42
As soon as we got back to the forest, Royal’s mood lightened considerably. He and Noiryn began talking animatedly about the race, Royal telling her what we’d seen on the viewing screen down in the bowels of the island. I strolled slowly behind, enjoying the fresh forest air, taking in the trees and flowers around me.
“Phoenix.”
It sounded like the wind was calling my name as it whipped through the trees.
"Phoenix."
Or maybe someone was actually whispering my name.
I stopped walking and listened hard, Royal and Noiryn’s voices growing quieter as they walked on.
"I thought they'd never leave."
I spun towards the familiar voice and there, hidden amongst the trees, his silver face glinting in the dappled light, was Archer.
“I missed you so much,” his deep voice rumbled towards me.
