Epilogue #3
I'm slowly learning to navigate this strange new world of politics and protocol.
Some days I feel like an impostor wearing borrowed finery, waiting to be exposed.
Other days, I glimpse the woman I'm becoming.
She's steadier, wiser, and more patient.
Perhaps this is what growing up truly means.
Not gaining freedom, but accepting that our actions matter.
Not seeking power, but wielding it carefully when it finds us.
I watch Aurelia reach for a passing dragonfly, her face alight with wonder. Maybe soon I'll be ready to say yes. To embrace not just Vaylen, but everything that comes with him. I nod to myself, feeling something settle into place.
"Is that a yes?" Vaylen asks, blue eyes wide.
"Hmm, it's a maybe… soon."
Vaylen punches a fist in the air, his eyes sparkling. "I'll take maybe-soon over no any day!"
Aurelia mimics the gesture from her perch on his shoulders, tiny fist raised triumphantly. "May-soon!" she echoes.
We both laugh at her perfect timing. In that moment, Zephyros starts circling toward us. Aurelia points excitedly, her whole body wiggling with delight. "Zef fly!"
"Of course he's flying," Vaylen says, lifting her from his shoulders to hold her up toward the sky. "That's what dragons do best."
"I think she means she wants to fly," I point out.
"Then we're going." He meets my gaze. "Call him over."
I cross my arms, trying to look stern. "You spoil her too much."
Vaylen grins, unrepentant. "I'm not spoiling Aurelia.
I'm treating myself." He settles the girl on his hip, watching Zephyros with unmistakable longing.
"I miss flying. I spend too many hours indoors now, listening to nobles complain about tax rates and trade routes.
" His shoulders relax as he takes a deep breath of mountain air.
"This trip has been good for me. Fresh air, honest work, no one calling me Your Majesty every three seconds.
" He kisses Aurelia's cheek. "I intend to enjoy every second before we return to Emberton. "
"Even the part where we rebuild houses in the summer heat?" I tease.
"Especially that part," he says, eyes never leaving mine. "Any day spent with you and Aurelia is better than a day on the throne."
Unable to deny them, I beckon Zephyros closer with a thought. —We're going for a quick flight.
Zephyros banks immediately, the womp, womp of his wings changing rhythm.
"I don't mind sharing Zephyros as you well know," I say, watching Aurelia's excitement build as the dragon approaches. "But… have you reconsidered taking a new dragon?"
Vaylen's smile fades, his expression clouding.
We've discussed this before, but I can't help asking.
In times of old, Embernia's kings used to ride with the Sky Order, and now that there are plenty of dragons available, no one would think the dragon was wasted—not that any dragon could be wasted on the former High Prime.
I regret bringing it up when I see the shadow pass over his face. He takes a deep breath, buying time before answering. I wait patiently as he stares at the horizon, his eyes tracing the flight paths of distant dragons.
"You know Fragor's betrayal cut deep," he finally says, voice rough with emotion.
"When he severed our bond, it felt like someone ripped away part of my soul.
I'm not sure I can take the risk of that happening again.
But watching you with Zephyros..." His expression softens.
"Perhaps someday. When the scar tissue isn't so tender.
" His lips curve into a smile that matches mine from earlier. "Maybe-soon."
I can't help but laugh at my own words returning to me.
Zephyros hovers above us, beating wings creating ripples of air that stir our hair.
Suddenly, I feel a familiar tingling sensation beneath my feet.
Wind swirls around my ankles, gathering strength until I'm lifted effortlessly upward.
My stomach lurches with surprise. This Vortex Lift isn't my doing.
"What?" Vaylen frowns, as we float upward.
Vaylen can't create a Vortex Lift without a connection to a dragon. There's only one explanation.
"I'm not doing that," I tell him, pointing at the swirling winds beneath us.
We both look at Aurelia, whose black eyes are glowing with iridescent rings, her chubby hands extended downward. The whirlwind gradually grows in strength, gently lifting us toward Zephyros. A moment later, we land smoothly on his head, the wind dissipating as Aurelia giggles with delight.
"Did she just...?" Vaylen whispers, his voice trailing off in wonder.
"She did," I confirm, my heart pounding. "A flawless Vortex Lift. From a toddler."
Zephyros banks toward the horizon, his scales catching fire in the setting sun. Neither Vaylen nor I speak, the wonder of what just happened stealing our words. Aurelia claps her hands, blissfully unaware of the enormity of what she's done.
"She has all six elements," I finally whisper. "And Weaver abilities too." We've witnessed hints of the other elements and have felt the brush of her mind in ours at times. Wind was the one we hadn't seen her wield before.
Vaylen's hand finds mine, squeezing tight. "She's the future we fought for."
I watch Aurelia's face tilted toward the sky, pure joy radiating from her. In her eyes, I see limitless possibilities, a child born from sacrifice and love, carrying within her the power to reshape our world.
"We're building something that will outlast us," Vaylen says.
Below us, Hearthdale takes shape again, homes rising from ashes. Beyond that, all of Embernia stretches, broken but mending, scarred but healing. There will always be challenges, always be pain, but there will also be wind beneath our wings, love in our hearts, and hope burning brighter than fear.
As Zephyros soars higher, carrying us into tomorrow, I finally understand. This isn't an ending at all.
It's just the beginning.
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