Page 92 of To Fight and To Fold

Aaryn, who was… quiet. Speechless. Before them stretched a canvas of fluffy clouds, practically waiting for a foot to fall upon them, a delightful deceit. Above those clouds was the circle. Floating islands that the druids, the dragons, the refugees all inhabited. A community made from the earth, taken from the very ground miles below them, split apart, repurposed and given life where no life should be able to exist.

Magic.

"This is beautiful," Aaryn said, awed.

"I know." Thea grinned and pressed her left knee into Starspark's side. He banked right and as they drew closer to the Heart of Cloud Haven, Thea appreciated the little paradise they'd created for themselves. Dragons and people of all kinds, from all over, seeking refuge and finding a home.

The barrier guards made an opening for them, and Starspark zipped through so fast it left them dizzy.

"Why is he like this?" she muttered as he expanded his wings, slowing them dramatically. He flew over the trees and buildings, and Thea supposed now was as good a time as any to show Aaryn around.

Thea pointed out her favorite kitchens and taverns, the dedicated healers, and the best fields to catch a nap in. Everything was close, accessible, and yet there was enough space for the dragons who lounged around.

Eventually Starspark landed upon a walkway, and Thea slid off his back, offering Aaryn a hand. It was a reflex, simple manners, but then it was more suddenly as Aaryn accepted the help, her hand warm in Thea's own.

As her feet landed she immediately sank down, her legs giving out.

"Woah," Thea said, grabbing her arm to help her lower to the ground. Aaryn was grinning, and leaned back against Starspark, eyes catching Thea's.

"Wow," Aaryn said, and grabbed Thea's hand when she tried to pull away. "I just flew. On Starspark." Her smile cracked in a laugh, eyes wide and lit from within. "This is... magical."

Something soft and tangled in Thea’s chest ached. "Don't regret it yet?" she teased, trying to lighten the moment lest Aaryn see right through her.

"No," Aaryn said, so solemnly it made Thea pause. "In fact, I'm sorry I was so stubborn," she said.

And right there, between Starspark and under the protection of a tree canopy, Aaryn squeezed her hand, and she might as well have had her fingers wrapped around Thea's heart.

"I—Y-you had plenty of reason to be suspicious," Thea stammered, feeling the weight of Aaryn's hand around her own. "I mean, I… stole him," Thea said. Aaryn bowed forward as Starspark inhaled so he could release a huff. Aaryn's lips twitched even wider. "I'm sorry."

She leaned close, and Thea's breath caught before she realized Aaryn only wanted to whisper to her. Conspiratorially, she said, "He pretends he doesn't like you, but I think he has a soft spot."

Thea wildly hoped it wasn't only Starspark.

The seamstresses measured Aaryn and easily found clothes to fit her. They carried a small stack back to Thea's home, and when she changed, Thea missed seeing her in her own clothes. Which Thea shoved down deep.

Starspark glided along behind them, fully using his wings to flit between buildings and other people on the paths with the agility and elegance of a butterfly in spring.

One day he wouldn't be able to do that. But for now he was still smaller, and cute, and everyone giggled as he passed, and Aaryn looked mighty proud of their amusement.

What Thea had been able to show Aaryn in the sky, she now introduced in great, rambling detail.

"And this place—" she said as they passed a little alcove of trees and shrubs and flowers. Fairies nestled there now, but, "As a kid, I hid there for so long one time that Vaelen got Claw Hold involved. I was too scared to come out, once I heard them looking for me."

Aaryn covered her mouth. "Nuh-uh. What happened? I mean, I assume she found you," she said, waving a hand at Thea.

Thea laughed and directed them down another path toward a small building, savory scents filling the air the closer they walked. "She did. I thought she'd be mad, but she was too relieved. And she's never let me forget it."

"So you were a kid? How long have you been here?"

"Oh, since I was…" Thea squinted into the distance, racking her brain. "I was nine? Ten? So, like, seventeen years?"

"The circle has been here for that long?" Aaryn's eyes were wide.

"Almost twenty years." Thea frowned as she recalled those early days. How big everything seemed. How nervous she was, in this new place. But everyone had been so nice. Most of all… "Vaelen found me. She gave me a home, and… I think I gave her something, too." In the beginning, something heavy had weighed on Vaelen. Something that'd make her stare off into space during morning tea, work herself ragged so she didn't have time to turn to her own thoughts.

"What did you give her?" Aaryn asked, voice soft.

"A distraction."