Charlotte Boyett Compo Emperor of the Wind (pdf)

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I ve got you, lhiannan. I ve got you.
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Charlotte Boyett-Compo
Epilogue
Tarik nudged his lady-wife as the two wolves went careening past them, playing
tag with the waves that were washing over the white sand beach of Theristes. The male
was a big black beast while the female was dainty and of a soft light brown color.
I do believe she can outrun him, Bahiya observed.
No. He lets her win, Tarik replied.
The male nipped at the female s hindquarters and she turned to snap at him before
he rose up on his hind legs to shove her playfully aside. Digging her rear paws into the
sand, she shot ahead of him and into the jungle.
They observed the frolicking wolves for a moment then lay down on their mats
again.
I think he was as shocked as we were when she took her winged form, Tarik said.
He was lying with his hands cupped behind his head, legs crossed at the ankle as he
watched a gull sailing on the thermals.
I ve no doubt he was, his wife agreed. It is a good thing he brought her here
before he taught her to shift into her flying shape at the palace.
Tarik chuckled. Can you imagine the stir that would have caused had she done so
on Aduaidh Prime?
As though the thought had taken shape, a brilliant scarlet macaw flew past
overhead with a huge black eagle beating the air behind her. The plumage of the macaw
was primarily scarlet, but the rump and tail-covert feathers were light blue, the greater
upperwing coverts yellow, the upper sides of the flight feathers of the wings dark blue
as were the ends of the tail feathers, and the undersides of her wings and tail flight
feathers were dark red with metallic gold iridescence.
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Emperor of the Wind
Stunning, Tarik pronounced. Absolutely stunning.
Have you ever known a Lady-Reaper to be anything other than a bird of prey?
his wife asked.
Tarik shook his head, marveling as the birds chased one another through the
brilliant blue sky. No, but Miri is unlike the other Lady-Reapers, he replied. She is
not a warrioress.
Oh, do not let her meek and mild nature fool you, husband, she chided. There is
steel in her backbone.
There would have to be in order to deal with the Burgon, Tarik replied.
Wings spread so the dark blue of her feathers touched the black of his, the birds
rode the thermals alongside the seagull.
Is that Jules up there with them? Tarik inquired.
Bahiya shielded her eyes from the glare of the sun. I can t tell but it could be. He
spends a lot of time in bird form.
The love birds swept over the tall palms and disappeared into the canopy of the
tropical rain forest. In the distance, a rumble of thunder turned the Prime Reaper s head
to the gathering storm.
It is hard to believe nearly a year has come and gone already, he commented.
Time is fleeting, is it not, my love?
For some but not for us, his lady answered. She eased her foot over to tap her
husband s ankle. When he looked her way, he saw the two love birds walking hand in
hand toward them.
He seems more comfortable with going sky-clad now, Tarik said.
He is more comfortable with everything now that his lady s Transition is past,
Bahiya replied.
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Charlotte Boyett-Compo
The Burgon and the empress waved to the Prime Reaper and his lady. It was a
polite inquiry to see if their company was wanted. When Tarik waved his arm to call
them over, Ryden and Miri joined them.
Was that Jules? Tarik asked.
It was, Ryden answered. He often flies with us.
He is coming out of his shell a little at a time, Bahiya said. Thanks to Shanee and
the two of you.
In bird form he doesn t have to speak and can communicate easily with us, Miri
said. Did you know he has the ability to assume many bird shapes?
No, Tarik said, eyebrows shooting up. I did not know that, but now that I think
on it, I have seen many a different bird sitting in the trees watching us. I suppose that
was most likely Jules.
I knew of it, Bahiya said, and when her husband gave her a surprised look, she
shrugged a dainty shoulder. You do not know everything, husband.
Apparently not, Tarik said with a grin.
Thunder rolled again closer this time. The wind picked up.
The storm is coming, Ryden said softly.
Tarik looked to his guest. We will weather it, he replied.
The Burgon slipped his arm around his lady and she laid her head on his shoulder. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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