Prince of Flight Read Free Page A

situation may be. How many more attacks have been reported?”
    “A half-dozen. Rossi confirmed it was vultures because he had to engage with them. He managed to capture one who gave confirmation of what we had only recently learned. They bred an army.”
    He looked to his younger brother. “And?”
    “I walked away alive, unlike some who were with me,” Rossi said softly. “They died honorable deaths. They fought for their kingdom.”
    Lazar stiffened in his seat. “The eagles have sent reinforcements to help us with our borders.”
    “Are their own not at risk?” asked Keonae.
    Sachin shook his head. “Not at this time. And their numbers are greater than our own. They have offered the falcons assistance as well, but only after assuring Kabril would not take offense.”
    Keonae snorted. “They do not want Kabril carrying a grudge. He is much like our father.”
    The men all agreed.
    “The owls have reached out as well. Seems they are willing to assist. I believe they do not like knowing the vultures have gained knowledge over them,” said Sachin.
    Keonae laughed. “And pull themselves from their never-ending quest for knowledge? I am shocked. Will they throw books at the vultures? Beat them to death with scrolls?”
    Rossi laughed and drank more beer. “They have already tried to convince the queen a more rigorous education should be in order for the newly birthed children within the realm.”
    “Oh, of that I have no doubt. Our tutors when we were young fledglings were all of the owl kingdom. Do you recall?”
    Rossi groaned. “Yes. Do not remind me.”
    Keonae was surprised to hear the owls had joined against the vultures. They thought themselves scholars, too smart and above war to be bothered. But they knew the stories of old—of a time when the vultures ruled the realm—and it was not a good era for the shifters.
    Not in the least.
    Each kind tended to stick to themselves and handle their own conflicts. It took a serious matter for peace between the races, regardless of how fragile it was, to be reached. Although, Keonae doubted very much anything in the way of peaceful negotiations would happen with Lazar’s people. Not with tensions as high as they were.
    “Remember when Aeson was unhappy with his history lessons and decided to pull pranks on the tutor?” asked Rossi, talking of their brother.
    “I do. Father scolded him and required he clean chamber pots for a solid week.”
    Sachin laughed. “Speaking of Aeson, was he not to meet us here tonight as well?”
    Lazar nodded. “He told me he would meet us here. We assumed he would be here, in the bar.”
    Keonae grunted. “He’s not. He’s probably home bedding his mate. That seems to be his favorite pastime anymore. If that is what he calls fun, fine.”
    “I should be home with mine,” Lazar added, grinning. “Trust me when I say she looks better than all of you put together.”
    The others razzed him about his wife, whom they all liked. Keonae didn’t have an opinion of her as he’d not had the pleasure of actually meeting her. The others spoke highly of Lazar’s woman. That was all that mattered to him.
    “This talk makes me thankful I have no mate to speak of.” Keonae finished the beer and opened another. “I have no one to answer to. I am free to live my life as I wish. Kick back and enjoy drink and no commitments.” At the very thought of commitments his mind centered on Lark. He would answer to her if she would have him, but the problem was she never would. She was too good for him. Too beautiful, kind, and caring.
    More than he deserved and more than he dared hope for. In addition, she was human, and humans and his kind only worked if they were true mates. The gods would not grant him one. Not with his past sins.
    In some ways, he’d gotten what he deserved. He’d bloodied his sword too many times to count. He’d killed the enemy even when they begged for their lives, and when one requested a quick death, he denied them