Page 231 of The Reckoning of Starlight

Veyrix rose as if the sky had drawn breath and taken him in. His sinuous body arced as he turned north after Skylash.

Serenna stood between Vesryn and Fenn, Sharyne asleep against Fenn’s chest, and watched until Veyrix dwindled to a dark speck against the sky.

She glanced at Vesryn. “What was his offer?”

A breeze dragged silver hair across his cheek. “In time, he’ll need druids of his own.”

Before she could press, wingbeats stirred the grass behind them.

Cinderax swept over the hill with the Emberhart and Tidecrasher hatchlings scattered behind him.

Serenna’s gaze slipped through the spaces between them, searching for Vasharax, for the flash of wings that never soared into view. Her fingers curled hard into her palm until she could make herself look at the ones who remained.

Kaedryn crested the hill behind the dragons with Velinya beside her and a contingent of druids following. Kaedryn’s battle armor was gone. White ribbons streamed from her raiment, and for an instant Serenna saw the female she’d first met in Asharyn, before either of them understood what the war would demand.

“The last of our forces have returned to Asharyn,” Kaedryn said.

Serenna drew an unsteady breath, sensing the farewell. “Already?”

“We have much to rebuild.” Kaedryn glanced toward the shore, where Saundyl and his wife stood conversing with Magister Thalaesyn and Mara as the others bound for Vaelyn filtered through a portal. “Our market stalls are splintered, the canal is fouled with soot, and many homes have no door left to close against the night.”

Her crimson eyes returned to Serenna, and her voice softened. “Asharyn will heal. And your rooms in the palace will always be open.”

Red canyons piercing the purple dusk rose in Serenna’s mind, turquoise water gleaming through canals carved into stone, and allies who’d chosen them before victory made loyalty convenient. Asharyn had ceased being merely the place they’d fled to survive. Somewhere among those cliffs, Serenna had first learned to trust her wings.

One of the Emberhart hatchlings clawed at Velinya’s legs. Without glancing down, she scooped the dragon against her side, its tail curling around her arm.

“Some of us have chosen to return and help rebuild,” Velinya said. “Along with a number of humans as well.”

Fenn paused from brushing a copper strand of hair from Sharyne’s face. “Humans in Asharyn?”

“Some have no hearths waiting for them across the realms,” Kaedryn said. “Others have no wish to return to empty villages. But many know how to tend fields. If Asharyn is to become more than a hidden refuge, we will need those who know how to coax life from the land.”

Cinderax settled in the grass at their feet, smoke curling from his nostrils. “A refuge will become a stronghold if its gates open.” His ancient gaze shifted toward the human lines along the shore. “My ancestors once offered the scalebound gift to all who proved worthy. Humans and Aelfyn alike.”

“You’ll extend your boon to others?” Serenna asked.

“Perhaps in time,” Cinderax rumbled. “Asharyn could become the place where old ways are remade by new blood.”

Serenna could picture what she’d never thought possible—free dragons sunning themselves on desert sand while humans, elves, druids, and wraith learned how to live beside one another without being forged into enemies first.

Kaedryn inclined her head, claws interlocking over her heart. “We will meet again under another dawn.”

Her Starshard flared within the jewelry of her palm as she raised one claw. A portal opened beside her, desert heat spilling through the void.

One by one, the druids passed through. The hatchlings followed in a disorderly scatter of wings and scales, Cinderax last among them.

At the threshold, the dragon looked back. “Come when you are ready. Asharyn keeps a flame burning for those who return.”

Serenna nodded. “We will.”

The portal closed, the desert warmth slipping from her skin. Lake wind rushed into its place, cool and damp against her cheeks.

Vesryn spoke quietly beside her. “You should see him off.”

Serenna followed the prince’s line of sight down the slope. The last of Vaelyn’s survivors had disappeared through the rift. Magister Thalaesyn and Mara had gone with them to begin cleansing whatever traces of Elashor’s coercion still clung to the castle’s halls. Saundyl remained alone, his wife and son having already crossed.

Fenn nudged Serenna with his elbow. “Go on, she-elf.”