It was too stunning. Was this what the realm had always looked like? Was my vision that bad? Why had it changed overnight?
My skull ached as I thought about.
I shook my head and concentrated on the task at hand—I was going to prove Vegar wrong. The change in my vision was a problem for another day.
There were wings on my back.
I was an angel.
It was time to fly.
That was what was important.
With newfound determination, and cute fluffy mittens on my hands, I took off my coat and thermal shirt. Folding them neatly in a pile, I ignored the goose bumps that exploded across my exposed skin as I flexed my thighs.
For once, the cold was barely noticeable.
The day felt mild.
I bent down.
Crystals clattered and air whooshed as I splayed my wings.
Cartilage and bones snapped deliciously as I shook the unused appendages and gritted my teeth.
Ignoring their heavy weight, I bent my head low and remembered Knox’s instructions. I flexed my back muscles. My boots sank into the warm dirt, and steam heated my ankles as my upper body shivered.
Everything faded away as I concentrated on the will coursing through me.
I was going to fly.
My wings spread wide, and I flexed my back muscles as I pushed upward with everything I had.
Nothing happened, but I didn’t let it deter me.
I was going to be smart about this.
My wings disappeared as I pulled them back inside me, and I rolled my neck, stretching and trying to loosen up. I wasn’t going to exhaust myself needlessly.
After I mentally and physically recovered, I withdrew my heavy wings and tried again.
I had this.
Hours later, I collapsed onto my knees with exhaustion and heaved. The cartilage in my wings felt frozen stiff, and it hurt to retract them.
I’d leave them out, just for a few more moments.
My heart pounded erratically, and my breath was loud and uneven as I choked on the snow-drenched air.
Of course, since I was cursed with misfortune, a few minutes into practicing, the blizzard conditions had returned.
A storm had raged continually since.
Now the snow slammed against me in a punishing blur, and my teeth chattered uncontrollably. Visibility was nonexistent.
The world was a vortex of white and gray.
I was bone tired.
