Page 145 of Queen’s Gambit

‘You’re leaving? Why?’

‘Annika’s recovered, the babies are big enough, and the pull of Ozar is taking a toll on us all.’ He came closer. ‘You don’t need me anymore. My only regret is missing your coronation, Roksana. I’m sorry we can’t stay that long.’

‘I understand,’ she said, reaching for Orm’s hand. ‘You’re a king and a father. Some things take priority.’

Annika and Alaric came closer, each carrying a sleeping infant. Sana’s eyes lit up, and the room suddenly filled with the scent of lilac and honey. Annika’s beaming smile and Alaric’s frown told me magic was at work.

‘May I?’ Sana asked, and I prepared to help her deal with their refusal.

To my surprise, Alaric was the first to surrender his daughter. Sana bent over the little princess, brushing the fluffy white hair from her forehead while humming a soft lullaby. The air shimmered. Alaric gasped, reaching out, but Annika caught his hand, stopping him.

‘No poison will touch you, little one. Live free and full of joy,’ Sana whispered when the song ended, and a faint green glow shimmered over the child’s forehead before disappearing completely.

‘You have a strong daughter, Alaric’va Shen’ra. Now she is safe. I’ll leave it to you whether to teach her the way of the blade,’ Sana said. Her eyes were verdant emerald, magic swirling within. I wondered if she knew her power was on display.

Annika sat on the edge of the bed and passed the boy over.

‘And what blessing do you have for my son?’

Sana placed her hand on the boy’s head but remained silent. The two women stared at each other for a long moment.

‘I can help him be more than just the heir of Ozar. If you allow it, he could soar the sky with his second father,’ Sana answered. I looked at Orm, whose jaw tightened.

‘He’ll come to you once he decides his future.’ Annika answered before her eyebrows drew closer. ‘Must he choose one form?’

‘No, he can live as a man, a dragon, or something in between, shifting between forms. The Goddess of Fate has woven his thread in such an extraordinary pattern,’ Sana said, and a quiet, intrusive thought wormed itself into my mind.

I want this, Rey. Please, will you let me ask? Cin’s need was difficult to withstand.

My gaze drifted to the dragonling Sana rocked gently. I could no longer deny it. I wanted this so much it hurt.

Ask once for us both. No pressure, no talking about duty or the future of the kingdom. I know how you feel, Cin. I feel it too, but it must be her decision.

Sometimes I wonder if you think I’m dumb, the dragon answered with a sigh, withdrawing from my mind.

‘Rey?’ Sana pulled my sleeve, making me aware my family was already standing, waiting to say goodbye.

‘Safe journey for you all,’ I said, standing up and clasping my brother’s wrist while Annika and Sana exchanged their last words.

The air between them shimmered slightly.

Annika, a living avatar of a goddess who bound the land itself to her will, and Sana, a goddess who relinquished her wings to become human, for me.

The Ozar royal family wandered out, relaxed and comfortable. When the door clicked shut, I exhaled, kissing Roksana’s forehead. Sana’s hands wrapped around my neck, her lips teasing the corner of my ear.

‘Can you give me a baby dragon, or should I beseech Cinared?’ she whispered, nipping the skin of my neck.

The windows rattled as a dragon’s joy shook the palace walls.