Page 123 of A Trial of Two Worlds
“You’ll see. Just be patient and wait, Skylar. I want to see if it works.”
“Alright…”
Shaw groaned from around the corner, making me chuckle.
“What now?” he asked.
“Shift!” Idris said.
On cue, I sensed Shaw change into his animal, and from around the corner, a large panther stalked into our view. I felt my own animal spirit awaken, sensing Shaw’s. The pegasi shifted restlessly at his presence, their ears twitching and hooves striking the ground as instinctive neighs and nervous bucks betrayed their unease with a predator so near their paddock.
“Now,” Idris said with a cunning smirk, “shift back.”
“Do we really have time for this?”Shaw asked me.
“You already started this by agreeing to try it on. I’d humor her for now.”
“Fine,”Shaw grumbled.
I watched his long tail twitch to the side as he rolled his shoulders. A green shimmer spread across his midnight coat, releasing his magic to transform into his human form.
“Look, I don’t—” Shaw stopped as his hands ran over the clothing still intact on his body. The stitched leather seams followed the natural lines of his muscular frame, with faint outlines of what appeared to be scales that resembled a dragon’s or snake’s skin. “What the…?”
“Yes!” Idris screeched with joy, marching forward with a blade drawn in her hand. “And look,” she said, slicing her weapon across his chest. “It’s strong enough to withstand a blade, too!”
“Gods!” Shaw stammered as he jumped back, inspecting his chest for any sign of injury.
“Some weapons will cut through. But at least in battle, when you shift back and forth, you’ll now have a layer of protection instead of running around butt-ass naked amongst swords and spears aimed to remove what qualifies you as a male.”
“Uh, thanks,” Shaw answered with a hint of sarcasm.
“Idris, this is amazing,” I said, moving forward with Daxton to inspect the material. “How does it feel, Shaw?”
“Lightweight, flexible, and surprisingly breathable despite the dark coloring. I can easily wear this under my other clothes,” he said as he redressed, keeping the base layer on.
“Can you make more, Idris?” I asked. “Enough for my entire pack?”
“Already on it,” Idris answered. “You said close to a couple thousand, correct?”
“Yes,” I replied.
“Good, that’s what I assumed.” Idris looked at me. “And yours will be ready when you return with the Heart. Promise.”
I smiled and hugged her tight. “Thank you, Idris.”
“Thank you, Skylar.”
I didn’t dare say any more. I simply released my hold on my friend with a kind smile and meandered over to kiss baby Ember’s brow. I absently squeezed Adohan’s forearm, thanking him for all he had done and would continue to do once the Heart of Valdor was released.
“Spitfire.” Daxton’s voice immediately drew my attention. He was already astride a powerful ebony-colored pegasus, with the reins held at the ready. “You’re flying with me.”
Wait, what?
I narrowed my eyes at him. “And why is this? I’m perfectly capable of flying on my own.”
“Please, Skylar,” Daxton said, his eyes softening as I approached his side.
I felt a deep sense of longing through the threads of our bond. He was asking to protect me because he yearned to have me close at his side. And to be honest, I wasn’t one to push against that—not now.
