EPILOGUE 2: THE DRAGON QUEEN

EPILOGUE 2: THE DRAGON QUEEN


LIRA 

The wind was warm against my face.

I soared through the sky on Luna's back, her white scales gleaming in the afternoon sun, her wings cutting through the air with effortless grace. Below me, the kingdom of Aurelia stretched out in all its beauty, golden fields and winding rivers, bustling villages and ancient forests, the distant glimmer of the capital's spires.

The people waved as I passed.

I could see them below, farmers pausing in their fields, children running through the streets, mothers pointing up at the sky with wonder in their eyes. They cheered when they saw Luna's familiar form, their voices rising up to meet me like a wave of sound.

"The Queen! The Queen is flying!"

I smiled.

It still felt strange, sometimes, to be called that. To be the Queen of Aurelia. To wear the crown and sit on the throne and make decisions that affected the lives of thousands.

But when I was flying, when I was on Luna's back, the wind in my hair, the world spread out beneath me, I felt free.

I felt like myself.

‘They love you,’ Luna said through the bond. ‘They always have.’ 

They love you too, I replied. They love the shiny white dragon who carries their queen.

‘I am not the only dragon who carries their queen.’ 

I laughed.

No, I agreed. But you are my favorite.

\-———————————

Luna had grown so much.

When I had first found Luna, she had been small enough to fit in the palm of my hand. Now she was massive, her wingspan wider than any dragon I had ever seen, her scales shimmering with a light that seemed to come from within.

She was beautiful.

‘We are almost there,’ she said. ‘I can see Elora's estate.’ 

I leaned forward, my hands gripping her scales, my eyes scanning the horizon.

And there it was.

Elora's home.

The Dorne estate was sprawling and beautiful, its gardens bursting with color, its orchards heavy with fruit. I could see the servants moving through the courtyards, the guards standing at the gates, the banners fluttering in the breeze.

And there, in the center of it all, was Elora.

She was standing in the courtyard, her hand raised in greeting, her face bright with a smile that made my heart ache.

Luna, I thought. Take me down.

‘As you wish, your highness.’

\-——————————-

We landed in the courtyard.

The servants scurried out of the way, their eyes wide with awe. Luna folded her wings and lowered her head, allowing me to slide off her back.

I landed on the grass.

And Elora ran toward me.

"Lira!"

She threw her arms around me, and I hugged her back, my heart swelling with affection for this woman who had become my dearest friend.

"Elora," I said. "You look so beautiful."

She pulled back, her cheeks flushed, her eyes bright with tears.

"I am so glad you came."

"I would not have missed it for anything."

Elora's parents appeared behind her, Lord and Lady Dorne, their faces warm with smiles. Lord Dorne clasped my hand, his grip firm and familiar.

"Your Majesty," he said. "It is an honor to have you here."

"Please," I said. "It’s been months, just call me Lira. Besides, I am not here as a queen. I am here as a friend."

Lord Dorne laughed.

"An unconventional queen," he said. "Always flying around on dragons, always visiting your friends. The people love you for it."

"I hope so."

"They do." Lady Dorne stepped forward, her eyes soft. "We have never had a queen like you, Lira. And I think that is a good thing."

I did not know what to say.

So I just smiled.

\-——————————

Elora took my arm and led me through the gardens.

The flowers were in bloom, roses and lilies and lavender, their scents mingling in the warm air. Bees hummed among the petals, and butterflies danced from bloom to bloom.

"I cannot believe you are leaving," I said.

Elora was silent for a moment.

"Neither can I," she admitted. "It feels so strange. To leave this place. To leave my family. To leave you."

"Elora…” 

"But I am so happy." She squeezed my arm. "I am truly happy, Lira. Prince Maxwell is kind. He is gentle. He makes me laugh."

"I am glad."

"I never thought I would find this," she continued. "After the selection, after everything that happened, I thought I would be happy with someone that I truly wanted. I thought I would spend my life alone."

"Elora…” 

"But then you introduced me to Prince Maxwell when he came on that diplomatic visit to Aurelia." She stopped walking. "And everything changed. You changed everything for me.” 

I looked at her.

At her bright eyes. Her joyful smile. The way she seemed to glow from within.

"You deserve this," I said. "You deserve to be happy."

"So do you." She took my hands. "And you are. I can see it, Lira. I can see it in your eyes. In the way you hold yourself. In the way you talk about Cassian and the twins."

I felt warmth spread through my chest.

"I am happy," I said. "I never thought I would be. But I am."

"Good."

We reached the terrace.

Elora's parents were there, along with her brother and a few other guests. Prince Maxwell stood at the center, his blond hair swept back, his brown eyes bright with affection.

He smiled when he saw Elora.

"Your Majesty," he said, bowing to me. "It is an honor."

"Please," I said. "Call me Lira."

He smiled.

Elora crossed to him and took his hand.

"We were just saying goodbye," she said. "Before we leave."

"Then we will make it a good goodbye."

I reached into my cloak and pulled out a small box.

"A gift," I said. "For your journey."

Elora opened it.

Inside was a necklace, a delicate chain of silver, with a pendant shaped like a dragonfly. Its wings were set with tiny sapphires, their color the same shade as Elora's eyes.

"Lira," she breathed.

"I wanted you to have something to remember me by," I said. "Something to carry with you, wherever you go."

Elora's eyes filled with tears.

"I will treasure it," she said. "Always."

She threw her arms around me.

I hugged her back.

And for a long moment, neither of us spoke.

\-—————————

The carriage was waiting.

Prince Maxwell helped Elora inside, his hand gentle on her arm. Her parents stood beside me, their faces pale, their eyes wet.

"Take care of her," Lord Dorne said.

"I will," Maxwell promised. "With my life."

Lady Dorne stepped forward and kissed her daughter's cheek.

"Write to us," she said. "Every week."

"I will, Mother."

And then the carriage began to move.

Elora leaned out the window, her hand raised in farewell.

"Goodbye, Lira!" she called. "Goodbye!"

I raised my hand.

"Goodbye, Elora!"

I watched until the carriage disappeared over the horizon.

—————————————

I flew home in silence.

Luna carried me through the sky, her wings beating steadily, her presence a warm comfort in my mind.

‘You are sad,’ she said.

I am happy for her, I replied. But I will miss her.

‘She will miss you too.’ 

I know.

‘You can visit her. Whenever you want. I can carry you across the kingdom in a day.’ 

I smiled.

I know, I thought. And I will. But it will not be the same.

‘No,’ Luna agreed. ‘But it will still be good.’ 

Yes, I thought. It will still be good.

\-————————————-

The palace appeared on the horizon.

I could see the towers, the battlements, the flags flying in the breeze. I could see the gardens, the courtyards, the familiar shape of the great hall.

And I could see Kael.

He was circling above the palace, his bronze scales gleaming in the sun. He dipped his wings when he saw us, a gesture of greeting.

Kael, I thought. How are things below?

‘Quiet,’ he replied. ‘Your brother is here. And Princess Aveline is in the courtyard.’ 

Thank you.

I guided Luna down.

\-———————-

We landed in the courtyard.

Callum and Aveline were sparring in the center of the stone, their swords flashing in the afternoon light. Callum was tall and strong, his dark hair slicked with sweat. Aveline was quick and graceful, her movements fluid and precise.

They stopped when they saw me.

"Sister!" Callum called, lowering his sword. "You are back!"

I dismounted from Luna and crossed to them.

"I am back," I said.

Callum pulled me into a hug.

"How was the farewell?" he asked.

"Bittersweet." I pulled back. "But she was happy. And that is all that matters."

Callum nodded.

Aveline sheathed her sword.

"Your brother was just telling me about your adventures," she said. "Flying back and forth between Aurelia and Eritrea. It sounds exhausting."

"It is worth it." I smiled. "She is my dearest friend."

Callum laughed.

"Your dearest friend," he repeated. "And what about me? Am I not your dearest brother? You haven’t flew once to see me since I arrived at the capital.” 

"It’s faster with a carriage that’s why."

Callum and Aveline laughed. 

—————————————

Callum and I walked through the gardens.

The flowers were in bloom, their colors bright and their scents sweet. I breathed in the warm air, feeling the tension of the day begin to fade.

"I’m so glad you’re here," I said.

"Of course." He looked at me. "I could not stay away. I miss the twins."

"Then you should visit more often."

"I will try." He paused. "The estate is still being restored. There is so much to do. So much to rebuild."

"I know. But you will get there."

"I hope so."

We walked in silence for a moment.

"Lirael," Callum said finally. "Are you happy?"

I stopped.

"Yes," I said. "I am happy."

"Truly?"

"Truly." I turned to face him. "I have everything I ever wanted, Callum. A husband who loves me. Children who fill my heart with joy. A kingdom that trusts me." I paused. "And I have you. I have my brother back."

“It’s everything we’ve ever hoped for and more Callum. Don’t you see?” 

I asked and Callum nodded, his eyes wet with tears.

“Sometimes, I think back to that day, and I’m glad I never discouraged you from going to the Dragon Queen selection. Just imagine how things would have gone if you didn’t.”

I shuddered a bit. 

“Well, you’ll still be in the Vale estate mucking the horse stalls and I would be in the Vale estate mopping the floors.” 

We both laughed.

————————————

I found Cassian in the nursery.

He was sitting in the rocking chair, his shirt off, his bare chest gleaming in the firelight. He held Sol and Aeron in his arms, their tiny heads resting against his chest.

I stopped in the doorway.

He looked up when he saw me.

"Lira," he said. "You are back."

"I am back." I crossed to him and kissed his forehead. "How are the twins?"

"Sol is sleeping. Aeron is fighting it. You know he loves to sleep while you feed him.” He looked down at the babies. "Just the usual.” 

"Awwwn. What would you do without me? Let me feed him.” 

“Nothing at all. I’m happy you’re back. I was beginning to think you were already in Eritrea!”