Ethan, as the one leading the team, reached up and lifted Auri down from where she'd been sitting on his head.
After she landed, Auri still tipped her chin up to peek at him—then obediently scampered back to Feylora's side.
Ethan stepped forward.
Power pressed against the air beneath his feet, forming transparent footholds. He climbed them slowly, rising until he was level with the mechanical girl.
The ice bird's entire body ignited in blue flame.
The fire gave off no heat. If anything, it made the cold around them even sharper. It watched Ethan warily, wings drawing slightly forward, holding a posture that said it could strike at any second.
Down below, Queen Elowen stood with her deep-blue eyes locked on the bird.
An ice-blue sphere of energy floated up from her palm.
It wasn't large, but fine ice crystals kept forming inside it nonstop. Frost spread through the air and along the ground, and the blue flames on the bird's body visibly wavered.
