The Golden Winged Horse

Chapter 22

By the time we returned to the Queens Court, both grinning like Cheshire cats, Isidora was just lifting the glass off Tristan's dome. He instantly returned to his normal size, which quite frankly, was huge. He towered over Kaisa and Izar. I couldn't thank my lucky stars enough that I'd not released him in Dad's office, although, it would have been the perfect way to irk him about his pristine workspace.

Tristan turned his attention straight away to Aeden. "Well, look what we have here. A turn of the tables. How about you be my little pet tonight, hmmm?"

Aeden's eyes widened as he stumbled backwards. "I...um...I think I'm busy...the...the gardeners need some help...and...and I've not seen my mother for so long, I should have dinner with her really."

"I'm afraid all I heard was agreement," Tristan said. "Buckle up, cowboy, you're coming flying."

Aeden shrieked and ran to Amode. "Mother, aren't we scheduled for dinner?"

"Nothing that can't wait, my dear," Amode replied, smirking. "You go along with your friend and have some quality time."

Tristan's eyes sparkled like never before. He stood tall and proud and seemed to be wholly enjoying Aeden's torture. As Isidora approached him, he unfolded his wings, making me gasp at the sheer spread of them. They must have easily reached ten feet across, each wing full of stunning, shimmering golden feathers. I wondered if riding him, or rather flying, would ever be an option for me.

"When we get married," Calico whispered into my ear.

I giggled and playfully shoved his shoulder. "So much for being a perfect gentleman."

He grinned back at me and blew me a kiss, seeing as we were still mounted. "I thought we could go and see your gran and wait for Aeden there. Tristan will deliver his dust at record speed. Isidora has given him a little turbo option." He pressed his index finger to his lips in a shush motion.

If I could attach a GoPro to anything right now, it would be Tristan's head, facing back at Aeden. I watched Isidora as she sprinkled a mix of forest green and gold dust all over Tristan's wings. By the time she'd finished, I couldn't tell his wings used to be golden at all.

Amode gave Aeden a gentle nudge towards Tristan. "Go on, dear. I'll see you when you return."

Aeden whimpered and trudged over to Tristan. Tristan dropped his left wing and bent to his knees to allow Aeden to mount him. Just as Kaisa and Izar did, his golden coat wrapped itself around Aeden's legs, keeping him firmly in place.

When he stood back to his full height, he looked every inch the majestic animal he truly was. He glanced up at the ceiling of the Court. The pointed turret slowly folded back on itself, revealing the bright blue skies above.

Tristan flapped his giant wings once, lifting himself into the air. Then, moving his legs like a galloping horse, he headed vertically up, flapping his wings only twice on the ascent to freedom. Aeden yelled something ineligible, which at the steep angle Tristan was flying at, I presumed was something about that.

Small giggles sounded around the Court as Tristan exited the turret and flew off into the sky.

"I think he's in for a good time," Isidora said. "I might have put a pinch too much in Tristan's power."

Everyone laughed, no doubt all wishing the same thing—that we could see his face. I had no doubt that Tristan would pull some acrobatics, just to give Aeden a taste of his own medicine.

"Shall we go?" Calico said. "He should be done around nine p.m. your time."

"What time is it now?"

"Around six."