Jewel nodded, her pale cheeks flushing a delicate rose color. Jabir stepped forward, and, before he could question what he was doing, he pressed a light kiss to her parted lips. He stepped back, a charming grin on his face, and called forth his dragon.
Finally! I thought you would never let me out, his dragon grumbled.
Jewel gasped, her fingers trembling as the air around Jabir shimmered. In a blink, the boy with the warm eyes and gentle laugh vanished… and in his place rose a magnificent creature of sapphire and silver.
A dragon.
Light danced across his iridescent scales like sunlight across the lake’s surface. His wings unfolded in a slow, powerful stretch, their translucent webbing edged in pearlescent shimmer. Jewel’s breath caught in her throat.
She had seen dragon-shifters before, of course. A few lived in the village, but she hadn’t noticed them flying overhead the last few weeks. Those dragon-shifters were lumbering, snorting beasts—more boulder than beauty. This… this was like watching a god of the wind and stars come to life.
“I… you’re…” she whispered, stepping forward.
The dragon purred, a deep, vibrating rumble that warmed her chest. Jewel reached out, unable to resist, and ran her fingers along his neck. His scales were smooth as river stones, yet soft in a way that defied logic.
A delighted giggle escaped when she scratched behind his ear and his back leg thumped the ground like a giant puppy. He twisted his head and gave her a grin full of sharp white teeth, then exhaled a perfect smoke ring that swirled around her like a ribbon.
She laughed again, the sound echoing off the trees.
Her eyes widened with delight when he spoke.
“Climb on,” he rumbled, his voice deeper now, layered with a low thrum that curled around her bones like the pull of a tide. “Between my shoulders. Hold on tight.”
She blinked in shock, her heart skipping a beat. “You… you can talk in this form?”
“Of course I can. Hurry,” he said with amusement. “Unless you’d rather admire me from the ground all day.”
Flushing, she carefully slid her leg over his back. His wing folded in, bracing her, while his tail curved behind to steady her. She clung awkwardly to his neck, her legs wobbly and unsure. Her siren form allowed her to shift into legs, but she rarely used them. They still felt… strange, weak.
“I’m ready,” she said, more bravely than she felt.
“Hang on,” he warned.
A beat later, he lunged forward—and leapt into the sky.
She shrieked, the sound swallowed by the wind. Her arms tightened instinctively around his neck as her eyes slammed shut. The world dropped away beneath them. Cool air rushed past her, stealing her breath, tugging at her hair.
Then… warmth.
She cracked one eye open. His scales, beneath her palms, radiated heat—gentle, comforting, like sun-warmed rocks near the shore.
“You okay back there?” Jabir’s voice rumbled beneath her.
She nodded, her cheek pressed to his neck. “Y-yes.”
He blew a soft puff of warm air back at her. She smiled, steadier now.
Slowly, her hands slid along his neck until she gripped the smooth, silvery neural ridge running down his spine. The moment her fingers brushed it, he let out a deep, contented growl that vibrated through her chest. She giggled again, the sound surprising her.
When she looked up—her breath caught.
They were soaring over the world.
Below them, the forest unfurled in endless green. Rivers glittered like winding silver ribbons. She saw animals scatter in surprise—a family of centaurs pointing, a herd of shaggy beasts galloping toward the trees.
Jabir dipped lower, gliding between the towering treetops. Sprites perched on tree branches gaped at them, slack-jawed. Jewel waved, laughing in delight.
Then, as if that wasn’t magical enough, a flock of birds took flight and swept in beside them—scarlet and gold feathers catching the wind. She threw her arms out and laughed, pure joy bubbling from her chest.
