The laughter still echoed faintly in the air, mingling with Drogo's playful huffs and Violet's delighted giggles, but Starfania's thoughts had already drifted elsewhere. She glanced at Aeron—really looked at him—as he adjusted Violet's grip on Drogo's reins with careful patience. His smile was soft, almost unguarded, but she caught the subtle tension in his shoulders, the way his eyes didn't quite meet hers. He was still carrying something, still holding back. Her heart tugged. What is it you're not telling me, Aeron?
She hesitated, debating whether to ask, but the fear of pushing him too hard made her hold her tongue. For now, she would respect the barrier he'd put up between them, even gnawing at her. Instead, another thought slowly took root—a fragile idea she had never shared with anyone outside of Aeron. It stirred inside her like a secret sunrise. She drew a breath, nerves fluttering in her chest, and finally spoke.
" Aeron," she began gently, testing the air with her voice, " how would you feel about going to Bone Cave?"
His head turned immediately, curiosity sparking in his eyes. For a beat, she thought he might refuse outright. Then, a small smile curved his lips. " Of course. We can go after we're done here, though."
Her relief was brief. The real question still lingered at the back of her tongue, heavy and uncertain. Gathering her courage, she let it out. " I was thinking… maybe we could take Violet and Drogo there. It's a special place, and I think she would love it."
She waited, watching every flicker of emotion across Aeron's face. His expression darkened, skepticism cutting through his features.
" I can't take my little sister there," he said flatly. " Don't you remember what happened last time?"
" I do," Starfania admitted, her voice tightening with urgency. " But he didn't harm us. We walked away without a scratch. He isn't a monster, Aeron."
His hesitation was justified. When Bone had first appeared, he had looked like death incarnate, ready to pounce on them at any moment. And after years of isolation in that cavern, who could predict how he might react to a child? Yet Starfania remembered another Bone—the guardian who once stood watch while her mother spoke, the companion who had known gentleness and trust. The memory had never left her.
" He'd been alone for so long," she pressed softly. " But he's different with us now. We'll both be there, watching her. Nothing will happen."
Aeron's jaw tightened as he weighed her words. His hand drifted instinctively toward Violet, who was still perched on Drogo's back, her laughter ringing bright against the quiet of the stable. His protective instinct warred with the memory of Bone's looming presence. At last, he exhaled slowly. "Fine. But listen to me—if anything happens to her, I'm holding you responsible. If she gets hurt…our friendship is over. "
His tone was iron, leaving no room for argument. Starfania swallowed hard, nodding with solemn understanding.
The words stung more than she expected, because they struck at the root of her deepest fear—not just of Bone, but of losing Aeron. Yet she couldn't back away. This was bigger than fear. She wanted Violet to see what VulcanFire had once been, to touch a piece of the past that still glowed with hope, before it had been twisted by strategy. So she forced a smile and turned toward Violet. The girl's eyes were wide, shimmering with expectation as she leaned forward on Drogo's back. Starfania called out playfully, " Oh, Vi—Vi, how would you like to go on an adventure?"
Violet's purple eyes lit up like twin stars, a grin splitting her face from ear to ear. Drogo mirrored her excitement, tail thumping against the ground with eager energy.
" Yes! Let's go!" she squealed. Before Aeron could object, Drogo reared dramatically on his hind legs, loosing a triumphant cry. In the next heartbeat, he bounded forward, Violet clutching his mane as laughter spilled from her lips.
" Drogo, slow down!" Aeron shouted, panic lacing his voice as he sprinted after them. But Violet was already lost in the rush of freedom, her joy untouchable.
Starfania followed at a slower pace, her smile faint but tinged with unease. No matter how radiant Violet's delight, her own mind kept circling back to Bone—his immense shadow, his watchful eyes, his growl that could shake the earth. What if this ended badly? She shook the thought away, but it clung stubbornly to her heart. Even as she watched Aeron's worry and Violet's laughter, she could not escape the creeping edge of dread that whispered: not all adventures end in joy.