Page 151 of The Shadows of Stars
Golden sunlight washed over the pier as they emerged from the tunnel’s gloom. Drawing to a halt with the others, Serenna blinked against the brightness. Druids swooped in from every direction, descending along the shoreline as if summoned by an unspoken call.
Muscles coiling, Cinderax bounded forward before he launched into the air. As he flew above the lake, the webbing on his wings caught fire, scarlet flames streaking across the sky.
Serenna’s breath hitched as a ripple passed through the surrounding druids, a silent current rolling across their ranks.Color bled through the membranes of their wings, the dark leather morphing into rich maroon—a mirror of Cinderax.
Kaedryn lifted a claw, drawing the gathered crowd into a hushed stillness. Serenna’s pulse quickened as a spark flickered in her palm—once, twice—then ignited into a sphere of flame. Awe glimmered in Kaedryn’s eyes as she tracked Cinderax’s sweeping flight.
He wheeled over the lake, fire trailing behind his wings. Deep within his chest, a molten glow flared. The radiance surged upward, illuminating his throat as his ribs expanded with a slow, forceful inhale. Heat shimmered in the air around him before his jaws wrenched wide, a gout of flame roaring free.
The druids answered.
A thousand flames erupted, spiraling into the sky. Serenna stood breathless as their rekindled power swept outward in a blazing tribute—a resurrection, a rebirth. She felt it in her bones, the way the earth stirred and answered.
Even Lykor—ever irreverent—stood motionless, wonder creeping across his face.
Cinderax descended in a slow loop, wings folding when his claws scraped the pier. He loped forward, smoke curling around him as he drew to a halt, the last embers of his fire dissolving.
Kaedryn turned to them, her eyes glistening with unshed tears as the flame danced above her palm. “He’s remembering,” she whispered. “The memories of his line—of the Emberharts who came before—live within him. While it may take years before the full legacy of their wisdom awakens, the Fire Warden’s blessing has been restored.”
Lykor’s unreadable gaze lingered on Cinderax before he demanded, “Will he grow?”
“Of course he’ll grow,” Kaedryn snapped, clenching her claw shut and dispelling the fire. “The legends speak of dragonswhose wings could shroud mountains in shadow, whose power could fracture the bones of the world itself.”
Lykor’s only response was an unimpressed grunt.
A rumble reverberated through Cinderax’s chest, his molten eyes pinning on Lykor before shifting to Kaedryn. Moments passed in a silent exchange before she returned her attention to the group, her expression grim.
“While he was chained to dreams, Cinderax only brushed minds with Skylash.” She turned toward the horizon. “She’s imprisoned beyond the tallest summits of the Dreadspire Range, hundreds of leagues away. But if we lack a second Heart—”
“We have another,” Vesryn interjected. “It’s safe with our people. But if we’re to forge this alliance, I want to bring them to Asharyn.” His eyes swept over the gathered druids. “We have a handful of Essence-wielders, scores of wraith warriors, dozens of dracovae, and…” His fingers tapped briefly on his thighs as his gaze flicked toward Serenna and Jassyn.
“And more children of earth and starlight,” Serenna finished. “Our numbers aren’t enough to rival the king’s armies,” she admitted, “but it’s a start—a foundation for our collective defenses.”
Cinderax exhaled a chuff of smoke when Lykor suddenly tore a portal open. “I’ll return to the jungle and have Kal organize our people,” he muttered, already stalking toward the gateway before anything was even decided. “Fenn.” He gestured sharply, clearly expecting his lieutenant to follow.
Fenn hesitated, glancing between Serenna and the rift. But before he made his choice, Kaedryn’s voice rang through the air.
“You have yet to receive your judgment.”
Lykor spun, a snarl tearing from his throat. Eyes flaring with fury, he opened his mouth, but Jassyn shifted closer. They exchanged a glance and Lykor’s jaw ticked as he bit off whatever he’d intended to say.
Serenna’s lips twitched, both thankful and amused that Jassyn’s mere presence had the ability to temper him.
Kaedryn lifted her chin. “Cinderax acknowledges the strength of your group. He will lead us to the Dreadspire Range to free Skylash.” She turned toward Serenna. “But to fly to her location, we’ll need the children of earth and starlight to subdue the storms of wind and lightning.”
Before Serenna could respond, Lykor scoffed and cut in. “Fly? Since you and every stars-forsaken druid here became intimatelyfamiliar with our anatomy,” he growled, “surely you noticed that we lackwings.”
Cinderax prowled toward Lykor with sinuous grace, his tail weaving across the sandstone. Lykor glared down at the dragon and Cinderax squinted, seeming to glare right back.
Kaedryn’s lips peeled away from her fangs in a forced smile. “Which is why,” she hissed, “Cinderax has judged all of you worthy. He wishes to offer his gift—to grant you the power of the scalebound.”
