Balint hissed, his voice hushed. “No way…”
Adaline’s eyes widened. “What’s that?”
An enormous airship, elegant and majestic, descended from the clouds. Gilded in deep bronze and crimson, its massive sails billowed in the wind. A flock of paper birds swarmed around the masts before diving to skim along the water. The prow of the airship was carved into the head of a dragon—mouth open in a silent roar.
“It’s…” Dew breathed, her voice reverent. “The royal airship. The King of the Dragons has arrived.”
The ship crested the lake, sending gentle waves rolling to shore. It hovered, then descended with a graceful downward glide, the majestic black, red, and gold banners fluttering from the masts.
Adaline could only stare, her heart pounding.
Whatever happened next… at least she wasn’t alone anymore.
She had her cousin. Her friend. Her truth.
And a future more magical than she’d ever imagined, laughing in awe as the paper bird flock swept past them.
The moment the airship appeared over the treetops, Bálint’s heart leapt.
“Look!” someone cried.
All eyes turned skyward as the majestic royal airship descended from the clouds, sails billowing in the wind and a massive dragon figurehead leading its path like a celestial guardian. The late afternoon sunlight reflected off its polished hull, bathing the lake in streaks of gold.
Bálint took a stunned step forward. “No way,” he breathed.
A grin split his face as two familiar figures leaned over the side of the upper deck, waving wildly.
“Zohar! Phoenix!” he shouted, his voice cracking with relief and joy.
A second later, Zohar’s copper-and-brown dragon form launched into the air, with Phoenix’s sleek black, feathered dragon right behind him. They soared in tandem, wings slicing the air with powerful grace.
Bálint barely had time to brace before Zohar dropped from the sky, shifting midair. They collided with a thud that knocked the wind out of both of them.
“Bálint!” Zohar roared, grabbing him in a hug and slapping his back so hard it echoed.
“Where have you been, man?!” Bálint laughed, staggering back and throwing a mock punch at his friend’s shoulder.
“Where have you been? I was freaking out that we’d never see you again!”
“Yeah, I felt the same when I saw you disappear. I’m glad you are okay. Have you found out what happened to the others yet?”
“Not yet. You guys are the first,” Zohar replied.
They talked over each other, their voices tangled in excitement and wild disbelief. Behind them, Phoenix landed and immediately rushed toward the others. She enveloped Alice and Adaline in a fierce hug, burying her face in their hair as if she never wanted to let go. Tears shimmered in her eyes—relief, guilt, love, all tangled into one overwhelming surge.
Around them, the quiet village stirred to life. More Mist Dwellers emerged, curiosity etched into their translucent faces. The clearing filled with murmurs and soft laughter as the villagers gathered, drawn by the sight of royalty in their midst.
The crowd parted like mist before a breeze as Princess Gem stepped forward, her presence luminous. At her side stood her husband Ross Galloway, Drago, and Orion—commanding, regal, and unmistakable.
“Well,” Drago rumbled with a grin. “Looks like Phoenix and Zohar found at least a few more of their missing friends.”
Gem’s gaze fell on Adaline. She tilted her head, eyes shimmering with insight. A slow, knowing smile curved her lips.
Adaline flushed but returned the smile shyly.
Bálint watched her, his joy dimming as he caught sight of Alice still holding tightly to Phoenix and Adaline. She hadn’t looked at him once.
His chest tightened.
