I also missed Shovia, Morek, and Codric. I missed the structure of our days—the pre-dawn training that had once seemed like torture, the classes that challenged my mind, the flight training that had helped me overcome my greatest fear.
I missed Ravel.
We hadn't seen him since that first memorable night at the bar, and I wondered if he really had some business to attend to in Skywatcher's Point apart from assuring my safety.
Chicha let out a soft huff, confirming that she understood what I'd said and found it offensive, lacking in appreciation for the present moment.
"You're right," I told her. "I should be grateful for this time with my family, and I am. It's just that this is no longer my home. My home is at the Citadel."
Was I convincing myself that I wanted to go back to the academy because my visit was nearing its end?
This evening, we were heading back, and I was preparing mentally and emotionally for saying goodbye to my parents, my grandmother, and Chicha.
"I'm sorry," I whispered, scratching behind her ears in her favorite spot. "I wish I could take you with me, but I need you to stay here and watch over Mom, Dad, and Gran."
Someone needed to watch over my family. The threat might be focused on me for now, but who knew how that might change? If there really were traitors in the Dragon Force, if some dragons were working against the alliance, then no one was truly safe.
Chicha's tail began to wag, thumping against Alar's leg with enough force to make him stir.
"Mmm?" He cracked one eye open. "What's going on?" His voice was rough with sleep.
"Nothing." I leaned over to kiss his cheek. The stubble there scratched pleasantly against my lips. "I had a dream, and Chicha decided to give me some kisses to make me feel better. Go back to sleep."
His eyes popped wide open. "What kind of a dream?"
"Not that kind." I leaned to kiss him again. "Just a silly dream. I'll tell you about it in the morning."
Letting out a breath, he pulled me closer, and within moments, his breathing had evened out again.
I smiled, settling back against him with Chicha curled up between us. The dream still flickered at the edges of my consciousness—standing stones and expectant faces, the sensation of my call rippling outward across the galaxy.
Tomorrow, I would tell Alar about it.
Tomorrow, we would puzzle out what it might have meant.
But for now, surrounded by warmth, love, and Ravel's unseen guards, I felt safe enough to let myself drift back to sleep.
10
ALAR
"The measure of a man is not in the titles he inherits, but in the promises he keeps."
—From 'The Burden of Nobility'
By Prince Aldwin the Humble
As we gathered for our farewells, Milly clutched a handkerchief that was already damp with tears, while Jayron maintained the stoic expression of a man determined not to break down in front of his children. Jaida sat in her rocking chair, hands folded in her lap, but the tight line of her lips indicated that she was holding back tears by sheer determination.
"Do you have everything?" Milly asked for the third time, smoothing invisible wrinkles from Kailin's uniform. "Did you pack the herbs Gran prepared for you?"
"Yes, Mom." Kailin's voice was gentle. "We have everything."
"You need to write more." Milly turned to include Dylon in her desperate gaze. "Both of you. And don't give me excuses that there's nothing to write about because everything is either routine or classified. I don't care if you write about what you had for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I just want to hold a letter written by your hand and feel connected to you."
Dylon pulled her into a hug. "I promise to do better. At least once a week."
Sniffling, she nodded. "At least."
