22. Home

**Eira**

*In Twilight Realms, where shadows play,*

*A dragon king holds court by day*

*His scales, like blackest night, do shine*

*His eyes, like embers, glow divine*

*With wings outstretched, he takes to flight*

*Through realms of darkness, he holds his might*

*Hi roar, a rumble, shakes the ground*

*As he guards his kingdom, all around*

*But when the moon rises high and bright*

*The dragon king’s fierce heart takes flight*

*He softens, gentles, and becomes serene*

*A guardian, watching over his kingdom’s dream*

I wake up with a start, my heart racing like a wild stag. My mother's lullaby lingers in my mind, the demonic dragon king's melody now sending shivers down my spine. I sit up, running a trembling hand through my tangled hair. The dream felt so real – my mother's gentle voice, the warmth of the fire crackling in the hearth.

But it's the context of the lullaby that unsettles me. In the dream, my mother was singing it to me as a child, but the words were directed at King Ikyn. I swing my legs over the side of the bed and stand up, my bare feet making barely a sound on the cold stone floor. Just as I'm starting to calm down, a loud knock at the door breaks the silence. "Enter," I call out, my voice still shaking slightly.

Roberta, followed by Telah and Minnie, bow low. "Your Highness,” Roberta proceeds,  “the king has sent a dragon to escort you home." My heart sinks. As if sensing my own nerves, Roberta pats my shoulder. "I'm not privy to the king’s plans, Your Highness. But I was instructed to pack your belongings." I nod, my mind racing with questions. *Why am I going home? What changed?*

The memory of the lullaby lingers, a haunting melody that echoes through my mind like a dark and ominous warning. Everything around me goes by in a blur. A smaller, pale yellow dragon perches at the window, allowing Roberta to tie my bags on its back. She waves me off and the dragon launches into the air. My eyes trace the menacing landscape of the dragon lands. I feel a sense of unease settle over me. I'm not sure what lies ahead, but I'm determined to face it head-on.

As we fly over the rolling hills and sparkling streams, I feel a sense of wonder rising up inside me. The dragon's wings beat powerful and slow, casting long shadows across the landscape. I gaze out at the passing scenery, my eyes drinking in the beauty of the world below.

Though, even as I marvel at the beauty of the landscape, I know that I am being sent home for a reason. And I have a feeling that it's not going to be good. I try to push the thoughts aside, focusing instead on the sensation of the wind in my hair and the sun on my face.

We fly through the clouds and I reach for the sun. As if sensing my movement, the dragon lowers us so I can watch the landscape change below. The rolling hills and sparkling streams give way to a more rugged terrain. The dragon lands stretch out before us, give way to a rugged and unforgiving terrain. The snowy mountains stretch out before us, a vast and frozen expanse of white peaks and icy valleys. My breath catches in my throat and tears well in my eyes as I take in the landscape of my kingdom. The snow-capped peaks rise up like giants, their frozen slopes glistening in the pale winter sun.

The dragon banks and turns, its wings tilting as it heads towards a range of towering mountains. The closer we get, the mountains loom larger and larger. I can see my castle perched atop the highest peak, its towers and battlements reaching towards the sky. I feel a sense of wonder rising up inside me. The castle is even more magnificent than I remembered.

The dragon lands on the windswept battlements, its claws scrabbling against the stone. I slide off its back, my legs trembling beneath me. The dragon regards me calmly, its eyes gleaming with intelligence.

I take a deep breath, steeling myself for what lies ahead. I am a princess, after all. I will not give my family any cause to worry more than I’m sure they already are and have been since I was abandoned. I turn and walk towards the castle, the dragon watching me go. I can feel its eyes on me, boring into my skin.

As I enter the castle, I am greeted by my family. My father smiles warmly and opens his arms. My mother hugs me tightly. My sisters, Gweneira, Lumi, and Odina, all smile and welcome me home. But despite the warm welcome, I can sense a tension in the air. Something is wrong. I can feel it. And I have a feeling that it has something to do with Ikyn’s sudden decision to bring me back here. I try to push the thoughts aside, focusing instead on the warmth and love of my family.

I know that I won't be able to avoid the truth for much longer. Whatever is going on, I'll have to face it soon. For now, I'll just have to be patient and see what the future holds. I take a deep breath and let my family's love and warmth envelop me. I am home, and for now, that's all that matters.

***

I sit in my favorite chair, nestled in the window seat of my cozy bedroom. Gweneira and Lumi sit on either side of me, their faces filled with concern. "Eira, what was it like?" Gweneira asks, her voice soft and gentle. "Living in the Dragon Lands, I mean."

I shrug, trying to put my thoughts into words. "It's...different," I say finally. "The dragons are amazing, of course. But there was only King Ikyn, myself, and his servants. I felt like I was constantly walking on eggshells, never knowing what to say or do."

Lumi nods sympathetically. "I can imagine," she says. "I would assume his castle is very strict and formal."

I nod, feeling a shiver run down my spine. "Yes, it is. But despite all the rules and formalities, I did learn a lot. And I have made some...interesting friends."

Before they can ask anymore, the door to my bedroom bursts open. My parents let themselves in, their expressions serious and concerned. "Eira, girls, we need to talk," my father says, his voice firm but gentle.

My mother nods, her eyes shining with a mixture of excitement and worry. "Six dragons have landed in our courtyard," she says.

"They have come from the Dragon Lands," Gweneira adds, "and they have been sent for you, Eira."

My eyes widen in shock. "For me?" I repeat.

My father nods. "Yes, Eira. You have been chosen to receive a dragon companion." He glances at my mother, who averts her eyes to the floor.

I only feel fear and dread. My stomach churns. *Ikyn, what have you done?*

My mother smiles, her eyes shining with pride. "We have faith in you, Eira. We know that you will make the right choice."

My father's face grows more concerned. "But you must be careful. The dragons that have come for you are not just any dragons. There are a few I have not seen before in any festival past."

Feeling a sense of determination rising up inside me, I nod. I know what the bond feels like. I'm still connected to Vaemrath.

My sisters follow my lead as I push myself out of my seat and guide us all to the courtyard. The six dragons are gathered there, each one more magnificent than the last. There is a water dragon, its scales shimmering like the ocean. An earth dragon, its scales a deep, earthy brown. A speed dragon, its body sleek and agile. A light dragon, its scales glowing with a soft, pulsing light. A fire dragon, its body forged from living flame. And a spirit dragon, its scales shimmering like the moon.

I feel my heart pounding in my chest as I gaze out at the six dragons. I know that I have a difficult decision ahead of me. But I am determined to make the right choice, no matter what the consequences might be.

As I stand there, frozen with indecision, I feel a sense of tension building up inside me. I know that I am not just choosing a dragon companion - I am choosing a path that will determine the course of my life, and possibly even the fate of my kingdom.