"How could I forget something like that?"
Leveret's voice was quiet. "Maybe it was less painful to forget. I couldn't imagine life without being able to shift."
My surprise leached away, replaced by anger. Had my ability to shift been stolen away along with my magic? What a terrible fate to force on somebody. Despite my faults in the past, I didn't deserve this.
A fire raged in my chest. I pulled back from Leveret. I stood straight up, energy flowing through my blood, and faced Nautilus.
"I know you were listening. Did you know about this?" I demanded.
His dragon scales furrowed thoughtfully. "You possessing a shifted form, Animus? I can't say I recall…"
My claws clenched into fists. "You'd best not lie to me right now,brother."
"I did not lie about your pregnancy, and I would not lie about this," Nautilus said, looking straight into my eyes. "I am aware that I…we… had a hand in removing your magic."
I scoffed. That was one way to put it. But that was an argument for another time.
"But I am being honest when I tell you I don't recall your other form, if you ever had one," Nautilus finished.
I wanted to be angry with him, but my gut judged that he was telling the truth. If he'd already admitted "having a hand" in stealing my magic, then he had no reason to lie about this, either.
Frustration welled up inside me. I was tired of the lies and secrets haunting me from the past. I just wanted to live my life with Leveret and our baby without all the bullshit spirit drama.
"However," Nautilus said. "There is nothing stopping you from finding out on your own."
I narrowed my eyes. What did he mean by that? Magic pooled in my stomach, intense and hot, as if seeking a way out. It was the most powerful I'd felt in a very long time.
Just before I opened my mouth to demand answers, Leveret put his hand on my shoulder.
"Animus. Look," he said.
I whirled around. "What?"
"Look over your shoulder."
What could possibly be so important over my shoulder? I peered over my back, then gasped.
My wings were no longer black and smoky. The charred exterior had chipped away, revealing what had been burning underneath this whole time.
They were made of fire.
Seventeen
Leveret
My mate was so, so beautiful.
As Animus gathered me in his arms and took off into the sky, I couldn't stop staring at him. Despite being surrounded by a vast blue sky and the vivid colors of autumn leaves, he was the most beautiful thing of all.
"You're staring at me again," Animus remarked slyly.
"I know. I can't help it."
He grinned. "Oh no, my handsome alpha mate is staring at me. What will I ever do?"
Animus's elegant, fiery wings flapped behind him. As if he wasn't pretty enough already, his newly evolved wings only added to how stunning he was. They burned behind him in shades of red, orange and white.
I snuggled my head into his chest as he carried me through the air. My whiskers twitched as I sniffed him.