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As Avera fell, she had a moment to wish for a few things.

First and foremost, that this would work.

Second, that she’d had more time to spend with Griff.

And third, that she’d told him she loved him.

Too late now.

Frozen by her blood, Zhos couldn’t move, but like the dragons, it could scream in her head.

Foolish queen. A fall will not kill me, nor can I drown.

To which she replied, with the plummeting wind stealing each word, “Nothing of this world can kill you, but what of a lake of acid created by dust from yours?”

Zhos’ eyes widened, and Avera had a brief second of satisfaction before they hit the surface.

The impact jolted the breath from her lungs, expelling it in a rush of bubbles.

She also lost her grip on Zhos. To her surprise, she could see under the acidic water’s surface.

See how Zhos shuddered and shook, its body spasming and shedding.

Skin sloughed from its frame, chunks of it that kept disintegrating as they sank.

With the skin gone, its musculature and organs evaporated next.

The skeleton itself took longer and Avera lost them from sight as they descended into the deep lake.

It surprised her she didn’t die as quickly. Surely the acid would destroy her, and yet she realized she felt no pain. No burning sensation. Which led to panic since she still sank. She tried kicking her way to the surface, a difficult feat with her clothes bogging her down.

How ironic. To be immune to the acid in the lake that destroyed Zhos only to die from drowning.

Her eyes closed as her lungs tightened painfully. At least she’d saved the world.

As blackness began to consume her consciousness, something grabbed hold of Avera, and she found herself being propelled to the surface.

She might have been more worried but for Starlight’s voice. I’ve got you, little but mighty tiara.

They emerged from the Lake of Tears and Avera blinked at the bright sunshine she thought she’d never see again.

“How am I not dead?” she whispered.

Why would you die?”

“Because the lake is acid. It destroys flesh.”

Normal flesh. You are blooded and acid is akin to fire in that it burns.

“But the acid was from Zhos’ world. How are we immune?”

Does it matter?

Not really. Zhos was dead and she’d somehow survived.

Avera began to shake. She’d done it. She’d killed the monster.

Starlight brought her to the shore where Argent was just landing. A frantic Griff scrambled from his back.

“Avera!”

He grabbed her in a tight hug, and she pressed herself against him, enjoying the solidity of him, the fact she’d lived and could feel the comfort of his arms once more.

“Are you okay?” he asked when he released her.

“I’m fine, just a little chilly.” While the acid didn’t eat her flesh, it had taken her clothes.

“Put this on.” He stripped his jerkin, then his shirt which he tugged over her head before dragging her back into his arms. “I was so fucking scared when I saw you go over the edge.”

“I had to do it. It was the only way to kill Zhos.”

“But how? I thought nothing in our world could kill it.”

“Something Starlight told me. About how the last portal opened over the lake and dumped out a lot of dust. A dust that transformed the Lake of Tears into the poisonous body of water we know today.”

“A poison from Zho’s world,” he murmured. “That’s brilliant.”

She didn’t mention the fact she hadn’t been sure it would work. “I had to do something when the rift closed.”

“My brave, brave wife.”

She is a queen who served the people well, Starlight agreed.

And without asking of others what she wouldn’t do herself. Astonishing. Argent sounded impressed for once.

The other dragons suddenly landed, forming a semi-circle around them, disgorging their guardian passengers. At the sight of them, Avera found her anger roused.

“You.” She glared at the women in white. “How dare you bargain my life.”

“A ruse.” Opal pulled back her veil. “We never planned to kill you.”

“Just offered me up to Zhos and Benoit so they could have the honor,” Avera spat.

“Because that was what the vision showed,” Kachezi explained.

“You don’t know how many scenarios I saw over the last eon.

All of them ending in failure and Zhos prevailing.

Until I had the vision of you. You alone had the fortitude to face Zhos and the intelligence to realize how it could be ended. ”

At that Avera snorted. “Anyone could have figured it out.”

“And yet, no one else did.” Opal shrugged.

“Surely your vision showed you Zhos dying in the lake.”

Kachezi shook her head. “The method of its demise was never clear. Only that you would be the one to bring it about.”

“So all the fuss about retrieving the eggs and the way you used the emperor?—”

“All part of getting you to this place to fulfill your destiny, and as we’d hoped, you succeeded.”

Avera crossed her arms. “It doesn’t excuse the lies.”

“We understand you’re upset, but know that we acted for the good of everyone.”

“I find that hard to believe. I’m sure the dragons you enslaved would disagree.”

“We never meant to harm them and now that Zhos is gone, they are free.” Opal waved a hand and the collars fell from the necks of the beasts.

It took them a stunned second before they bugled and leapt into the sky.

“Now what?” Avera asked. “What devious plot do you have next?”

“None. We did what we set out to accomplish. You’re the one with a future ahead of her. You and your consort. I foresee decades of prosperity under your rule.”

“Assuming I take the throne. I’m not sure I want it.” With Benoit dead, the people could choose whoever they wanted.

“It’s those who crave power who shouldn’t have it,” Opal murmured. “Which is why you will make a good queen. And now that the world can flourish, and the dragons are re-hatched, it is time for us to go.”

“I don’t think so. You have much to answer for,” Avera huffed only to be distracted by shouting.

Argent and Starlight circled overhead, dangling her friends. As Avera was rushed for a series of hugs and a “Well done, my queen,” from Gustav, she lost sight of the guardians. When she realized they were gone, she cursed. “Dammit, where did they go?”

“Hopefully somewhere far, far away,” Griff murmured.

“But I still had questions.” Such as, how had the ballad, which turned out to be fairly accurate, come about? Why had they told her mother not to love her?

At the same time, because of Opal, Avera had escaped Daerva at the right time, found Griffon, helped free the dragons, and in the end, not only rid the world of Zhos but that tyrant Benoit.

Perhaps their methods, while harsh, had been necessary.

“What’s next my queen?” Gustav asked.

“First, some clothes. And then… time to tell my people they’re safe.”

Of course, she could have chosen a different method, however, Opal wasn’t the only one who’d seen the future.

Hence why Avera flew over Velunda to start, perched on Starlight’s back, wearing her tiara, flanked by her consort on his dragon, a disgruntled Argent, who grumbled, This is very undignified.

However, while he might complain about being ridden, he certainly didn’t mind when the people oohed and aahed when he landed in the marketplace.

When a crowd had gathered, Avera brandished her sword and in a voice that echoed loud enough for all to hear, shouted, “The evil that has plagued Daerva has been defeated.”

To which the people screamed, “All hail the Dragon Queen!”

And predictably burst into song, which over the next few weeks spawned a new verse.

The little tiara plunged into the Lake of Tears,

Defeating the puppet master Zhos.

With her consort Griffon, and mighty dragons,

She brought peace everlasting to all.