Chapter 35 Kaia
Kaia
Iwait near the courtyard entrance when Zara finally returns, my naked queen stepping through with the confidence of someone who's just accomplished something monumental.
Her skin is streaked with soot and sweat, evidence of the magical fire she wielded and the dragon form she maintained for so long.
But despite the obvious exhaustion in the set of her shoulders, she looks happy.
Satisfied in a way that speaks of justice delivered and threats neutralized.
I go down to greet her immediately, my bare feet silent on the stone steps.
The afternoon sun is warm on my skin, and I'm acutely aware that I'm wearing only a thin robe that does little to hide my body.
But no one here cares about such things.
Nudity and near-nudity are normal, natural, nothing to be ashamed of or hidden.
Zara's eyes find me as I approach, and her expression softens. She opens her arms and I walk into them gratefully, pressing my face against her chest and breathing in her scent. Smoke and magic and something uniquely her, a combination that makes me feel safe and grounded.
"Your father will never return to Embrath, sweet girl," she says quietly, her hand stroking down my back.
"The passage is sealed with magic that will hold for centuries.
You're safe here now. But should you ever desire to return to Valoria, to reclaim what you left behind or simply to visit, we will be at your sides.
No one will force you to stay away from your homeland if you want to see it again. "
I think about that, really consider it. There are a few happy memories in Valoria, scattered among the years of control and disappointment.
Moments with my mother before she died, baking in the kitchens with the cooks who always snuck me extra sweets, afternoons in the gardens with Solace learning to fight.
The castle staff who showed me kindness when my father showed me nothing but criticism.
I'll miss those people, miss the familiar halls and gardens where I grew up. There's a part of me that will always be connected to that place, for better or worse. But that part is small, overshadowed by the relief of being free from my father's control and the joy of finally belonging somewhere.
"No, I think I'll be happy in my place here," I say, pulling back to look up at Zara's face.
"I like the magic here, the way it feels alive and welcoming rather than oppressive.
And knowing my mother was a dragon, that half my blood comes from Embrath, it makes me feel like I belong here in a way I never belonged in Valoria.
Like I was always meant to find my way home eventually. "
Zara's smile is warm and genuine, her hand coming up to cup my face. "Then you will be mine, and Alessia's, and Sol's. And you will be a queen of Embrath, ruling alongside us as equals. Your voice will matter, your decisions will shape this kingdom, and your people will love you as we do."
The word people sends a thrill through me. My people. Not my father's subjects that I was supposed to smile at and wave to but never truly connect with. My people, dragons who will look to me for leadership and guidance, who will accept me as one of their own despite my mixed blood.
I smile up at Zara, feeling happiness bubble up inside me like champagne.
Then I glance down at my shoulders, noticing something I hadn't seen before.
My skin is shimmering slightly in the afternoon light, subtle iridescence that catches and reflects like scales.
The colors shift as I move, gold and cream and hints of the same shades my mother's dragon form apparently carried.
"I wish I could have had more time with my mother," I say, my voice catching slightly with emotion.
"To learn what she knew about being a dragon, about the magic we carry, about this place she came from.
But I'll be satisfied knowing that I came back to the place she wanted me to be, even if it means leaving everything else behind.
Maybe she's here somehow, watching, seeing that I made it home. "
Zara laughs, the sound rich and full. She pulls me into her chest again, tilting my face up so she can kiss me soundly. Her lips are warm and claiming, the kiss deep enough to make my toes curl and my body respond with immediate heat. When she finally pulls back, I'm breathless and flushed.
Dragons around us start whooping and yelling, their voices carrying across the courtyard.
I'd forgotten we have an audience, so focused on Zara that everything else faded away.
But now I can see them gathering, dozens of dragons in human form watching us with expressions ranging from joy to curiosity to satisfaction.
"Is this the end of the hunts?" someone calls out from the crowd. "No more Valorian warriors trying to kill us for glory?"
Zara turns to address them, her arm still wrapped around my waist and holding me close.
"The magic will fully seal Embrath soon," she announces, her voice carrying with authority.
"No one will be allowed in if they're not a dragon, with the exception of those we explicitly welcome.
Like Solace, who has proven herself worthy of our trust and our bond. "
I hear Solace snicker off to the side where she's standing with Alessia. My Beta looks pleased despite trying to hide it, clearly satisfied with being officially recognized as part of Embrath despite not being a dragon.
"The prophecy is fulfilled," Zara continues, raising her voice so everyone can hear. "Our Omega has come, bringing her Beta with her. The hunts are over. The attacks will cease. And now we begin a new chapter in Embrath's history. Now let's start the new reign of Embrath with your four queens!"
The crowd erupts in cheers, voices rising in celebration.
People are clapping, some are crying with relief and joy, others are embracing each other.
The weight of centuries of waiting, of defending against endless attacks, of wondering if the prophecy would ever be fulfilled, it's all lifting.
They're free now, able to live without constant vigilance, without fear that the next warrior through the pass might succeed where others failed.
"Long live the queens!" someone shouts, and others pick up the chant.
"Long live Queen Zara!"
"Long live Queen Alessia!"
"Long live Queen Kaia!"
"Long live Queen Solace!"
Hearing my name included in that litany makes my throat tight with emotion. I'm a queen now. Not a princess waiting to be bartered away to the highest bidder, but a queen with actual power and responsibility and the respect of my people. It's overwhelming and terrifying and absolutely perfect.
Alessia and Solace make their way through the crowd to join us. Alessia's face is glowing with happiness, her blonde hair catching the sunlight as she moves. Solace looks slightly uncomfortable with all the attention but she's smiling, her hand finding mine automatically when she gets close enough.
"Our queens," Elara's voice cuts through the celebration.
The royal physician has appeared from somewhere, her violet eyes bright with satisfaction.
"The prophecy spoke of this day, though we interpreted it incorrectly for so long.
Four rather than three, united not just by designation but by choice and magic and love.
You will usher in an era of prosperity that Embrath has never known. "
"No pressure or anything," I mutter, and several people nearby laugh.
"You'll be wonderful," Zara assures me, squeezing my waist. "We all will. Together, we can accomplish things none of us could manage alone."
The celebration continues around us, dragons breaking into spontaneous music and dancing.
Someone produces instruments from somewhere, drums and flutes and stringed things I don't recognize.
The music is joyful and energetic, nothing like the stiff formal compositions played at Valorian court functions.
People start pairing off to dance, pulling partners into the open spaces of the courtyard.
The movements are sensual and free, bodies pressing close without shame or restraint.
I watch with fascination, seeing the joy and connection flowing between them.
This is what community looks like when it's not built on fear and control.
"Dance with me," Alessia says, holding out her hand. "All three of you. Let's show our people that we're not just rulers but family."
Zara takes one of my hands while Solace takes the other, and Alessia completes our circle by linking with both of them.
We move together, not following any formal steps but just responding to the music and to each other.
Sometimes Zara spins me, sometimes I lean into Alessia, sometimes Solace catches me and dips me dramatically.
We're laughing and stumbling and completely uncoordinated, but it doesn't matter.
What matters is the joy, the connection, the visible proof that we're bonded in every way that counts.
Other dragons join us, forming their own circles or pairs or groups.
The courtyard fills with movement and music, celebration spreading like wildfire.
Servants appear with food and drink, setting up tables laden with the kind of feast I saw at other dragon celebrations.
Fruits and meats and pastries, wines and ales and sweet beverages I can't identify.
"Is it always like this?" I ask breathlessly after several songs. "Do dragons celebrate everything this enthusiastically?"
"Only the important things," Zara says with a grin. "And this is very important. This is the beginning of everything we've been waiting for."