Aeron closed the distance slowly, every step deliberate, as if afraid that one wrong move might push her further away. When he reached her, the flicker of crystal light revealed the shimmer of tears clinging to her lashes. The sight shattered him. Gently, he reached out, brushing his thumbs across her cheek to catch the falling tears before they fell. For a beat, silence stretched between them, heavy yet tender. Then—unexpectedly—they both blurted out at the same time: " I'm sorry—"
The overlapping words stopped them short. Their eyes met, and despite the rawness of the moment, both of them let out a shaky giggle. The laughter, small and fragile, felt like a bridge being rebuilt plank by plank. Starfania was the first to steady her voice, though it trembled. " I shouldn't have questioned your motives. I just…I wanted Violet to feel the happiness we used to have, before everything changed."
Her throat tightened, but she forced the words through. Aeron shook his head, pulling her gently into his arms without hesitation. His embrace was firm, warm, carrying more forgiveness than any words could. " No Starry. I'm the one who went too far. I should never have said what I did. You've always been loyal…and I should've trusted that. "
The tension bled out of them in that hug, replaced by something steadier. When they finally pulled back, their faces were close, eyes searching one another. Aeron's gaze softened, and he nodded toward the dragons beyond. " How about we do what we used to dream of? A real adventure across the kingdom."
Starfania blinked, surprised by the sudden spark of boyish excitement in his tone. " But…what about Bone? And Violet? We can' just leave them behind."
" Who said anything about leaving them?" Aeron grinned, that familiar confidence slipping back into place. " They'll come with us. The more, the merrier. "
Her lips curved, though hesitation lingered. " You forget—I can't ride a dragon. If my father ever found out... "
Her voice dipped, the fear of his wrath like a shadow over her. " He'd be furious."
Aeron's hand found her shoulder, steady and reassuring. " Then he won't find out. I'll be right there with you, Starry. Always. I promise."
For a moment, she just breathed him in, letting his certainty anchor her. Finally, she nodded. " Alright. We'll figure it out. Together."
When they returned to the others, Violet's eyes sparkled with anticipation, and even the dragons seemed to sense their decision. Drogo stamped his claws eagerly; Bone's metallic body shuddered with restrained energy. Aeron swung onto Drogo's back, extending a hand to help Violet climb behind him. Starfania climbed onto Bone with cautious reverence, her fingers trailing over his cool, scaled neck in a silent promise of trust. The two dragons launched from the cave in tandem, their roars ringing like thunder.
Wind tore past them as they broke into the open sky, and Starfania's heart lifted with each beat of Bone's wing. For the first time in a long while, she truly felt free. The world below blurred into a canvas of ruby red forest, silver rivers, and jagged peaks. The air stung her cheeks, yet every breath was sweet. She caught Aeron's eyes across the distance—his smile wide, boyish, infectious.
" Race you!" he shouted over the rush of air, his voice brimming with challenge. Starfania's brow arched, her pulse skipping. " A race? Now?"
" Just like when we were kids, " he called back, a nostalgic grin curving his lips. " Remember? Those were some of the best moments of my life."
His laugh rang out against the sky, a sound carried away by the wind. " I can't believe you still remember that."
" Of course I do," he answered without missing a beat, his eyes shining with a warmth even across the distance. " I remember everything."