The night sky howled. A rush of cool air bit at Luca's cheeks as he soared high above the clouds, seated behind a woman who hadn't spoken a word since they took off.
The Vermillion Phoenix's crimson feathers shimmered with faint golden trails, flaring as it cut through the wind with majestic grace. Below them, the vast stretch of wilderness passed in blurs—forests, lakes, and distant lights of sleeping cities. Above them, the stars blinked quietly, like curious gods watching their flight.
Luca clung tightly to the saddle, his hair whipping back wildly. The woman in front of him remained still, poised. Long blonde hair fluttered behind her like a royal banner, glinting faintly in the moonlight. Her back was to him, but her posture was rigid, focused, as if the very act of flying through the night was a divine ritual.
Luca's face twisted in a confused grimace, part bewilderment, part embarrassment.
