WREN Book Three Prince of Dragons

Making ammends

“We’re headed back to Devonia?”  Scott asked. Dante flew just to the left of Tanwen.

“Looks that way.” I nodded. Attroxia was floating just off of Tanwen’s nose. The smoke dragon refused to get too far away from me. It didn’t matter how many times I told him I was fine.

After pardoning the general, I had gone to the dragons. They had stood before me in a lose formation. I met each of their eyes. Neffy kept his mind hidden to me, but at least looked at me. I sighed, wondering how I was to earn back his trust.

“I’m sorry.” I muttered.

The words wouldn’t come. The things I wanted to tell them. The emotions I wanted to convey, to show how utterly horrible I felt for what happened. I hadn’t thought of them. The ones who had pledged to follow me. The ones who had stood by my side when no others dared. These were my family. They were more precious to me than some stupid title.

I shoved past Neffy blocks. I pushed my mind into each of theirs. I held nothing back as the pain, the images flowed through me to them. I felt their sadness, their fear. Everything that had overpowered them to come destroy that which had killed me. They just didn’t know we brought my killer with me. I told them.

“Zyn, you are stupid.” Zelzada informed me.

“Very!” Yakanaw concurred.

“There were a thousand ways we could have done that better!” The soul dragon folded her arms over her chest, her daughter nodding beside her.

“I don’t think so.” I muttered.

I lowered my head to look at the ground. How do I describe this feeling within me? This calmness, this knowledge I received. I lifted my head to peer at them all. Averlien tilted his head slightly. I smirked at how simple his emotions were. He seemed younger than he looked, but I knew he wasn’t.

“I had to die at some point.” I whispered. “I may have to die again to fully control or understand this ability.” I watched over them.

“I am the Prince of Dragons. I will fight for you above all else, but I must have freedom to live as I need.” I explained to them.

There was silence after I finally took possession of the title they had bestowed upon me. Then, it began with Neffy of all of them, a slow clap that turned into me being buried by dragons. I was surrounded by their joy. Neffy unblocked his mind, accepting me once more.

After this, while I was packing up, the water dragon found me alone for a short time. He said nothing as his hand fell to my shoulder. Our minds linked instantly. He showed me why he had been so mad at me. It wasn’t due to my death. It was due to what my death meant to his Nuare. Cordgi had been inconsolable until they brought my body back. Seeing me alive, even if just barely so, had helped him. The rider never left my side again until I woke.

“I’m sorry you had to see him like that again. I will do my utmost to not let it happen a third time.”  I told the dragon

“But, you mentioned another death?” he tilted his head.

“It possible, once I get the four major elements…” I paused, tying closed my bundle.

“You may have to enter the neither to find the soul dragon?” Neffy guessed from my silence.

“It’s just a thought. I will plan it with Zelzada so it’s not as shocking.” I offered.

“Please do. Also, make sure Shea and Greyson are well chained.” He huffed.

I had laughed as we walked to the open area set aside for the dragons to transform. That was when I checked the compass. It was pointing us back in the direction we had just come from. I frowned, not wishing to go home so soon. Yet, I still needed to find the legendary water dragon.