5. Kyeria

CHAPTER 5

Kyeria

K yeria found herself growing fond of the small family of The Hollow. Ember visited her often on the grounds around the castle. Aura walked with her during the day showing her the gardens, the training grounds, and telling her about the beast they encountered and how she's been tracking it. Aura talked about how Esmeralda was certain the shadow beast was sucking the magic away, which was making the borders shrink, leaving some lost Dragon eggs vulnerable outside of the protection of the border. Raiders had taken to the forest and edge of the Ash Mountains and tried to find Dragon eggs. Only one had been successfully taken years ago and since then, Kellian had been taking treks to find and bring back any beyond the borders.

They had walked for quite a time, Aura pointing out her favorite spots as they went. They ventured to a winding river beyond the castle gates, and Ember buzzed with excitement and a new message for the Heirs before she was off again. Aura promised to take her into the village soon, and spoke excitedly about the markets. They parted ways and Kyeria went back to her room. She had been wearing a linen tunic borrowed from Aura and when she returned to her bedchamber, the tunic and clothes she had arrived in were gone, a black gown hanging in the closet. Much to her dismay, the dress was stunning. But she felt like she was wearing something much too nice for the simple dinner Aura had mentioned earlier. She spent time in front of the grand mirror in her room arranging the fabrics just right, even spent time on her hair, twisting pieces back and out of her face, letting her curls fall down her back. She sensed Kellian at the door before he knocked. He, like Aura, held an odd form of magic. One she did not recognise. It was different from Aura's; all magic was unique to the one carrying it, having their own signature on it. But Kyeria would have expected Kellian to have the gift of light as his sister had, and surely he would have used that rather than a sword when fighting the beast by the lake.

When Kyeria swung the door open she was slightly stunned to see Kellian looking so formal. His white hair was now as bright as Aura's, pulled back and a few pieces framing his face. It was shoulder length, unlike how the Evanthian's wore their hair in a short militant style. His golden eyes seemed brighter in the light of the sunset streaming into her room.

They went to dinner and met Esmeralda. Kyeria was so deeply excited to meet another witch, it had been so long since she had been around one, and she could feel the familiar magic radiating off of her. They were immediately engrossed in conversation. Kellian was rather quiet during the dinner, sitting at the head of the table, candle light surrounding him. When they left the dining room, her hand holding onto his arm, he was again content to talk. She was shocked at how trusting they seemed. Obviously Fendiah's word was law here. She was not surprised as Dragons were that of Gods in their own rights.

With the promise to meet at dawn, Kyeria changed into the night dress that now hung in her closet, letting herself melt into the large bed, layers and layers of the softest fabrics, surrounded by a small army of pillows. Kyeria had never known such luxury. She felt a great sense of calm here, the land at peace with her arrival, she slept better than she had in a decade.

Waking before the sun, Kyeria walked to her wardrobe which was surprisingly empty. A small knock on her door made her spin around on her heels. A small older woman fluttered in, her white hair in a long braid, a soft smile settling on her face as she took in Kyeria. In her hands was a small stack of folded clothes.

"Hello Dear," she greeted. "I am Miss Bells. I had your old clothes washed and fixed where they needed to be. Aura had me grab some extra items for you as well." She set them on the edge of the bed.

"I will send out for more soon; the village market opens back up today," she chirped and started making the bed and arranging things in the room. She then pulled two small vials from her pockets and sauntered over to Kyeria,

"His highness said you were fond of baths, so I have brought you more oils!" Miss Bells held out her hands holding the vials. Kyeria tried to stop the deep blush but her cheeks flushed nonetheless thinking about Kellian even mentioning that to the sweet Miss Bells.

"Thank you!"

"Not a problem, Miss." She turned and her hair shifted from covering her ears. Pointed, like Kyeria's were. She let out a gasp,

"You are Fae." Kyeria was stunned, unsure how she didn't, or couldn't, sense any magic on Miss Bells. Miss Bells smiled.

"That I am." Her eyes creased. "It had been a time since I have seen any new Fae on the continent."

Kyeria nodded, a little too shaken to speak; she always assumed she was the only one left. After waking with the only heartbeat in that awful field.

"How long have you been here?" Kyeria asked.

"My family has been here for many decades. We settled in the isles before the great war, but we were a traveling bunch."

"You don't have magic?"

"No, I am from the Mien line," Miss Bells replied. Kyeria knew of the Mien's; they were families of Fae born without any magic classes. Usually tradespeople and travelers, those who kept the markets bustling, bringing in new items from other lands.

"Are there any other Fae here?" Kyeria whispered, eyes curious.

"None that look like us," she answered. "I do not know for a fact, but I gathered from my time here that some are far removed, but nonetheless from Fae lineages, a strange magic surrounds many people here."

"I have worked in the castle for many years now. The highnesses carry a strong magic. You might have sensed it by now."

"Is it a secret?" Kyeria asked.

"Not exactly, but not my own story to tell." Miss Bells smiled. "But they are good, kind people here. You will find your place soon enough. Now, I must be on my way but if you are needing anything at all, I help run the day to day here in the castle." She tapped her hand on the dresser next to her and left the room.

Kyeria walked over to the new clothes slightly in a trance at meeting someone of her own kind here in this hidden kingdom. Pulling on new clothes, Kyeria sat on the window sill waiting for the sun to rise. She felt Kellian's presence before she heard his knock on the door. She brushed off her clothes and made her way to the door where she was met with a soft smiled Kellian.

"I know you want to see the libraries, but first would you like to come with me to drop off the new hatchling?" he asked. She nodded quickly and they walked down the hall and down the great stairs, passing a grand ballroom and the throne room bustling with people. They rounded another corner and a grey haired man smiled at Kellian, reaching out a hand to say hello.

"Kyeria, nice to see you again. I hope you are finding The Hollow to your liking," the man addressed Kyeria. She felt taken aback–— essence was so deeply familiar but she had never met this man before. She tried to form words but instead her mouth hung agape, her magic swirling around her, trying to find the connection.

"Grandfather," Kellian greeted. His soft golden eyes were an exact match to Kellian's. She noted his grey hair was brighter than that of old age—white like Kellian's and Aura's. His skin was rugged and worn from age and weathering. Deep lines creased around his forehead and eyes.

Something passed between Kellian and his grandfather before Kellian nodded.

"I'll let you be on your way." His grandfather looked again to Kyeria. "I would love to properly introduce you to The Hollow. We shall have a ball, to welcome you to our corner of the world." Kyeria bowed her head.

"I am honored, your highness." Kellian's grandfather simply waved a hand with a calm smile and continued on his way through the stone castle. Kellian reached out a hand to touch the small of Kyeria's back and led her on. They continued, and still Kellian's hand stayed, and she could feel the heat of his skin through the fabric of her clothes. She tried to keep her breathing even, her heart calm. But it was nearly impossible.

"Your grandfather," Kyeria broke the silent trance they had been in as they walked. Kellian, as if remembering himself, let his hand drop and folded them in front of him. "He seemed so familiar," she whispered, looking ahead. Kellian nodded.

"The old ways, the runes and protection spells have all deemed you worthy by letting you enter the borders that protect The Hollow," he started. She looked at him, his eyes steeled and serious. "My grandfather is Fendiah," Kellian spoke and Kyeria's ears were filled with white noise, her magic swirling in her, recognising and approving of this knowledge, the pieces all fitting together.

"Your grandfather," her eyes snapped to him, "is a human."

"He is." Kellian nodded. "It is a form he can take."

"And he can also be a Dragon?"

"My family are known as the Guardians of The Hollow—the Guardians of Dragons. Long Ago, old magic was cast to bind our family line to the Dragons, so that some in the family would be able to take the form of a Dragon," he explained. They were now in a dark hall, and had traveled down many stairs. It was cold here. Torches burning bright lit the hallway and a grand doorway stood at the end of the hall.

"These are the ancient caves, their systems run long and far within The Hollow. This is where we bring hatchlings to keep them safe, it is also where the Dragons rest." He held out a hand to motion her forward.

"Are they of your relation?" Kyeria asked, dazed with this new information.

Kellian chuckled, "No."

"Okay." Kyeria simply nodded again, all she was able to do, slightly overwhelmed at this information.

"Your sister?" Kyeria's feet stopped her. Kellian shook his head,

"She is human. Only human," he clarified. "Aura was sick as a child, as I've mentioned. We thought she had passed down the gift to shift into Dragon form as our grandfather has. It is a fickle magic, only manifesting in those worthy of such a gift close to the gods. Aura, we think she ought to have been the one chosen but when she became so sick, her body was too weak, and the gods decided she was not to be chosen as such and her role would be that of a Guardian, to protect the lands and the people."

"Magic being earned by those worthy is a common way of thought among many lands and people. The same can be said of the Fae lands. Not all possess magic, some are given other roles, still important in their own ways."

"Similar to Miss Bells, who I assume you've met by now," Kellian said. Kyeria smiled.

"I didn't think I would ever meet one of my own on this continent again." She looked to the grand doors. "This place is something of pure magic."

Kellian hulled open the grand doors. There was a large hearth in the middle, blazing bright and lighting the room. About a dozen people were gathered around, and beyond them was a lifesize stone statue of a Dragon, as large as Fendiah had been in Dragon form. It made Kyeria feel small.

"This is Alleron. The great god of Dragons," Kellian spoke as they walked towards it. He pulled a lit torch and dipped it towards the feet of the stone Dragon. Fire erupted around Alleron, surrounding him in flames. The heat and light blinded Kyeria.

He spoke of the history of Alleron, how he had traveled to these lands, and established The Hollow, the Dragonier forest, and the Ash Mountains of Dragon territory. How he established that no mere human would step foot on these lands to harm or hurt their kind, and a kingdom would be created to guard these lands and caves to harbor and raise hatchlings in safety.

They walked farther into the caves into smaller rooms. A few people dressed in plain tan garbs with thick ropes tied around their waists tended to something small in baskets of straw and hay. Kyeria craned her neck to look into a basket, and an egg the size of her own forearm sat, surrounded by small torches of light.

"Your highness." One of the attendants bowed to Kellian. "The lanelle hatchlings have been moved per your request. We have a separate area for the newer eggs, so we can assess their development."

"Thank you Anwar." Kellian nodded, then said to Kyeria, "Anwar is one of the oldest caretakers in the caves. He oversees all the eggs, and has even seen multiple born in his lifetime."

Kyeria smiled. She could feel the magic surrounding Anwar. He was more Fae than human, but not fully Fae—his ears were not pointed like hers. Though he must not be bound by a human lifespan if he had seen multiple Dragons hatch. For as the stories told, it was decades or sometimes centuries between Dragons coming into this world. Eggs could sit dormant for hundreds of years.

Kellian pulled his satchel over his shoulder and pulled out the shimmering egg Kyeria had saved. It felt like months ago now, rushing into the mountain and past the borders into safety. The moon had only cycled a few times since that day.

Kyeria's own magic jolted awake at the presence of the familiar egg. She wondered why it reacted so to this particular egg but not to the others in this room.

Anwar reached out to take the egg gently. "It is a great honor to have recovered a Venille heir Dragon egg," he said looking at Kyeria. "We have heard of your great act from Fendiah himself, but to see an egg from this line when we thought them lost for such a time…" he trailed off, his eyes looking glassy and far away. "Thank you, dear one. Thank you."

"It was my honor to assist a Dragon." Kyeria smiled. "I was raised on great and wondrous stories of this land that you call The Hollow. I am honored to have helped in any way. Luna herself guided me here, granting me the ability to help." She bowed her head after speaking her Goddess' name, as did Kellian and Anwar.

"Peace be to Luna," Kellian and Anwar muttered.

"This hatchling feels very active," Anwar said, looking at the egg in speculation. He walked to a table, a few lights and bottles strewn across the thick wooden top. Kellian and Kyeria followed. Anwar raised his hands and circled them around the egg, muttering in a language Kyeria was not familiar with. A golden Aura surrounded the Dragon egg, the light pulsing. Kyeria felt her magic tingling in her fingertips. She looked down to see a gentle glow around her hands. Kellian was staring at them as well. Anwar finished his ritual and looked to Kyeria.

"The hatchling has seemed to have bonded with you," he said simply, as if it wasn't a life-changing statement.

"What?" Kyeria tripped over the word. Kellian's hand reached out to steady her.

"Could you lay your hand here?" Anwar asked. Kyeria placed a hand on the egg. She could feel a pulse, strong and true. The egg shook and Anwar sucked in a breath.

"Blessed be to Alleron, it is almost time," Anwar whispered.

Kyeria snapped to Anwar. "The egg is going to hatch?" She tried to keep her alarm at bay. Anwar met her eyes, soft and in awe.

"It is a long process, but this is how it starts. We must honor its arrival." Anwar smiled brightly, clasping Kyeria on the shoulder,

"You are a wonder, Kyeria, child of the trees. Your presence pleased Alleron and the gods have blessed us with a new arrival. We must begin preparation." Anwar flitted about, and suddenly more people were buzzing around. Kellian's steady presence beside her rooted her to the ground. She felt a small pressure on her back—his hand again. He nudged her forward and they left the room with the hatchlings to Anwar and the other caretakers.

"We must tell Fendiah of this great honor." Kellian's eyes creased, his lips parting into a real and genuine smile, and it was the most beautiful thing Kyeria had ever seen.

"You are truly a gift." Kellian reached out his hand and cupped her cheek. Kyeria felt her world tilt, everything suddenly so intense and overwhelming. Kellian's golden eyes glowing so bright they burned.

Days went by, and Kyeria noticed Kellian appearing in her attempted routines throughout the day, as if drawn to her as she was to him. She didn't quite know her way around the castle yet, but his constant companionship was rather comforting as he walked her from place to place. In the early mornings, Kellian would walk her to the library to meet Esmeralda. During some days they would walk the lengths of the castle together, lost in conversation, sharing stories. He seemed to note the things she liked, like how she made tea with Miss Bells, then had tea waiting for her the next morning at the libraries, or that she had gone so long without the simple pleasure of a long bath and how she was enamored with the aromas and elixirs they had for them here. Later that week, new ones had been placed, lining the shelves in her washroom with small handwritten labels. The lavender one was quickly becoming her favorite.

Whenever they walked together, he was alert, stopping her before she'd stumble over the cobblestones in the garden, as she was too busy taking in the flora to pay attention to where her feet were stepping. She was so deeply taken by the nature that surrounded the castle, the gardens in particular. On sunny days, they walked through them together, sometimes he'd even reach out and brush a stray golden-red curl from her face, electricity jolting through his fingers as he skimmed the skin of her cheek. She felt a tug inside her very soul, as if she needed to be near him, that she started asking him to visit the Dragon caves under the palace with her every morning after breakfast, finding excuses to be near him.

They would walk together after their visits. He always seemed talkative when it was just the two of them, like her essence pushed away his broody air and let him be at ease. She asked about his tower and he talked and talked. He asked about her homeland and memories of it and she would get lost in the old stories of home. They spent a week like this, the escorted walks through the castle, for meals, or to see the gardens or nearby land outside the castle gates. Kyeria could find her way around the palace just fine by now, but she never said as such.

One particularly cold night after dinner she stood by the windows in the dinner hall looking up at the stars. They were to hold a ball at the full moon, a few weeks from now. Fendiah had been attending more dinners than he used to, seeming to enjoy Kyeria's company as the rest of them did. Kellian had mentioned how the King stayed in Dragon form frequently, as they had a kingdom that was hidden and peaceful, Fendiah began leaving kingly duties to Kellian, preparing him for when soon, he would be King. The little mismatched family sat at the table, a grandfather and his heirs, a witch, and a fae who stumbled into this world. Kyeria found herself happy here, almost like she may have found a home.

After meals were had, stories and drinks were shared, slowly most retired to their rooms for the night. When only Kellian and Kyeria remained in the warm candle lit room. The tension clogged the room, floating around the two of them. As she stood at a window, taking in the night sky and the thousands of stars, she felt him walk up behind her. Felt the warmth of his body just inches from her own. Featherlike touches of his breath on her neck.

"That is the draconis constellation," he muttered, edging closer to her. He reached past her, his arm bushing hers and pointed. "The Dragon." His breath moved the strands of her hair resting against her cheek as he spoke. She took a short breath in, heart leaping into her throat at the proximity.

"They say it appeared after Alleron passed on from this earthly land and he watches over us now," Kellian continued. Kyeria could turn and her lips would be inches from his own. The pull to him was overwhelming, as if a trance of a song could lull them together. Instead, they kept stealing moments, near touches as they walked or Kellian pointed out paintings or stars, and stolen glances across dinner tables or royal halls.

"You study the stars, up in your tower." It wasn't a question, she knew it to be true.

He took the hint in her words. "Yes," he muttered. His lips were almost touching her ear now. She slowly spun to face him, their lips inches apart. Her eyes caught on his lips and tipped up to his own. Gold meeting green. For a moment they stood there, the pull in her chest thrumming alongside her heartbeat.