Chapter 7
An hour or two before dawn found Cinder sneaking out of the manor, a well sated Io snoring softly in a tangle of blankets. After another round of lovemaking, Cinder had tried to fall asleep with his beloved at his side, but something kept nagging at him, some little tidbit refusing to let him blissfully drift off. He thought perhaps one more stretch of his wings might be just what he needed, provide him with the ability to clear his mind and allow whatever was bugging him to swim to the surface.
Without meaning to, he found himself flying in the direction of Blackstone, taking the long way around, and passing over the lake. The smooth surface captured the sky perfectly, a mini heaven on earth; which had nearly become the watery grave of his dear, sweet Io. For a moment he stopp
