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Before the conversation could progress further, a thunderous roar shattered the relative calm of the evening. The sound reverberated through the air, causing the delicate glasses on the table to tremble.

Bile rose in Renya's throat as her body instinctively tensed, terror coursing through her veins. Not again, she thought desperately.I can't go back there.

In an instant, the dining hall erupted into a flurry of activity. Grayden's sword sang as he pulled it from its sheath, the blade glinting in the fading light. Phillippe was on his feet in a heartbeat, his massive broadsword at the ready. Thesand pulled an arrow to his bow with practiced ease, while Triston produced a small but wicked-looking trident seemingly from thin air.

As the roar continued, Esmeralda rose from her seat, her eyes wide with panic. Before she could move, Phillippe stepped in front of her protectively, his body a shield between her and the perceived threat.

Grayden lunged towards the source of the sound, his blade held high and ready to strike. In that moment, time seemed to slow for Renya. Without conscious thought, she found herself moving, driven by an instinct she couldn't explain.

“No!” The scream tore from her throat as she threw herself between Grayden and the approaching figure. An arrow whistled past her head, its trajectory aimed at the beast behind her. With a surge of power, Renya caught the projectile in a web of golden magic, stopping it mid-flight before shattering it into a million glittering pieces.

As the dust settled, Renya's eyes fell upon a familiar form. Beauty sat on her hind legs, another earth-shaking roar emanating from her throat before she dropped to all fours.

“It's okay, girl. I'm here,” Renya soothed, her voice cutting through the tension in the room. She approached the dragon without hesitation, her hand outstretched to stroke Beauty's head. The dragon's rumbling purr of contentment filled the air, a stark contrast to the earlier roars of challenge.

Renya turned to face the stunned group, a mix of pride and nervousness coloring her voice as she made the introductions. “Beauty, this is everyone,” she said, gesturing to the assembled company. Then, with a slight hesitation, she added, “Everyone, meet Beauty. My...dragon.”

The silence that followed was deafening, broken only by the sound of Beauty's contented purring and the soft rustle of scales as she shifted her weight. Renya stood tall beside her unexpected companion, her chin lifted in a gesture of defiance that dared anyone to challenge this new development. As she waited for the shock to wear off and the inevitable questions to begin, Renya felt a surge of warmth through her bond with Grayden—a mixture of surprise, pride, and unwavering support that strengthened her resolve.

Whatever came next, she knew she could face it with Beauty by her side and Grayden at her back.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Sion woke up, his senses on high alert. He couldn't believe he allowed himself to fall asleep. He was supposed to be guarding Selenia.

Selenia. Where was she? He frantically lifted his head as his eyes searched around the camp. There she was, sitting on a log and looking directly into the fire, a small blanket wrapped around her shoulders.

He walked over to her, and touched her lightly on her good arm. She jumped, startled by his presence.

“What are you doing up, Selenia? You were supposed to be resting. I'm worried about your arm.”

She looked up at him, and something in her gaze seemed different. He wasn't sure what it was, but she seemed...off.

“Selenia, what's wrong?”

She looked at him and swallowed hard, grasping at her gown as if to still her hands.

“Nothing,” she said, her voice wavering.

“Are you in pain?” he asked, frightened that her arm was getting worse or that she had lingering effects from her heat sickness.

“You could say that,” she whispered.

Sion felt a rush of sympathy come over him, and he sat down next to her on the log, putting his arm around her waist. She flinched, almost as though his touch burned her.

“Selenia?” he questioned.

“It's nothing...you just...it's better if you don't touch me.”

Sion felt a pit in his stomach. She must be angry about what transpired in the cave. He didn't know what came over him, and now she didn't even want him near.

“I promise, I won't touch you again,” he said, removing his hand and inching to the far side of the log.

Selenia didn't respond and continued looking into the fire.

Sighing, Sion sat up. It was near morning, and if they made good time they could be in the Snow Lands by tomorrow, or even late this evening.

“Let's get packed up,” he said, grabbing some dirt and throwing it over the fire to put it out.