Page 17 of Wynter and the Stone Dragon

Khalid looked at the rose in Wynter’s hand. The damage he had done to it was repairing before his eyes. Wynter smiled and brushed his cheek with it again before offering it to him. He absently accepted the uncrushed bloom.

“Wynter,” he murmured.

Concern darkened her eyes. She touched his temple where exploding glass had cut it. He stiffened, and warmth spread through him, taking his breath away.

“Ancient energui tul- na nin a on- nin i rod plural rodyn na heal hin wounds,” she chanted.

The words were like music that calmed and healed. He wanted to touch her but was afraid to move. The warmth was spreading down his body, and he swore he could feel his torn flesh mending.

Seconds lengthened to a minute, then two, before she sat back with a satisfied expression. The numerous small wounds all over his body no longer caused him discomfort.

A long strand of her hair had come loose from her plait. When he tucked it behind her ear, electricity sizzled against his fingertips. It wasn’t unpleasant, but there was definitely a charge.

“Where have you been? Where did you go? Why are you here?” he asked, his frustration growing with each question.

She tilted her head, a questioning expression on her face, and covered his hand with hers, shaking her head. Then she rose and looked into the garden as if something had drawn her attention. Khalid rose as well but he didn’t see or hear anything. He captured her wrist and she startled. He had to force himself to loosen his grip so he didn’t bruise her.

The top of her head almost reached his chin. She turned to him and lifted her free hand to his temple, pressing two fingers against his skin as if she were trying to read his mind. She closed her eyes, and her lips moved silently.

When she opened her eyes to meet his, she said, “I came here searching for… peace.”

Khalid stepped back in surprise, releasing her wrist. She had spoken in perfect Arabic! The newfound way to connect with her made him ache to connect in other ways. He wanted to wrap her hair around his fist and pull her against him. He wanted…. With a shake of his head to clear it, he focused on her words.

“Your mother… sang in this garden, and… it was magic that was not magic. It made me feel.”

It had been such a long time since Khalid had heard his mother sing. He had so many memories associated with her beautiful voice.

“Is she not well?” Wynter asked with concern.

“She’s… dead. I couldn’t keep her safe,” he said, his voice thick with emotion.

“I… am so sorry. My mother… also,” she replied with a haunted expression.

Her eyes filled with tears, and she tipped her head forward, burying her face against his chest. She wrapped her arms around his waist, and he held her as she sniffled.

“I’m sorry for your loss,” he murmured. “My mother— She died a long time ago.”

Her breath came out as a hiccup, and she nodded. He caressed her back, his mind reeling from her return and his body heating from having her in his arms. He had so many questions.

“Why did you return? Where… who are you and where did you go? How can you speak my language now?”

She pulled away from him, and panic seized him she would suddenly disappear again. He held onto her hand, preventing her from moving too far. She squeezed his fingers and sank down onto the step, pulling him gently down beside her.

“It is forbidden to interfere with worlds who do not know about us,” she said, glancing at him before looking at the overgrown garden. She seemed to have become fully fluent in his language in just seconds! And what she was saying… it was incredible.

“Who are you?” he repeated.

She lifted a slender shoulder. “I… don’t know anymore. I was raised among the Mages of Enyo. My mother and father are researchers. My father developed the Rings of Power. They open windows to other worlds, facilitating observation without interference. My mother studies the fauna and flora of the different worlds. She has discovered new medicines that have helped many worlds. We live on Zelos. The natives know about mages and other off-worlders.”

“Wait…. Are you saying— Are you saying…aliensexist?” he choked out, releasing her hand and shifting slightly away.

She smiled slightly. “Of course. Do you really think there are all those universes out there,” she said with a wave toward the stars, “but no species can exist anywhere but here?”

Khalid’s gaze automatically followed her hand. Brilliant stars glittered above them despite the full moon. The power grid was still down. A team would be working on repairing the damage left by his uncle’s retreating forces.

“Where is Enyo?” he asked, searching the sky.

Wynter’s delighted laughter and mischievous expression made him smile. He needed to touch her again, and he casually moved his hand toward where hers rested on the step. “You cannot see it from here. It is—”

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