeat thumping in my ears and feel his against my hand.
Then, I start to also hear the drum of his strong heartbeat, as if in answer to mine.
Powerful energy zings through my body, right as our breathing syncs and our heartbeats do the same, filling my ears with the rush of thundering hooves and wings.
The most beautiful swooping, soaring music starts to play, and I'm not sure if it's in my mind or ringing out across the realm.
It feels as if every cell in my body is singing in response.
Behind my closed eyelids, I see a luminescent sky full of fluffy pastel clouds, and the glorious golden sun feels so close, I could reach out and play with the gentle warmth of the sunbeams.
Far beneath us stretch the lush green lands and sparkling blue rivers of Atafye, surrounded by endless wild seas. We're high enough to see the entirety of the island, a four-point-star, the south point jagged where it split away all those centuries ago.
I'm standing on Aven's back; ahead of us, there's a shimmering stretch of light like a pathway into the sun.
I'm filled with the desire to run or dance down the path and discover what's waiting inside.
Then, we're flying, soaring, leaping from cloud to cloud as that beautiful music plays a song like nothing I've ever heard.
The pale pinks, purples, and yellows weave through the pearlescent clouds, shimmering joyfully as we spin and twirl among them, like we're made of pure air and the brightest light.
When the music crescendos into its peak, my left temple burns white-hot for a second, and all I see is the image of one long white feather, softly floating through a pale blue sky as the music fades.
Everything is just as it was and yet completely altered.
This feels right, like I'm home. Like I'm more myself than ever before.
I'm overcome with a wave of profound, euphoric emotion as tears spill down my cheeks.
Blinking away the moisture from my eyes, I open them to see Aven looking back at me as if he's feeling the same way.
Which he is, I think with surprise, realizing I can sense a hint of his emotions, as I believe he can sense mine.
"Well, Alyxia, there's no going back now. What do you say we get out of here?"
Still a little dazed, I flick my hair back over my shoulder and startle when I see a thick ribbon has turned a rich, shimmering plum, the exact same shade as the streaks in Aven's mane and tail. At least when I start questioning if this was all a dream, I'll have irrefutable proof.
Laughing, I grab the saddle from the top of the fence, swinging the heavy leather and blanket straight up onto his back, straining to get it high enough.
Damn, he's tall. Will I even have the upper arm strength to pull myself up from the ground?
Attuned pair or not, based on height, I'm too short for him.
"Strengthen those arms, and you'll be fine," he retorts. I did not say that out loud.
"Can you eavesdrop on all my thoughts now?" The possibility is horrifying.
"Not all of them, no. I mostly hear what you want me to, unless your thoughts involve or are directed at me." Thank the constellations for that.
"Don't forget you'll need to wait a second then tighten the girth once he lets out the air he's holding in," Benz says, coming up behind me, arms full of tack for Grange.
Spinning around to see the grin on his face matches mine, I shock the hell out of both of us by throwing my arms around his neck in a tight hug.
"So you're ok with all of this?" I demand once I release him. "People are going to be furious when they find out. You should say I stole the horses, or, at the very least, pretend you have no idea what happened. I won't be able to live with myself if you suffer the consequences of my actions."
"Our actions," Aven corrects, and I wonder if he said it to both of us or just me.
"Don't worry about me. I can take care of myself," Benz says, slipping the bit into Grange's mouth and fastening the bridle's buckles while I take his advice and cinch the girth on my saddle again before attaching the long straps to hold my pack.
Benz walks toward his workroom. "I'll grab your things while you mount up. "
It's far from the most graceful moment of my life, but I manage to grip the pommel of the saddle and drag myself up so I'm seated, adjusting the length of the stirrups by the time he comes back. He attaches my pack behind the saddle then drapes a piece of thick waxy fabric over it.
"To protect against rain or snow, and keep that tail hidden while you get away," he answers my unasked question. "No need to advertise you're on an Amplifier if you can help it. I also tucked a pouch of seasonings into your side pocket. The food out on the road is atrociously bland."
I swallow the fresh tears at his kindness and look down at him. "Thank you, for these, for the saddle and boots, for helping instead of telling me I'm crazy."
"Just see that you two take care of each other, and Grange.
Keep it to yourself, but he's half Amp, so won't slow you down too much.
No powers or attuning, of course. Otherwise, he couldn't belong to the princess with no magic.
He'll be good for the Adiston boy, though, so go do whatever it is you need to do and get home safely. "
Heavy footsteps draw my attention, and the first light of dawn shows Felix sauntering down the sloping path, overloaded with woven sacks.
He stops when he notices where I'm sitting, newly colored hair catching the light until I flick up the hood of my cloak.
He lets out a low whistle as he looks us over, an awe-filled smile splitting his face.
"Well, you don't do things by halves, Aly, I'll give you that. "