Page 126 of Crown of Slumber

I turned, my large dragon’s body lumbering awkwardly, my long neck craning to see who approached. Across the bridge, I made out a figure, dressed in only his trousers, his bare chest gleaming in the moonlight.

It was Fenn, his face pale and his mouth open in horror.

Awareness rushedover me like a bucket of ice water had been dumped over my head. I shuddered, my body quivering as I shifted. My limbs shrunk, my tail vanished, and my fangs receded. My tongue returned to its normal size, and my vision darkened once more. Instead of black scales, my pale skin returned, covered by the rose gold dress I’d worn before.

My tender flesh felt cold and clammy, and I shivered, collapsing to the ground as violent tremors wracked my body.

“Aurelia!” Fenn shouted again. His footsteps pounded as he sprinted across the bridge. When he reached me, he knelt to my side, peeling sweaty hair off my forehead.

“W-What’s wrong with m-me?” I whispered, my teeth chattering.

“You—You were a dragon,” Fenn said weakly. “Aurelia, how is that possible? How were you adragon?”

“At last, you remember,” said a cool voice nearby.

I slowly turned my head, my body still jerking uncontrollably. Three figures materialized from nowhere, and I knew immediately who they were.

Ruby, Jade, and Sapphire. The three witches who held the key to my identity.

They had come after all.

A surge of hot fury swept through me, momentarily blotting out the cold nausea roiling within me. I pushed myself up on my arms and bared my teeth at them. “Explain,” I demanded, my arms trembling.

Sapphire, the witch with white hair, cocked her head at me in calm indifference. “You have the answers within you. All you must do is unlock them.”

I was so damn tired of people telling me that. “I can’t unlock anything! I have no control over this!”

“You do,” said Ruby, her black hair billowing as a breeze swept over us. “Look deeper, Dragon Queen. The truth is there.”

“I don’t—I don’t—” I faltered as I remembered the scene of the red-robed witches, the dark ritual coming to life in my mind.

And me, stepping forward to seal the power of our spell.

Horror churned in my gut.Oh gods, no.

“I—I did this,” I whispered. “Didn’t I?”

The witches looked at me with a solemnness that only confirmed my suspicions.

“What are you talking about?” Fenn snapped. “You didn’t do this, Aurelia.Theydid.” He gestured angrily at the three witches.

“Bite your tongue, foolish boy,” Sapphire snapped.

“No, you biteyourtongue before I bite your head off,” I growled. “You will not speak to him in that way.”

Sapphire smiled, as if my violent response only pleased her.

“Explain,” I said again, my voice raspy. The short burst of strength was fading fast, and I slumped to the ground, unable to hold myself up anymore. Fenn was at my side in an instant, pulling me against him, tucking my back into his chest. His warm and solid presence filled me with confidence as I said, “I only recall bits and pieces. Fill in the gaps, please. I beg of you. You said when I was ready, you would answer my call. I am asking now.”

The three witches exchanged grim looks, their eyes flashing as they wordlessly communicated with one another. Then, as one, they nodded and stepped closer to me, their lavender eyes glowing like orbs.

“Your given name was Aurora Briarcliffe Gaelania,” Sapphire said. “And you were the most powerful witch of us all.”

My mouth fell open, but I didn’t interrupt. Even though I had suspected I possessed witch blood, it still came as a shock. Within me, recognition and confusion warred against each other, struggling for dominance. The resulting chaos was making my stomach roil, and I was sure I would be ill.

“You ruled the witches of the Star Court many generations ago,” Ruby said, “until a prophecy emerged, stating that your power would become so great that you would either destroy or unite the Realm of Valora.”

A chill skittered over my flesh from the resonance of her words. I closed my eyes, and in my mind, I saw that towering, powerful figure.Me. With a red cloak surrounding me, a blade poised in my hand.

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