Page 158 of Crown of Slumber

Power exploded from me. Fire roared in my chest, spreading through my body and heating me down to the tips of my toes. With an almighty cry, I released a jet of blue flames that ignited along my arms. My body lifted and grew in size, just like during my fight with Rosalina. A tail swished behind me, and wings spread from my shoulder blades. More, more, more, my body continued to grow until I was heavy and massive and powerful.

In moments, I stood in my dragon form, towering over the courtyard. Screams echoed nearby, but they were distant enough to reassure me no one stood within striking range.

Unlike when I had shifted to attack the unseelie, I felt in complete control. I remembered who I was and why I was here.

Fenn. I needed to find Fenn.

I took stock of my body, gazing down at my midnight black scales. So much like Mal… My dragon form must have been part of the Darkener species, just like him.

I wriggled my clawed feet, breaking concrete with my heavy steps. My barbed tail swung to the left and right. I exhaled a puff of ash and tried to spread my wings.

Nothing happened.

With a growl of frustration, I tried again, focusing on where I thought my shoulder blades were. One shoulder rolled. Then, I felt it. The muscle connecting my right wing. Gingerly, I flexed it.

My right wing spread wide, casting a large shadow over the courtyard as it blocked the light of the moon. Triumph raced through me, and I spread the other wing as well. Once I located those muscles, it was as easy as breathing.

I flapped both wings, and a gust of wind billowed from the motion. With a roar, I took to the skies, wings beating as I floated higher and higher. Delight raced through me from the feeling of flying freely. Completely on my own. The wind whistled past me as I arced through the sky. I curved to the right, away from the castle, and put on a burst of speed, flapping my wings with more force.My scales protected me from the moisture and the wind, and I felt nothing but freedom, the weightlessness of gliding through the sky.

A hum of delight burned in my throat, and I released a stream of blue fire into the air. Burning suns, there was nothing like it!

I soared higher until I could make out the tips of the Mistwood Hills. The sight of it sobered me, reminding me of the task at hand.

Fenn and Mal were in trouble. I had to get to them.

Sudden awareness rippled through me, and I looked around in alarm, trying to find the source of it. After a moment, I realized it sounded like…voices.

I closed my eyes, concentrating. Then?—

Aurelia?

My heart lurched. Iknewthat voice!

Mal?I thought.

You have done it. You have unlocked your power.There was pride in his voice.

I tried to laugh, but in my dragon form, it came out as a low huff.Yes, I have. Thanks to you. Where are you?

Just south of the Autumn Palace. Fenn and I are in danger.

I’m coming.

Aurelia… You might need to summon the others.

I faltered.Others?

The other dragons. You are their queen, after all.

Uncertainty bubbled in my chest at the thought. Could I do this? I had only just unlocked my powers.

Put your trust in your magic, Aurelia.

I took a deep breath and searched within myself, trying to isolate another voice from inside me. They were merging together, mingling to form an incomprehensible babble, like a churning river.

When I focused on one, I called out,Jorey?

I wasn’t sure how I knew it was him, but I did.

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