Chapter Ten:

The day was high in the sky and soon Anna and Char would be missed back at the Hawk's keep. However a problem was quickly arising and the griffin began to rub her temples as the raven and cobra quarreled. Char had already, loudly declared his intent on flying home, insisting it would be faster and the horses would be fine here as Anna would be returning in a few days anyways. However that plan was flawed as Rose would notice they left with two horses and returned with none. Yet they had overshot their time and if they didn't fly home the avians would begin to fret over their missing princess and captain. Although to make things even more difficult Zane insisted on escorting them, at least part of the way home. Char hated the idea but the snake had a point. They would be shot down if they flew and would be trapped if someone caught them unescorted. Finally Anna grumbled and spoke in her commanding voice of a monarch, ending the petty argument.

"I will fly ahead and Char, if you can manage both horses you will follow with them. That way I can get home and cover for you. It will be easy enough as no one would be rude enough to question me."

Char looked horrified but at Anna's commanding tone he hide it and spoke, trying to appeal to reason.

"Anna you will be shot down on sight."

The griffin shot Char a blazing look and he met her gaze in a very un-avian fashion. Unlike serpiente culture the Royal Flight would never give way to their monarchs if they were endangering their lives. Char was proving that point. Zane on the other hand was not content with a stern expression. His tones were frustrated.

"For once I agree with your feathered friend. I will be going with you and your plan leaves no room for that unless you seriously believe I will travel with Charmont and the horses."

Anna was very near cursing at this point but keeping true with avian reserve she simply let a sight escape her. There must be a way to work this one. She ran one hand through her golden brown hair before a plan hit her, and one that caused her smile to turn slightly wicked. Needless to say both men were surprised by this new expression. Finally she spoke.

"Zane you will fly with me."

Char choked and began to cough causing Anna to raise one hand to cover a smile. Zane on the other hand didn't quite understand her meaning.

"Our culture may be foreign but I trust you know enough to realize I don't have wings."

Anna bit back a laugh at this disgruntled tone and spoke, quite pleased with herself.

"You have seen the Mistari in their tiger forms. My griffin is that large, and my wings strong enough to carry your weight easily. Though I suggest you wear something warm, the air can get chilly high up."

Char and Zane both stared at the avian princess with expression of surprise and horror written across their faces. Though perhaps that emotion were for different reasons. Zane was eyeing her wings with a look of mistrust, fear and even slight disgust. Though such an expression was troubling in her future pair bond Anna could not blame him. Though she met his red serpiente gaze she knew she would always be reminded of the hot avian blood spilt. However Char's expression she could remedy, but not right now. She had never taken anyone flying before, not even the raven before her. His wings slumped a little with hurt before his face-hardened and he spoke, avian calm but with a pointed ness aimed at Zane.

"He will never agree to it. Snakes aren't meant to fly. Besides who says he won't try and take a bite out of you."

Now Anna was growing annoyed, both at Zane and Char. Their mistrust of each other was wearing. Of course every nerve in Anna's body told her to do something, fight or flee. Her Mistari blood told her to fight, hunt down her enemy, the avian side told her to take to the sky and now stop flying until she reached her home. She hadn't realized she was completely lost in reality until she heard a rolling hiss and Zane leaned back to punch Char right in the face. Acting with reflexes she didn't know were so sharp she jumped in front of Char, and Zane, unwilling to hit his future mate and fellow royal quickly retreated his attack while Anna spoke.

"If the prince wishes to ever see the world through my point of view he will learn to see differently from what he is used to, this is a good place to start. However while it may be more convenient and considerably easier to kill me to then work with me I will remind him we will be high up, and I will make ample sure he hits the ground first."

The griffin nodded her head and both men stared at her completely stunned. Both were wondering if the well-mannered avian princess had really threatened the serpiente prince. However Zane's red eyes stared hard at her for a moment, wondering if there was any possible way to get out of this. To his discomfort there wasn't unless he wished to prove Char right. When nobody spoke Anna continued,

"Are the horses ready?"

Char mumbled something that sounded like an apology and dashed off to do his job. Anna shook her head and smiled slightly, knowing he would never know how to properly saddle the horses with out her help. Zane on the other hand didn't say anything and stormed off, Anna could only assume he was heeding her warning and was retrieving warm clothes.

About an hour later Anna waited on top of the palace, waiting for Zane. Char waited below with the horses but Anna wanted to have a little loft when she took off do to Zane's extra weight. Needless to say she wasn't thrilled about having a serpiente on her back and it required all her avian will and reserve not to tremble at the thought. Her mind involuntarily showed her pictures of Zane plunging fang or knife into her back, and then both of them falling to their death. She pushed such thoughts aside. If Zane had wanted to kill her he would have already. Moments passed and Anna jumped when Zane appeared at her side, completely silently chuckling at her surprise he spoke.

"Why are we up here when your mate is down there?"

Anna bit her bottom lip he didn't realize they were going to jump off the roof. She debated telling him then pushed it aside though she couldn't resist shooting him a look. Zane knew Char wasn't her alistair his misunderstanding was purely intentional. Taking a breath she spoke.

"When I shape shift sit in front of my wings. It may be a little uncomfortable and you can grab onto the feathers around my neck for balance but try not to pull them out, and don't fight me it could throw me off balance."

Zane was looking more and more nervous about this idea and Anna averted her eyes to allow him privacy to deal with his fears. However when he did not wipe the expression from his face she realized he must but like her Mistari cousins who thrived with comfort and closeness. Anna sighed; she could not give him that. She was an avian and unable to provide such closeness except to the Mistari, who she had spent months with and who were her own people. Though she did hesitantly, gently lay a hand on his shoulder and spoke.

"You should thank the sky Zane. Your are the first of your kind to fly."

He looked at her, surprised by her familiarity but Anna ignored it and shifted, biting back a sad crow when Zane jumped away in horror. She sat down on her cat like haunches and watched him with hawk eyes, clawed paws firm on the cold stone. Working up her nerve she rumbled in a tiger like purr that boomed in the silence (trying to encourage her flying partner) and stood, eyes forward. Hesitantly Zane crept towards her and slowly straddled her shoulders and buried his hands in the warmth of the griffin's feather mane then bent his body closer to her. Anna knew why she hadn't taken anyone flying with her; this was way to close for her comfort. Shaking it off she took a breath, adjusted to his weight and sprung forward into a run while Zane sucked in his breath and locked his hands in a death grip on her feathers. The pair got closer and closer to the rail and Zane grew more nervous. Finally the edge was upon then and Zane bit back a cry as Anna jumped, spreading her wings and releasing a triumphant griffin cry, louder and more awe inspiring then a hawks screech and with all the power and ferocity then a tigers roar. Luckily through the hustle and bustle of the Serpiente below nobody seemed to notice and she took care to fly out of sight.

Below them Char kicked his mare into a gallop and raced after them, ponying Anna's stallion, who even at this height looked angry at being tugged along. Zane clamped on with is legs and the avian princess winced as he accidentally tugged out a feather from her mane. Zane seemed to notice she had done something wrong and he bent closer to her head and quickly spoke, with a quaking voice.

"If I put it back will you not tip me off?"

Anna couldn't help releasing a slight hawk like chuckle.