Dreamwalker's Bride - Chapter 382

Chapter 382: The birds
Mia cried out, but no sound from her throat reached her ears. She winced as the pull changed direction, and the sharp swoop of a wing caused her hair to fly across her face.

She lifted one hand to brush the strands away, but not before she was thrown against the landward side of the pathway, her back striking the flat, smooth rock there.

She flinched, more from the surprise than from pain, and her eyes, which she’d snapped shut, flew wide open.

Pressed against the rock face, she could feel, but not see, Ford’s body against hers. She could sense the outline of his form, huddling her against the cliff, sandwiching her between the rock and the protection of himself.

An invisible shield for an invisible girl.

The vast cloud opened up as several of the enormous birds swooped close, looking for the prey that had so recently occupied the ledge.

One lighted on the ground, its wingspan nearly blotting out what light there was until it folded its wings and pecked around the area.

Martin had been right about their appearance. Purple and red feathers, and maniacal faces that made Mia shudder with fear. Their eyes were sharp and full of malice, and long, cruel talons scratched at the earth.

Two more birds landed on either side, each taller than Mia, and their wings stretching further than that. But more importantly, they seemed to possess some inclination that the prey which had disappeared could not have gone far.

When one lunged closer to examine the rock face, Ford grabbed Mia’s shoulder and pushed her down into a crouch. He kept his arms around her, his body between her and the looming beaks searching for food.

There was no way to move around or through the birds; the best course of action seemed to be remaining still and as small as possible. They could run, but with the birds hopping to and fro, cackling in harsh tones, it was too much of a risk.

So they remained, hunkered together against the cliff face. Ford’s head turned, and Mia gained a better sense of his positioning.

Her knees had not born up well under the strain of holding still, and Mia had lowered herself to her backside. It was not ideal if they needed to move quickly away.

Ford was facing her, his back to the vicious birds. He must be on one knee. Her fingers, supporting her from behind, inched forward until they found the toe of his invisible boot.

She closed her eyes, finding it easier to visualize her surroundings without observing the absence of Ford’s visible presence.

It also helped her begin to calm her heart when she wasn’t looking directly at the birds that were hopefully losing interest in their expected meal.

She waited, silently, listening to the sounds of the birds. She peeked to see whether more were landing. A fourth came, but a brief squabble ended in it being driven off.

Not a united force, then. That was something, at least.

Ford’s hand was still on her shoulder, tightening intermittently when one of the birds came a little closer, and she lifted one of her hands to hold it.

It was so strange, to feel him and not see him. She wasn’t sure she would ever get entirely used to the sensation.

Eventually, the first of the birds spread its wings. Mia ducked instinctively, and felt Ford press her down as well. She could feel the heat of his breath on her cheek as he loomed over her, and her heart skipped.

Continually, consistently, he seemed ready to put himself in harm’s way for her sake. That was no small thing. She swallowed as the other two birds followed the first, their flight pulling them up and away from the ledge and into the clouds.

Mia half expected to become visible immediately after they left, but of course that was not to be. The humans would be seen again and attract the attention of the predators once more.

Ford stayed huddled over her for a minute or two before she felt him shift, and stand. His hand slid down her shoulder to her hand, taking it as he helped her stand as well.

So long in one position, and at such an elevation, left her a bit dizzy, and she swayed. His other hand found her back as she lost her balance, and pulled her against his chest.

Her breath caught in her throat as both his arms held her close, and her eyes closed. It felt more natural that way, rather than being held by an invisible human.

Mia could stay here the rest of the day and find herself more content than she should be. Well, what determined how content she should be? Her mind was having trouble remembering why she should want to leave at all.

She nuzzled her face into his shoulder when an icy wind blew against them, and she felt one of his hands move up, tracing her shoulder and neck up to her cheek. Shivering, partly from cold and partly from the feelings bubbling up from within her, she lifted her head to press her cheek more firmly into the warmth of his hand.

It felt so natural to lift her chin upward that she wasn’t even sure whether it was her own volition, or his palm guiding her path. She dared not open her eyes, though she wouldn’t be able to see his expression anyway.

Would she want to? She wasn’t sure. It was a very vulnerable thing, to allow herself to be cradled like this. Fear loomed in her heart when she dwelled on it, but another part of her tamped it firmly down.

Yes, this was a very vulnerable moment, to allow her feelings to show. If she felt nothing for Ford, of course she would push him away. But she felt a lot more than she’d admitted, even fully to herself.

She loved him.

The mental admission sent her into a whirl of panic, and her eyes popped open, ready to thrust the man away in denial of her own heart, when she felt a gentle brush against her lips.