I grin as I bounce excitedly. This is going to be fun, I can feel it.
“We can do that,” River says. “Come on, Beautiful, let's go.”
I quickly get up and follow River out of the room, Evander making his way out behind us and leaving only Ransom and Coen behind.
Coen
Once the door closes behind them, Ransom looks at me expectantly.
“Is everything okay?” he asks.
I run my hand through my hair. There was a time when I wouldn’t even second-guess myself in this situation, but it’s been a long time since I’ve properly been around them, and although some things have just settled like I never left, other things are taking a little bit of time getting used to.
Asking for help when I need it being one of them.
“You know you can talk to me about anything,” Ransom says. Correctly guessing why I’m hesitating.
I smile, “I know that man. It’s just difficult to remember sometimes, and even if I do, it’s difficult to remember that there won’t be any negative consequences or pain if I do talk to one of you about it.”
Ransom’s expression darkens, but he replies with understanding, “I get it.”
He waits, allowing me to sort through everything with absolutely no pressure or expectations to tell him. I know for a fact that if I changed my mind now, he’d drop it, he wouldn’t try to convince me to tell him, and he wouldn’t tell anyone else either.
“I have trouble sleeping,” I start, and he nods. “By that I mean that I don’t sleep at all.” I pause, “Apart from if I’m with Neith, apparently. I used to take a mixture of herbs and a spell that would knock me out for a few hours and actually make me rest.”
“Cadal?” Ransom asks with a slight frown.
“Yeah, that’s it. I was wondering if you would be able to make some, please?” I ask.
“I can, of course. But Cadal is known for its unpleasant side effects. If you’re comfortable with it, then I can give you the same one that Reed and Doc use. They don’t sleep unless they’re with Neith either. It won’t give you any of the nasty side effects that you probably experience with Cadal,” Ransom offers.
I grin, “Yes, please. I’d much rather have something that you’ve concocted.”
Ransom grins, “It shouldn’t take me too long to make you some. I’ll put it in your room for you.”
“Thanks, man,” I say gratefully.
“Anytime, now go and make sure River and Neith don’t burn down the woods,” he teases.
I raise my eyebrow as I stand and we start to walk out, “You’re leaving me in charge of that?”
“Yeah, good point.” Ransom chuckles. “Don’t burn the woods down.”
I wait until he’s nearly out of earshot before I yell, “I make no promises.”
“Coen!” I hear him yell with warning as I launch myself off the steps that lead out to the back of the house and transform into my dragon.
I don’t technically need to change into my dragon in order to find River and Neith, but I have fucking missed being able to transform, so I’m going to shift as much as I possibly can.
I soar high into the air, tucking my wings and then dropping back down, opening them at the very last second before I hit the top of the trees.
The relief that courses through me when I pull off the move flawlessly matches the same relief that I felt when I first realized that I could still fly. To be honest, I think that it will take a while before that relief diminishes.
If it ever does.
I lived a long time without being able to fly, and I won’t ever take it for granted again.
The wind rushing through my scales feels amazing, and I spend a long time soaring through the air. Every time that I get close to the ward that Ransom has put up, it buzzes in warning, and I know that I’ve gotten a little bit too close.
