Page 97 of A Court of Darkness and Dragons

The air seemed to hold still as the young stretched its neck toward the newcomers.

The smaller of the two adults—a vibrant emerald whose scales shimmered in the moonlight—let out a shuddering cry before rushing forward. She curled her long neck around the smaller dragon, her body trembling as she pulled it against her chest. The other adult pressed his massive head alongside hers, their tails twining, their wings dropping low to shelter their child between them.

The emotion in their eyes was undeniable—relief, grief, love so intense it cut through every barrier in the clearing.

Siergen turned his blazing gaze to me. This will take some time, Ashlyn. Your dragons must remain here until the reintegration process is complete. And since the younglings are more comfortable with you and the members of your squad, we will need you to stay as well.

“Of course,” I whispered, stroking Namiren’s golden muzzle as his eyes closed, weariness finally tugging him into slumber.

The night wore on. The air grew heavy and still, the stars wheeling high overhead. At Siergen’s request, I remounted Kaelith and settled against her warm neck, though sleep pulled at me only reluctantly.

Tae was the first to give in, curling against Kieren’s side, his hand still tangled in the dragon’s rope as if he might be called to rise at any moment. One by one, the others followed—Naia resting beneath Temil’s wing, Jax sprawled against Koddos’ armored flank, Ferrula seated upright until her eyes drooped closed.

I don’t know when I finally drifted off.

When I woke, pale light spilled across the clearing. My muscles ached from the awkward sleep, but what startled me most was the absence—the cluster of small dragons had thinned. Most were gone.

Jax and Ferrula stood near the center of the clearing, speaking quietly as Koddos and Narvea walked in slow, patient circles with two unclaimed dragons trailing them like nervous shadows.

And there, at Hein’s massive talons, the little silver female lay curled like a coiled ribbon, her flank rising and falling in deep sleep.

What’s going on? I asked, my voice echoing through the bond as my eyes found Zander where he stood beside Hein.

Zander’s mind brushed against mine as I stretched out the stiffness from sleep. Hein was standing beside me with Zander seated comfortably.

They’ve been busy while you slept, he said through our bond, the words warm against my mind. Out loud, he added, “Siergen has offered to allow Jax and Ferrula to have their wedding here. On the Dragon Isle.”

I blinked at him, sitting straighter in Kaelith’s saddle. “What? We can’t have non-riders here.”

“There will be only one non-rider,” he said gently. “And she’s already been given permission to visit for the ceremony.”

It hit me like a lightning strike. “Jax and Naia’s mother.”

Zander nodded. “Yes. Naia has gone to fetch her, and to gather supplies.”

“They’re doing it now?” My voice cracked upward, caught between disbelief and laughter. “Who is going to officiate?”

“There is only one who has the authority to allow this,” Zander said, his mouth curving.

My breath caught. “Siergen.”

“Yes. He says he owes Thrall Squad everything.” Zander’s gaze softened, his thumb brushing against my knuckles. “He’s also extended the same courtesy to us. You and I will need to have a royal wedding for Warriath, but he wants to give us a private ceremony here, with our squad at our side.”

For a moment, I couldn’t breathe. I pressed my lips together, fighting the sting in my eyes. “That’s… amazing.” I looked away quickly, staring toward the dragons as they shifted in the clearing. “Are we waiting for the last of the parents?”

Zander followed my gaze, and he knew exactly who I meant. The little silver, still curled beneath Hein’s talons, her flank rising and falling steadily.

“No,” he said softly. “The dragons that are left have no parents. Hein and Kaelith have… adopted the little silver.”

My throat tightened. I reached out through the bond, my mind brushing Kaelith’s. You have a daughter.

Her response coiled around me like a warm breath of flame. Yes. She too was harvested from her mother before birth. But she survived. We have named her Loretha, in honor of your mother.

My chest squeezed so tightly I had to press a hand against it, tears threatening again. “Thank you,” I whispered aloud, both to Kaelith and to Hein.

Loretha shifted then, as if she’d heard her name. Hein lowered his great head to her, protective and proud. Finally, the clearing felt… whole.

The rush of wings broke across the clearing as Cordelle and Riven descended, their dragons kicking up leaves as they settled. A heartbeat later, Temil’s orange wings cut through the air, and Naia guided her dragon into a careful landing.