A Court of Fire and Sun

chapter ten

***Helion***

When Esther told me she had a new dress I hadn't expected her to walk down the stairs in a practically see through shimmering fabric. I couldn't help but hold back my breath. Taryn had done this to torture me. The fabric was a rare one, or at least I hadn't seen it before. With every step she took the color seemed to change. The fabric bunched around her chest and she wore a small grin. Her cheeks were deep red and I had to cough to clear my throat.

From the corner of the room I could see Taryn standing in the dining hall doorway. She was smiling big. Evil, evil woman.

Esther's hair hung above her shoulders in soft curls with the replica of my snake cuff pinning the front pieces back. Without thinking much I brushed my fingers against her arm. Heat bundled at my fingertips and Esther smiled warmly. "You look unlike anything I've ever seen."

"Is that a compliment, your grace?"

I laughed at the title and held my arm out to her. She wrapped her arm around mine, hand resting at my bicep. "Shall we?"

My horses were something I rarely showed anyone. This was something I debated over the few weeks she had been here. I knew I would show her eventually but when? When she asked about Rita's I knew tonight was the time.

The stables were on top of a large hill. There were plenty of wards up that only I was able to get through. I watched her expression as she took in the rollings hills and fields around. Her lips were slightly turned upward.

She turned to me, her armed still wrapped in mine, "Just when I think I've seen it all here, you show me more. You're full of secrets Spell-Cleaver."

In that moment I wanted to grab her and kiss her. Her eyes twinkled in a way they hadn't before. My skin warmed and her expression faltered. "What is it?"

"Nothing. I just- I just think you are truly the most beautiful thing I ever seen."

Her eyes glowed, she dipped her head down, red spreading across her features. Her hand heated as if her fire powers were spreading through her. When she lifted her head she pressed her lips gently against my bicep leaving flames in their absence.

I willed myself to leave the moment at that. If I did all the things that started to form in my mind we would never make it to Velaris.

As we approached the stables and the animals came into view she choked back a gasp. "Oh my... Look at... Oh, wow."

"Incredible, huh?"

Esther was immediately drawn to the large black Pegasus, Meallan. My most prized of the flock. "He's... I don't even have words for him." He bowed his head down and let Esther brush her hand against his neck.

Esther brushed him gently then turned to me. Out of the times I had seen her smile this was the largest, most real one of all.

A small breeze wrapped around us and I reached for her hand. Without a thought her fingers curled around mine and she stepped closer. "Up you go," I moved my hands to her waist and gave her a gentle lift. Her legs flung over the side of the stallion and she held her hand back out to me, helping me up. I took the spot in front of her and with a pat on Meallan's side we were off.

***Esther***

Flying was an experience I never knew I needed. I sat pressed against Helion, my arms wrapped around his waist, my fingers locked together in a tight grip. It felt surreal, being so far in the sky but yet not dangerous at all. Helion must have put a protection spell around us because there was no rush of wind or force. Just us, quietly in the sky.