Page 27 of Spar of Hearts

A friendly rumble rolled in Yomira’s throat, the one way she could communicate without an ear-piercing shriek or threatening growl.

“You are beautiful!” Lady Rowan dropped her pack and boldly approached Yomira. The wyvern’s single red eye flew wide as Lady Rowan placed a hand on her scaly snout. “Thank you for flying us! I hope we aren’t too heavy.”

Yomira pushed into Lady Rowan’s palm. The wyvern could understand when other people spoke but couldn’t speak to them as she did with him.

“Blackbird!” Anya hissed. “What are you doing?”

“Yomira is not a monster, Princess.” He glared at her.

“I know that…but it isn’t exactly good manners to rub your hands on someone you just met.”

I’m fine with it. Yomira closed her eye and relished Lady Rowan scratching on her nares.

“She is fine with it,” he said curtly, tying their packs to the leather band around Yomira’s stomach. “Now. How would you like to ride?”

“Lady Rowan can ride in front of me,” Octavio said with a smile at Lady Rowan.

“I can hold onto Her Highness,” she added. The Princess seemed to relax at that.

“Then that’s settled. Yomira? May we get on?”

Of course! Yomira laid on the ground to allow them to mount. Octavio helped Lady Rowan onto the wyvern’s back, then settled behind her. The knight was positively smitten with Lady Rowan, though she seemed not to notice.

“After you, Anya.” He offered her a hand. She stayed rooted to the spot, her canine eyes darting between him and Yomira. He pulled his hand back. Did she not want to touch him? Was she scared of Yomira? Of both of them? Perhaps that was why her cheeks burned every time she saw his fangs. Fear.

Just ask her, Yomira goaded. Hearing you think is exhausting.

“Anya, we have to depart. We should get to Balcott before sundown.”

What’s wrong with her? She remained frozen for another moment.

“Anya.” She flinched as he grasped her hand, but she did not pull away. “We have to depart. Are you all right?”

“Yes…” she murmured.

“May I help you up?”

“Yes, thank you,” she answered quietly.

With a gentle grip on her waist, he lifted her onto the wyvern’s back, then climbed the thick shoulder muscle of Yomira’s winged arm and slid into place at the base of her neck. Two horns protruded from her neck, perfectly spaced for a rider’s grip. A breeze flitted on his back, reminding him that she had yet to grasp a hold of him.

He sighed. “Anya, you have to hold on to me. Lady Rowan can’t keep you secure enough.”

Anya silently snaked her arms around his waist, then threaded her fingers together. His pulse raced as her claws pressed ever so slightly into his stomach. The memory of riding to The Three Hares with his mystery maiden flooded his mind. Anya was trembling just like she had. He couldn’t resist comforting her the same way.

He brushed a hand over hers and whispered, “Everything is going to be fine. Just hold on to me.” She nodded against his back, holding on more fervently. He smiled. Not because of her fear. But because in this moment, she needed him. He could finally, finally help her with something—and she had to accept it.

Yomira pumped her wings up and down, whipping up dust from the stable yard. The stomach-lurching sensation of flight hit him as the stables grew smaller and smaller. Anya’s grip grew tighter with every wing beat, as if she were going to gut him like a fish. Though he had no doubt she probably wanted to.

The lurch faded as Yomira leveled off to a smooth glide. The port and its billowing clouds of sails and busy ships whizzed under them. He could just make out citizens below looking up and waving.

“I won’t let you go!” Lady Rowan yelled over the winds. There was nothing but sapphire seas below them now.

They flew in silence for several long minutes. He hadn’t known the Princess to be so quiet. A flicker of worry stirred in his heart but was quickly stamped out by Octavio and Lady Rowan belting out a tune in their ancient tongue. Those two were thick as thieves already.

Anya’s death grip gradually loosened as they sang, but he could still feel the impressions where her claws had dug into his stomach. There might even be marks. His face grew hot at the thought of the red scratches he’d noticed in the mirror the night before. Dear Divine, he treasured them. He wanted that masked woman to tame him like a beast. But he was left sorely unsatisfied in body and mind.

When Millicent left for the inspectorate, the Rhodias flowers had the added effect of stifling his lustful thoughts. They were still there but far more manageable. He hadn’t even considered the gradual return of such a constant flame when he foolishly disposed of the flowers aboard the Lupus Star. He would surely burn to ash as he laid down tonight.