We approach the altar for Arraya when a strong gust of wind blows. I hold Tru to me tightly, but it feels like something is pulling Tru from me. Using my magic, I create a barrier with the ground. In her, sleep Tru waves her glowing hand. The wind suddenly stops, and the wall I created collapses.“My darling girl is back,” a voice booms from the alter. Clutching Tru tighter to me, I slowly approach. “I’ve waited for so long to see her again. Bring her to me, young dragon.”I kneel in front of the alter with Tru in my arms. “Arraya, I need answers on what happened. Please tell me the names of those who betrayed me.”“Place Gesina on the alter. When she was a young girl, she would sit here, and we would talk. Little Gesi, her eyes were full of life, then they took her from us.” In an impatient voice, Arraya says again, “Lay her down so I may get a good look at her again.”Holdin

As Taran escorts me to his palace area, he points out little things on the way. Once we arrive at a large door, Taran squeezes my hand, “I hope you like everything. If something isn’t to your standards, please tell me, and we will replace it. Everything I picked was things I believed you would like. I wanted our wing completed before you arrived, so all that is needed is you.” I can see in Taran’s eyes how much he wants approval. It is destroying me that he loves Gesina and not me. Taran prepared for her for years and worked hard to prepare a place for them. Taking a hard swallow, I pull away, “Taran, before we go any further, I need to tell you something.” Taran looks around and nods, “Of course, dove. Let’s go to the study, and I will give you a tour of our hall later.” Taran opens the door and leads me to an office. He gestures for me to sit then asks if I would like something to drink. I tell him no and wait for him to sit down, then I say cautiou

Taran and I haven’t spoken much since leaving the isle. He refuses to talk about waking the other dragons. In fact, reclaiming his kingdom seems to fall at the end of his priorities. “I want to help you find your mother,” I tell him when we land back at the cave. Taran in his dragon form shakes his head. Crossing my arms I give him an annoyed look, “Why not?” A deep growl rumbles at the back of Taran’s throat and he refuses to look at me. In frustration I ask, “Is there something you are hiding from me?” The look in Taran’s eyes tells me there is more than just something he doesn’t want me to know. Pausing for a moment I ask, “There is something you want to hide from me?” Taran lowers his head. “Please tell me. Shift back and let me help you,” I plea. With a sigh of defeat, Taran shifts. He stares out at the water for a few minutes before finally speaking, “Did you see your death?” I nod, “I killed myself, so I could be born. Two of me couldn’t exist. All I did was step into- ” “N

TaranTru rushed into her parent's home without even saying hello to anyone. I can feel her pain. Though we knew this was a possibility, we didn’t think it would happen so suddenly. I tell everyone hello and am surprised to see Cindy and David here. I know it is his mother, but they don’t seem to want to interact with the family.I find Tru next to her mother in the bedroom. Guilt overwhelms me as I see Tru crying and how weak Alice appears. I used every healing potion I could think of, but nothing helped.Alice asks Tru to speak with me privately, and I see the hesitation in her eyes. Tru doesn’t want to leave her mother’s side. I can see the sadness in Tru’s eyes as she walks past me. It makes me wonder if she will resent me for not saving her mom.Once Tru is out of the room, Alice says, “Taran, will you shut the door?” I nod and shut the door behind me as I enter. “Have a seat,” she gestures towards a chair close to the bed. After I sit, Alice asks, “How did you know that the red

I sit on the edge of my mother’s hospital bed. They called her time of death two hours ago. My mother went on bypass yesterday afternoon. When the hospital asked us to leave because visiting hours had ended, my mother squeezed my hand when I told her goodbye. Then when we arrived this morning, I knew she was gone. I no longer felt her presence in the room.“Dove,” Taran’s gentle voice pulls me from my thoughts. I look at him and see another man standing behind him, “They need to take Alice downstairs.”I nod and stand. Taran quickly pulls me to him. We leave the room and join my dad and brothers in a lobby area. “Are you okay, Tru?” Dave asks when we sit down.I nod, “We knew this day was coming. I will miss her, but at least she isn’t sick anymore.”“We barely left her side the past two weeks,” Dave says lightly. “I’m not sure how to go back to day-to-day life.”“The house felt empty last night without mom there,” Mike says with tears, “I’m not sure how I will step foot in there agai