Flight and Fantasy Read Free Page A

the gold edge of the eagle features. The stylized raptor suited him well.
    “This event is quite large, Denaric.”
    “We hold it every year on the night before the opening ceremonies.”
    “There are few grounders here.” She clung to him as he swung her around another couple and she laughed nervously while she caught her footing.
    “The dignitaries from Orion Rift will be here tomorrow for a tea. Each one will be flown up by a guardsmen. They have no wings.” He smiled down at her with a conspiratorial grin. “Would you like to attend?”
    “I would enjoy that, but I will be at my category showing off my invention.”
    “What is this mystery machine that occupies your time? Should I be jealous?” He drew them to a halt on the edge of the dance floor and kept one arm around her waist.
    “You will have to wait until tomorrow like everyone else. If it doesn’t match my expectations, I won’t be showing it.”
    He laughed. “Not even a sneak peek for me?”
    She smiled at his persistence. “No. Not even you. If something goes wrong, I don’t want anyone beyond myself disappointed.”
    “You were talking with your friend about it.”
    “That is different. With inventors, it is a competition. It is good to rattle your competition. That, and he and I are in different categories.” She took the cup of punch that he handed her and sipped. There was enough alcohol under the subtle fruit to make her head spin.
    “Denaric, introduce me to your lady friend.” A woman in a dark gown with a feline headdress that matched her ebony wings approached.
    “Mother, this is Annanya Fennor. Annanya, this is Queen Amaraic.”
    Annanya found herself face to face with the ruler of Horshell. “Your Majesty.” She curtsied deeply.
    “So, you are Denaric’s flightless attraction. I have to say, you do look lovely this evening, child. Isn’t that curtsey a little painful by now?” The rich amusement in her tone made Anna look up.
    “It is cramping me up a little, Your Majesty. May I stand?”
    Denaric snorted and lifted her by the elbow to a standing position. “No need to curtsy. My mother is masked and most rules of etiquette do not apply tonight.”
    “You have the colouring and physique of Orion Rift. How do you come to be among our citizens?” Amaraic took a cup of punch and sipped at it. A respectfully large space opened around them as the queen spoke to the wingless one.
    “I was a foundling as an infant. The Fennors took me in and raised me with their own.”
    “Where were your people?”
    “I don’t know. No one in the area knows where I came from. My father found me in a field, almost ran me over in a harvester.” She chuckled.
    “That’s horrible. You were just lying there?”
    “Yup. Naked as the day I was born. No trace of anything on my body that could lead to who my people were. The Fennors had daughters, so I joined their little group. When my mechanical traits became evident, my father encouraged me and that is how I ended up fixing your son’s skimmer.”
    She was babbling and couldn’t stop herself. Denaric was behind her with a hand on her ass. His wings were full enough to hide his actions from casual viewing.
    “Ah, so that is how you met him. I did wonder. So, you have something in the competition tomorrow?”
    “Yes, madam. I do.” The hand on her ass was slowly exploring the curve of her buttocks and she was having a hard time keeping her mind on the conversation.
    The flash of silver in the background got her attention and she turned her head to see Nasha swishing her skirts at the nobles, her dove grey wings fluttering to catch the eye.
    “There is my sister. I am sure she will be relieved that I made it to the event after all the fuss.” She turned to her dapper groper. “Would you care to escort me, Denaric?”
    Amaraic smiled and waved them off. “Go and show each other off. Enjoy your evening, my dear.”
    Annanya smiled as she resumed the dance floor. Nasha’s face was worth