Title: Eyrie (Society of Feathers
#2)
Author: Emma Michaels
Genre: Young Adult Urban Fantasy
Synopsis:
Somewhere between falling and flying… you will find the
truth.
The truth is being unveiled and Iris’ past is unlike anything she ever could
have guessed. For Stryx, finding your missing half doesn’t always mean finding
your mate. Iris has been missing a part of herself for so long that no one is
sure she will be able to put the pieces back together and her ever reliable
dreams may be forcing her astray. Coping with the death of someone she loved,
she is forced to face the truth and break free from the lies that have caged
her.
Emma
Michaels entered the industry as a book blogger but soon found herself working
with numerous publishers as an author and cover artist. While her love of
blogging has continued to live on (www.EmmaMichaels.com) she enjoys delving into brand new worlds in
her short stories and 'Society of Feathers' series.
Author
links:
@EmmaMichaels
Iris lost herself in Falcon's arms,
feeling the world drift away again as her lips melted against his stronger,
larger ones. The warmth spreading through her body felt like electricity
filling very part of her, pooling at the tips of her fingers where she touched
his shoulders then traced along his arms. The tension that had worked its way
up her back and through her own shoulders released as his hand brushed lightly
down the length of her spine, sending sparks through every nerve.
"Please," she whispered
softly, centimeters from his lips as they breathed in each other's warm breath.
She felt herself lean towards him, this time not holding back as she moved his
arm to her waist, making him wrap both arms around her fully. His secure hold
on her was the only thing keeping her upright.
"Anything," he whispered
into her ear a few moments later after she had caught her breath.
"Be the one beside me when I
enter the masquerade. Be the one by my side when I change it all. I know I can
do it on my own or with Nestor but...I don't want to. I want you both there
with me,” Iris said.
The look on Falcon's face, the light
in his eyes, showed her the joy he found in her invitation. "I was waiting
for you to ask. Waiting for you to want to need me, even if you never will. It
would be my pleasure, Izzy. I will always be there for you. Nothing could pull
me away." He didn't say the words but they still hung silently between
them, the knowledge that anyone who tried to pull him away from her would die
trying. She knew she should be afraid, but somehow he was the only person she
knew she could trust, the only one her heart was perfectly sure about, like a
tether tied them together, connecting their lives.
"I do need you. Even if I
don't, I still need you." She whispered and kissed him harder, forgetting
the world outside their doors, ready to explore the man that the boy she had
known had become. The man who felt like such a part of her now that she had
accepted him. She didn't know what she’d do if she ever lost him. She had never
felt a connection this powerful, this all consuming.
"I love you." He
whispered, his eyes gazing into hers, their intensity only pulling her further
into the joy of just being close to him, just letting herself forget the world
she wanted so desperately to help, to change. "I want to do something for
you."
"What is it?" Iris almost
pulled back, not wanting to lose the moment between them but instead she leaned
the side of her face against his chest so that she could hear his heart
beating.
"I want to show you what it’s
like to run without hesitation, without taking away the one part of running
that makes it so magical the freedom. I want to show you that freedom." He
bent and traced his fingers along the back of her legs. They buckled but he
lifted her, taking it as an invitation.
She smiled and leaned against his
chest. This time he wasn't carrying her because something was wrong. It was
like when they were kids and he wanted to show her he was strong enough to support
her, that he could be that person who would pick her up even if she hadn't
fallen. He walked to the door and she turned the doorknob for him. They found
Autumn in the hallway.
"Wanna go for a run?"
Falcon asked Autumn, his voice a conspiratory whisper.
"Sure!" She said and
smiled lightly when she realized what Falcon was planning. "Every girl
should get to feel the aves inside of her come alive."
Iris smiled feeling like she had her
team. They were the people she needed and wanted by her side. They were the
ones who kept her human and kind, protecting her at all costs. Nestor was
upstairs with Nathaniel preparing for his duties in their upcoming plans. The
rest of her family was downstairs. As they jogged by, they passed Jarem on the
way, heading up to meet Diana. "We’re going running, wanna come?"
Falcon offered and Iris laughed.
"If you invite everyone we may
as well all go." Iris giggled and smiled widely, looking forward to it,
not caring who decided to come. Iris knew that no matter how people surrounded
her and Falcon, somehow they were always alone. They were the only two people
in on the secret. That was their unusual type of love. It would only grow with
time and trust as long as it was never betrayed.
"Sure, why not." Jarem
said and smiled. He opened the door to Diana's room and hollered, "We’re
going running with Falcon, wanna come?"
"Absolutely!" They heard
Diana yell back. She joined them even though she was wearing a short dress. Not
bothering to change, she threw a pair of high-tops on with it.
As they jogged through the house
David joined them, leaving the fort to Neal, Garah and Griffin so as not to
disturb Nathaniel and Nestor. When they went out the door, Diana led them to
the back of the house, going through the garden to a strange trail beyond it.
"Is this the fairy trail?" Jarem asked. When Diana nodded, he smiled
and looked at Iris. "It's perfect."
"Wooooo!" Diana shouted,
crying out like a hawk soaring through the sky. Jarem and even Autumn joined in
and Iris realized it was for her and Falcon, egging them on. Falcon set her on
her feet and knelt down the way he once had to offer her a ride on his back.
She blushed feeling like that same little girl for one beautiful moment,
attaching herself to his back and holding onto him tightly.
The bird calls got louder and louder
until Falcon got ready and whispered, "You ready?"
"Yes." She whispered next
to his ear and then looked straight ahead realizing, she really did need him.
Falcon knew what she needed even before she did. As he started running, she
shifted her weight and realized, she fit so well against his back, like they
had been molded for just this moment, for him to give her the freedom that her
body robbed her of. Suddenly her grudges against her body for being made the
way it was disappeared as the wind whipped her hair away from her face. She
arched her back ever so slightly to get the full effect and to keep her weight
manageable for Falcon as he ran faster and faster. Her heart felt like it was
soaring for the very first time. There was nothing like it, the faster he went
the more amazing it felt. All she could feel was the earth around her and the
link to her aves.
She couldn't help but giggle with
glee as she watched Diana pass them, holding her arms out at her sides like
wings. The wind was pushing her arms behind her, and her face was lifted toward
the sunlight shining through the trees. Jarem sped to catch up with her and
they started to race each other, getting competitive each time one of them
would pass the other.
Autumn was at Falcon’s side as she
called out, "Oh come on, go for it. She'll love it!"
"Faster!" Iris squealed
like a little kid, the sheer joy of movement giving her a rush she had never
felt before. As she leaned her face against Falcon's, she could feel that he
was smiling as he gained speed. He wrapped his arms behind her, entwining his
fingers at her back like he was stretching as his position formed a brace for
her. She leaned into it and as he went faster and faster. She slowly let go of
his shoulders and held her arms out at her sides like Diana. The sun beat down
on her face and arms. As she closed her eyes, she felt like she was flying,
really and truly flying.
