Page 36 of Wynter and the Stone Dragon

Wynter had been debating for a while about how much she should tell him about her vision. They had avoided this conversation. Actually, they had avoided any personal discussion at all. Their emotions had been too raw. They had needed time to come to terms with everything that had happened and what the future might hold.

She thought it might be time now, and the hesitant yet determined expression on Everes’s face could mean that he felt the same way. The question was which of them would take the first step.

She gripped the stone railing and bit her lip.

Maybe knowing might ease some of his grief,she thought.

You should tell him.

Pow-pow’s encouraging words made her smile. She looked up and saw him on one of the turrets, sealing some stones with molten dragon spit. He peered over his shoulder at her and winked. She smiled, and took a deep breath.

“I saw her…. I saw mother… when I came here the first time,” she confessed.

Her father stiffened. “How?”

“I’m not sure. It was a vision, but I connected with her in some tangible way, as if a part of her was really here… or a part of me—the adult version of me, not just the baby me—was really there…. Anyway… I saw you and her together… before—” She shook her head, her hair loosening from the bun she had it in. “She gave the last of her power to save you, this world… and me. When my father…. Arastan was watching what happened. Mother could sense that the Rings of Power could make a portal, not just a window. Dad had never tried to go through one before. She got him to promise that he would protect me, and she sent me through.”

“I’m glad,” he said, meeting her eyes. “If not, I would have lost you as well.”

They smiled. Silence stretched for a few moments.

“I loved your mother very much,” he sighed, the weariness of grief evident in his whole demeanor. “Having you here at least gives me a wonderful part of her.”

He covered her hand with his own. Tears burned Wynter’s eyes, and she bit her lip again to keep from crying. Her vision blurred.

“I love someone,” she confessed.

She looked up at him, her eyes filled with confusion. He brushed the loose strands of her hair away from her face.

“But you aren’t happy. There is a problem?” he asked.

”I need to be here and he’s not here and we’ve been apart for so long and it hurts so much,” she said in a rush.

“Oh, Wynter. I am the King of Erindale. Since you brought me back, you are the princess. What is a princess if she is not happy? What kind of king would I be if I could not grant my daughter the same happiness I once shared with your mother?” he questioned with a gentle smile.

Hope and uncertainty filled her. Was it that simple? But… Khalid’s world—could she ever fit in there? Would he accept hers?

“Go to him. Life is too fleeting to not fight for something so precious,” he encouraged.

She gave Everes a watery smile and threw her arms around his neck. He swept her close, burying his face against her hair and hugging her back. A shudder ran through both of them. This was the first time they had hugged each other. A low sob slipped from her, and she buried her face against his chest.

“I love you, daughter. I look forward to meeting the man who has captured your heart. Erindale… and I will be here for you when you return,” Everes vowed, rubbing her back.

“Thank you,” she whispered, her voice tight with emotion. “I… love you, daddy.” she said in the old language.

“I love you, my daughter.”

Wynter pulled away from her father. Pow-pow, with his keen hearing and awareness of her emotions, launched himself from the turret and soared over to the balcony. Wynter sat on the edge of the railing and swung her legs over. The moment Pow-pow was underneath, she pushed off.

She landed on his back, gripping the dragon’s scales. They were becoming smoother every day. Her father leaned over the railing, his eyes shining with love. A trembling smile curved her lips when he bowed his head.

“Go, Wynter. I want to hold my grandchild soon,” he chuckled.

Wynter flushed and grinned. She pulled the ring from around her neck, and Pow-pow wiggled with excitement.

“Hang on,” Pow-pow instructed.

“Fly like the wind, Pow-pow,” she laughed, bending over his neck.

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