Mercedes Lackey - Anthology (40 page)

 
          
"You
will have to wait until spring, my dearest love," she said softly.
"For Father has given me leave to wed where my heart is, so
long as I wed along with my sisters and their betrotheds.
And my
heart—" She placed her palm on his chest, just above the place where his
heart beat so wildly Honoria could hear it from where she stood. "—my
heart is here."

 
          
Very
nice speech, for a former hawk, Honoria snickered. As the two began an
impassioned embrace, forgetting about anything but each other (including
Honoria), she began picking at her jesses and the bracelets that held them to
her ankles. She'd begun weakening them some time ago, since they weren't
actually being used for anything, and it didn't take very long for a beak designed
to tear through tough skin to make short work of the leather bands around her
ankles. She stepped neatly out of them, and looked up at the lovers.

 
          
Gunther
gazed into Freya's eyes as he held her in his arms. "I dreamed so often of
this moment. I can scarce believe that this moment is not a dream—"

 
          
A much better speech, sir knight.
And I believe I will take
that as my parting line. Honoria pushed off from her prey for the second time,
rising strongly and gracefully into the sky. You may keep the goose, dearest
friend and teacher, she thought back at Freya. Take it home and let it serve at
your betrothal feast. I have somewhere I must go now. . . .

 
          
And
into freedom she soared, flying high on strong, wide wings.