196

196
Valencia’s POV
The Sea Wolf rocked gently beneath my feet. Three days. That's how long Garrett said it would take to reach the nearest port in Elton's territory. Then more days to resupply and sail to Ironwatch Border.
We didn't have that kind of time.
I stood at the bow, watching the endless stretch of ocean. The morning sun was warm on my face, but my mind was already racing ahead.
Logan appeared beside me. He didn't say anything at first. Just stood close enough that our shoulders touched.
"You're thinking about flying back," he said finally.
I turned to look at him. "How did you know?"
"Because I know you. And because it's the smart choice, even if I hate it."
"We need to split up," I said. The words came out firm. Decisive. "The ships continue to Ironwatch Border with the Ravencrest guards. You and I fly home. Today."
Logan's jaw tightened. "You just came back from the dead yesterday. A long flight could—"
"I'm fine." I placed my hand on his arm. "Better than fine, actually. The Heart of Rubia didn't just heal my wounds. It changed something fundamental. I can feel it. Alduin and I are synchronized now. Flying won't drain me the way it used to."
"That doesn't mean it's safe."
"Nothing about this situation is safe." I gestured toward the southern horizon. "Ashwood has seven hundred troops on our border. Elton controls King's Fang. Every day we delay gives them more time to prepare. More time to attack."
Logan was quiet for a long moment. His gray eyes searched my face.
"If something goes wrong mid-flight—" he started.
"It won't. Trust me, Logan. Please."
He exhaled slowly. Then nodded once. "Alright. But we do this carefully. No unnecessary risks."
Relief flooded through me. "Thank you."
I turned and walked toward the ship's cabin where Garrett was reviewing navigation charts. Logan followed close behind.
Garrett looked up when we entered. "Luna. Alpha. Is everything alright?"
"We need to change plans," I said. "Can you gather Captain Gentry from one of the warships? I need to speak with both of you."
Garrett's eyebrows rose slightly, but he didn't question. "Of course. I'll signal them now."
Twenty minutes later, we stood in the captain's quarters. Garrett leaned against the navigation table. Captain Gentry, the leader of the fifteen Ravencrest guards, stood at attention. He was a tall man with silver-streaked hair and sharp blue eyes that reminded me of Sir Aldwyn.
"The Sea Wolf and both warships will proceed directly to Ironwatch Border," I said without preamble. "Alpha Logan and I are flying back to Cliffwatch Pack today."
Gentry's expression didn't change, but I saw surprise flicker in his eyes. "You're going to fly? As in..."
"As a dragon, yes."
Garrett set down the compass he'd been fidgeting with. "That's a long flight, Luna."
"I can handle it." I pulled out a piece of parchment and a quill from the desk drawer. "Captain Gentry, when you reach Ironwatch Border, you'll report directly to Captain Carson. He's expecting reinforcements, but not from Ravencrest Island."
I began writing quickly, explaining the situation in concise terms.
"Your fifteen guards will integrate with our border defense," I continued. "Carson is experienced. He'll know how to best utilize your men's skills. The two warships should remain docked at the nearest port. We might need them for evacuation if Ashwood breaks through."
Gentry nodded. "Understood. What about resupply? We'll need to stop at a port before reaching the border."
"Avoid Emerald Grove Pack territory entirely," Logan said. His voice was hard. "Elton controls those ports. He'll either capture you or turn you away. Sail further south to neutral territory. There's a trading port called Saltmere. It's small but well-stocked. They won't ask questions if you pay in gold."
I finished the letter and sealed it with wax. Pressed the Heart of Rubia into the soft wax, leaving an impression of the dragon rune carved into the ring's band.
"Give this to Carson," I said, handing it to Gentry. "He'll understand everything he needs to know."
Gentry took the letter and tucked it carefully into his coat. "We won't let you down, Luna. Sir Aldwyn chose us specifically for this mission. We'll defend your border with our lives if necessary."
"I hope it doesn't come to that. But I'm grateful to have you."
Garrett cleared his throat. "How soon are you planning to leave?"
I glanced at Logan. Then back at Garrett. "Within the hour. We need to use the daylight. Flying at night would be too dangerous."
"Then we'd better adjust the ships' course now," Garrett said. He moved to the navigation table and began marking a new route on the chart. "If we veer southeast instead of due south, we can reach Saltmere in four days instead of stopping at Emerald Grove's ports."
"Perfect." I watched him work for a moment. Then I looked at Gentry again. "Your men should know what they're walking into. The situation at Ironwatch Border is tense. Ashwood's forces outnumber ours significantly. There will be fighting. Possibly soon."
"We're ready," Gentry said simply. "Every man who volunteered knew the risks. We're honored to fight alongside the daughter of dragons."
The title made me uncomfortable, but I didn't correct him. "Thank you, Captain."
Logan and I left the cabin and returned to the deck. The crew was busy adjusting sails, preparing for the course change Garrett had ordered.
I walked to the bow again. Stood at the very edge where the carved dragon figurehead jutted out over the water.
This was it. My first time consciously choosing to transform. My first time trusting Alduin completely.
"Are you scared?" Logan asked quietly beside me.
"A little," I admitted. "Not of the transformation itself. But of what comes after. Once we get home, once we're back in Cliffwatch Pack, everything changes. The war becomes real. The decisions become harder."
Logan took my hand. Lifted it to his lips and kissed my knuckles gently. "We'll face it together. Like we always do."
I closed my eyes and reached inward. Found that powerful presence that had lived inside me since birth.
Alduin, I thought. Are you ready?
His response came immediately. For the first time, the dragon inside me wasn't a separate entity fighting for control. It was a partner. An extension of myself.
I opened my eyes and they immediately shifted to gold.
Logan stepped back slightly, giving me space. But he kept his eyes on mine.
Heat built in my chest. But it wasn't the burning, agonizing heat I remembered from before. This was different. Controlled. Like a forge fire being carefully stoked to the perfect temperature.
Red scales emerged from beneath my skin. They rippled across my arms, my shoulders, spreading down my torso.
The deck of the Sea Wolf creaked beneath my increasing weight. Sailors scrambled backward, their faces filled with awe and fear.
Within seconds, I shifted into a dragon. I looked down at Logan. He seemed so small from this height. But the mate bond blazed bright between us. I could feel his emotions. His wonder.
Climb on, I sent through the mind link. I won't let you fall.
Logan didn't hesitate. He walked forward and grabbed the thick scales on my neck. Pulled himself up onto my back with practiced ease.
He settled himself just behind my neck, where the scales were smoothest. His hands gripped the ridges firmly.
"Ready," he said aloud.
I spread my wings wider. Felt the wind catch beneath them. Felt the power coiled in my muscles, ready to launch.
The sailors had backed all the way to the stern now. Garrett stood near the wheel, his expression caught between terror and amazement.
I crouched low. Then pushed off hard with my hind legs.
The Sea Wolf rocked violently as I leapt into the air. My wings beat down with tremendous force, creating gusts that sent loose ropes and equipment flying across the deck.
We rose quickly. Twenty feet. Fifty feet. One hundred feet.
The ship shrank below us. I could see the two Ravencrest warships following in formation. Could see the tiny figures on deck waving and cheering.
I circled once. A farewell. A promise that we'd see them again soon.
Then I turned south and flew.
The world looked completely different from up here. The ocean stretched endlessly in every direction. The water shifted from deep blue to turquoise where the depth changed. Waves created patterns like scales on a massive serpent.
This is incredible, Logan's thought came through the mate bond. I had no idea flying felt like this.
Like freedom, I responded. Like the whole world is spread out before you and nothing can hold you down.