Ashes and Embers

Long before the floating kingdoms were built, the skies belonged to the dragons alone. Humans feared the skies and the creatures that ruled them.

But everything changed when dark forces called Velkraths emerged from the earth - twisted echoes of dragons, corrupted by ancient magic and hunger. They began to burn the kingdoms from the skies downward.

Desperate to save her people, a girl named Aerin climbed the highest peak to plead with the dragon Esharion. Instead of taking her life, the dragon saw her courage and bound his soul to hers. In that moment, the first dragon-rider bond was forged - a sacred link of minds and hearts.

From Aerin and Esharion, the order of dragon riders was born. Dragons bond to their riders from birth, and when the rider comes of age, the dragon seeks them out.

Over centuries, the riders defended the floating kingdom of Aerithal, their bond holding back the Velkraith threat. Yet the bond is dangerous-if one dies, the other often cannot survive the loss.

Two childhood best friends, Riven, a quiet and loyal dragon rider, and Lyra, a bold and fiercely independent warrior-have trained side-by-side since they were twelve. Bound to their dragons, Virex and Sora, they've fought countless battles and saved each other's lives more times than they can count.

But while Lyra sees Riven as her anchor and brother-in-arms, Riven has silently loved her for years. Lyra, however, is infatuated with Xanten, a charming and noble prince from the kingdom to the South called Medana.

When an ancient, giant, monstrous dragon awakens, threatening to destroy their kingdom, Riven and Lyra are chosen for a perilous mission. As they venture deeper into enemy lands, Riven struggles with his feelings, caught between wanting Lyra to know the truth and fearing it would ruin everything they've built