Page 99 of Feathers and Scales

She squared her shoulders. Even though she felt like Fotios was ten steps ahead of her—picking the location where she’d originally planned to trap him—she believed they still had the upper hand. “Let’s just do what he demanded. We don’t know if Fotios has people watching, and I can’t let him burn down your home.”

He sighed and walked to the front, dark denim jeans hugging his legs. When he strode out of her view, his voice traveled to her as he asked about their location, altitude, and pressure in the plane. Her anxiety rose until it choked her.

She had everything to lose.

As the thought entered her mind, Daxton returned. He stood like an impenetrable wall, his muscles the epitome of strength—her knight in scale armor. He’d once told her he would be her diamond blade, and that day had come. Her beating heart slowed to a heavy pump. If she had assurance of one thing, it was him.

His eyes swirled, an alloy of copper and tin she’d tried not to fall in love with. A dragon who’d trusted her enough to bring her to Pentros. A man who’d sacrificed his time and made her his priority. His eyebrow lifted as if sensing her emotions along the link. She smiled reassuringly.

“Ready to stretch your wings?” He held out a hand. Urgency was etched in his tense stance.

He tugged her to the plane’s rear as if he intended for them to jump. Fear came alive—a breathing entity against her ear, whispering thoughts of doubt. She couldn’t jump out of a plane. When she saw a roll-up door, she planted her feet. He stopped and turned toward her with curious eyes.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

Swallowing, she struggled to wet her dry mouth. “I-I…don’t feel safe exiting the aircraft insuch a manner.”

He cocked his head, grinning teasingly. “You’re afraid to jump? The same woman who rode a dragon with no inhibitions?”

She wrung her pale hands. “That was before the link tied me to this body and to you. I feel…”

“Vulnerable?”

She gave a curt nod.

Grasping her chin with a gentle grip, he steered her gaze to his. “Your fear is understandable. I wasn’t brave my first time either. But you are meant to fly, Izzy. Feathers or not, those wings are in there. We have to teach you how to shift into your Fallen form like I shift into my dragon.”

“Shift?”

“I’ve seen you do it.”

“What?”

“When you raced off to save Simon, you had wings sprouting from your back. I didn’t know what to think about it until you told me what was happening to your spirit. Then when Fotios called, you looked like you were on the verge again.”

Really?She hadn’t felt anything but her emotions overwhelming her. Even if she truly shifted, she wasn’t sure she wanted to practice in a life-or-death situation.

He pressed his forehead against hers. “Do you really think I’d let you fall? That excludes falling for me. That’s encouraged.”

Despite her fear, she chuckled.

“I’ll jump first, but I’ll be right there for you,” he said. “We are still off the coast of Britain, so I’ll fly us closer.”

She nodded. He released her, squatted to undo the latch, and slid open the door. The wind deafened everything around her as the dark sky filled her view.

Izzy grabbed the seat next to her and sat hard, staring at Daxton, afraid to look outside. He stood at the exit, grip braced on the bar above his head.

Twisting, he placed his back to the night. He winked at her and fell into the open air.

With her heart in her throat, she leaned out to watch him disappear into the darkness. Along the link, fire licked down his spine, consuming his body. Instinct took hold. He shifted. His mind tugged as back muscles protested when he stretched out his wings to slow his fall.

She stretched out her hand, wanting to feel the same instant of wings becoming aloft. But doubt ate at her. Even if she had shifted before, she hadn’t been aware of it. Becoming her spirit had been to escape emotions, but Daxton’s shift had felt more like embracing them.

“Try. Accept emotions. Instincts.”He sent his thoughts to her.

She frowned and sat back on her heels.I’m going to die.

“You think too much.”The impression of thought came from an impatient dragon.