I grabbed Vivian's arm rather harshly before linking my fingers with Elle's, dragging both of them out. Vivian winced, trying to pry her arm out of my hold but I fixed my glare on her. She stopped trying to wriggle away.
When we were far from that witch, I finally let them both go. Vivian glared at me.
"What was that for?" she scowled, her face scrunching, mirroring mine whenever I was angry. It was alarming how closely identical we were.
"You are not allowed to be in here," I said to her flatly. "You have classes, for one. You skipped. Again."
Vivian looked at Elle with a sad expression, once she always feigned to get her way.
"Isabella, he's being unnecessarily mean!"
I threaded my fingers through Colton's and gave his hand a squeeze, before bending down until I was at eye-level to Vivian.
"Well, he has a point," I told her kindly, "Your classes are important."
“Of course you’ll agree with him,” Vivian grumbled. “You’re his girlfriend.”
I sighed, bending down and gently ruffling her hair.
“Vivi, I worry for you,” I said to her gently. “I know you’re a strong girl. You can take care of yourself, but I worry for you still. Because you’re my sister, and it’s my duty to care for you. You walk straight into danger without a second thought. Do you know you could get hurt? You are a princess. You need to learn who to trusf and who to not.”
Key, who had been hiding in my hair, sprang out, enlarging himself. He looked at the three of us, grinning.
”Okay, you weirdos,” he said in my mind, showing his teeth. ”Let me give you one hell of a ride.”
"What Colton means," I added quickly, "Is that we've noticed some strange behaviour from a few staff members. It might not mean anything, but for the time being, it's important to tread lightly, especially around the newer ones. Can you do that for me?"
Vivian looked at Elle, her scowl softening into a small smile. She nodded.
“For you,” she said to Elle before turning towards me. “I’m sorry.”
“You’re okay,” I said to her, coming closer so I could kiss her on the head. “Now, let’s go find a clearing. Key wishes to give us a ‘one hell of a ride.’”
I stood back, watching the two (three) with a fond smile. “Do I get a ride, after?” I asked teasingly, blinking innocently at Colton.
I nearly choked, clearing my throat as Vivian quirked an eyebrow at the way I was trying to keep myself from turning my back to Elle. Oh God. That girl. I loved her. She truly knew how to play me, but I knew how to play her, too.
So I gave her a smile, an invitation present on my features. “All you need to do is ask, my love,” I hummed. “And you’ll get a ride.”
Crimson exploded through my face, but I mustered my purest, most innocent smile, my heart pounding despite the fact that we were just joking around with no intention of actually doing so. “Good to know, Cole~”
I smirked at the blush on her cheeks before motioning them to follow, Key beside me. When we reached a clearing, he increased in size, letting out a deep roar that shook the ground. I grimaced. What a showoff.
“All right, go on,” I said to Vivian as Key knelt down, his paw out for her to climb on. When she was safely on his back, he did the same for Elle.
I winked down at Colton from my perch, admiring the view from up above. Scylla popped into existence, eager to join in.
I chuckled at the two before I jumped up on my bondmate, having done so many times. I sat beside Elle and wrapped my arms around her securely as hers were around my little sister. Key looked at Scylla and showed his teeth, happiness prominent on his features. Two bondmates, in love just as their partners were. It was beautiful.
”Scylla gets the best spot,” he said, looking at her adoringly. ”No apologies to anyone else.”
Traitor.
Scylla, who was now a nearly full-grown adolescent, churred happily and settled between Key’s ear. I chuckled, leaning back against Colton.
A thought occurred to me, and I watched Vivian, hoping she didn’t question the appearance of a ‘rabdom’ bondmate.
“That’s Elliot’s bondmate,” I informed Vivian. “They spend a lot of time together. Key’s fond of her.”
Vivian turned to look at them with awe in her eyes. “I never thought Key could act like this,” she murmured. “But it’s nice to know he has a friend.”
A mate, I wanted to correct her. I didn’t.
I intertwined my fingers with Colton’s, wrapping his arms a little tighter around my waist. My back was pressed to his chest, with little to no room between us at all.
Key flapped his wings, wind blowing heavily and I leaned into whisper in Elle’s ears just as he took off.
“Hold on tight,” I whispered, my hold on her tightening as Key soared into the sky, releasing a roar of flames, his wings flapping wildly. He screenched, whirling in the wind, taking us high into the sky. Though I’d been used to riding with him, my heart still dropped as he flew high, freedom exploding in both of us.
A joyous cry flew from my lips as I clung to both Key and Vivian, am enorinous smile overtaking my blissfully happy expression. To fly was an experience beyond words, any description I tried to give it would never to it justice..
Key flew high into the sky before he stopped, hovering. He looked down before he looked at me.
“No, you will not—“ Key’s wings stopped moving. We began to fall, the cold air nipping at our skin, eyes watering. Vivian let out a scream that soon became joyous, yet I couldn’t help but curse Key. Damn him. Showoff.
Scylla, who had her talons wrapped around one of Key’s horns, released a melodious call similar to mine. I laughed as we plummeted, raising my arms as if on a rollercoaster.
Wings moved again against harsh winds, and finally, he let me have a peace of mind as he slowed the flight, flying gently against the wind. I breathed in relief. I wasn’t scared. Not for myself. But Elle and Vivian were here. If they slipped…
Then I shook my head. Trust in Key.
“Enjoying yourself?” I murmured, laching my mouth on Elle’s bare shoulder, unable to fight the urge.
I sucked in a sharp breath. My stomach dropped, and for reasons other than the wild flight.
“Colton—“ I whispered, ignkringtbe bkush that stained my cheeks. “Your sister—“
“Cannot see what I’m doing,” I murmured against her skin. “Nor can she hear, not with the harsh winds. But do keep quiet, love, for she’ll know.”
(Ugh, sorry for all my typos, I’m exhausted and nb won’t let me edit again)
I resisted the urge to lift my hands from around Vivian and bury my face in them, though with much difficulty. Scylla, from up front, shot me a teasing look.
(It’s okay! You should sleep.)
I smirked and bit the spot I had my mouth on, my teeth sinking into her flesh. I hadn’t had a chance to do that, not in a long time, so I was grateful for the moment. I liked to see her squirm, but not too much, so I gave the spot one last kiss before I stopped.
“I couldn’t help myself,” I murmured. “You can now enjoy the view.”
(In a bit)
I swallowed hard, struggling to pull an extra layer of illusions over the mark. The extra step, one that we’d trodden on before, was nice, but… nerve-wracking, especially at this height and with Vivian barely a few inches away.
“Are you enjoying yourself?” I murmured to Elle, grateful that she hadn’t cringed away from my touch. Vivian certainly was enjoying herself. She looked extremely happy, and Key seemed to be happy, too, hacing brought her along.
