Page 41 of Tempest Awakening

Her words hung in the air, weighted with truth. I felt a lump form in my throat as the full impact of what she was saying hit me. Pippa reached over and gave my hand a quick squeeze, her eyes still on the road.

"Family isn't just about blood, Tess," she continued. "It's about who's there for you, who understands you. And from what I've seen, you’re finding that here with us."

I swallowed hard, blinking back unexpected tears. Pippa's words had struck a chord, illuminating feelings I hadn't fully acknowledged until now. She was right. In the short time I'd been at the Library, I'd found a sense of belonging I'd never experienced before.

"Thank you, Pippa," I managed to say, my voice slightly hoarse. "I... I think you're right."

She flashed me a warm smile. "Of course I am. Now, let's go get some pancakes. Nothing says 'family' like sharing syrup, right?"

Her words settled over me like a warm blanket. As we drove into Drakehaven, I found myself relaxing, the tension from Maddie's call slowly ebbing away.

The Starlight Diner looked like it had been plucked straight out of a 1950s postcard, complete with a flickering neon sign. But as we stepped inside, I realized it was anything but ordinary.

Booths upholstered in fabric that shimmered like moonlight lined the walls. The air smelled of coffee and something sweet I couldn't quite place. An honest-to-god elf—all pointed ears and graceful movements—greeted us with a smile.

"Welcome to Starlight," she said, leading us to a booth. "Menus will appear shortly."

I must have looked confused because Pippa chuckled. "Just wait," she said.

Sure enough, shimmering words began to form on the tabletop, listing items like "Moonbeam Milkshakes" and "Aurora Borealis Burgers."

"Wow," I breathed.

"The blueberry pancakes are to die for," Pippa suggested.

When our waitress returned, I ordered the pancakes. Duh.

"Excellent choice. And for you, Miss Pippa?"

"The usual, Starshine," Pippa replied with a wink.

As the waitress left, Pippa leaned forward, her eyes twinkling. "So, tell me, how have your first couple weeks been? Settling in okay?"

I nodded. "It's been incredible. I've started working on the Oral History project, actually. I've reached out to a few people for interviews already."

A smile spread across my face as I thought about my new home. "And the view from my dormitory window is breathtaking. I love watching the dragons soar past every night. Whiskey seems to enjoy it too—he always curls up on my lap while we watch them together."

Pippa's eyes twinkled. "That's awesome, Tess. Sounds like you're really settling in. So, how's that furball of yours doing? Is Whiskey digging his new digs?"

"He's loving it," I said, feeling a warmth in my chest as I thought about Whiskey. "I think he's as fascinated by this world as I am. And you won't believe this, but he's made friends with the brownies who take care of our rooms."

Pippa's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "No way! Those little guys are usually super shy. What's your cat got, some kind of brownie-charming superpower?"

I nodded, grinning. "I know, right? But Whiskey seems to have won them over somehow. I've caught him sitting still as a statue while they groom his fur, and sometimes I find little treats left out for him. It's pretty cute."

"That's wild," Pippa said, looking impressed. "Your cat might have some magical mojo of his own, you know?"

"Maybe," I laughed. "Though he's still not too keen on the dragons when they get too close to our window. Can't win them all, I suppose."

Pippa snorted. "Well, duh. Dragons are basically flying lizards on steroids. I'd be worried if he wasn't at least a little freaked out. But hey, brownie besties? That's way cooler anyway."

I opened my mouth to reply, but at that moment, our food arrived—a stack of pancakes that seemed to glow with an inner light for me, and a plate of what looked like rainbow-hued eggs for Pippa.

"Go on, try them," Pippa urged, gesturing to my pancakes with her fork.

I took a bite and nearly moaned. They tasted like summer mornings and childhood dreams, with a hint of something I couldn't quite identify.

"Oh my god," I mumbled around my mouthful, "these are incredible."

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