Kai Drakon's Arc

Chapter 30 of 30

Kai walked east for three days. The Elven Kingdom fell behind him. Obsidian traveled at his side as far as the fork in the road, then stopped where the path bent toward the fairy cottages. Obsidian was the soldier who had fought beside Kai in the throne room, blunt-faced and quiet, a man who had spent his whole life training and none of it living. Now his hands shook, and not from any wound. "She's waiting," Kai said. "Go." Obsidian nodded once. He walked the last stretch alone. A fairy with dark green braids stood in her doorway, white wings catching the light. Sylvara had pledged to follow Seraphina too, and she had come home first. She saw Obsidian and her hand went to her mouth. He reached her and she pressed into him. He kissed her, long, the stiffness draining out of his shoulders at last. Kai watched from the road, then turned away and let them have it. He reached the jeweled cavern entrance near his home by dusk. Weathered pots lined the dark mouth of it, gemstones glinting in the stone. He knew every step of the path down. His legs carried him faster the closer he came. A small shape burst from the tunnel first. Ren ran full speed, black hair flying, orange horns catching the last light. He hit Kai's legs and wrapped both arms around them. "You're back." Ren looked up, canines flashing. "You said a week. It was longer." "It was," Kai said. He knelt and pulled his son close. "I know." "Did you fight the queen?" Ren's eyes went wide, then he cut himself off and looked at the ground. "Mom worried. A lot. She didn't say it." "She never does." Azure stood at the cavern mouth. She had her apron on, flour on her hands, her tail curled behind her. She did not run. She waited until Kai stood and came to her. "You're hurt," she said. Not a question. She had seen the dried blood on his jacket. "Was. It's closed now." "Good." Her voice stayed flat. Then her hands found his jacket and gripped it. She pulled him down and kissed him hard, holding on the way she always did, like he might dissolve if she let go. Kai kissed her back, long, one hand in her dark blue hair, the other at her waist. Ren groaned and covered his eyes. When they broke apart, Azure kept her fists knotted in his jacket. "You're staying now," she said. "I'm staying."