9. Kyeria

CHAPTER 9

Kyeria

" T his is maybe the nicest thing I have ever laid eyes on, let alone worn," Kyeria said, looking at herself in the mirror, running hands over the golden silk fabric of her dress. It had long sleeves and was sheer around her collar bones, sparkling brightly under the moonlight. Tonight was the ball in honor of the new hatchling. Some rituals of the old gods were to be performed, which she was told was a grand event. Aura sat on Kyeria's bed, Esmie next to her, feet swinging.

"You look beautiful." Aura smiled.

"Like a queen," Esmie murmured, earning a tap on the shoulder from Aura next to her. Kyeria let out a nervous breath, steadying herself.

"Kellian, is he–" she started.

"He's a part of the ritual. He started his part this morning with the priest, caretakers, and grandfather," Aura explained.

"And you… are here because?" Kyeria asked, wondering why Aura, a royal herself, was not participating. Aura waved her hand.

"It's awfully boring." She jumped to her feet, golden satin gown pooling around her. "Tonight's the fun part!"

She tugged Esmie off the bed and slipped on her shoes. The three of them walked to the grand hall where the staircase descended into a ballroom. Music wafted through the palace, as well as loud chatter from guests and pops from bottles opening and clinks of glasses. Kyeria had never seen anything so grand. She walked down the stairs arm in arm with Aura and Esmeralda. People smiled and nodded, giving small bows to Aura as they passed.

"Seems we're a little late—the hatchling ritual starts soon!" Esmie whispered, running off out the open doors to the terrace where the gardens and a large lawn laid. Chandeliers hung from trees, torches lit the way—even the outside was as gold and glimmering as the ballroom.

A great wind burst through the courtyard, and Kyeria's hand went to her chest in awe as a great grey Dragon landed—Fendiah. But then another followed, one almost as large and vast as Fendiah, but this one was white—shimmering white. She blinked a few times, magic washing over her in the same familiar way it had when she met Fendiah in human form.

"It is time for the great rite of a hatchling, to be born of fire and emerge to join the ranks of the Dragons as declared by the gods themself and blessed by Alleron," the voice boomed through the courtyard. She recognized it as Fendiah's.

"My heir will present hatchlings to you, the kingdom of The Hollow destined to serve and protect Dragonkind."

The white Dragon stepped forward, the earth shuddering under its step. The Dragon king's heir. A burst of flame erupted from both of the Dragons, onto where the Dragon egg sat on a raised pedestal surrounded by a low flame.

Cheers erupted around her. She and Aura were standing rather close to the front, with no one in front of them. The heat from the blaze warmed their faces.

Suddenly, a small Dragon emerged from the flame. Larger than she expected to see come from the small egg. Surrounded by tendrils of magic swirling around it, a dark Dragon with purple and pink glittering scales so dark they were almost black came forth.

"Blessed be to Alleron," whispered every person in attendance. She turned looking around her, at the people of The Hollow. But her awe-stricken trance was disturbed by a deep familiar voice shouting her name, Kellians husked voice was raw with fear as he screamed.

Kyeria turned trying to find him, but her vision blurred and the very air burned around her. The last thing she saw was the new hatchling and their glowing eyes boring into her own before she was consumed by flame.