I swallowed, stepping forward before I could second-guess the storm in my chest.
“Siergen,” I said, my voice quieter than I intended. “Tell me what we need to do.”
His head tilted slightly, like a predator studying prey, but his gaze softened, just slightly, at Kaelith’s side.
Kaelith and Hein need to leave,Siergen said, his voice deep and layered, every word vibrating in my bones.For a little while.
I felt Kaelith bristle in my mind.
Leave?she snapped.We have never left you. I will not?—
Only for a little while,Siergen repeated, this time to both of them, his voice curling through the bond like a thread of smoke and flame.There are things they must understand before the sanctuary can be breached.
Zander’s hand brushed mine, fingers tightening slightly.
We both understood what Siergen wasn’t saying.
This wasn’t just a request.
It was preparation for war.
And even our dragons weren’t safe from what was coming.
ChapterTen
The light across the Ascension Grounds had shifted, but no one had moved. Siergen stood in the center like a flame-wreathed monolith, still radiating that quiet, crushing power. Kaelith and Hein flanked him, no longer snarling, but still tense and ready.
Then Siergen finally spoke again, his voice curling like smoke through all our minds.
Kaelith and Hein must solidify their new bond. The mating link is still fresh, unsealed. It is best they take some time away from you both… to complete it.
There was a beat of silence.
I blinked, then said the first thing that came to mind. “Wait… is this like a dragon honeymoon?”
Kaelith grunted, very much not amused. Her tail twitched once, the air shimmering briefly around her scales as if she’d debated setting me on fire but decided against it. Barely.
Hein, on the other hand, was another story.
His pupils dilated with unmistakable focus as his massive head turned toward Kaelith. The heat that pulsed off him made my face go warm.
And judging by the slight shift of his wings and the way his claws flexed—yeah, he was more than eager to get tothatpart of the night.
Zander saw it too. His hand went up instantly like he was stopping a charge.
“Hein,” he said firmly.
Hein froze.
Then Siergen growled, not loud, but low and ancient and filled with so much command it cut through the bond like lightning.
Hein dipped his head.
Not in submission.
In respect.
Zander and I shared a glance, the same thought passing between us like wildfire.
