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“You three are my true family now.”

24

~Vorzyr~

It was the worst time for me to have been summoned home.

Or maybe the truth was that there wasn’t a right time anymore.

It just didn’t feel like actuallycoming homenow either.

As I approached the gates to the Dracoryn Realm, all I felt was grief at leaving Ariana, Kai, and Nyx behind, as well as a massive sense of apprehension.

I just couldn’t tell whether that apprehension was due to being away from them, especially at such a dire time and also some of the Malrik-Draco stuff weighing on me,orwhether it was my draconic instincts warning of it being more than that.

Either way, I couldn’t simply turn tail now.

Not that I would—it was against my very nature to back down from any sort of adversity. Really, my instincts were to prepare me for what was coming. It wasn’t a fight-or-flight thing, because there was noflightoption built into my makeup. It was always fight and might all the way.

I was just about to step through the gates, when I felt a push at my mind.

I smiled as I recognized the sensation and who it was attached to, and I opened up.

In the next moment,hergorgeous voice sounded through my head.

“My dragon, did you really think I wouldn’t find a way to say goodbye to you?”

“I’m so glad you did. Not doing so… it wasn’t sitting right with me.”

“Nyx reached out to me.”

“Of course he did. Little sweetheart.”

“He most definitely is. So, how are you feeling about going back there after everything?”

“Apprehensive, I guess. I haven’t even crossed the threshold into the Realm and already I feel out of place.”

“That makes sense given what you’ve come to know, and also how you were cast out. But try not to let that lead the way before you even lay eyes on your parents. You could miss out on a warm welcome, on the good involved of being home.”

“That’s a really nice way of looking at it.”

“I wish that it wasn’t urgent, then we’d all go with you.”

“It’s kind of good that it is urgent, because you need to concentrate on those sessions with Cassius. And Nyx and Kai need to do their things to help as well.”

“Wow, I never thought you’d actually be on board with my sessions.”

“I’m an untrusting bastard. That’s where that’s rooted.”

“You weren’t with Nyx or Kai. Even when Kai first came across as an obstacle to your pursuit of me.”

“Cassius came down as an antagonist to our foursome, to you, and to your free will. At first. I mean, it does seem he’s coming around now, especially from what you’ve been reporting to us about your sessions with him. But… I guessthe way he came in, and that fucking bargain and duty being forced on you still being in effect… he represents that to me.”

“I understand.”

“I know you do. You always do. I’m gonna miss you so much, gorgeous.”

“I’ll miss you, too. Don’t be too long, okay? Promise me.”