Zander turned to me, something unreadable swimming behind those lavender eyes. “Why would he…?”
“Siergen shared a few other stories,” I said gently. “From your youth.”
Zander’s gaze dropped, his fingers flexing in mine. “Those weren’t my father’s finest moments,” he murmured.
Before I could respond, Kaelith’s voice slid into my mind like a rush of wind through an open door.
I need you.
The words were urgent. Steady.
And final.
My spine straightened instantly.
Zander saw it. “What is it?”
“Kaelith,” I said, already pushing to my feet. “She needs me.”
Zander and I hurried down the narrow ladder from the turret, boots hitting each rung with a rhythm quickened by Kaelith’s call echoing through my thoughts.
“I need to tell you something before I go,” I said, breathless as we descended.
Zander looked over his shoulder. “What is it?”
“The dragons from the lost horde… they’re real. They came to the Hollows. Three of them. A Striker named Norven, a Swordtail, and a Clubtail. They’ve agreed to an alliance. We made a pact.”
He blinked, processing, then frowned. “What kind of pact?”
“They’ll help us in the war. But one day, we’ll owe them something in return.”
His jaw tightened, but he didn’t argue. “And you passed some kind of test?”
I nodded. “They called it the Trial of Truth.”
His expression shifted—concern, pride, something deeper swimming behind his eyes. “You didn’t mention any of that earlier.”
“I didn’t want to ruin the night,” I said with a faint smile, then kissed his cheek as we reached the base of the turret. “I’ll be back soon.”
Kaelith was already waiting in the Ascension Grounds, her massive violet wings tucked neatly, golden eyes locked on mine.
I mounted quickly.
Where are we going?I asked as she rose into the sky, wind rushing past my face.
To the isle,she said simply.You are to attend a dragon summit.
What is that?
It is a meeting between hordes. A gathering of minds and bloodlines. There has not been one in two thousand years.
My heart stuttered.Why me?
Kaelith didn’t answer.
We landed on the far edge of the Dragon Isle, in a clearing carved out by wind and time. The moment Kaelith touched down, I saw them—hundreds of dragons. All colors, all types, their scales catching the starlight like shattered gemstones.
Siergen stood beside Hein, his gold eyes ancient with knowing.
