‘Pegasus, no,’ Vesta said sternly. ‘The Flame has only just emerged. She must meet her people.’
Emily looked at Diana, a thousand questions in her eyes.
Diana laughed. ‘Pegasus says hold on tightly. He is going to show you Olympus his way.’
Before Vesta could protest further, Pegasus opened his wings, reared on his hind legs and threw back his head in an excited whinny as he leaped confidently off the top of the temple and into the air.
Emily’s heart thrilled at the feeling of the powerful stallion beneath her. As she clung to Pegasus’s mane and felt the strong beating of his wings, she was part of him. They were one. Emily threw back her own head and whooped in pure joy.
Pegasus made a full circle of the top of the Temple. Then, with Emily still safely secured on his back, he flapped his massive wings and took her away over the heads of the cheering crowds. Emily waved at the people as she passed, still hardly believing what was happening. Beneath her, the scars of the war were being healed as workers rebuilt the beautiful buildings.
There was only one thing missing. Her father. He was still a prisoner of the CRU. But as she soared on the bare back of Pegasus, feeling a joy unmatched, Emily knew it wouldn’t be long before he was to be freed and they were reunited. Whatever came next, as long as Pegasus was with her, Emily knew everything would be all right.