He nodded and went outside, finding her racing along the tree line at the back of the property, Margery dashing on either side of her. According to Ita, that was how Isabel had taught her to fly when they were young. Given that golden eagles could glide up to 120 miles per hour, it was not much of a race, but Isabel ran her heart out anyway.

While tempted to call her in for breakfast, the sight of her running free without a wall in sight kept Blackmane silent. He wandered down to the woodpile and leaned against it, watching her run until she could no longer breathe.

‘You win.’ Isabel laughed, raising her arm so the eagle could land. She spotted Blackmane then, and a smile spread across her face. He watched her as she made her way over to him, soaking up the light coming from her.

‘Good morning,’ she said, kissing him.

He caught her around the waist, pulling her close for a second kiss, then tapped Margery’s beak affectionately. ‘You’re up early.’

She stepped back and drew a big breath. ‘I was too worked up to sleep.’

His eyes narrowed. ‘About what?’

‘I learned some rather big news last night, but I did not wish to distract from your reunion, which was so heart-warming to witness.’

Blackmane straightened. ‘What news is that?’

‘When Margery did not come home for dinner last night, we got worried and went looking for her. We ended up about a mile north of here.’ She looked around. ‘No, it must have been west, because I remember the sun was setting in front of us.’ She paused again, bringing a finger to her mouth as she thought. ‘No, sorry, it was south. The sun was definitely setting to my right. It was cloudy, as you probably remember, but the sun was still breaking through.’

He rubbed his forehead. ‘I love you, more than anything, but could you please get to the news part of the story?’

‘Yes, yes, sorry. It was definitely south.’ She kissed Margery on the beak before continuing. ‘So I am calling for her, over and over.’

His hand fell away. ‘You’re killing me.’

‘And finally, she calls to me from up high in this tree.’ She was almost combusting with excitement at this point. ‘I see there are two eagles up there.’ She paused. ‘And they are sitting in a nest.’

Blackmane blinked. ‘Right. So the big news is the nest?’

‘Are you not excited?’ Isabel asked, taking hold of both his hands.

‘That depends. Does the nest mean Margery will no longer be sleeping in our bed?’

Isabel’s face fell. ‘I had not thought about that part.’ Her expression turned stoic. ‘No, it is definitely time. I raised her to be independent, taught her to fly and to hunt.’ She squeezed Blackmane’s hands. ‘And now we taught her how to find love.’