Page 21 of Beneath Scales and Shadows
The dining hall—if such a mundane term could apply to the breathtaking space—opened onto a wide balcony overlooking the central cavern. Dragons in various forms moved through the enormous space below, some in their full draconic glory, others in their half-form like Ignis, while others were in more human appearances.
Somehow without any masks… were they betas? Or just lost their magic?
Platters of unfamiliar food awaited them—fruits with iridescent skins, breads studded with nuts and honey glazed, and a seemingly endless supply of meats and fish prepared in ways that released aromas both savory and spicy. Sora’s stomach growled, reminding her how little she’d eaten during yesterday’s chaos.
“Your body requires nourishment to support the transformation,” Ignis explained, filling a plate for her. “Especially since dragon metabolism burns hotter than human.”
She accepted the offering, noting how oddly natural it felt to be served by him. “Is that why my body experience’s waves of fever-like heat?”
“One reason.” His gaze lingered on the silver scales now permanently visible along her arms. “Your dragon nature emerges more with each passing day.”
As they ate, Sora observed the clan members below, her historian’s mind instinctually cataloging details. “There aren’t many of you, are there?”
Pain flickered across Ignis’s features. “We number fewer than two hundred now. Once, thousands of dragons filled these mountains.”
“What happened?”
“The purge.” He set down his goblet, claws scraping against metal. “When King Aldric betrayed our omega queen during peace negotiations, he didn’t just kill her—he used her body—like her scales for nefarious reasons and used the ancient knowledge that they stole to craft weapons capable of piercing us through our defenses.”
The betrayal echoed what Lyra had told her in the castle, but hearing it from Ignis carried new weight. This wasn’t distant history—he had lived it.
“You were there,” she realized.
“I was young. Barely considered an adult by dragon standards.” His gaze grew distant. “But old enough to watch both my grandparents and parents fall defending our home.”
She reached across the table without thinking, fingers brushing his scaled forearm. “I’m sorry.”
The contact seemed to surprise him as much as it did her. For a heartbeat, a haunting vulnerability replaced the ancient power in his crimson eyes.
“The council chamber awaits,” he said, recovering his composure. “Many questions require answers.”
The council chamber carved into the mountain’s heart pulsed with the same crystal energy that illuminated the rest of the dragon stronghold. Six figures awaited them—including the same five she’d met when she’d first arrived.
Ember standing guard at the entrance, Asher seated beside an elderly male dragon whose scales had faded to pale silver, the twin Wing Leaders Blaze and Enixa positioned on either side of a weighty stone table, and Coal lingering in the shadows near a side entrance.
Notably absent was Zalaya, though Sora spotted several of her feathers on a nearby shelf, suggesting she frequented these meetings.
“The twice-born arrives,” announced the elderly dragon, his voice carrying the whisper of ancient fires. “I am Cinderfell, advisor to three generations of Dralux kings.”
Ignis guided her to a seat at his right hand, his wing extending slightly behind her chair—a gesture of protection that didn’t go unnoticed by her and the others. She wondered why she would need protection in the midst of his council, and if they truly could be trusted.
“Our scouts report chaos at Celestoria Castle,” Ember began without preamble. “Princess Jewels claims a dragon kidnapped a royal servant during the Midwinter Ball. The royal soothsayer has been imprisoned for her prophecy, which has spread across the land and into the nearby kingdoms.”
“How long would it be before all of Artania knows?” Ignis asked, scanning his council. “If we contact our neighbors, we could warn them about the prophecy coming true.” He rested a hand on Sora’s shoulder, giving it a light squeeze as he met her gaze.“They will want to search for any lost lunas, take them in and teach them about this world, before Celestoria and any of their supporters discover them.”
“I can send messenger crows to them.” Coal kicked away from the wall, uncrossing his arms. “Perhaps our allies will be willing to aid us.”
“What do you mean by ‘aid us’?” A heavy stone lodged in her gut.
“They’ve mobilized the northern garrison,” Blaze answered her, his copper-scaled form tensing. “Twenty thousand soldiers now march toward the mountain pass.”
Sora’s stomach twisted. “Because of me? Because I was taken?”
Enixa’s emerald eyes studied her with cool assessment. “You provide convenient justification for a conflict they’ve sought for generations. The royals feared the prophecy’s fulfillment—your appearance confirmed their worst nightmares.”
“What exactly does this prophecy say?” Sora looked around the table, frustration building. “Everyone keeps referencing it, but no one has told me what it actually contains.”
The council members exchanged glances, a silent communication passing between them before Cinderfell nodded slowly.