The Falcon Prince

some of the things Carly said that were sarcastic, and they both got called on the carpet for giggling.

“I enjoyed tonight,” Carly said after the meeting. She was driving Ria to her shop so she could get her car.

“I had fun, too. Did you see Rayann?”

“Ohmygod, I couldn’t believe she actually wore a mini-skirt to the meeting. She’s got to be at least sixty- five.”

“Fifty-seven,” Ria said.

“Is that all? Good Lord, she must have had a hard life. Her face has so many wrinkles that if she had a facelift her eyeballs would be on her butt.”

“Look who she’s married to,” Ria reminded her.

Carly grimaced. “Oh, that’s right. I take back all I said about her. I heard Amos forgot where he lived one night because he’s slept around so much.” Carly pulled in next to Ria’s car, and shifted into park before turning in her seat. “Why the hell does she put up with him?”

Ria rubbed two fingers together. “The man has money. And don’t feel too sorry for her. Rayann isn’t quite what anyone could call true blue.”

“Then they deserve each other.”

A comfortable quiet settled inside the car that comes only when two longtime friends share something together.

“I had a good time tonight,” Ria broke the silence.

“Me, too.”

“See you tomorrow for supper?”

“Yes, tomorrow.”

Ria got out of the car and unlocked hers, sliding into the seat. Carly waved, then backed out as Ria started her car.

It had been fun tonight.

Then why did she feel just a pinch of guilt?

Maybe because the whole time, Ria had thought about Kristor, and wondered what he was doing.

You lied to her, Labrinon told Kristor.

I was forced to lie.

How could he tell Rianna that if she shifted into her animal guide, the guide would have control, and Rianna would have no say in what happened? She would never shift, and her animal guide would die.

He couldn’t let that happen. He knew Rianna well enough to know that she was a kind and gentle person. To kill anything would also kill her.

I did what I had to do. He increased the cycle’s speed, but still it was not enough. He needed to rid himself of the guilt he felt. By the gods, he had done what he thought was best.

Kristor pulled off the side of the road, hiding the cycle behind trees. He raised his face toward the night sky, as if to worship the stars. And maybe he was. Many of their gods had chosen to dwell with celestial beings. Maybe they would look down upon him with pity, and help him accomplish his mission successfully.

Tonight he would pay homage to the gods and soar the skies with Labrinon. Kristor took a deep breath, then exhaled as the shift began. The burning sensation had eased over time and the many shifts that had occurred but, still, changing was not always a simple matter.

He groaned, slumping to the ground. A thick fog wrapped around him. Nose became beak. Feet became talons that could slice the hide off a man. Kristor stretched his arms toward the sky. They became black-tipped wings that opened, lofting on the wind.

Kristor blinked and saw through new eyes. Hello, old friend.

Not so very old. I still have eyes as sharp as a young hawk’s. Now, let us glide through the air, feel the wind on our face, because for now, we own the sky.

Kristor saw through Labrinon’s eyes, and saw the ground below. They shared each sensation. He felt the wind on his face, smelled the heady scent of the pine trees, heard the cries of other birds. He had no cares, no worries.

Sometimes he wondered what it would be like to give up his human form and go through life living with his animal guide as the dominating force. There would be no wars, no more fighting, no cares.

You would not want that. Only living on the edge of life? You would die, and then I would be the only one left, Labrinon told him.

Are you saying you would miss me?

Do not let it go to your head.

Warmth flooded through Kristor. As I would miss you if you ever left me. We are one, even though we are separate. You are a part of me as much as I am a part of you. I doubt the other could survive if one were gone.

I didn’t say I couldn’t survive without you. I only said I wouldn’t enjoy it as much.

Kristor was smiling when he closed his eyes, going deeper into Labrinon and only letting the sensations go through him. He felt the dips and the rises as Labrinon flew over the land. Then he slept as Labrinon traveled across the night, hunting, watching.

It was early morning when Kristor awakened, sensing he was back where he started. The change began: Wings became arms, the beak his nose, talons were now feet.

“It’s cold,” he mumbled. The sun was just rising above the horizon.

Next time, shift inside the warmth of a dwelling. Then I will return there. I thought you would want to be close to your conveyance, although it’s a poor substitute for flying.

“It’s better than running.” He quickly dressed, then started the cycle. He liked this form of transportation. He had already input the information into his database. It would be good to recreate it on New Symtaria.

As long as you don’t substitute it for me.

“Never.” The cycle roared out onto the road.

Did you watch her during the night? Kristor asked.

She met with other women, then retired early. There was a light from her home so she is awake. Do you go to her?

Yes. Kristor felt a strong need to see her again. It was as though he had no choice. And when he pulled into her driveway, he felt a sense that this was where he was supposed to be. But then, he already knew Rianna was his lifemate. He only had to convince her of that fact, and she could be very stubborn.

Ria walked to the living room when she heard the roar of a motorcycle, but she already knew who would be in her driveway. Her heart fluttered wildly inside her chest, and her palms were damp with perspiration.

She opened the door and stared. My God, he was beautiful. If a man could actually be called beautiful. Sexy, oh, yes, he was that. Broad shoulders, slim hips, muscled thighs. The description she’d given Heath that morning she’d seen Kristor naked in the woods had been accurate. Kristor was definitely tall, dark, and handsome—and then some.

He still wore the same clothes he’d worn yesterday: T-shirt and swim trunks, sandals on his feet. Where had he been?

He placed his helmet on the seat, then looked up as she opened the front door. She stared at him through the dark screen. Their gazes met, held, then he smiled.

Her stomach did flip-flops. “I have orange juice.”

“I need to shower.” His gaze traveled over her. “Shower with me. Then we’ll have orange juice.” He strode up the steps, then opened her screen door, and took her into his arms. His mouth closed over hers. Then he was picking her up. She gasped, holding on tight as he carried her toward the bathroom.

She didn’t protest. The thought never even crossed her mind. No, all that she thought about was the way it felt to be held in his arms, to have his mouth on hers, to feel his touch bringing her body to life.

He flung open the shower curtain and set her on her feet before reaching for the faucets. While the water warmed, he tugged at the belt on her robe. It came loose, and she shrugged out of it. She was just as eager as Kristor, and wondered if they’d even make it inside the shower.