Outside translated to the middle of the field, very close to where Dylan and his father had fought. While the earth had been placed back down, grass was not yet growing on the area, leaving a large patch of just earth.

“Okay, once again we’ll use a very simple spell.” Dylan said. “I call upon the earth to rise beneath my feet and stand firm.”

Angelica repeated the spell once.

“Now since you’re actually standing on earth, your spell will draw the mana right from the earth beneath your feet when you cast the spell. Now watch. I call upon the earth to rise beneath my feet and stand firm.” There was a slight rumble and Dylan rose up several inches as the dirt under his feet actually rose.

“This spell’s particularly fun to cast under someone else’s feet.” Dusty smiled.

“Don’t confuse her.” Dylan scolded him lightly before looking back at Angelica. “Go ahead and try it.”

“I call upon the earth to rise beneath my feet and stand firm.” Angelica cast the spell, bracing her legs as she felt the earth shift under her feet. Her well balanced position was the only reason she stayed on her feet as the earth lifted and then fell out from underneath her.

“Well that’s about what I expected,” Dylan said as Angelica looked down to see the earth had turned to sand under her feet. She reached down and scooped up a handful. The fine grains slipped between her fingers. “Why is this happening? Didn’t you say mixing elements was difficult to do?”

“I don’t know. I don’t think I’ve ever heard of something like this happening before.”

“I think we should try having her cast a wind spell,” Dusty said. “It would be a good idea to see if another element is mixed with the wind.”

Dylan nodded. “I guess that’s true. I call forth the winds from the south, swirl through the air to move what I wish.” The book he was holding floated into the air, spun around once and then settled back in his hand.

“Though you should probably try something a bit lighter.” Dusty plucked a stem of grass from the ground and set it in her hand.

Angelica nodded. “I call forth the winds from the south, swirl through the air to move what I wish.” She saw the mana flow gathering in the air around her, and with a rush of wind she found herself soaring upward. She saw the ground fall away from her, wind singing in her ears. One part of her mind rationalized that she should be scared being this far off the ground, but she ignored it in awe of the view spread out below her.

The mountains seemed to stretch forever, but in the distance she could see the green plains and the speck of what could be a city. Up here the sky stretched on forever, clouds dotting the space, floating as freely as she was.

Then a pair of arms wrapped around her and she turned to see Dylan, wings flared. “Are you okay?” He asked urgently.

“I knew you’d come.” She smiled, wrapping her arms around his neck as her spell ended and she left it to him to keep them aloft. “Isn’t it beautiful up here?”

He looked in the direction she was facing. “Yes, it is.”

His arms were so strong, supporting her, holding her close. Why did she feel so safe in the arms of a demon? “Why…did you bring me here?”

“I wanted to protect you.”

She wanted to ask about Trenir’s sister. She wanted to know if he loved that demon she had never met, if she was special to him, but the words died on her lips. Right now Angelica just wanted to rest in his arms. Being protected was nice sometimes too.

Dylan began drifting at a controlled pace back toward the ground far below. They landed lightly and Angelica felt something akin to regret to have her feet back on the ground.

“Are you both okay?” Dusty asked mostly to Angelica.

She nodded.

“Wow, you went that high and you don’t even seem winded.” Dusty looked impressed.

“Do you mind now if we end the lesson?” Dylan asked. “I have some things that need to be done.” He hurried off without waiting for a reply.

“That was one of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen. I mean I’ve jumped before, but never that high, and so easily.”

Angelica smiled. “It was great up there. Just me and the sky. I hope I can do it again.” She looked wistfully upward.

“You should probably learn how to land before you do.”

She laughed. “If I don’t, Dylan will catch me.”

“And if he doesn’t. I will.” Dusty offered his arm. “Now I’m sure all this magic has given you an appetite, so let’s go to the kitchen and make up something.”