“Drink, sweet,” I said during a break, handing her a mug of tea.
“Thank you.”
“Finish all of it.”
Her laugh came out soft, tired. “You’re being bossy again.”
“Devoted.” I leaned over to kiss her temple. Fates, I loved this woman. The words burned in my throat, begging to be said, but this wasn’t the time.
Dawn came crisp and clear, and we met up on Goldwing’s launchpad. After I shifted, Adele climbed onto my back, the guides shifting beside us. We launched into the biting wind, the peaks rising like golden sentinels around us. These slopes were steeper than Silvervale’s, the ice formations tucked into narrow crevices that required careful navigation.
Our guide led the way, her dragon form sleek and scarred, banking through updrafts with ease. We found the first exposure quickly, a glittering vein of ancient ice cracking through a sheer cliff.
Adele’s excitement buzzed through the air.It’s denser here, more mineral-heavy. This explains the severity.
She worked her magic from another ledge, me holding her steady while the wind eddied around us. Heat built under her command, particles rising in a controlled shimmer, funneled upward by her thermal barrier. Watching her command the elements like they were extensions of her will mesmerized me.
By midday, we’d taken care of three sites. Reports trickled in via messenger dragons of hatchlings continuing to improve. Adele pushed through, but I saw the strain and the way her hands trembled after the third formation.
“Eat,” I said, after landing at a sheltered outcrop for abreak. I pulled provisions from the pack and handed her something fortifying.
“Thank you.” I sat, and she leaned against me, my arms around her from behind as she ate and drank.
The final site was a huge exposure high up, where the wind howled like a beast. Adele’s magic flared brighter here as she accelerated the sublimation. Particles swirled up, sparkling in the afternoon sun before vanishing.
When she finished, she sagged against me, breathless. “That’s it. The last one.”
I caught her, holding her close. “You did it. Again.”
“We all did it,” she said, her head on my shoulder.
The scarred advisor joined us, peering around. “That was incredible. The air already feels cleaner.”
Even I could sense the difference. No more grit in the wind.
Back in Goldwing, the palace had been transformed into a celebration. Tables groaned under platters of roasted meats, fresh breads, and spiced wines. People mingled, their laughter ringing out. Hatchlings cooed from their parents’ arms, free of coughing and sneezing, their cheeks pink with health instead of strain.
Trevare stood on a dais along one side of the great hall, holding up a goblet. “To Queen Adele of Emberforge, who saw what we could not and brought relief to our youngest! And to King Raoul, for bridging friendship to our court.”
Cheers erupted. Adele flushed beside me, waving off the praise, but I pulled her close, my arm around her waist. “Take the credit, sweet. You earned it.”
Trevare approached us later, clasping Adele’s arms. “You’ve saved us. Name whatever you want. Anything Goldwing can offer.”
“Just peace,” she said softly. “And maybe your spiced wine recipe. It’s divine.”
He laughed. “Done and done.”
The party stretched into the evening, but we slipped away early, the pull of home too strong. We flew through twilight, stopping overnight at the same cozy stone shelter we’d shared days ago. It felt like coming full circle. Rain pattered on the roof while we curled together by the fire, too exhausted for more than soft kisses and whispered plans.
We continued at dawn, arriving back at Emberforge the day before the Summit. The palace buzzed with preparations, but Demi had it handled, waving us off with a knowing grin. “Go rest. You two look like you’ve conquered mountains.”
“We have,” I said, steering Adele toward our rooms.
That evening, Adele stood by the window, staring out at the volcanic peaks. A fire crackled in the hearth.
I came up behind her, wrapping my arms around her waist. “Are you feeling rested?”
She leaned back into me, sighing. “I’m processing it all. It happened so fast. The hatchlings, the courts, everything.”
