Chapter 28

28

ZEPHYR

A s the commotion in the hallway began to die down, I couldn't help but notice the way Eirian's gaze lingered on Aria and her dragon. There was a curiosity in his eyes, a spark of interest that seemed out of place on the usually stoic Dracarian. It was more than just surprise at the dragon's unexpected power; there was something else there, something I couldn't quite put my finger on. With a final, thoughtful glance, Eirian turned and left, Ossian following close behind.

The vampire's departure stirred something in me, a niggling suspicion I couldn't quite shake. I'd seen the way Ossian looked at Aria, the protectiveness in his stance when he stood near her. There was something going on there, more than just a vampire determined to keep the peace.

"You and Ossian seem pretty close," I commented, trying to keep my tone light and teasing. But even to my own ears, there was an edge to my voice that I couldn't quite disguise.

Aria's cheeks flushed slightly, a rosy hue that made her look even more beautiful. "We're just friends," she said, a bit too quickly. Her eyes darted away, not quite meeting mine.

We were in her room now, just the three of us, the door closed.

I raised an eyebrow, unable to keep the skepticism from my voice. "Really? Because he seems more fond of you than 'just friends'. Especially considering he gave you his protection. That's no small thing for a vampire."

In the fae courts, such a declaration of protection was tantamount to a proposal of alliance, maybe even courtship. Sure, vampires were different, but not drastically so. I'd assumed he'd done it as a friendly gesture and to maintain peace with the vampire faction of our group, but now I wasn't so sure. Her sketchiness did little to alter that growing belief.

"Zephyr, leave it," Lydia interjected, her tone sharp. But the warning in her eyes only confirmed my suspicions. There was definitely something going on between Aria and Ossian, something more than Aria was admitting to.

The realization bothered me more than I cared to admit. I watched as Aria stroked her dragon, the little creature nuzzling into her hand affectionately. Was it my imagination, or had the dragon grown a bit since the attack? Its scales seemed to shimmer with a new vitality, and it held itself with a confidence that hadn't been there before.

"So," I said, eager to change the subject and distract myself from the uncomfortable feelings swirling in my chest, "what exactly did your dragon do? What kind of element was that?"

Aria shook her head, looking as puzzled as I felt. "I have no idea. It was bright, like nothing I've ever seen before. Definitely not fire or water or any of the usual elements."

"Whatever it was, it was powerful," Lydia mused. "Powerful enough to take down a vampire. And twice, at that."

We fell into a contemplative silence, each lost in our own thoughts. The events of the night had raised more questions than answers. In all my years in the fae courts, with all the magic and wonder I'd seen, I'd never encountered anything quite like this. The magic lingering in the air was nothing like the other dragons, and it was unsettling.

"What do you think will happen to Marcus?" I asked, voicing the question we were all thinking. The fate of the rogue vampire was a pressing concern, not just for his own sake, but for what it might mean for the delicate balance between our various groups.

Lydia frowned, her brow furrowing in thought. "I don't know. But rejected by his own dragon... that can't be good."

"And what about the dragon?" Aria added, her voice tinged with wonder and confusion. "It seems to have chosen Eirian instead. I didn't even know that was possible."

"None of us did. This is all new to us," I said as Aether sat on the floor by me, Selis beside him. Both had followed behind us, silent as they watched everything.

‘It's not a good thing. We are bound to our chosen one,' Aether shared mentally.

"Aether says it's not good, they're bound to us," I shared.

"Selis says she doesn't recognize the power yours wields, but then again, she's still remembering who she once was," Lydia added, and Aria nodded.

Aether had told me he recalled his life before becoming stone to some small extent, but only glimpses, and he hoped his memories would be restored as he got bigger and stronger.

"It's still fascinating to known they've been reborn with some memories," Aria murmured as she sunk onto the edge of her bed, Lydia joining her. I opted to move to the armchair in the corner, Aether curling up on the floor by me.

"Not many," Lydia stated as Selis sighed. "Selis says if you're curious though, yours is a girl."

"Huh, a little girl," Aria's face lit up. "That's something good to know."

"She'll tell you her name eventually, as the others did, once the telepathic connection develops. Aether and I think it's as we work together, the bond strengthens, and they grow along with it," I said. I'd spent many hours talking with Aether, who was still learning just who he was as well. I'd told him much of myself and the land I came from, and the fae, and he had listened intently with fascination.

"I wonder if the dragons will eventually communicate amongst one another as well," Lydia wondered.

‘We go off body language, we get a sense of most things, but deeper conversation is not possible. Perhaps eventually,' Aether said into my mind.

"Maybe," I said out loud. "For now, it's basic body language apparently."

"It must be so nice talking with them. Feels weird too though, like I'm missing half the conversations going on around me now," Aria said with a sigh.

"It is odd, that's for sure, but your dragon has powers, so she will grow as she bonds more with you, and then you'll get the ability too," Lydia assured her.

"Just wish we knew what that power was," Aria said as she studied her dragon carefully. "It's been a crazy evening."

"I still can't believe Marcus came after you, especially with Ossian's protection," I muttered. "From what I know, that's punishable by death amongst vampires."

"You think Ossian would…?" Aria let the question hang, and no one said a word.

Ossian was a vampire, and even though he was one of the most civil, I'd not put it past him. That was vampire law, and Marcus had broken it.

"I'm more worried that your dragon used breath ability outside of the training grounds. I thought the magic warded the place to stop that," Lydia said.

"It felt stronger than the usual magic we've been witness to," I said.

‘The magic this one used is powerful, enough to override whatever magic was supposed to dampen it,' Aether said, and I relayed his words.

"Wow," Aria breathed as she smiled her dragon warmly.

"You should rest," I said gently as she tried to cover a yawn. "It's been a long night."

Aria nodded as she covered her yawn. "You're right. I do kinda just want to sleep. I'm glad this one has powers, but it's been draining, all of this. At least they're handling Marcus."

"Yes, thank god. I'm glad Ossian was willing to step in though," Lydia said pointedly.

"Valeria was here too," Aria added quickly. "I think she would've helped."

"Seems we have some allies in the fangers," I mused, and Aria frowned at my term for them but didn't comment.

"Anyway, do you want us to still stay? We can both crash here," Lydia said softly, but Aria shook her head.

"Thank you, I appreciate it, but I don't think you need to. Marcus was the only issue, and now my dragon has powers, so I doubt the other two vampires will do anything, and Ossian and Valeria, I trust them not to make a move," Aria said.

"Trust is not something I'd use with a vampire," Lydia said softly, but she rose off the bed. "But in this instance, I do think you're right."

"You sure? I don't mind staying, I'll sleep in the chair, I don't sleep much anyway," I said, but she shook her head again.

"Really, Zephyr, I'm fine. Thank you, truly. I just want to pass out."

I nodded understandingly as I rose, and Aether pulled himself to his feet.

We said our goodnights and left her room, her dragon curled protectively at her side on the bed.

In the hallway, Lydia and I lingered, neither of us quite ready to leave Aria alone after everything that had happened. The Keep suddenly felt more dangerous, the shadows deeper and more threatening.

"Do you think the vampires will retaliate? The other two always with Marcus? Lydia asked, her voice low, eyes darting nervously down the corridor.

I shook my head, trying to project more confidence than I felt. "I don't think so. Marcus broke their laws by attacking Aria. If anything, they'll be distancing themselves from him. Vampires take their codes of conduct very seriously."

Before Lydia could respond, the sound of running footsteps echoed down the corridor. Chris appeared, his face awash with concern, hair disheveled as if he'd run all the way from the shifter quarters.

"I heard about the vampire attack," he panted, eyes wild with worry. "Is Aria okay? Why did no one come to get me?"

Without waiting for an answer, he strode to Aria's door and knocked. After a moment, the door opened, and Aria let him in. The look that passed between them – relief, concern, something deeper – made my stomach twist uncomfortably.

As the door closed behind them, I felt a sharp pang of jealousy. The emotion caught me off guard, and I struggled to keep it from showing on my face. I was a fae, after all. We were supposed to be above such petty human emotions.

But Lydia, ever observant, caught my expression. "I know that look," she said softly, her eyes filled with sympathy and understanding.

"What look?" I asked, feigning innocence. But I knew it was futile. Lydia had a way of seeing right through people I'd learned, a trait that made her both a valuable friend and a formidable potential enemy to others.

Lydia's eyes were sympathetic but firm. "Zephyr, you need to crush on someone else. Aria's already got two guys vying for her affection. Don't make this more complicated than it already is."

Her words stung more than I cared to admit. "It's nothing," I insisted, the lie bitter on my tongue. "Just concern for a friend."

But even as I said it, I knew it wasn't true. Unbidden, memories of my attempts to court fae women back home flooded my mind. Their polite rejections, the pitying looks, the whispers behind my back. I had been a joke in my own court, the failed prankster who couldn't even find a partner.

Aria was different. She treated me as an equal, valued my opinions, laughed at my jokes. She saw me for who I was, not for my failures or my standing in the fae court. In her eyes, I wasn't a disgraced fae or a failed trickster. I was just Zephyr, her friend and ally in this strange new world.

Pushing the thoughts aside, I turned to Lydia. "I'm sorry," I said, the words inadequate but sincere. "About you being separated from your family, I mean. It must be incredibly difficult."

Lydia's expression softened, the worry lines around her eyes deepening. "It is. There are moments when the pain is almost unbearable. But I've made some friends here – other shifters with children back home. We get together sometimes, share stories and photos. It helps, having others who understand."

I nodded, glad she had found some comfort. We said our goodnights and parted ways, each heading back to our own rooms. The halls of the Keep seemed longer and darker than usual, the shadows dancing in ways that made me question my own senses.

As I walked, I tried to push thoughts of Aria from my mind. This crush – because that's what it was, I had to admit – was foolish. I had no chance against a werewolf and a vampire, both of whom had already staked their claim.

But as I settled into bed, my dragon curled up beside me, I couldn't help but wonder. In a world of magic and prophecies, where dragons could reject their bonded companions and choose new ones, was anything truly impossible?

With a sigh, I closed my eyes, willing sleep to come.

As I drifted off, my last thoughts were of Aria – her smile, her kindness, the way she made me feel like I belonged. In this world we found ourselves in, she had become a valuable person to me. And even if she never saw me as more than a friend, I knew I would do anything to protect her.

After all, that's what friends do. Right?

But deep down, in a part of my heart I was afraid to examine too closely, I hoped for more. In a realm of dragons and destiny, perhaps even a disgraced fae trickster could find love.