Chapter 8: Winds of Warning
Lucas awoke with the early light streaming through the tall windows of his bedchamber. The gentle rustling of wind brushing against the curtains paired with the distant chirping of morning birds made for a serene start, almost too serene.
A nagging feeling pulled him from comfort.
He sat up, his hair slightly tousled from sleep. Umbra, as usual, lay in the shadowed corner of the room, awake and alert. Zephyra rested curled atop the balcony, wings tucked around herself like a cocoon of emerald and silver. But something felt... off.
He pulled on a dark tunic and leather pants, quickly lacing his boots. The moment he opened the double doors leading to the courtyard, the reason became clear.
"Elira?" he called, spotting the lithe elven woman adjusting the saddle on Luna, her wind lynx, near the castle gates. Her hood was pulled low, and her posture was stiff.
She turned, startled. "Lucas."
"You're leaving?" he said, crossing their distance.
"I planned to," she replied quietly. "Luna's wounds are mostly healed. It's time I move on."
Lucas tilted his head. "And go where, exactly? The forest is no place for you right now. And Zephyra would be devastated if Luna left."
Luna gave a soft growl, and Zephyra, having sensed her friend stirring, flapped her wings and landed beside her with a cheerful chirp. The two beasts nuzzled affectionately.
Elira hesitated.