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“But we missed so much time.” Kai shook her head, not seeing how this loss for a man she’d only been able to spend a couple of hours with could be a gift. There should have been more time.

The warm spice of his scent surrounded her before she heard his words. I feel your sadness, little flame.

She choked down her emotions. She wanted to appear strong by Aodh’s side, not fall apart like a weepy human.

She took in Brenna's regal valor. She had been the mate to the previous Mckenna with three younglings, and here she was, chin up, dry-eyed, and ready to assist in getting things accomplished.

“Yes. But he didn’t pass from this earth without you knowing him and the truth.”

Kai had become an expert at boxing her emotions since her parents died.

There wasn’t time for her to wallow in tears.

She had to work even harder to keep what little she and her sister had.

When that wasn’t enough because Morlie got sick, she did more, and more, and more.

This Thunder needed her to be a stalwart partner to Aodh, and it was what they would get.

“Drago did bring clarity and peace to me in the short time I knew him. For that, I am grateful.” Kai rolled her shoulders back and spoke with assurity.

“That’s right.” Brenna rubbed Kai’s arm one final time, then stepped back. She glanced at her son. “Your father will fly over with Edjer. Tana, Adalina, and I will assist in preparing Drago for his final flight.” She gestured toward the other two women, who stood close but gave them some distance.

Kai knew that Adalina was Rhys's old aide and still privately handled a few duties for Brenna and Rhys.

“Well, I need to pull Tana for something else,” Aodh waved over his attendant.

“Perfectly fine. Over twenty Drahks came to assist, and there are enough hands to see it done right.” Brenna offered a slight grin. “I’ll let you and Aguya get to your other responsibilities this day.”

Brenna walked away, headed back into the line of others waiting to enter the white dragon’s home.

“How may I be of assistance, Mckenna?” Tana bowed her head toward them both to indicate a show of respect.

“Tana, I must meet with Yeongi and go to the Communication building. I need you to escort Kai back to our suites so she may rest and plan for tonight.”

“I don’t want to keep Tana from what she came here to do.” Kai faced Aodh. “I’ll be fine making my way back. I have plenty of time.”

She knew better than to ask to fly back with Tana. Aodh’s dragon did not trust the offspring of the Mckenna in flight with anyone else.

Aodh cupped her face between both of his hands. “I know you are capable, mate. But it is not safe for you to travel such a distance alone. You will go with Tana and Ladon.”

“Ladon?” She placed a hand on Aodh's chest, feeling the strength of his heartbeat under her palm. To the right of his shoulder, Kai saw a pale-orange-and-blue dragon landing in the clearing behind Aodh. When he shifted, she recognized the young guard. “You don’t think two escorts is excessive?”

“No.” Aodh did not even balk. “You are Aguya.” He leaned in and pressed a kiss to the center of her forehead. “Besides, I’m sure you have many questions about tonight. This will give you time to speak with Tana.”

“All right. You’re right.” She patted the big, thick muscle of one of his pecs.

Aodh looked over at Tana. “Kai will provide Drago’s last words as his remaining relative and bless his journey back to the Great Spirit.”

Tana nodded. “I will ensure she has the proper attire and assist her where she needs to draft her words.”

“I have no doubt. Thank you for helping her.” Aodh turned back to Kai and then pulled her closer. “Rest. Eat.”

“Yes, Mckenna,” she teased.

He growled at her response to his command. After a quick kiss on her lips, Aodh left her in Tana’s capable hands, and he briefly spoke with Ladon.

Aodh left Ladon and gave Kai one final glance before he shifted, and his massive, burnt-orange dragon launched into the air.

“Did I hear Aodh correctly, Tana? Is there a specific attire for tonight?”

“Oh, yes. As people, we are not formal like the Fae or Vampyre, but when it comes to our fellow dragons' final flight and ceremony, we approach it with reverence, uniformity, and order.”

Magnificent. She would never grow tired of seeing the beast.

Kai was feeling nervous before, but hearing Tana increased her anxiety tenfold. “What if I mess up in what I do or worse, what I say?”

Tana’s warm gaze met hers. “I will make sure you know what to say when. We have enough time to practice until you are comfortable with everything.”

“Alright. Then let us start walking back to the center.”

Just as Ladon joined them, Kai started to turn toward home when the Drahks, who had filled the house earlier, began to exit carrying their same burlap sacks.

Each stuffed to capacity. The Thunder members headed into the same wide-open space beside Drago’s home that dragons had been coming and going from since she came out with Aodh.

Each dragon flew away with the heavy satchel in one of its front claws.

“What is happening? What’s in the bags?” she asked.

“Drago’s hoard. They will place them in the archive building. Until another Drahk connects with it as a hearthstone.”

“Oh. Wow. I didn’t consider the stones would need to be moved.”

“Who knows? Maybe the Great Spirit will ensure your hatchling will have the pearls as its hearthstone.

With Tana at her side and Ladon at her back, Kai began their journey toward the heart of the territory. “Now, that would be a true blessing.”