Weeks away had altered my memories, and I had a difficult time clinging to what was real, but seeing this is… indescribable. The lights hanging above, the forges in the distance, the mushrooms. The houses.
I curse when I see one of them still in the midst of being rebuilt. It must’ve been destroyed when the giants captured me.My fault. Then I turn to look at the palace’s golden walls. I take a deep breath while I look at the focusing crystal and the way it carries the red pulsing light of the Ardorflame.
How could I have forgotten so much?
A new voice enters my mind, one that belongs to neither Teo nor myself.
You’ve returned,the old feminine voice intones. It reverberates through my bones with a melodic rumble, like the distant echo of mountains shifting.
I suck in a deep breath.And who are you?
I am the one who lies beneath.Drathorinna, as you call me.
My skin pebbles and a shock sparks across my spine. Each word is packed with the weight of eons of time spent in observation. When Liana brought me to the heart of the mountain to meet her, I was terrified and awestruck by the mother ofglacialmaras. She was easily the size of three houses, and her dozens of scales looked like reflective prisms. Liana had explained that she would only choose fuegorra readers to ride her.
Sucking in a sharp breath, I think,Why do you speak to me now? Do you wish me to visit you?
Your absense has caused a disturbance in my harmony. I am pleased you returned, though I feel the footsteps of many newcomers. Care for them.
But—
Peace, human. I will call you when it is time.
The human women are already crossing the bridge, with Ra’Salore leading them to Hammerhead Hall. They gaze at the lava far below the bridge and step carefully. Sadly, the enormous crystal wraith doesn’t respond to my further attempts at communication.
I jump when the clock sounds. It plays a different tune than it usually does at the changing of the early morning hours. It’s ringing and insistent, and it only takes a few minutes for some people to start stumbling out of their houses.
Thoughts of the crystal dragon fade quickly while my vision is filled with a blur of faces and surprised chatter that melds with nervous whispers.
I spot Luiz and Neela as they hurry out, the Enduar woman towering over her human mate, but they soon disappear in a sea of blue bodies. Verl, the metal bender approaches, then Siya, mate to the crystal singer. Dozens of others come, and I search through my broken mind for each name.
I remember more than I think. Faol, Keoi, Iryth, and then, my smile stretches wide when I see Svanna.
She parts through the group, throwing her arms around Teo in a bone-crushing hug.
“My King,” she says, clearly holding back her misty eyes, and then she looks down at me with her bright grin. “My Queen.” She dips her head. “I am fucking delighted to see you both.”
My smile practically cracks my face in half as I pull her into a hug. Each action says something different.
Forgive me for trying to escape.
Forgive me for trying to poison your king.
I’m so sorry I couldn’t have done more to save Dyrn.
I wish the giants had never come to take me.
Then I see Iryth and their child, Sama. I promise to help rebuild the damaged houses. Soon, they edge away from me, making room for more of the crowd.
I hug and kiss all I see.
Well wishes for everyone are shared, and questioning glances are cast at the new women, but no one wants to scare the humans. Blessings and whispered prayers are offered up around us as someone starts to sing.
The sound tingles my skin. I hold the melody close to my heart, hoping that they can hear the words that beat out of my skin.
Forgive me, please.
It’s too much.
