Chapter 19

The Castle, The Gullington, Scotland, United Kingdom

Gen awoke feeling the strangest sense of home that she'd ever known. She sat up in her bed in the Castle at the Gullington, with a sense of awe and wonder that she wasn't prone to. Placing her hands by her side and feeling the warm bed covers, she felt a deep connection to something and firmly believed that she'd found the place where she belonged. She was a Dragon Elite, and this was where her purpose resided.

As the sun started to peek out over the hills through the window, Gen remembered what day it was almost too much at once. She wanted to run toward the future of possibilities but also felt a foreboding unlike ever before. Something felt really off about what was happening next and Gen had no idea how or why.

Today was when her dragon would hatch.

Feeling a strange urgency, Gen hurriedly dressed, putting on the suit that Jeremy Bearimy and Juergen had made for her. She slipped Bellumferrum into her pocket, again accosted by the fact that something so small could be so powerful. It was a tiny black cube, but it could become a cannon if she needed it. Right then, Gen wondered if she would ever need that—the future again was full of possibilities and uncertainties.

When Gen exited her room, she was surprised and also relieved to find Sophia waiting there for her. She was holding what appeared to be a shot of whiskey and she was wearing what looked to be an apprehensive expression.

"We have to stop meeting like this," Gen joked, brushing her hands down her armored suit. "You do have your own room in the Castle, right? You don't just live outside of mine?"

Sophia laughed. "I have my own wing because the Castle, also known as Quiet, adores me so. But because of that connection, he also threw me out of bed early and brought me here with this." She held up the shot glass of auburn-colored liquid. "Apparently, he knew you needed me and also a drink."

"But the sun is still rising, and I haven't had anything to eat," Gen remarked, still taking the shot glass from Sophia.

"I don't think it matters what you've had in your stomach when you're a dragonrider," Sophia stated. "You drink when you need to and apparently, you're going to have one of those days that demand you drink early."

"Cheers then." Gen held up the shot glass and threw back her head, taking the drink in one gulp. It burned but was also nice and warming, seeming to coat her stomach and strengthen her fortitude. Shaking her head, she blinked at Sophia. "So, what kind of day am I having that I need to start with a glass of whiskey?"

Sophia shrugged. "Hard to know for certain, but something tells me that meeting your dragon is going to be quite the occasion."

"Because he has a deep, dark secret that will surprise me?" Gen asked.

Sophia nodded. "And also, because everyone has turned out for the affair. Get ready to put your social hat on because I haven't seen this many people on the Expanse since…" She thought for a moment. "Well, since ever. Every dragon and rider for the Dragon Elite and everyone of interest has turned out for the hatching."

"Why?" Gen asked, stiffening and strangely glad for the whiskey first thing in the morning.

"Well, I'm not sure, actually," Sophia replied honestly. "I don't know what's so unique about your dragon, besides the obvious. He was the first egg spawned and will be the very last to ever hatch. That in itself is something remarkable. But Quiet, Mahkah and Hiker all know what makes him even more extraordinary. However, I have a feeling there's a twist that none of us saw coming."

"Why is that?" Gen questioned, having had the same feeling since awakening.

"You know how you just know that something is going to whack you in the face, even though there's nothing aimed at you or in the vicinity?" Sophia asked, a quizzical expression buzzing in her eyes.

"Yes, and I've felt like that since I woke up, although it was strangely accompanied by a sense of comfort—like I was at home," Gen replied.

Sophia nodded. "I know, but there's something going on below the surface, I feel. Like we're reading things all wrong. I don't know what we're going to learn today, but I'm certain that what we think is going to happen is going to be very different than what happens."

"What do I do?" Gen asked, feeling more trepidation than ever before.

"When you have to walk through fire, do you question if you're going to get burned?"

Gen shook her head. "No, because you know you're going to."

"What do you do?" Sophia challenged.

"You remember why you're doing it," Gen stated with confidence. "And you hold your head up high and walk through the flames because you must have a reason, which is to get to the other side."

"That's right," Sophia affirmed. "And your reason is to meet your dragon. We don't know what he is, but we know he's important. So, walk forward. Feel the flames and get to the other side. It's time you learn who you've been bonded to for the rest of your life. It's time that you discover your destiny."