Page 35 of Wynter and the Stone Dragon

“Your morning tea, Your Highness. Would you like anything else?” Desiree asked.

Wynter returned the young teen’s infectious smile. Fourteen-year-old Desiree was going to be a heartbreaker, and her talents were growing under the tutelage of Wynter’s sister, Electra.

“No, thank you, Desiree. How are your studies coming along?” she inquired, crossing the room to pour herself a cup of tea.

“Wonderful. We are working on Botanical Magic. It is my favorite,” Desiree replied.

“That will be all, Desiree,” Eirene stated placidly. “Electra was asking for you in the nursery.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Desiree said with a curtsy. She rolled her eyes before she exited the room.

Wynter’s lips twitched with mirth. She lifted her cup to her lips to conceal her expression, though she seriously doubted that Eirene had missed the teen’s reaction.

Eirene rolled her own eyes and poured herself a cup of tea. Wynter laughed, and together, they walked onto the balcony. Neither spoke as they watched the miracle below them. So much had changed overnight for Erindale.

Pow-pow had been extremely helpful in cleaning away the destruction—calling it snack time as he gobbled away at the fallen stone. Wynter’s smile faded as she thought about the last few months and how much her life had changed.

“How are your parents?” Eirene inquired.

“Good. Father has found several new worlds to observe. Mother has been working with Electra in the new botanical magic classes. Both Father and mother enjoy living here. I was surprised when Electra decided to join us as well. She and Mother are really enjoying teaching. They all say the power contained here is much stronger than any other world they have visited.”

Eirene nodded. “How is your relationship with your biological father?”

Wynter hesitated before she answered. “It has been… difficult, but things are getting better. I can feel his sadness. He misses my mother.”

“I can imagine. You bring great joy to his life, though. He loves you,” Eirene said.

Wynter nodded. “I know. I have so many memories that aren’t mine. It is overwhelming. I still can’t believe he and the others are alive. If only….”

Her voice faded as she thought of her birth mother, Queen Larenta. Wynter looked so much like her that it was difficult for Everes to look at her.

She gazed out over the kingdom. It would take years of intense study to come into her full magical abilities and learn how to control them. The memories of the ancients crowded her mind. Until she learned to categorize them, much like her father did with the tomes he created, it would be difficult for her to focus on what to learn first.

Ultimately, breaking the spell cast by her mother had turned out to be the easy part. LaNie had been right, the knowledge had come to her. The return of the king without his queen had been heartbreaking. The meeting of his daughter was both joyous and crushingly sad.

Wynter wasn’t sure she would have survived if it hadn’t been for her adoptive parents and Eirene. Ceto had almost destroyed the Order of Enyo with an attempted assassination of the other members of the council. Eirene was the one who stopped her, entombing Ceto in the dark realm, an isolated prison for mages, where she could do no more harm.

Only then had Eirene activated the spell on Wynter’s hand to let her know that it was safe to return.

“If only…?” Eirene gently inquired.

Wynter lifted a delicate shoulder and shook her head. She missed Khalid. Their connection was something she treasured, and her heart would always belong to him, but she knew her place was here. Her duty was to her people. She understood how he felt now.

Eirene studied her with a sympathetic expression and waved her hand towards the kingdom below. “Your mother’s sacrifice allowed them to live, but it is more than the loss of your mother that causes you pain.”

Wynter winced. The mage saw too much. Wynter turned away from Eirene.

“Wynter—” Everes said as he stepped onto the balcony. “My apologies for the interruption, Mage Eirene,” he greeted.

“Your Majesty. It is always a pleasure to see you. Wynter, I need to return to Enyo. If you need anything, send for me,” Eirene said with a compassionate smile.

“I know. Thank you for everything, Eirene.”

Everes was silent until Eirene left. Wynter studied her biological father’s face. Grief had etched deep lines around his mouth and shadowed his eyes. As he studied her, the lines eased and love replaced the shadows.

“You’ve done wonders,” she said with a nod of her head toward the city.

“None of this could have happened without you,” he replied.

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