Chapter 9
Chapter Nine
The scent of something sweet and spicy drifted through the air, tickling Phoenix’s nose and dragging her out of sleep. For a moment, she didn’t know where she was. The bed beneath her was too soft, the sheets smelled faintly of wildflowers, and the low hum of magic vibrated through the air.
Then a small, determined voice broke the quiet.
“Phoenix! Get up! Daddy says breakfast’s ready, and Grandpa brought pastries. Real ones with the sugar on top!”
A weight landed on the bed, tiny but fierce. Phoenix groaned as Roo scrambled up and flopped on top of her. Warm little hands patted her cheeks.
“I’m awake,” Phoenix rasped, cracking one eye open. Roo grinned, her golden eyes bright with mischief.
“Come on! I saved you a seat next to me. But if you don’t hurry, DJ’s gonna steal all the good stuff.”
That did it. Phoenix forced herself up, rubbing sleep from her eyes. She wasn’t ready—emotionally or mentally—but Roo was having none of that.
She barely had time to refresh herself and dress before the little girl dragged her through the winding halls until the scent of fresh bread, honeyed fruit, and something rich and savory wrapped around her like a warm blanket. Laughter echoed ahead, light and teasing.
Phoenix paused at the entrance to what could only be described as a royal family’s kitchen—grand but lived-in. The stone hearth burned low and sunlight streamed through massive windows. The table was a beautiful mess of platters, steaming mugs, and half-eaten pastries.
Seated at the head was an older man—silver hair, sharp eyes, and the kind of strength that didn’t need words. He was an older version of Drago. Next to him, a stunning woman with long silver-white hair braided down her back laughed as she flicked a berry at the boys across from her.
“Grandma! Grandpa! Look who finally woke up!” Roo announced with a huge grin, dragging Phoenix forward.
Valyndra’s gaze lifted, warm and appraising. “Ah, our firebird joins us. Come, child. Sit. Eat. I’m Valyndra. That handsome dragon is my mate, Draegor.”
Before Phoenix could protest, Roo shoved her into a seat. Phoenix laughed when DJ held out a platter full of pastries. She took a couple and placed them on her plate as Carly placed a glass of juice in front of her with a wink and a murmured apology.
“She snuck off before we could stop her,” Carly said.
“It’s okay,” she said with an amused grin, watching Draegor trying to get a morning hug from Roo. Roo stood, hands on her hips, shaking her head and wiggling her fingers.
“Okay, Grandpa. Hugs and kisses aren’t free. Three gold coins.”
Draegor arched a brow. “Three! Yesterday it was two.”
“I’m growing,” Roo shot back. “Inflation. Plus, I’ve got to think of my future.”
Phoenix snorted, quickly covering her mouth. Valyndra laughed outright, her musical voice ringing through the air.
“Don’t give in,” Valyndra teased, elbowing her mate. “The next thing you know, she’ll be charging interest.”
“Already does,” Draegor grumbled, but his eyes gleamed with pride. He reached into his pocket, producing three gold coins and flipping them onto the table. “Paid. Now where’s my hug and kiss?”
Roo pounced on him, wrapping her arms tight around his neck and giving him noisy, smacking kisses all over his cheek before she twisted out of his arms and slid to the floor.
Phoenix hid her smile when Roo slipped a coin back into her grandfather’s pocket before she rounded the table to sit next to her.
“I gave him a discount for being a really good grandpa. Sometimes you gots to do that if you want to keep your clients happy,” Roo sighed dramatically.
“You’re such a dweeb, Roo. He’s your grandpa, not a client,” Stone muttered around a mouthful of pastry.
“I’m not a dweeb!” Roo growled.
“No name calling, Stone,” Drago muttered.
“Aw, Dad,” Stone groaned.
“That’s okay, Daddy. Mommy says the boys has got to give me a silver coin if they calls me names. I don’t mind,” Roo said with a grin.
“Don’t egg them on, Roo. Do you want milk or juice?” Carly asked.
Phoenix watched, heart twisting in her chest. This reminds me so much of home.
Before she could sink too far into that thought, a strange fluttering sound filled the air. A paper bird soared past her face and landed on her plate. She released a startled squeak before she reached out to touch it.
“We made you some paper birds to help you on your quest,” DJ said.
Another bird swooped in, followed by half a dozen more—folded parchment wings flapping wildly, diving, and weaving through the room.
Drago swore, leaping up as Carly shrieked as more filled the room and ducked.
“Oh, dear. Draegor, open the windows,” Valyndra said.
Carly and Drago scrambled toward the casement, fumbling with the latches as more birds poured in the kitchen, flapping around their heads.
Stone grinned. “DJ and I made more last night and used Uncle Ashure’s replication spell.”
“You—WHAT? How many times have I told you not to use any of the spells that damn pirate gives you?” Drago growled, scowling at his two laughing sons.
“Oh, I want that spell!” Roo pleaded.
Stone’s eyes widened and a sly grin curved his lips. “We’ll share… for two gold coins.”
“Done,” Roo said.
“Aw, man, Stone. You should have told her more. She gets that for a hug and a kiss!”
“No renegotiating,” Roo stated, dropping the two coins she received this morning into her brother’s hand. “Daddy, you owe each of us a coin for cussing.”
Drago groaned and shook his head. Valyndra wiped tears from her eyes, laughing so hard she could barely breathe.
“Welcome to the home of the Dragon King,” Draegor chuckled, shooing another paper bird out the window.
Carly shot Phoenix a helpless look as she chased a bird with a wooden spoon. “This… this is my life.”
Phoenix laughed until her stomach ached. “They remind me of Amber and Jade’s demented symbiots. They tried replicating them, and it didn’t turn out so good.”
The chaos faded slowly, birds coaxed out the windows, laughter dying down. Drago ruffled DJ’s hair, grumbling something about “next time, warn me before you use any of Ashure’s spells.”
Valyndra’s gaze softened as she looked at Phoenix. “When you are finished, why don’t we take a little trip? There is someplace special we’d like to show you.”
Phoenix sobered instantly, her gaze flicking to Drago. He gave her a solemn nod and a gentle, reassuring smile. She breathed out and nodded to Valyndra.
“Can we go?” DJ asked.
Drago placed his hand on his son’s shoulder and shook his head. “Not this time. But… you three can get your things together. We’ll be heading to see Orion and Jenny when they get back.”
“Yay!” the chorus of voices brought more laughter.
Phoenix watched as DJ, Stone, and Roo slipped out of their chairs. DJ and Stone took off, pushing and bumping each other as they exiting the kitchen. Roo paused and came back to her. Phoenix looked down at the little girl when she placed her hand on her arm and leaned up to whisper in her ear.
“Be brave. You’re my firebird.”
Phoenix hugged Roo tightly before Roo skipped out of the room, calling behind the boys to remind them that they owed her the replication spell. She shook her head in bemusement, suddenly understanding how her parents and the other parents must feel when all the kids are together.
She turned when Valyndra and Draegor rose. She gave Carly and Drago a smile of thanks.
“We’ll be here when you return,” Drago promised.
Phoenix nodded, her heart hammering in her chest as she realized that she was about to understand who, what, and hopefully why she was different.
I wish Mom, Dad, or Spring was here, she thought, silently wishing for their comforting support.
She rubbed her palms on her jeans, then followed Valyndra and Draegor outside.
We good. They know. We good.
Phoenix felt her dragon’s reassurance even as her own confidence wavered. She pressed her hand to her stomach when it suddenly felt like it was full of butterflies and breathed deeply.
I can do this. I can do this, she silently chanted as she looked at the couple who were waiting for her.
“You’ll be fine. I felt the same way the first time I came here,” Valyndra said before she smiled at Draegor.
“What do you mean? Aren’t you from the Isle of Dragons?” Phoenix asked.
Valyndra chuckled and shook her head. “No. I came from a distant world. One you already know.”
Phoenix’s eyes widened when Valyndra shifted. Her lips parted on a soft gasp when the gold dragon with feathery wings and a feathered tail of red and black shimmered before her. The sunlight caught in the feathers, setting them aglow like molten gold and crimson flame.
Her gaze darted to Draegor when he shifted. His dragon was very similar to Drago and her father’s, his wings and tail that of a normal dragon. A hesitant smile curved Phoenix’s lips as she shifted.
I’m not alone! There are others like me!