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“Are you sure I won’t hurt you? I’m not light, you know.”

With an almost human roll of his eyes, he said, “Just get up here, Alex.”

Still hesitant, she did so, fumbling her way up the incline of the thick sinew, marvelling at the strength she felt in the muscles beneath her.

Once she was on his back and settled into a secure position in front of his wing joints—the familiarity of which left her throat feeling tight all over again—Xira said, “We’re going to have to work on that. I’m sure you were much better at scaling me in the past.”

“You were about ten times smaller then,” Alex pointed out.

“More of me to love now,” he responded, before lowering onto his haunches and pushing off from the desert.

The speed at which he flew was unlike anything Alex had ever experienced. He had so much more power at his disposal now, so much more strength in his ancient, titanic form. Thethrill of the flight was indescribable—something Alex had missed beyond words. She closed her eyes as the wind met her face, the nostalgia comforting her soul.

What did you mean about thinking I was dead?Alex asked, knowing that even with his speed, they still had a journey ahead of them before they reached the upper atmosphere. A seemingly endless amount of darkness remained in the sky above them, no light yet in sight.

When you and I parted ways, the connection between us was neutralised until my time caught up to your future, since you had yet to exist in those years, Xira answered.By then, I was already here in Tia Auras, but I felt it the moment you bonded with my younger self, just as I felt it when you returned to your real time again. It’s been a faint but steady feeling, an awareness that you were alive, even if I couldn’t pick up on your emotions or anything else due to the distance between us.

He paused as his wings caught an updraft, tipping them enough for Alex to tighten her grip, before he evened out again and continued,We were too far from each other to communicate across worlds, but while I wanted so badly to return to Medora to be with you, there were… extenuating circumstances that meant I had to remain here until I could figure out the best way for me to leave and return to your side.

Alex was touched by his declaration, by the idea that he would have left Tia Auras for her, even knowing there were no other draekons now living in Medora. Even so, she was curious about the ‘extenuating circumstances’, but he continued before she could ask.

And then, four days ago, the connection between us disappeared. Completely. I was inconsolable until I realised that since I remained alive, the same had to be true for you. I had no idea why I could no longer sense our bond; the only comfort I had was knowing that if you truly were dead, I would be too. Until that rational thought kicked in, however, I was certain you were gone from me forever.

Alex closed her eyes as realisation flooded her. Four days ago—that’s when she’d first put on Athora’s ring.

She didn’t fill Xira in verbally, since it was much quicker for her to show him how the ring had been used to keep the Tia Aurans from seeing her glowing skin and learning about hervaelianalink. She now realised that it must not have only concealed her bond, but nullified it entirely.

I took it off as I was falling, wanting to see the glimmer one last time before…Alex trailed off, not needing to finish.

That’s when I felt you again—when I realised you were here and what was happening, Xira confirmed.I had only a few seconds to travel through theabrassaand arrive before you crashed.

Alex couldn’t help pointing out,We still crashed.

Is that your way of saying thank you?

She softened, moving one of her hands to stroke the smooth scales in front of her.Thank you, Xira. You seem to be always saving my life.

Xira snorted.Nothing is ever boring with you around, Alex. That’s for sure.

Tell me something I don’t know.

How about that we’re going to win this race?he said as they finally burst up through the darkness and into the light, night instantly turning to day as they continued soaring upwards with great, whooshing strokes of Xira’s wings.And that you’re going to pass this Gate, as well as the next three. Then you’re going to defeat Aven once and for all.

Alex didn’t know how she was going to do any of that. She was certain it was already too late, and as soon as they reached the Sky Kingdom, they would both see that. But rather than arguing, she instead focused on the way Xira had spat Aven’s name, on the emotion behind his words.

In a gentle tone, she carefully said,Niyx told me about your mother.A shudder rippled across his body underneath her andhis wings jerked mid-stroke before continuing to push upwards.I wish I’d been there for you, Xira.

There was nothing you could have done, he returned quietly as they finally approached the base of the clouded stairs. And then, aware of how desperate she was to know, he clarified,I wasn’t in Draekora when it happened, but from what I was told, he came in the night—no one was expecting it. But that alone wouldn’t have caused the devastation it did. He was one Meyarin, which should have meant nothing against the might of even a single draekon.

Then how did he…?

Aven carried with him the Harbinger of Death.

Alex’s brow furrowed and she loosened her grip with one hand to brush windswept hair off her face.I don’t know what that means.

You are bound to the Sword of the Stars, Alex, just as Aven is bound to the Sword of the Shadows.

Her eyes widened.You’re talking about Vae’varka? The black-fire blade?