“He healed you,” I breathed. “Braxton healed you.” When my gaze lifted to Kingston’s, I found unshed tears glistening in his eyes, the same tears burning the back of my throat.
Kingston pulled me into his arms, not caring who was around us, and I hugged him so tightly I could barely breathe.
“Thank you,” he whispered in my ear, but I shook my head, pulling away to look up at the man who deserved this more than anyone ever would. The one who devoted his life to me.
“No. Don’t thank me. This was all him.”
“You misunderstand,” he added, wiping the tear that escaped him. “I am not grateful to you for what he did for me. I am grateful to you, Evanna, for risking everything to bring Braxton back home.” Smiling, he cradled my cheek. “Without you, I would not stand here today, reborn. I would not have another chance at life, the one he just gifted me.”
18
It took everything in me to repress the emotion beating against my chest, fighting to come out, but I nodded, placing a kiss on his soft palm.
Taking his place by my side, Kingston glanced at the skies, catching Braxton’s aerial show just as he jumped from Star’s tail, landing on a new Dragon.
When Venom slithered through the air above us, resembling a flying serpent, Braxton leapt again, flipping in the air once before landing on the stage. Both his guard and mine erupted in cheers behind me, echoed by the audience while my mate bowed to me. His Dragons joined a new formation among the clouds.
Then he whirled around, his Dragon Eye glowing gold.
“Flamma!”Braxton ordered in the old tongue.
Dragon fire shot from Knight, Alkor, Star, and Athina’s mouths in unison, shooting straight into a far mountain.
“Fulmen!”Braxton’s voice carried in the wind.
With his command, threads of white energy rushed over Venom’s form, and he reared back. His double tongues flickered out a sun-second before pure lightning shot from his throat, crashing into the far mountain too.
“Veni ad me!”
Forming a line, Tharion, Venom, Ardor, Knight, Spike, Athina, Fulgur, Alkor, and Star flew around the arena once more before they began to land behind the stage, one by one, flaking their prince.
Frenzy overtook the crowd, never seeing anyone capable of such a thing. Braxton was commanding Dragons.
“Animatedandexciting,” Imogen whispered next to me. “The man can follow instructions after all.”
Laughter erupted from my lips, mixing with the joy while I clapped along with the audience. Winking at me, she retook her place next to Willow. When my attention returned to the front, I found Kingston making his way towards my mate.
“I hope you all enjoyed that, mostly because I almost broke my neck doing it,” Braxton joked, eliciting lighthearted laughter from our people. “I’m telling you, wearing this cloak while jumping from Dragon to Dragon wasnota good idea.”
Chuckles escaped me with his jesting, the sound mixing with Asher’s and that of our combined guards. Yet, I could still tell he was nervous, but he had no reason to be. Our people already loved him.
“Most of you know me as Braxton. The one who saved the princess from the Warlock King when I first arrived at theHidden Kingdom. The one who trained with the warriors and joined her Elevated Guard. The one who brought you coffee… I mean, you gotta love me for that alone.”
Sounds of glee surrounded us as Willow joined me, hooking her arm with mine.
“But there is so much more to me that you deserve to know, and I’m finally ready to tell you.” Straightening, he walked closer to the front of the stage, glancing at each and every one of our kin. “What you have witnessed is a gift only I possess. One I was born with and that forced my parents to leave this beautiful world in order to protect us all…
Dragon blood runs through my veins. I was born from it, and it connects our souls. I can feel what Dragons feel. I see through their eyes, hear their thoughts, and communicate with them like I can do with you. I can heal them, and they can heal me. The truth is, I am not just a man… I am part Dragon.”
Loud gasps echoed through the arena, but no one dared bat an eye. Our people hung on Braxton’s every word.
“I am the reason the Harbinger was forced to leave Caelisium. I am the mission the late king and queen made him vow in blood to complete. My true name is Braxton Skystorm, and I am the Harbinger of Justice’s son.”
Shocked silence swept through the crowd like a rampant wave for a moment. Then frantic ovations exploded, celebrating his presence among us and what that represented for them. The Harbinger had been their savior, and now, so was his son.
“Braxton was taken away because his powers were a threat, not just to the evil king but to his own safety,” Kingston explained, taking his place next to my mate. “Even from the womb Braxton called the Dragons to him, and come they did, recognizing his blood and strength. His rightful place among them. He has returned to finish what his father started, and he will use his Dragon powers to help the Skyborne Princess and her legion end Raithian once and for all!”
“Yeah!”
