Chapter 9 9. Take Me Flying

Triana.

A heavy, warm whisper tickled Triana's ears, sending shivers down her spine. Then she felt Vlador swing their bodies sideways and tumble out, defying the wind with their heads facing downward.

They fell. Vlador carried Triana plummeting from the highest peak of the castle towards the hard ground below. The stirred sensation in her stomach, chest, and neck rendered her unable to scream, especially with her head positioned downward, as if her brain were being pulled by gravity towards her stomach.

Her hands gripped the shirt that enfolded the vampire's body that was enveloping her. She could only surrender. She didn't understand Vlador's purpose in doing this. Did he want them to die together?

Briefly, Triana opened her eyes a little to peek and caught a glimpse of trees with their branches passing her by vertically at high speed.

'I don't want to die. Father, mother... I want to go home,' Triana cried inwardly.

The sensation of falling grew stronger, making it difficult for Triana to breathe, as if her lungs were beginning to shrink.

How could her life end like this? Now she was a monster, and she would soon die. What if her family didn't recognize her body later? What if they kept searching for her?

Triana wouldn't be able to see or hear anything anymore. She would join her ancestors. She would leave behind all her happiness and the people she loved in this world. She wouldn't be able to repay all the love her parents had poured into her since she was born into this world.

But just when Triana had lost hope and accepted that her life would end, all of a sudden, she felt a strange and startling sensation in her body that felt like her head was being struck from within.

The sensation of falling straight down, then suddenly turning into a push upward, made her so nauseous that she reflexively opened her eyes.

The extreme movement abruptly stopped, and Triana found herself standing in the air. Her widened irises took in the sight of the bright full moon shining over the vast expanse of forest below.

Triana's hands still clutched the fabric wrapping around a pair of large arms encircling her waist as she realized she was floating in the sky. Then she felt a strong, cold wind blowing alternately forward and backward on her right and left sides, like the rolling waves rocking a ship.

Still trying to digest what was happening, Triana glanced sideways and was startled when a large black object seemed to almost hit her face. But she soon realized it wouldn't happen. She turned her head further until she managed to look behind her and confirm that the object was indeed a gigantic wing.

Gasping for breath, Triana looked upwards. Her breath caught for a moment as her gaze met a pair of golden eyes observing her. The face, with firm jawbones and a dark reddish hue around sharp eyes, appeared flat and cold.

They locked their eyes-a depiction of a clear spring sky and a reminiscent of twilight at the open sea. Slowly, Triana's gaze rolled to observe the gigantic wings that were flapping behind Vlador's back.

"Show me where the hag's lair is," Vlador commanded.

Triana blinked, then cleared her throat briefly. "I... I'm not sure."

"Well..." Vlador shifted his gaze to the sea of trees below their feet. "A caged bird never leads its way."

"Ah! What are you doing?!" Triana exclaimed as Vlador shifted their position horizontally as if they were a flying bird.

Vlador didn't answer, but with skill, he turned Triana's body to face downward, making her scream in fear and grip his arms tighter.

"This useless, ugly one makes me have to find that place myself," Vlador muttered. Then he grinned widely and continued, "It seems like you're afraid of heights. Seeing the view below might cure your fear."

Triana couldn't reply. Her eyes widened as she continued to stare downward, where the tops of trees were directly beneath her abdomen. Her teeth pressed against each other, holding back the sensation of her heart being squeezed as she felt her body about to crash into the dangerously sharp treetops.

But two large hands encircled Triana's waist. Once again, she had to remember that her life and Vlador's were bound together. He wouldn't let her die. Even though she felt like she might fall, she was sure that Vlador wouldn't let it happen.

The strong gust of wind swirled around Triana's body once more. Then the sound of wing flaps began, and the scenery below started to pass by.

The cold wind blew even stronger, freezing Triana's face and tossing her hair. Despite still gripping Vlador's arms tightly, her fear slowly faded. Her body temperature plummeted, causing her to shiver. Yet, the view of the forest below was surprisingly beautiful, even at night. The bright moonlight allowed her to see quite clearly.

Vlador's eyes scanned in all directions. Using his far-sight abilities, he continued to peer through every gap in the trees to inspect the few huts scattered among them. However, his brow furrowed slightly, and his brown eyes rolled to glimpse Triana, who was nestled within his embrace.

"This isn't the reaction I was expecting," Vlador muttered.

The vast forest landscape and star-strewn sky had enchanted Triana's entire attention. The cold wind that brushed against her face and rustled her thick eyelashes felt ticklish, somehow making her want to giggle.

This was a dream. Triana had flown before, but only in dreams. In those dreams, she had wings and was free to soar through the sky like a bird. Now the dream had become reality. For the first time, she could see the vastness of the world.

A thin smile spread across her face. Slowly, Triana released one of her grips and stretched her arms out to the side, feeling the freezing air flow through her fingers. She chuckled.

Vlador glanced back at Triana. His brow furrowed again as he looked at Triana's small hand, which was reaching out to feel the wind. He shook his head slightly and let out a brief sigh.

After flying for several minutes above the forest sky, Triana pulled her hand back to hold onto Vlador's arm again as they suddenly dove downward. She bit her lower lip to hold back any screams that threatened to escape.

At full speed and roughness, Vlador swooped down like an eagle, ready to snatch its prey. His eyes locked onto a dilapidated hut standing amidst the dense forest.

As they neared the ground, Vlador adjusted his body position so he could land on both feet. His arrival made the branches sway violently, and dry leaves on the ground were scattered. When he landed, all the foliage was flung far from the ground beneath his feet.