Page 53 of Cursed with the Dragon Prince

I tell them about magic, flying, and life.

None of them fear me. Instead, they clamor for my attention. Nobody really calls me queen. Amongst the clan, I’maunt.Soon, I’ll have many more niblings.

“We can reopen another wing of the cavern,” I tell Kaliyah, sitting beside me. “Wisp’s renovations are nearly done.”

“Excellent.”

When news of my ascension spread, many dragon fae returned to Wisp’s shores. Between them and the expansion of existing families, the clan reclaims the old, abandoned tunnels. The caverns grow louder, livelier, every day.

“We may want to consider opening more wings if trade continues to boom,” Kaliyah adds.

I nod my agreement. Once again, dragon crystal is valuable. With the help of my human experience, we have found merchants willing to take our crystal south of the Rift, selling it to the humans. Other fae have followed my lead, and in the years since, trade between the Isles of Fae and Valterra has boomed, our goods increasingly valued by our human neighbors.

The expanded trade route has changed everything, fostering the continued development of fae goods. Not only is Wisp entering a new economic era, but so is the entirety of the Isles of Fae.

Still, Wisp worries about the dragon blades, the seven swords and single dagger that King Ichor made. She is still angered, remembering how he betrayed her trust, abusing her gifts for his gain when she failed to provide for the clan in a different way.

The deity remains critical of herself for the curse and apologetic for blessing me. My pardon came faster than her self-forgiveness. She continues to learn, gaining experiences now that she can live through a monarch. My single lifetime, long as it now is, still feels too short to teach everything the young deity needs to know.

The golden throne shines anew as our connection strengthens, the isle more virile than before. It’s only partly true, what they say, that the fae are magical because of the isles. NowI know it goes both ways—the fae compound the isles’ magic, adding to their power, tied to them. Wisp thrives with her clan.

I’m thriving too, in my way, and I smile at the thought, watching Drakon. We’re a small family, him and me, yet our connection is ironclad, essential, especially in our darkest days. Our strength will be essential as we face the new trials ahead.

Suddenly, Wisp speaks through me. “Scorpia approaches.”

“What a relief,” Kaliyah sighs, and I nod my agreement. Scorpia has been gone for two weeks, though she estimated this mission would take her one.

I wave to Drakon, and he joins us, wrapping an arm around my waist as we walk to the balcony.

Scorpia’s red dragon form approaches, her cry echoing amongst the volcanoes. She swoops over us, dropping a sword from her claws, and shifts.

I drop to my knees, examining the weapon. The dark, steely metal is well-polished, its edges glinting and sharp. Wisp rumbles, confirming the return of the first dragon blade.

Drakon grabs my shoulder, inhaling sharply at the sight. Kaliyah nears as Scorpia does the same. All our gazes focus upon the forbidden blade.

“You did it,” I say to Scorpia, my voice hushed with awe.

She scoffs. “We still have a long journey ahead of us if we’re to collect all of them.”

“Patience,” I urge. “One at a time.”

“But we’re not the only ones searching!”

I look up, meeting her furrowed face. “Who?”

“The Starlit King wants them too. The young upstart who just claimed the throne.”

I nod, pursing my lips. The Starlit King—his isle closest to the human port—has become essential in establishing the trade routes our clan now depends upon. It’s unfortunate his pursuitof power places him at direct odds with our quest to retrieve all the blades.

“It is a problem for another day. You’ve done well. Dinner will be served soon. Take a rest. Celebrate your victory with the clan.” I reach out, grabbing the blade’s hilt. It’s icy and cold, and with my contact, Wisp grows agitated. “Drakon and I will lock this away.”

Shifting, I take my winged form as Drakon does the same. I ascend, carrying the sword with me.

“I’ll take care of this,” I promise Wisp, soothing her. She’ll adjust to the blade in time. “It’s a new era,” I remind her.

While her presence is with me everywhere, our connection is strongest in some regions—the great hall, the thermae, the caldera. Our link can weaken too, including the rooms Drakon and I share.

The monarchs before me understood the value of occasional distance between isle and ruler, and therefore, they worked with Wisp to build a special suite of rooms where we can feel apart.

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