Page 39 of To Fight and To Fold

Thea refrained from rolling her eyes simply because she knew Vaelen would have something to say about it.

“Aaryn did say something interesting,” Thea remembered, and pursed her lips. “She knows Starspark isn't eating.”

Vaelen’s brow furrowed. “Was this just a passing remark?”

Thea wavered. “I don’t know. The way she said it seemed… pointed.”

“Hmm. It might be worth asking around about. Shall I go with you to visit Starspark? We can bother some of the Awakened,” Vaelen suggested.

Thea perked up, nodding. Anything to distract her from that look on Aaryn's face. Where is my fucking dragon, Thea?

“Walk with me,” Vaelen said, and rounded the table.

Thea gladly followed her out the door. Vaelen locked up with a key hanging around her neck before she tucked it beneath her tunic.

As they walked, just about every person greeted Vaelen with smiles, but the archdruid didn't slow to chat.

They used the teleportation rune and arrived at the Dragons’ Nest, the largest of all the isles because of its inhabitants.

Thea grinned—as she often found herself doing on this isle—as they arrived.

A green dragon was lounging on a rock, sun bathing in slumber. A blue one was wrestling with a red one with such fervor that they created a purple blur in the tall grasses. Two druids stood off to the side, hands on their hips as they watched on.

“Oh, scales, be nice!” one scolded.

The dragons did not care, and chuffed as if they were laughing as they continued.

Throwing their hands up, the druids took a seat on the rocks nearby, content to wait out the dragons’ playful energy.

Further in, a gold dragon was snorting happily as he was brushed, even rolling over to show his belly.

In the waters, a black dragon cooled off as the sun shone down on him, his head resting on the grassy earth as his body was submerged. Alongside him was his Awakened, a man Thea had worked with plenty of times in the past.

Thea’s heart beat with affection for each one of them. Small cottages dotted the land as well, where the Awakened lived.

“Archdruid Vaelen,” a woman greeted as they approached. “How are you?”

“Just fine, Marina. How is everyone today?”

She waved a hand out at the dragons. “Everyone’s in good spirits. Enjoying the nice weather. All except one, as I’m sure you’re well aware.”

“Can we see him?”

“Of course; come this way. No improvement, though.”

The smile slipped off Thea’s face and she guided her gaze down toward the path they were walking as guilt rippled through her. Thea had failed him again, despite her efforts to convince Aaryn to come with her.

Scales! If only I’d thought the plan through better. If only Thea had done a better job of earning his trust before trying to take him away. It was supposed to be a silent exit, not filled with explosions and a hasty retreat.

I'll fix it, she vowed, and not for the first time.

Starspark came into view, his black scales reflecting the sunlight in a shimmer of colors she knew so well. Sage and deep rose and rich purple.

He was not wrestling, napping, or soaking in the water. He simply… laid there, beneath a thicket of trees, in the shade. It was the spot he’d chosen upon arrival and apparently had not left.

As they approached, though, he picked his head up, and his long neck curved, big eyes landing on… Thea.

His nostrils flared and the huff he let out was both mournful and annoyed at the same time. He nudged her with his snout, breath ruffling Thea’s cloak.