The Ghost Crown - FlashWing Chronicles

10 - Shanti

I always wondered if he remembered.

Of course he remembers, you idiot! I glance over at Crow, the morning light creating a halo around his body and lengthening his shadow. Maybe it was just my wishful thinking. But if I were him, I wouldn't forget either.

Crow smiled at me, but it wasn't as bright as usual. "Something wrong?" I ask curiously, quiet enough so that Moonsong wouldn't wake up. Her small form was curled up near my tail, and I didn't want to disturb her. "No, it's just..." Crow huffed out a breath as he stared at the endless water. "I never imagined we'd end up here."

I shot him a sharp glance. "You mean, you never imagined you'd end up here." I corrected him, and his eyes cast downward. "I meant what I said." he said, and shook himself quickly. "What?" I asked, confused. "Kind of ironic right? We were always meant to end up together." Crow's eyes cut to mine, and I averted my gaze. "Crow..."

"You know it's true." His words sent a pang through my heart, and I curled my wings closer to my body.

"Was it always that way for you?"

I wasn't sure if Crow understood my question, but his snout twisted in an attempt to smile.

"Yes."

I was expecting that answer, but words burst from me in a flood that I couldn't stop.

"Crow, I never wanted to be who my mother made me into. I thought I wasn't meant to...I wasn't meant to be what she wanted me to be. It wasn't my destiny. That's why I ran. Why I had to fake it." I took his talons in mine, and I felt him flinch. "I stayed as long as I could have, because of you. I didn't want to leave you, but there was no time to take you with us."

"And that servant that helped you escape?" Crow refused to look at me, his gaze fixed on something behind me. I frowned. "I had two. Currents was the one who helped me get out of the SkyWing palace. Nimbus refused to leave the SkyWings."

"That wasn't what she was she told us when we executed her." Crow answered, pulling his talons out of my grip. I lurched back, shaking my head. "You...killed Nimbus?" I whispered, and Crow's gaze darkened. "She said that you were a traitor, and that you told her to stay when she wanted to go," he loomed over me, and I shied away. "She said that you were selfish, and you fled because you could not fulfill your duties to the crown. And as she burned-"

A violent hiss stopped him in his tracks, transparent claws clamping down on his wrist. "Don't. Touch. Her." Moonsong snaked in front of me, forcing him to step back. Crow froze, his eyes darting from me to her, and at last, he lowered his head in a small bow. "Princess," he said, and Moonsong's eyes widened a fraction, her expression looking like she just got hit in the gut.

"Leave her alone." I said to Crow, and his smug look vanished. "You do realize she's the one who's going to leave you alone, right?" he said, his voice low. I ignored him and placed a talon on Moonsong's shoulder. She didn't move from her position in between me and Crow, though her form flickered a little bit, moving in ripples from where I had touched her.

"Moonsong, it's okay. I'm fine." I told her, but she didn't move. "Grab hold." she spoke without turning her head, her eyes fixed on Crow. She stretched her arm forward, and Crow placed his talons in hers hesitantly. I grabbed onto the edge of her wing, preparing for the violent jerk that accompanied our morphing last time. "Please don't kill us." Crow murmured to her, and she laughed. "If I kill anyone, it'll be you." she replied, closing her eyes. Crow gave me a look, and I could almost hear him saying, You really trust this dragon?

I narrowed my eyes back. She did save me from you.

You were never in any danger from me.

We'll see about that.

Moonsong's muscles tensed, her teeth snapping together. "Okay, here goes nothing!"

As we disappeared, a faint noise reached my ears.

It almost sounded like...

Music.