Songbird by Colleen Helme

gone. Her pulse leapt in her throat, and something akin to joy floated up from her heart. For so many long years, she had suppressed her feelings of anger and hate. The only way she’d survived was trying to live in a state of serenity where nothing could touch her.
    This new feeling of joy surprised her. She’d lived without happiness for so long, it overwhelmed her. She had Bran to thank for it. He had given her the most impressive gift of all. His trust. He deserved no less from her.
    She gathered her things and gazed out the window, focusing on the blue sky and the sounds of the forest. The birds chirped as they called to one another, and all kinds of insects droned in a cadence of life.
    The removal of the kundar had not only freed her magic, but also freed her soul. As if she had been dead before, she could now take a place among the living. This moment was the beginning of a new life, and her heart swelled with gratitude.  
    “Teya? Are you ready?” She faced Bran with tears in her eyes, and his brows drew together in concern. “What’s wrong?”
    “Nothing,” she managed to smile. “Nothing is wrong.” He didn’t seem convinced, so she continued. “I’m free. The collar is gone and I’m free to live!” His smile sent a wave of pleasure through her. “As long as I live, I’ll never be able to thank you enough.”
    Bran shook his head modestly. “I’m just glad it worked.”
    “After everything you heard, I’m surprised you even considered it, let alone did it.” She wished there was a better way to express the joy she felt. “Thank you.”
    On an impulse, she threw her arms around him and hugged him close. To her surprise, he hugged her back and she sighed with pleasure. Feeling his arms around her again felt so good that she didn’t want this moment to end. She couldn’t remember the last time someone had hugged her like this. She breathed deeply to inhale his scent, and finally pulled back to meet his gaze.
    His eyes held a warmth and vulnerability that she’d never seen before, and her heart raced in response. With a soft smile, he gently touched her hair, then ran his fingers through it. “I’ve wanted to do that ever since I first saw you. I even wondered if it would feel like feathers.” His lips turned into a crooked smile at this admission. “But I can see it isn’t like that at all.”
    They stood so close that her mouth went dry and her legs trembled. Then he leaned toward her and her breath caught. Was he going to kiss her? She wanted to kiss him, but she’d never kissed anyone before. Suddenly unsure of herself she pulled back. “Uh…we’d better go.”
    Bran froze, then let out his breath and stepped away with a nod. “Of course. I’ll grab our things.”
    Teya shivered without his warm presence and hurried out of the cabin, taking in a couple of deep breaths to get her emotions under control. Bran confused and excited her at the same time. Getting involved with him would be like touching fire. One way or another, it would burn. He came out and packed the saddlebags, then helped her mount.
    “Can you tell where your people are now?”
    Teya knew without thinking. The direction came into her mind like a bird following a migratory path. “That way.” She pointed north.
    Bran smiled, then stilled at the sound of falling rocks. In the distance, a flock of birds burst from the trees. “Someone’s coming,” Bran said. “Hurry. There’s another way out. Stay close.”
    She followed his fast moving mount, urging her horse to keep up. On the other side of the cabin a small trail opened up, but the thick underbrush slowed the horses down. Behind them, the sound of hooves on loose rocks came closer. Bran quickened the pace and the bushes gave way, but instead of open country, they faced a wall of rocks.
    Teya’s breath caught. How were they supposed to get out now? Bran pressed forward and she realized there was a small fissure just big enough for their horses to pass