Page 59 of Tempest Awakening

As we soared higher, I began to notice a change in the air. It felt thicker, more charged, as if invisible threads of energy were weaving around us. The sensation piqued my curiosity, drawing my attention away from the breathtaking views.

"Thalon, what's that glittering I'm seeing?" I asked, squinting at the phenomenon.

“Ah, you're seeing the ward,”he explained. “It's a powerful magical barrier that protects the entire grounds. Most humans can't perceive it, but you can see it now because of our bond.”

I blinked in surprise, staring at the shimmering barrier with newfound wonder. "Our bond lets me see magic? What else can it do?"

Thalon's mental voice held a hint of amusement. “There's much to discuss, little one. Perhaps we should find a place to talk without the distractions of flight?”

I nodded, suddenly eager to learn more. "That sounds like a good idea."

Thalon banked smoothly, angling towards a dense patch of forest below.I know just the spot,he said.

We descended in a gentle spiral, the treetops rushing up to meet us. Thalon's massive form navigated the forest canopy with surprising grace, his wings folding close as we dropped into a small clearing.

The landing was softer than I expected, Thalon's powerful legs absorbing the impact. As I slid off his back, my legs wobbled slightly, still adjusting to solid ground after the exhilaration of flight.

The clearing was peaceful, a perfect circle of lush grass surrounded by towering redwoods. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor. The air was cool and fresh, filled with the scent of pine and wildflowers.

Thalon settled himself on the grass, curling his tail around to create a natural seating area for me. I sat down, leaning back against his warm scales, marveling at how comfortable it felt.

“Now,”Thalon's voice resonated in my mind, “what would you like to know?”

I took a deep breath, organizing my thoughts. There was so much I wanted to ask, so much I needed to understand. "Everything," I said finally, a smile tugging at my lips. "Tell me everything."

Thalon's rumbling chuckle vibrated through his body. “That might take a while, little one. Let's start with the basics, shall we? First, I should properly introduce myself. My full name is Thalasiandor, but you may continue to call me Thalon.”

"Thalasiandor," I repeated softly, savoring the sound of it. "It's beautiful."

“Thank you, little one. But I must ask you to keep my full name private,”Thalon added, a sense of seriousness flowing through our bond. “We dragons don't share our full names with just anyone. It's a sign of deep trust and connection.”

I nodded, feeling the weight of this confidence. "I understand. I'm honored that you've shared it with me, Thalon. I promise I'll keep it to myself."

“I know you will,”Thalon replied, warmth coloring his mental voice. “Now, as I was saying, my name means 'Balancer of Light and Shadow' in the ancient dragon tongue.I am... special, even among dragons. My abilities span both light and shadow magic, which is quite rare.”

As he spoke, I felt a wave of emotion wash over me—pride, yes, but also a touch of loneliness and the weight of great responsibility. It took me a moment to realize these weren't my own feelings.

"Thalon," I gasped, "I think I can feel what you're feeling. Is that normal?"

“Ah, you're experiencing the empathic overlap,”Thalon said, his mental voice warm with approval. “It's a part of our bond. With time, you'll learn to distinguish my emotions from your own more clearly.”

I took a deep breath, trying to sort through the tangle of emotions. "It's... intense. But amazing. I've never felt anything like it."

“And what about you, Tess?”Thalon asked gently. “Tell me about yourself.”

I hesitated, unsure where to begin. "Well, I... I grew up in Sacramento. My family... we're not close. I've always felt like an outsider, like I didn't quite fit in anywhere. Until now, that is."

As I spoke, I felt a soothing warmth emanating from Thalon. It gave me the courage to continue.

"I've always loved dragons," I admitted. "Even before the Unveiling, when most people thought they were just myths. I used to dream about flying with dragons, but I never imagined it could actually happen."

“And yet, here we are,”Thalon said, amusement tinging his mental voice. “You're adapting remarkably well to our bond and to dragon magic. It's quite extraordinary.”

I smiled, feeling a surge of pride at his words. "Thank you. I'm surprised myself at how... natural it all feels. Is that because of our Soul Resonance?"

“Partly,”Thalon replied. His head tilted slightly, his molten lava eyes narrowing as if trying to perceive something just beyond sight. “But there's something else…”

Suddenly, his nostrils flared, and I felt a wave of curiosity and excitement flood through our bond. Thalon's gaze fixed on my chest, right where the invisible pendant rested.

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