As we soar, my heart fills with the certainty that our future is bright and open ahead of us.
***
Altair
Ten Years Later
I stand on the balcony watching my twin sons circle overhead, their golden scales gleaming in the afternoon sun.
Brandon and Ryson turned ten a few days ago, and today’s lesson on shifting and flying has left them buzzing with energy. They want to go again, but I can see they need a moment to catch their breath even if they won’t admit it.
“I shifted faster,” Brandon declares, landing on the balcony with a heavy thud.
Ryson lands beside him and shifts back to his human form, his green eyes flashing with indignation.
“You did not. I was in the air before you even finished your transformation.”
“That’s not true, I saw–”
Before they can escalate into a full argument, two younger girls burst onto the balcony, chasing each other and laughing. Lily and Fiona, Alana’s daughters with her human husband, run straight into the middle of the twins’ debate. Lily is eight and Fiona is seven, and they’re so close to my sons that one might think they’re all siblings.
“Did you really fly?” Lily asks breathlessly, grabbing Brandon’s arm. “How high did you go?”
“We went so high,” Ryson says, spreading his arms wide. “You could see the whole kingdom from up there.”
Fiona’s face falls, and she kicks at the ground with her shoe.
“I wish I could fly. It’s not fair that you get to be dragons and we’re just human.”
Lily nods sadly.
“We’ll never know what it’s like.”
An idea strikes me, and I clap my hands together to silence all four children. They turn to look at me with expectant faces.
“Lily, Fiona, would you like to ride on Brandon and Ryson?”
The girls start jumping up and down, squealing with excitement.
My sons shout in unison, “Yes, let’s do it!”
Then Brandon shoves Ryson. “I want to take Lily.”
“No, I’m taking Lily,” Ryson shoves him back.
“Stop it, both of you,” I say, stepping between them and placing a hand on each of their shoulders. “Shift now, and we’ll figure out the rest.”
They obey, their bodies rippling and transforming into their wyvern forms. They’re smaller than me, still growing, but their golden scales shine brilliantly, and their wings spread wide with youthful eagerness.
I lift Lily carefully and place her on Brandon’s back, settling her between his wings, where she’ll be safest. Then I lift Fiona and do the same with Ryson.
“Remember what I taught you today,” I tell my sons, keeping my voice firm but gentle. “Take off slowly and carefully. Don’t fly too high, stay where I can see you, and be responsible. These are your friends, and you need to keep them safe.”
I turn to the girls. “Hold on tightly and don’t let go, no matter what. Can you do that?”
They both nod solemnly, gripping the larger scales with determined little hands.
Brandon and Ryson flap their wings, testing their balance with the added weight, and then they launch into the air. My heart clenches for a second, but then I see how carefully they move. They’re attentive and deliberate, keeping their flight smooth and level as they circle the balcony. I relax and watch them, pride swelling in my chest.
