Fireborn Extract 2

Hoarfrost seemed frozen to the spot, the first time Phoenix had ever seen him so uncertain. The enormous bird, an unearthly gleaming white in the moonlight, pulled out of the dive at the last possible moment to land lightly nearby. From its back, a woman slipped to the ground, walking towards them with her chin held high. She was tall, her hair twisted on top of her head making her appear even more so. Her face was all angles, sharp cheekbones prominent beneath warm brown skin. From her shoulders flowed a long cloak made of the same snow-white feathers as her bird. ‘Greetings, Hoarfrost,’ she said, her voice soft. Close up, her hair was streaked with silver, her eyes edged with fine lines. ‘Nara?’ Hoarfrost frowned, his eyes searching her face. ‘That you?’ His surprise was obvious. 35