Page 67 of Fire and Fate
However, it's not enough. I can see the shadows in Kaia's eyes sometimes, moments when she goes quiet and distant. She misses her home, or at least parts of it. But most importantly, she misses the memories of her mother. Every time someone mentions Isolde, every time Kaia catches her own reflection and sees features she inherited, I can feel the grief and longing through our bond.
She needs closure. She needs to properly mourn and honor the woman who raised her, who gave her the tools to survive and eventually find her way here. And I know exactly how to give her that.
I move into the lounge just after the afternoon meal, finding my three mates exactly where I expected them. Kaia is sprawled over Alessia and Solace's laps, her head on Alessia's thigh and her legs across Solace's. They're all giggling about something, their faces flushed with laughter and happiness. The scene is so domestic, so perfect, that I almost hate to interrupt.
But when they notice me standing in the doorway, they straighten up a little. Kaia sits up properly, though she stays nestled between her other two mates. "Zara," she says with a bright smile. "We were just talking about you."
"Nothing bad, I hope," I say, crossing to where they sit.
"Never," Alessia assures me. "Only good things. Always good things."
Kaia stands and comes over to me, rising on her toes for a kiss. I give it gladly, savoring the taste of her lips and the way she melts against me. When I pull back, her eyes are soft and warm.
"I have something to show you," I say, looking between Kaia and Solace. "Both of you."
Kaia's face lights up with curiosity. "A present?"
"Something like that," I confirm. "But the grounds are pretty far from here and we can't travel on foot. It would take hours to walk there."
Kaia looks confused, her brow furrowing in that adorable way it does when she's trying to solve a puzzle. "How would we ever get there then?"
Alessia stands, moving to join us with a knowing smile. She's already figured out where I'm taking them, I can tell by the satisfaction in her expression. "How would you like to ride?" she asks Kaia.
Kaia's eyes grow wide, her mouth falling open slightly. "What? Ride? You mean on a dragon? On you?"
"We don't have riders in the traditional sense," I explain. "We're warriors and weapons in one body, not beasts of burden. But for mates, it's different. It's a sacred rite of passage, allowing someone to ride on your back in dragon form. It shows ultimate trust and connection. And where we're going, you'll understand why it's worth it."
Kaia nods slowly, processing this information. I can feel her excitement building through our bond, mixing with nervousness and anticipation. "Okay," she says. "Yes. I want to."
Solace stands as well, agreeing with a nod. "If this is important, then I'm in. Though I have to admit, I never thought I'd be riding a dragon."
"You've done stranger things in the last few weeks," I point out with a grin. "This is just one more adventure."
We move outside together, walking through the castle corridors and out into the afternoon sunshine. The weather is perfect, clear skies and a gentle breeze that carries the scent of flowers from the gardens. Several dragons we pass look curious about where we're heading but don't ask questions. They can probably sense the significance of what's about to happen.
We reach the open grounds beyond the castle walls, a large field that's perfect for shifting and taking flight. "You'll need to mount carefully," I explain to Kaia and Solace. "Dragon scales are smooth and can be slippery if you're not positioned correctly. But we'll go slow, make sure you're secure before we take off."
"And if I fall?" Kaia asks, only half-joking.
"Then I'll catch you," Alessia promises. "Always. No matter what, I'll catch you."
I step away from the group, giving myself space to shift. The transformation flows through me like water, my body expanding and reforming into my dragon shape. Black scales shimmer with iridescent green in the sunlight, and I stretch my wings out to their full span. It feels good to shift, to inhabit this form that's just as much me as my human body.
Through the mindlink that connects us now, I speak to Kaia. "Come here, sweet girl. Let me show you how to mount."
She approaches cautiously, her eyes tracking over my form with wonder and slight fear. Up close like this, I'm massive compared to her small human frame. But she doesn't back away, just reaches out to touch my scales with gentle fingers.
"You're beautiful," she whispers, and I feel the sincerity of it through our bond.
Alessia helps her figure out the mounting process, showing her where to place her hands and feet, how to settle herself between my shoulder blades where she'll be most secure. It takes a few tries, and Kaia nearly slides off once, but eventually she's positioned correctly. Her thighs press against my sides, herhands grip the ridges of my spine, and I can feel her weight settled perfectly.
Solace mounts Alessia with more ease, her warrior training giving her better balance and coordination. Within minutes, both of them are secure on our backs, ready for flight.
"Hold on tight," I warn Kaia. "Takeoff can be intense if you're not used to it."
I launch myself into the air with powerful beats of my wings, feeling Kaia's grip tighten and hearing her gasp of surprise. The ground falls away beneath us as we climb higher, soaring up until the castle looks small below. Alessia flies beside me with Solace on her back, her orange and red scales a beautiful contrast to my black and green.
Through our bond, I can feel Kaia's joy and exhilaration. She's laughing, the sound carrying on the wind, her fear transformed into pure delight. This is freedom, true freedom, in a way she's never experienced before. Flying on the back of a dragon, seeing the world from this height, feeling the wind and magic and connection.
