Zola landed first, her silver hide glowing in the sunlight. Riven ran a hand along her shoulder like it was second nature.
Kasstovian dropped down in a small whirl of leaves and grit, nuzzling Cordelle’s side affectionately. His freckled cheeks lit with a grin.
Temil touched down in a spiral of golden wind, and Naia let out a breathless laugh as she reached for her saddle.
Narvea prowled in next, green tail lashing, and Ferrula just shook her head like she was trying not to smile.
And then Kieren swooped in with his usual flair, wings tilted to give the perfect dramatic entrance. Tae clapped once. “Nowthat’show you make an entrance.”
Jax was already nodding to Koddos, his expression uncharacteristically soft as his armored dragon lumbered closer with practiced ease.
They didn’t mount right away.
Instead, my squad gathered around me and Zander.
“You fixed it,” Naia said, tossing me a lopsided smile. “I mean, it took a possible public execution and a rebellion, but… you did.”
“You saved more than just Zander,” Ferrula added, voice quiet. “You gave us our wings back.”
Cordelle stepped forward, green eyes shining. “I didn’t know how much I missed him until he landed. Thank you.”
Riven nudged my arm.
“No more trials today. Just flying. You earned it.”
Tae grinned. “Well, if you two are done stealing the spotlight with all your royal family drama, I’d like to enjoy my freedom before we’re sent to babysit another outpost.”
“I vote we fly high enough to scare the couriers,” Jax said, already slapping the side of Koddos’ thick neck. “Maybe drop some ash on Theron’s fancy outfit.”
We all laughed.
And for the first time in what felt like forever, it wasn’t forced.
They mounted one by one, wings flaring around us like a salute to the skies.
And then they flew.
Zander and I stood alone, watching them ascend into the air.
It seems you had quite the adventure in my absence.
Kaelith’s voice curled through my mind like a velvet ribbon—familiar and fierce and so achingly missed that my knees nearly gave out from the relief.
Kaelith!I answered, the word bright with emotion.
I swallowed hard, heart thudding as I smiled into the wind.Are you all right?
I am… intact,she replied with a rasp of humor.Though dragon mating is far less romantic than your human stories imply. And far louder.
I almost choked on a laugh. I didn’t want to ask, but she’d answered the question I didn’t say aloud. Still, the weight of concern hadn’t left my chest.
Are you coming back soon?
I am already on my way to you, little storm.
I glanced toward the sky as the air shifted above us. Zander, standing just a few paces off, met my eyes, and I knew immediately Hein was in his head too. His whole body had relaxed. The storm inside him stilled.
Kaelith,I asked as we waited,about the shifting thing… the tail splitting, the color change. Is that finished?
