When he suddenly swept her onto his lap with a mock growl, Ariel squealed, half-laughing, half-scolding. Around them, Trelon chuckled, muttering something about getting a room, while Vox grinned and wiggled his eyebrows at Riley who blew him a kiss. Kelan and Creon exchanged knowing smirks, and Zoran—calm, quiet Zoran—watched with a rare smile tugging at his lips and Abby in his arms.
Mandra barely noticed.
He was too caught up in the feel of Ariel’s arms looping around his neck and the way she fit so perfectly against him. He held her close and whispered so only she could hear:
“I love you, Ariel. Then. Now. Always.”
Her arms tightened around him in answer.
As the screen shifted to show the Dragonlings reunited, joy spilling into laughter and teasing, the room grew quiet—not solemn, but reverent.
Each parent saw something familiar—an echo of themselves, a reflection of what they had fought for. What they had built.
What had begun with Zoran’s crash landing on Abby’s remote mountain so many years ago… had become something far greater than any of them had imagined.
A family.
A future.
And in this moment, hearts full and together again, they knew they would carry this memory forever.
Manticore Village: Isle of the Monsters
* * *
The dock creaked gently beneath them, and the gentle lap of water beat a rhythm against the shore. Jabir sat with his legs dangling over the edge, one arm wrapped around Jewel as her silvery tail flicked lazily in the moonlit water. The warm hush of evening wrapped around the lake, woven with laughter, soft music, and the occasional splash of a siren diving into the depths.
Lanterns floated skyward, glowing like golden fireflies. Dozens of them launched from boats where villagers and sirens sat side by side—tentative allies finding laughter and healing in the same breath.
Jabir exhaled slowly, his eyes scanning the mirrored surface of the lake, the reflection of light and shadow dancing in rhythm with the gentle waves.
There was still a lot of work to do. So many wounds to mend. But tonight… was full of hope.
He glanced toward the large, festively decorated rowboat a few hundred feet offshore. Jack and Cory sat near the stern, chatting with Jewel’s parents. The Siren Queen’s soft laugh rang out—a melodious sound that caused more than one head to turn—while Jewel’s father leaned in to listen, his arm protectively around his mate’s waist.
Jabir’s heart swelled and ached all at once.
He tightened his hold around Jewel when she laid her head against his shoulder. She threaded her fingers through his and sighed again. Neither had spoken about what came next. Neither wanted to.
But the question was there, hanging between them, weightless and heavy all at once.
He felt her shift beside him.
“My father said that, while there is more river water in our lake now, it’s fuller because of all the tears of joy that have been shed since their return,” she murmured with a watery smile.
Jabir smiled faintly. “I believe it.”
She was quiet a moment, then said softly, “None of this would’ve happened without you.”
He swallowed hard, emotion catching in his throat. “I’m happy for you. For all of you.”
Jewel pulled away just enough to turn and face him. Her cool fingers cupped his hand and brought it to her lips. A kiss. Gentle. Final.
“I’ll miss you,” she whispered.
The words pierced his chest. He froze, staring down at her, startled by how much it hurt to hear them out loud. “Jewel…”
“It’s okay,” she said, her voice like wind brushing over water. “I knew from the beginning.” She glanced toward the gathering where his friends were watching him now—quiet, respectful, hopeful.
