“He will rip you to shreds.” Jack pointed out.
“Perhaps. Perhaps not. I think he is still frightened of me.” I took a step closer to Hawthorn. His growls increased yet the fox withdrew from me and huddled into the far corner.
“See?” I looked at Jack.
“Never the less, he will still try to protect himself if you attempt to climb upon his back.” Jack looked at me with a stern expression upon his face.
“I’ve got to try.” I held the smile upon my face, my eyes simply sparkling as I looked at Jack who sighed and turned away.
“I will distract him.” R?ven whispered delicately.
Before a word could be spoken R?ven rocketed into the sky and zoomed around the melting room. Hawthorne’s eyes were glued upon the swooping and diving bird as it circled the room and danced around his head. With a great yowl Hawthorne made several attempts at snatching R?ven out of the air with his teeth. He snapped and growled yet did not retreat from his corner. The beast glared menacingly at R?ven as she taunted him.
“A little closer.” I whispered, wringing my hands together nervously.
R?ven circled Hawthorne’s head, missing his open mouth by mere inches. It was too much for Hawthorne. R?ven was like an annoying fly, buzzing around his head, teasing him. Although Hawthorne flapped his own wings, sending blasts of cold air and water in every direction he could not take flight to capture the black bird.
“Almost.” I cried, “Jack, get back!”
Jack obeyed and pressed himself against a wall, watching in awe as bird and beast danced. Hawthorne splashed angrily in the water, chasing R?ven around the room almost knocking Jack and I to the ground, but the moment we had waited for arrived. As the fox crouched low, ready to make an enormous leap, I prepared myself.
Chapter Twenty-One
Till The End
“Now!” Jack yelled at me, “Now Ava!”
Hawthorne was distracted, his gazed completely locked upon R?ven. I took my chance and ran at the fox from behind as he was now in the middle of the room, sunlight pouring down upon him. The water splashed around me as I sprinted with exact precision. My expression was one of pure concentration as I leapt at Hawthorne, my robe flapping around my ankles.
I lunged, grasping great handfuls of thick grey fur. With a grunt I got my footing upon Hawthorne’s wing and heaved myself upon his great back. I clung on for dear life, flattening myself against his spine. My insignificant weight would barely have registered, yet Hawthorne felt the tug upon his fur and turned in circles, snarling, yet he was unable to reach me. He flapped his wings faster and faster in an attempt to throw my balance but I simply entwined my fingers through his fur and clenched my thighs around his sides. R?ven now forgotten, Hawthorne focused his complete attention upon throwing me from him. My knuckles were white from gripping his fur too tightly, but I was securely upon his back. I wedged my knees behind the joints where his wings met his shoulder blades. The position felt familiar to me, and at that moment Hawthorne stopped trying to throw me off.
“Hawthorne.” I breathed, gently extending a hand to stroke his long neck, “Remember this?”
I felt his whole body rumble as he growled deeply, but the sound was unsure.
“Let’s fly.” I smiled softly and dug my heels into Hawthorne’s sides. With a great lurch my fox leapt into the air, beating his wings effortlessly and within a matter of seconds we were soaring upwards into the sunlit sky. My hair was blown in all sorts of directions as we rocketed through the melted hole in the castle roof. Fresh air filled my nostrils and I let out a laugh as we parted the clouds. I loosened my grip upon Hawthorne’s fur and looked upon him to see a glistening white coat. Hawthorne was happy. Happy to be flying, and happy to be with me, I hoped.
“Hawthorne.” My grin was from ear to ear yet it did not fully represent how exhilarated I felt. My heart was pounding with love and happiness, mixed with adrenalin and relief.