Page 77 of Beneath Scales and Shadows
“My family will have questions.” She absently touched the ruby scale embedded in her side, its warmth reassuring against her fingertips. “Questions I’m not sure how to answer.”
Ignis’s hand found the small of her back, steady and grounding. “Then answer with your truth, little Luna. It’s all anyone can do.”
The guest chambers reserved for her family stood along a wide corridor carved from living stone. Mineral veins traced geometric patterns across the walls, providing both light and heat—an elegant solution for non-dragon comfort that didn’t require the maintenance of fires.
Sora paused before the door, her new senses picking up the familiar scents of her family—her father’s woodsmoke-and-yeast, her mother’s cinnamon-and-flour, Morgana’s vanilla-and-spice.
And beneath those, traces of fear, confusion, grief.
How am I able to smell emotions?
Her hand trembled as she raised it to knock.
Ignis’s tail curled around her ankle, offering silent support. She drew strength from the contact, knuckles rapping firmly against polished wood.
The door swung open, revealing Garth’s broad frame. His eyes widened, flicking between his daughter and the towering dragoon form rising behind her, Ignis’s presence casting long shadows across the chamber.
“Sora,” he breathed, relief washing away the exhaustion etched in his features. “I thought we’d lost you. Again.”
She swallowed hard, his words cutting deep. Guilt carved through her chest, sharp and sudden.
She barely had time to brace herself before he pulled her into a crushing embrace, his arms enveloping her completely. Tears pricked her eyes as she returned the hug, burying her face against his flour-dusted tunic.
“I’m alright,” she murmured, unsure why her body was reacting the way it was. “I’m safe.”
Miranda appeared in the doorway, her usually stern expression crumpling at the sight of her daughter. “My child!” She joined the embrace, her hands trembling as they traced Sora’s face, lingering on the silver scales at her temples with tremulous curiosity.
Over her mother’s shoulder, Sora spotted Morgana hanging back, guilt and uncertainty shadowing her features. Beside her stood Lyra, the scholar’s robes torn and dirty but her eyes bright as her gaze flicked between Ignis and Sora, sharp with curiosity.
“Come in, come in,” Garth urged, finally releasing his grip to usher them inside.
The family quarters were far more spacious than Sora had expected—a central living space with plush cushions arranged around a low table, doorways leading to separate sleeping chambers on either side, and a bathing chamber directly across from the entrance. Crystals glowed from recessed alcoves, bathing everything in soft golden light as glowstone hung over the lounge area.
Ignis had to duck to enter, his wings folding tightly against his back to navigate the human-proportioned space. His presence immediately filled the room, making it feel smaller despite its generous dimensions.
Miranda guided Sora to the nearest sitting area while Garth squared his shoulders, moving to stand directly before Ignis. Despite the baker’s impressive height, he barely reached the dragon king’s chest. Yet something in Garth’s stance reminded Sora powerfully of her father from Earth—the same protective determination, the same unflinching courage when it came to his daughter’s wellbeing.
It felt oddly like high school—like bringing home her first boyfriend for introductions before a date.
“I need to know you’re treating my daughter right,” Garth said, the words firm despite the tremor beneath them. “Dragon king or not, that’s my child.”
The man was either brave or foolish—but he had the Moon Goddess on his side regarding Ignis’s temperament.
A flash of respect crossed Ignis’s features. He inclined his head slightly, taloned hands relaxed at his sides. “Your daughter has been honored as befits her station. No harm has come to her within my mountain or land.”
“And outside it?” Garth pressed, gesturing to the ruby scale embedded in Sora’s side, visible now as she sat beside Miranda.
“That,” Ignis replied, voice roughening, “was my life freely given to save hers when harm found her beyond my territory.”
The two regarded each other, beta human father challenging alpha dragon king in silent assessment. She’d picked up enough about the social hierarchies to know that Garth wouldn’t have a chance of winning if they were being serious—Ignis would’ve easily won.
Then, seemingly satisfied, Garth nodded and stepped aside.
Sora watched the exchange, torn between embarrassment and pride. Something about seeing her borrowed father stand up to a dragon king—for her—twisted emotions inside her chest that she couldn’t quite sort through.
It made her miss Earth… a place where she could never return, for she’ddiedthere.
“We’ve been so worried,” Miranda said, her fingers clasping Sora’s with desperate strength. “When they took us from the northern pass, we thought—” Her voice broke. “We feared we’d never see you again.”
