Chapter Forty-Nine
Shay
I never thought I’d walk these lands again and call them mine.
After Atreya’s coronation, we’d bid her good luck and promised to visit, but we’d been excited to get back to the Espien Islands and restore what we’d had before Valla had taken them and renamed them to the Islands of Ash.
We had only been back for a few days, but we’d already made great progress.
We’d sent the Ember soldiers that had been stationed here home, and none of them had put up much of an argument, considering Draken and the other dragons had come over to help us.
Part of me was still in shock that Draken had left his beloved library.
He had never left Magni before, and the thought filled my chest with warmth.
I was glad for all the support we’d had. A big part of the rebellion had chosen to come with Baron and me. We had been Atreya’s right hand for so long, some of them had become like a family to me. I was glad that I had them here.
Ember soldiers had created hut-like homes out of metal in long rows while they’d been here, and we had decided to clear them out and turn them into homes instead of sleeping quarters.
Once they were gone we started decorating them and making them more to our liking.
It would take time for everything to be as it was before, but we had to start somewhere.
Baron slid back into his role as chief perfectly.
In the mornings, he would take a small group and teach them how to hunt and gather.
We no longer harmed the dragons, of course.
Instead, we bonded with them. There were plenty of hatchlings that were curious about us.
Some of them were already sleeping on top of homes, while others had already made their way into the hearts of some of the people here and were sleeping in their houses like oversized cats.
The thought made me smile to myself as I touched the dragon's tooth necklace around my neck. It was all I had left of Emeris after her passing. At the same moment, my daughter cooed in her carrier on my chest, and the sound chased the sadness away. How could I be sad when Emeris had given her life for this? She’d fought so that I might live peacefully, so that my daughter could be free.
If anything, it was an honor to have bonded with her and had the amount of time with her that I had. A light knock tapped against the door.
“Come in,” I called, and Draken walked in and beamed at me. Then I realized he wasn’t looking at me, but at Emeris, who had her eyes wide open now. He walked over and scooped her out of the baby pouch, giving her a gentle squeeze before cradling her against his chest.
“The dragons and I just got back from a hunt. There are plenty of fish for your people to eat for lunch and dinner. The rest of the flight are choosing to stay, but I’m going to head back to Magni.
I’d like some alone time with my books.” He smiled, and I thought of how hard all of this must be for him.
The world was at peace, the dragons that had kept him company all of those years were choosing to stay here and create relationships, and all the while he’d be alone since he’d lost his mate. A frown curved my lips.
“Hey now, don’t do that. I quite like my alone time. Besides, it’s not forever. I’ll be sure to visit, especially this little one.” He waved his finger in front of Emeris, and she grabbed it and gave it a little squeeze as he smiled.
“Are you sure you don’t want to stay? There are some extra huts. We could make a home for you here.”
“My home is with my mate on Magni, but thank you, Shay.” He handed Emeris back to me. “Where is Baron? I’d like to say goodbye to him too.”
“He went on a hunt with a group to teach them, but he’ll be back soon,”
“That’s alright. I’ll find him while I’m flying. Take care, Shay.”
“You too, friend,” I said, and he smiled and then walked out.
A few hours later, Emeris was sleeping in her makeshift crib while I finished dinner and waited for Baron to get home.
When the door opened, I couldn’t help the smile that lit up my face, and then I saw him with a small bouquet of my favorite flowers from one of the small islands off our coast. Tears lined my eyes because I hadn’t seen them since before the war had started.
“Baron, how did you get these so quickly? I thought you were training the hunters.”
“I was. Draken found me and told me goodbye, but before he left, he gave me a lift when I told him what I wanted to do for you.” I took them from him and put them in a vase, placing them on the table already set for dinner that would be ready soon.
I pulled Baron against me, and he lifted a hand and cupped my face before kissing me so beautifully that it took my breath away and made my stomach dip.
Gods, I knew I wasn’t ready for sex again just yet after having Emeris, but the way Baron made me feel was effortless.
Emeris wailed then, and Baron pulled back and walked over to the bed to pick up his daughter.
“Hello, little love. Daddy’s home, and I’m going to tell you all about my day, and we’re going to give Mommy a little break, alright?” He talked to her in a sweet, soothing voice that made my heart ache at the sight. And as he held her against him, she quieted.
“Go bathe, love, and then crawl into bed. I’ll finish dinner and bring it to you when I’m done.”
“But—” He just gave me a look that brooked no argument, and I offered him a little smile before going and doing just that.
Relaxing in the bathing room, I wrapped my braids atop my head, and then after I scrubbed the day away, I soaked until the water grew cold.
Then I got out and dressed and crawled into bed, not realizing how sleepy I truly was until I got under the covers.
A few moments later, Baron came in with a plate in one hand and Emeris cradled in the other.
She’d growing fussier by the minute, and I knew she must be hungry.
I sat up to nurse her, and Baron handed her to me before she quickly latched.
I expected Baron to start eating, but he motioned for me to open my mouth and fed me.
The food was delicious. Fish with plenty of spices and vegetables that had been roasted over the fire.
“What about you?”
“I’ll eat after I’ve taken care of you,” he said simply and then fed me another bite.
Soon, my meal was gone and Emeris was back asleep.
I held her for awhile as Baron got something to eat and just admired her little features.
Getting up, I placed her gently in her crib just as Baron returned, and he wrapped his arms around my waist and kissed my shoulder from behind me as we both stared down at our daughter.
In that moment, I knew we’d won in life.