A small smile appeared on Starfania's lips as she recalled the wild memory—those reckless, heart-thudding races she and Aeron used to sneak off for when they were younger. How many times had they almost given their parents a heart attack? She could still hear the scolding in her mother's voice, see her father's barely contained laughter as both families tried to stay stern while secretly impressed at how their children could already control dragons.
Those were the days when freedom was simple and the world felt endless. But now…things were different. Older. Heavier. She hesitated, glancing toward Aeron with a trace of worry. " And what about Violet? Are you sure this is a good idea? You know the risk—if we get caught or reach full flight, this could end badly."
Aeron's expression softened, a thoughtful calm behind his eyes.
" Yes, I know," he said, voice steady. " But if we live afraid of every what-if…then we'll never really live at all. "
Before Starfania could form a reply, Aeron turned toward Violet—who was practically bouncing in place.
" Hey, Vi," he called, his tone brightening, " want to watch your brother and Starry have the race of a lifetime?"
Violet gasped in delight, eyes wide. " Really?! Yes! Yes, please!"
Starfania sighed, but her protest melted into a reluctant grin as Aeron and Violet each grabbed one of her arms, dragging her toward the open field outside the cave. The two dragons followed, wings stretching, their scales glinting beneath the sunlight.
" I guess we're doing this," Starfania muttered under her breath as she climbed onto Bone's broad back.
" Let's make it count!" Aeron called, grinning from atop Drogo. His confidence was contagious. " Across the whole VulcanFire—first one back wins!"
Bone turned his head slightly, his glowing eyes catching hers as if to reassure her: Trust me. That was enough. Starfania took one last breath to steady her racing heart. Violet raised her arm dramatically, her voice ringing through the clearing. " ON YOUR MARK, GET SET…GO!"
The ground trembled as the dragons launched skyward. Wind roared past, sweeping Starfania's hair into a wild dance as Bone surged forward. Drogo darted ahead, his powerful wings slicing through the air like blades. Laughter spilled from Aeron's chest, echoing between them as Starfania leaned into the rush, the two of them neck-and-neck.
They swept past the molten ridges of Vulcanfire's landscape—crimson rock, glittering rivers of magma, streaks of ash rising into the brilliant sky. Starfania's cheeks stung from the wind, but her smile was unstoppable. Each heartbeat, each breath, was a reminder of what they'd lost and what they still had—their bond, unbroken, daring the skies together once more. As they neared the grand castle that crowned the horizon, Aeron shouted playfully over the roaring wind, " You're not beating me this time, Starry?"
" Oh, really?" She called back, laughing. " You forget who taught you how to bank a dragon's wing!"
Bone, as if sharing her competitive spark, let out a rumbling growl and pushed harder, cutting through the clouds with renewed force. The two dragons were blurs of slate and storm, pushing their limits until the cavern entrance came into view—their makeshift finish line. With one last burst of speed, Bone angled downward, his wings slicing the air in a daring dive. Starfania's pulse skyrocketed, but she trusted him completely. They crossed the finish first, landing in a triumphant flurry of dust and wind just as Drogo swooped in seconds later.
The moment their feet touched solid ground, the laughter came freely. Aeron dismounted and threw his arms up. " That was insane! You were flying like a comet out there!"
" What are you talking about?" Starfania shot back between giggles, spinning in a small circle from pure adrenaline. " You had the lead half of the time!"
Violet raced up, mimicking dragon wings with her arms as she spun around them. " You two were zooming! I was screaming the whole time—it was like the best carnival ride ever!"
The dragons nudge one another playfully, their rumbling purrs echoing through the canyon. Drogo gave Bone a nudge of respect, and Bone responded with a light snort that sent a playful puff of smoke Aeron's way—making Violet burst into another fit of laughter. Aeron turned to Starfania, catching her gaze in the soft afterglow of the moment. There was exhilaration there, yes, but something quieter, too—trust, warmth, maybe even something they both weren't ready to name. For now, though, they simply smiled. And in that moment—wind-swept, breathless, alive—the past and present felt perfectly aligned once more.