Page 33 of Wynter and the Stone Dragon

“Go have fun. We can travel to the castle when you return,” she said.

Pow-pow turned a mischievous grin to Desiree. “Would you like a ride to the river?”

Desiree’s lips parted in awe, and she vigorously nodded. “Oh, that would be wonderful!”

Wynter laughed. “He’s only offering because he’s hungry.”

Desiree reached out and stroked Pow-pow’s neck. “I know where there is a big clay deposit,” she loudly whispered.

Wynter stood back as the dragon and the very excited young mage on his back bounded off. She waited until they were out of sight before she walked over to the cottage. The door opened a split second before she arrived.

“Good morning, Your Highness,” Tomas greeted.

“Good morning, Tomas. I was wondering if I could talk with you and LaNie.”

“It would be an honor,” Tomas answered.

* * *

Tomas and LaNie told Wynter that her mother, Queen Larenta, was considered the most powerful mage on the planet. They explained that Erindale was their capital, and smaller kingdoms were scattered throughout the lands.

Each kingdom was led by a small group of mages. LaNie and Tomas had been part of the council for one of these kingdoms. Wynter’s mother had come from a line of mages known as the Illumini who were said to have come to this world thousands of years ago.

“The first Illumini helped bring peace to our planet. They shared their skills, and their blood. Over time, the people of this world and the Illumini became one. Prophecies tell of a child born with hair the color of lightning threaded with pure energy. She will be the most powerful of all and rule as protector,” LaNie explained.

Tomas nodded. “You have the power to bring back those turned to stone and restore the capital of Nysus.”

Wynter stared at the couple. “How?”

”You will know what to do when the time is right.” LaNie placed her hand over Wynter’s heart. “It’s within you. It’s your birthright.”

“Take care, though,” Tomas warned. “Everyone who enters Erindale turns to stone.”

When Wynter told them that she and Pow-pow had already entered the city and they were just fine, LaNie replied that it must be because she was the rightful heir to the throne.

“Spells can be funny that way,” LaNie said. “We tend to think that friendship and alliances are separate from magic, but magic has a way of grouping together people who share love and understanding. Your ancient blood clearly protected you from the stone curse—and your companion was included in that protection, or perhaps Pow-pow refraining from turning to stone is not that complicated.” She laughed. “He is already made of stone, is he not?”

A short while later, Wynter and Pow-pow left for the castle, and during the flight, she fidgeted with the end of her braid as she mulled over her conversation with LaNie and Tomas.

You will know what to do when the time is right.

LaNie’s words reminded her so much of Khalid. He had known when it was the right time to take back his rightful place, and he had fought for it. She touched the ring around her neck and felt mental anguish so intense, it took her breath away.

We should go to him,Pow-pow insisted, feeling her strong emotions.

When it is safe. I will not endanger him.

Pow-pow snorted and shook his head. Wynter breathed a sigh of relief when the castle came into view. Pow-pow raced along the outer rampart. The air sizzled with the magic protecting the kingdom.

The statues of the men standing on the wall’s platforms caught her attention—especially the one standing at the center. She recognized him as her biological father, both from the vision she had years ago and the way she felt drawn to him.

“Take me to the balcony,” she requested.

Pow-pow turned and glided higher. They crossed over the wall. Wynter felt a change in the air when they passed through the magic. A surge of power went through her, and she stiffened as her skin radiated light and her hair swirled as if it had a life of its own. She felt… energized.

“What is it?” Pow-pow asked.

Knowledge flowed through her mind, an ancient knowledge that had been passed down to each generation of Illumini. She saw visions and heard words spoken in a language older than the Mage-line of Enyo.

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