I held out my hand, exposing the amber stone.
"Oh," she gasped, clutching her hands to her chest. Her wings beat rapidly as she landed on my palm, timidly touching the stone. "It's beautiful," she breathed.
"It's our future," I said.
"What did he say? What do we do with it?" She placed her hands on her hips.
Forcing down a smile, I said, "First, we need to find the elf known as Devoran."
Gabriel placed a hand on my shoulder, his eyes questioning.
I covered his hand with mine, and pulled it to my chest. "The dragon is sending us on a quest." The word, us, filled me with contentment. We were a team, Gabriel, Ryden, and I.
"A quest? What are we searching for, my love?" Gabriel brushed his hands through my wild, unkempt hair. I caught hold of his waist, pulling him close, ignoring the frustrated breathing coming from Ryden. Gabriel and I embraced, and he kissed me, his warm lips caressing mine. At his touch my body snapped to attention, every part of me quivering like putty in his hands.
Ryden and I had talked on more than one occasion about my passions for the human-looking vampire. I knew it was wrong, that I shouldn't be seen cavorting with a watered down vampire, especially one that served Sharra. But whenever he was near, my body would melt.
Every strict word I told myself, each promise I made to Ryden was forgotten, flitting from my head like a petulant bird. I craved his nearness. Even now, knowing we needed to complete the most important task of my long life, I couldn't stop myself from kissing him, touching him, wanting him.
"Gabriel," I whispered.
He responded by deepening his kiss, and I felt it in my knees, down to the tips of my toes.
"Shiny sheep poo, would you two break it up?"
I smiled against Gabriel's lips. Ryden had quite the sense of humor.
"Fine," I said softly, but my gaze never left Gabriel's. "Climb on, Ryden. You don't want to get left behind."
She flew to my shoulder. "You're disgusting," she murmured into my ear, but I noted the hint of sympathy in her voice. The little pixilette understood.
"Shall we go your way or mine?" I asked Gabriel, my wings beating behind my back.
"My way, if you please," Gabriel said.
I sighed. "Oh, alright." I knew he didn't like to fly.
"Where to?" he asked, wrapping his arms around my middle.
"The Isle of Rhue."
He lifted me into his arms with ease. I marveled at his strength. I wasn't the lightest of creatures.
"Snow, it's me, Cindy. I don't have a lot of time. Your boyfriend thinks witches had something to do with what happened to you, but it isn't true."
"Are you ready to complete the spell, my child?"
"Yes, Grandmother."
"Good. Then begin."
"Don't worry, Snow. This isn't going to hurt. Essaya. Guinevia. Essaya cayana soyoble."
"See, my dear, the spell is working. She's fine. We just need to help the idiot chayot keep her safe until she wakes."
"Thank you, Grandmother."
Chapter 4