Free Dream of Me by Magenta Phoenix

them as he began to shift his feet against the dark earth.

    “There is so much you need to know,” he began with a gentle tone. “You’ll understand better if I first tell you of my people’s history.”

    “What people? What are you?”

    Glancing around, he knew that they were being watched. His brothers in arms patrolled above them along the outer fortress walls while others flew above the trees. For what he needed to say to his mate would be better said without watchful eyes. Taking a quick step forward he gripped her arm.

    “Come with me and I will explain everything,” he whispered against her ear. Her green eyes watched him warily, mistrusting his motives. Using her hand she pried off his grip on her arm before taking two steps back.

    “You really think I’m going to go anywhere with you after you just tried to toss me to my death?” she gave a mocking laugh while shaking her head.

    “You were never in any real danger. I never would have allowed you to hit the ground,” he said unconcerned with a shrug of his wide shoulders.

    Wow. That’s reassuring…

    Stretching his open hand out to her, he waited for her to take it. Her upper lip twitched as she eyed his hand as if it were covered in slime. Patiently, he waited for her to surrender her hand. The idea made her body stiffen and her expression harden. There was no way she was going anywhere with him. She knew with no doubt that he would take her to a place that would suit his comfort and not hers. If he needed to explain he could do it right here — on the ground.

    Folding her arms stubbornly across her chest, a smirk curved the corners of her lips as he watched her expectantly with his hand still held out to her. When she made no move to neither take his hand nor move closer to him, Kieran dropped his hand and scowled down at her.

    “I do not have time for your childish games,” he bit out, taking a threatening step toward her. Too surprised to mirror his step so quickly, she gasped in surprise as a pair of strong arms wrapped around her waist. Jerking her against his hard frame, he leapt high into the air.

    With a hard thrust of his wings, they shot through the night air. Her gasp of surprise turned into a squeal of terror. The strong arms locked around her waist gave her little comfort as she could feel her feet dangling precariously in the empty air. Her arms found their way around his neck, holding onto him so tightly that she heard him gulp as she nearly strangled him.

    “You need not strangle me, Var’da .”

    “Put me down!” she squealed with fright, her long hair whipped around her face as she squeezed her eyes closed.

    He laughed. He actually laughed at her, the bastard. “Isn’t that the reason you are upset with me already? I do not believe I will upset you more than I have already.”

    “You know what I meant, you big jerk! I don’t do heights!”

    For several minutes he didn’t utter a word. Neither did she for that matter, she was too busy clawing at his skin, refusing to open her eyes. Her heart echoed loudly in her ears as she tried to focus on something else. A moment later the rhythmic beating of his wings changed to a slow sweeping sound. She didn’t risk opening her eyes, but simply prayed that they were landing — soon. Instantly she felt Kieran’s body jerk and shift. When his hands around her waist loosened, she instantly tightened her hold on him, fearing he was about to drop her again.

    “Open your eyes, Elena,” he said gently as his warm breath fanned against her face.

    Slowly she opened one eye and then the other as she saw they were once again on solid ground. Cautiously raising her eyes to his watchful one, she unclenched her arms from his neck and took a wobbling step back. Her knees threatened to buckle several times before she was able to lean her weight against a strong tree trunk. Kieran watched her with concern; no doubt he was worried she’d fall flat on her face at any moment.

    With