---
Emberling's head tilted. The breeze seemed to pause. Firelight flickered over the chick's downy neck, catching sparks of deep crimson and dawn-gold.
"A-u-r-o-r-a," Fenna repeated slowly, accent lingering on each syllable. "First light after the darkest night. A promise that shadows never last."
For a heartbeat, nothing happened. Then Emberling aka Aurora spread her wings in a tiny flutter, it was a bit smaller than Star's but wide enough to wrap Fenna's wrist. She let out an excited trill, brighter than Zephyr had ever heard from her. Star rumbled approvingly, the tone rolling like shifting boulders, and gently nudged the chick with his snout.
Aurora chirped again and hopped in a small circle, clearly delighted by whatever spark the new name ignited deep within her phoenix blood. Fenna laughed—a rare, open sound that drew Zephyr's smile in return.
"Seems she approves," Zephyr said. "It's a great name."
