Page 173 of The Edge of Darkness

Niall approached on his Dreki, patting it on the neck, while Roirdan’s Dreki remained where it landed, seeming more out of breath than the others. Surprisingly no one dismounted.

“What’s next?” I asked.

“Getting all six in the air as one,” Vanir answered. “They’ll work as a unit once we get them with the rest of the ranks, so it’s best to start them now.” He whistled at the other fae, who had discovered Nivelle and surrounded her. All the while, she sat atop the fence, glaring down at them like a buzzard deciding who she would pick apart first.

Roirdan began grinding his jaw, giving away his irritation as he watched each male tear their interest away from the witch and hurry over.

“This won’t take long since we have our meeting shortly,” Vanir said. “But if the rest of you would like to return⁠—”

“I would like to go flying,” I interrupted, turning toward Remic. “With you.”

His brows pinched, and he glanced from me, to the Dreki, then back to me again. “Out of everything that is capable of flight, you want to fly with me?”

“Mmm-hmm. Silas can take Nivelle, and you can take me,” I said matter-of-factly.

A flush of color graced Remic’s cheeks.

From atop his Dreki, Niall grinned.

Roirdan looked particularly inclined to agree with the plan, probably because it meant Nivelle was out of range from these other males who still kept stealing curious glances in her direction.

Remic and Silas shared a look, but Silas didn’t object. “I would actually like to see more of these lands myself. Haven’t spent much time in this neck of the woods.”

“Do enjoy, then,” Vanir said, turning his Dreki toward what remained of the fence. “I’ll send these two to come find you as soon as we’re finished.”

I met Niall’s stare and smiled. He returned it, knowing I would be in good hands, and set off after Roirdan and Vanir.

“How well do you know this territory?” I asked Remic.

“Like a second home.” He held out his arms. “Any place in particular you would like to go?”

“Your choice.”

Meanwhile, Nivelle had abandoned the fence and was making her way back to us, watching with what looked like concern on her face as the group split into two.

“What’s going on?” she asked as she neared.

“The four of us are going on a scenic tour,” I answered as Remic lifted me into his arms.

Nivelle eyed her brother’s outstretched arms as he stepped up to her. With an unenthused sigh, she allowed him to scoop her up and said, “How thrilling.”

Flying was everything I imagined it to be and so much more.

We soared over the vibrant highland hills, down into valleys and glens laden with stones and twisting streams, and alongside waterfalls that poured from cliffs, drenching our faces with their mist.

Remic’s wings were near-silent in flight. I felt the power of them through his chest as his muscles flexed with each movement. Behind us, Silas carried Nivelle, and from the few times I’d glanced over Remic’s shoulder to see if she was tolerating the adventure, she appeared as though she was.

Remic banked left, losing altitude as he did so.

“There.” He jutted his chin toward a grassy clearing amidst several large, jagged boulders. “That’s where we are going.”

A spiraling rock formation sat within the glen. In the center of the spiral, was a large, white stone, perfectly smooth and round, and eerily brighter than all the rest. Remic landed us gently near the outskirts of the swirling formation, with Silas and Nivelle touching down nearby.

“What is this place?” I asked.

“A favorite spot of mine.”

He made his way over to a well-worn boulder and sat against it with such a fluid motion that I knew he’d done it hundreds of times.