Page 35 of The Dragon King's Awakening

Belah steps forward, her blue eyes bright with understanding."The Court maintains a sanctuary near Luxor, overlooking the Temple of Karnak.It would be yours, if you wish it."

I feel Rachel's excitement pulse through our bond, matched by Finn's steady approval.

"We could go there after the battle," Rachel suggests, squeezing my hand."Something to fight for."

"No," I say, meeting Racha's gaze."We go now.Just for a day."I turn to Nikhil, the hatred that once consumed me now transformed into something more complex."I need to remember what I'm fighting for before I face these Titans.I need to stand on Egyptian soil again."

Racha studies me for a long moment before nodding."Very well.Naia can take you tonight and return you tomorrow for the war council."Her green eyes soften."Some battles are won before they're fought, Golden One.By remembering who we are."

Chapter17

Rachel

New York’s predawn air carries a chill that makes me shiver despite my new dragon-conjured clothing.We stand at the edge of a fountain in Central Park not far from the Court building, waiting for Naia to finish her preparations.The city's ever-present glow creates a false twilight against the darkened sky, so different from the star-filled nights on Bear Island.

"Are you certain this is wise?"Finn asks, his voice low as he watches Naia trail her fingers through the fountain water."We could fly there after the battle."

Zahraxis stands motionless beside me, his golden eyes fixed on the rippling water."I need this," he says simply.Through our newly formed bond, I feel the complexity beneath those words—a desperate hunger to reconnect with his homeland, to ground himself before facing yet another battle.

I squeeze his hand."Egypt is closer to Greece than New York.If we need to, we can fly straight from there."

Zahraxis looks at me as if impressed that I understand basic geography.Before I can brush off the reaction, he says, "It seems I've been too wrapped up in my return I hadn't considered the logistics to follow.Thank you, Raelesha.That detail may even aid our battle plans.A secondary base of operations, closer to the fight, is a good idea."

"It was nothing," I say with a shrug, cheeks warming.

Naia looks up, silver light dancing across her fingertips."I've located an anchor point near Luxor," she says."The current is strong there—the Nile remembers its ancient paths."She rises gracefully, water streaming from her hands in defiance of gravity."Are you ready?"

"As we'll ever be," Finn mutters, stepping forward.His aura pulses with resignation.

I swallow hard, recalling our last experience with drifting."At least we know what to expect this time."

We join hands, forming a circle with Naia.Her skin begins to shimmer, taking on the fluid quality of moving water."Close your eyes," she instructs, "and remember to breathe."

The world dissolves around us, and that familiar yanking sensation pulls at my core.The disorienting whirlpool effect is no less intense the second time, but I'm prepared for it, focusing on the steady pressure of Zahraxis' hand in mine.His emotions flow through our bond—anticipation, fear, hope, all swirling together like the currents carrying us across the world.

When reality snaps back into place, the first thing I notice is the heat—dry and intense betraying both the warmer environment and the later hour where we’ve arrived.My knees buckle as nausea rolls through me, but I manage to stay upright.Beside me, both dragons fare worse, dropping to their knees on the sandy bank.Finn's creative cursing fills the air while Zahraxis remains ominously silent, his golden eyes wide as he stares at the landscape around us.

"The Nile," he whispers, reaching out to touch the dark water lapping at the shore."After all this time..."

Naia, completely unfazed by the journey, gestures toward a path winding up from the riverbank."The Court's sanctuary is just beyond that rise.I'll return for you tomorrow at midday."She studies Zahraxis with something like reverence."Welcome home, Ancient One."Then she dissolves into mist that merges with the river, leaving us alone on the foreign shore.

The sky is just beginning to lighten, stars fading as dawn approaches.In the distance, massive stone structures loom against the horizon—the temples of Karnak, I realize with a start.Zahraxis rises slowly, his gaze fixed on those ancient silhouettes.

"It still stands," he says, wonder and pain mingling in his voice."After all this time, it still stands."

Finn claps a hand on his shoulder."The Court has worked to preserve what remains of the ancient sites.They're considered heritage landmarks now."

I activate my dragon sight, curious about what energies might linger in this ancient place.The result nearly staggers me—the land itself pulses with power, golden threads of magic woven through soil and stone.They grow denser toward the temple complex, forming a tapestry of light visible only to those with the gift to see it.

"The magic," I breathe."It's everywhere."

Zahraxis nods, unsurprised."This land was sacred long before humans built their first mud hut beside the river.The temples were placed where the earth's power runs strongest."He takes a deep breath, seeming to taste the air."It has changed, but its essence remains."

We follow the path up from the riverbank, my eyes adjusting to the growing light.The landscape is both alien and hauntingly beautiful, the river a dark ribbon against golden sand, palm trees swaying in the gentle breeze.As we crest the rise, a structure comes into view that makes me gasp.

The Court's sanctuary is a masterpiece of ancient and modern design.Built from golden limestone that seems to capture the first rays of sunrise, its façade features soaring columns carved to resemble papyrus stalks.Massive doors of dark wood stand open, revealing glimpses of a courtyard beyond.The building appears ancient at first glance, but closer inspection reveals subtle modern elements—nearly invisible solar panels nestled among traditional roof tiles, security cameras disguised as decorative falcons, windows of one-way glass set into stone frames.

"This is..."I struggle to find words.

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