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“What in the heavens is that?” Eridile yelled, scuttling backwards to the point he almost fell on his backside.

The other Elders stepped back warily as well.

Valerie tapped Geryon’s wing so he would lower it. She wanted to see what was going on and what had come from her properly.

When he did, she spoke to it. “Who are you?”

The ethereal Dragon turned his horned head down to her with a raised brow. His teeth appeared sharp, and a few of them sat over his bottom lip even when his mouth was shut, as though he had a slight overbite.

“Dear child, can you really not see who your Dragon parent is when he appears before you?”

She couldn’t hide the surprise as it sailed through her with a sharp exhale. “Faerydae the Destroyer?”

“How is this possible?” It wasn’t any of the Elders who asked this question; it was Rurik.

He was standing in the opened doorway. He must have come in when he sensed a surge of power and the excessive magic that continued to radiate from Faerydae.

Even with her magic locked away, she could feel it.

Faerydae lowered his head and pushed it inside his own ethereal body. He carefully ran the side of his snout under her jaw in a display of affection, and she couldn’t believe it was tangible – she could feel him!

It was an action that mistakenly forced her head to lift back and accept the touch. Geryon’s tail tightened around her in fear.

“She and her ancestors have been feeding my soul magic since I died. They have given me the power to come here in her time of need, as all my children have been watched over.”

Valerie lifted her hands to cup the bottom of his jaw and nuzzled her cheek against his snout.I cannot believe this. How remarkable.She couldn’t help the small smile that played across her pale lips.

“Why are you here?” Aneirin asked with his brows furrowing.

“Why else would I be here?” He lifted his head away and turned to the Elders. “You tried to kill one of my daughters and have rejected this bond. I disagree with both of those decisions and have decided to make my presence known to dispute them.”

“We are the Elders. Our decisions are law. You have had your time here in this world, old man,” Nayana sneered. She sat back on her haunches and looked at her claws like they were more interesting than him. Him! A literal freaking ghost Dragon. “Go back to the afterlife.”

“I do believe I am the true Elder in the room, and with the magic gifted to me over these centuries, I can smite all of you with little care if you do not heed my command.” He lifted a paw to reveal his claws in a threatening manner. “I was called ‘the Destroyer’ before my death for good reason.”

“Why would you approve of this bond? One of your own children has used dark magic. If you have been watching the world since your passing, you would know why this is a terrible crime. Would you not prefer your own corrupt offspring to die rather than let it mate with one of your own?” Aneirin asked, but his tone seemed more curious than anything.

Faerydae gave them a large, fanged grin.

“She will not turn. Regardless of what she has done, her will to be pure is too strong. It is why she still has not.” He turned his head to Geryon. “ShadowHunter, you have chosen your female wisely. Valerie is a formidable Witch, and she will help you kill those who are truly evil if you seek to. She does not care for other Witches, and she has already killed many.”

That’s when her eyes fell to Geryon, who had been silent.

She could see his eyes flickering over the ethereal Dragon resting over them, his bottom jaw lowered. He was in awe of what he was witnessing, as most were. She didn’t think any of them had ever spoken to a Dragon from the past.

His name is Geryon the ShadowHunter?He’d never told her what his title was. She wondered if it was because he shadowed humans to hunt Witches.

“And Valerie the Heartless loves him. That in itself is enough to show their bond is worthy.”

Since she was already staring at him, she watched Geryon’s eyes widen before he shot his head to her. Her nose crinkled when he twisted his head at her, at finding out the depth of her feelings. Once more, her cheeks heated, and she thought this day was the most she’d ever blushed.

She’d been intending to keep that a secret.Figures I cannot hide it from Faerydae.

“But–” one of the Elders started.

“You will accept this bond, or I will rain my terror down on you!” His yell pierced her ears before his roar shook the walls.

His wings even spread out, and he released ethereal fire to the cave ceiling, the heat washing over her as though real flames. He was able to cast fire and use magic.