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When Aurelia’s blood saved me, it was a transfusion of her blood to mine.

“One more thing!” I asked. The woman appeared ethereal, her figure nearly translucent against the backdrop. Her complexion, pale and delicate, seemed so faint that I could almost discern the purplish veins coursing beneath her skin. “The diseased creatures. I know that it was Aurelia’s previous wish. How can we destroy them?”

“You surprise me, Damian,” she sweetly purred. “You originally came here attempting to kill Aurelia to get a wish of your own, yet you save her and then ask about her wish and not yours?” I lowered my head in embarrassment. I was going to kill Aurelia, yet here I was, saving her. The Scalekeeper was right. “I can’t tell you everything, but I will give you a hint, as I know these diseased creatures also threaten my dragons.” I paused, listening intently. “The answer is at the Scalebound colony. Tell them:yamceeii5axuaeii6uama7.”

I repeated what she said inSatas Lermamultiple times, so I wouldn’t forget.Yamsayee ahhwahee wahma.I attempted to pronounce it, again and again, not to forget what I had to tell the Scalebound colony.

I blinked, and then the lady was gone, unable to receive any more clarity.

The words pounded against my head as I watched the sun slowly rise in the sky, the pastel colors beneath it fading as it reached its blue hue.

“Damian!” It was Aurelia’s voice.

“Aurelia!” Snapping from the thoughts of the Scalekeeper, I ran to her side, dropping the golden egg, hugging, grabbing, and kissing her face. Tears appeared in my eyes. Not wanting them to be seen, I quickly blinked them away. “You’re alive. Holy curses! You’re alive!” Belle came to both of our sides, holding her ground.

“Damian, what’s happening?”

We watched as the crack in the mountain turned into a large gaping hole with creatures flying out into the air. The split shattered the earth beneath it, the abyss opening up, dark and gloomy, ready to suck in the remaining of our lands.

Fire radiated around it, the embers hot and gleaming, burning a hole through the sides of the crack, erupting fervently into our own world.

One after the other, they roared, screaming and soaring into the sky. The creatures were huge, with large talons, horns, and scales that reflected off the sunlight. They were thirty times our size, making me want to cower.

“Dragons.”

1.Ezu (Eh-ooh): Heaven

2.Claicem (Clay-sem): I am/My name is

3.Satas: Scaled

4.Railumen (Ray-lu-men): Keeper

5.Yamceeii (Yawm-say-ee): (Placed before the verb in a command)

6.Axuaeii (Ah-wah-ee): The verb to use

7.Uama (Wah-ma): Something to have/Theirs/Yours/His/Hers

Chapter forty-three

AURELIA

Dragons started to pour out of the earth, filling the sky with their large bodies. They were shimmering in different colors. Their scales were purples, pinks, greens, violets, and blues, all pouring out. They all were different sizes, some looking scarier and deadlier than others. Each had different tails, talons, and wings, unique and breathtaking in their own way. Screeching and soaring erupted through the air, making me want to cover my hands over my ears.

The dragons were slashing through the clouds, happy to have escaped. Each of them was flying quickly, stretching its wings and talons. There were so many of them that I was unable to speak to a single one. I could sense their presence, but not a specific individual.

What was this? “Damian, how?”

He looked at me, a slight smile on his face. “I am so glad you’re alive, my Queen.”

“Alive?” Then it dawned on me.

The wish.

“I… I… died?” I sputtered.

Belle and Damian nodded in unison. “You saved me! Out of all of your dreams and wishes, you saved me.” I cupped my hands around his face, looking up into his dark brown, dreamy eyes. My feelings exponentially grew, fluttering in my stomach, demanding to be released. I couldn’t believe it.