Kestrel didn't believe her at first.
"A note left in the Archives?" He paced the length of his chambers, his expression skeptical. "That could have been planted by anyone. It proves nothing."
"It proves there's a traitor in the Citadel. Someone who knows about my training, who knows about the assassination attempt, who's planning another one." Seraphina stood her ground, her jaw set. "We need to tell the Queen."
"And say what? That I found a note in the Archives? She'll ask for proof, and we have none." He stopped pacing and turned to face her. "The Ash Covenant is cunning. They could have left that note to sow distrust, to make us turn on each other."
"Or it could be genuine. Either way, we can't ignore it."
Through the bond, Seraphina felt Pyre's agreement. The dragon had been listening through their connection, and she shared Seraphina's concern. The cub is right, Kestrel. The danger is real. We cannot afford to be complacent.
Kestrel's expression softened slightly. "You've grown close to her," he said, not quite a question.
"She's part of me now. I can't imagine being without her." Seraphina met his eyes. "Which is why I can't let the Ash Covenant win. They want to kill me—and they want to kill Pyre too."
Kestrel was silent for a long moment. Then he sighed, running a hand through his dark hair. "I'll bring this to the Queen. But discreetly. If there is a traitor among the Dragon Lords, announcing our suspicions openly would only drive them deeper into hiding."
"And in the meantime?"
"In the meantime, you continue your training. You act as if nothing has changed." He paused, something flickering in his golden eyes. "And you stay close to Pyre. Wherever you go, whatever you do, she stays at your side."
"That's already the plan."
"Good." He turned toward the door. "Now get some rest. Tomorrow, we begin the next phase of your training—dragon riding."
Seraphina perked up at that. "Dragon riding?"
"You didn't think you'd go into battle on foot, did you?" A ghost of a smile crossed his face. "The bond between rider and dragon manifests most powerfully in the air. It's time you learned to fly."
The next morning dawned cold and clear, with a sky the color of burnished copper. Seraphina stood on the high terrace where she had first been presented to the Court, Pyre beside her, and tried to control the mix of excitement and terror that bubbled in her chest.
"Mount," Kestrel instructed. "Feel the bond, let it guide you."
Pyre lowered herself to the ground, making it easier for Seraphina to climb onto her back. The dragon's scales were warm beneath her, and through the bond, she could feel Pyre's anticipation—a mirror of her own emotions.
Ready? Pyre asked silently.
As I'll ever be.
Then hold on.
Pyre launched herself from the terrace with a powerful thrust of her wings, and suddenly they were airborne, rising above the Citadel on a column of hot air. Seraphina clung to the dragon's neck, her heart racing, as the ground fell away beneath them.
The sensation was unlike anything she had ever experienced. The wind rushed past her face, cold and sharp, but through the bond, she could feel Pyre's warmth wrapping around her like a protective blanket. The dragon's thoughts and sensations blended with her own—she could feel the powerful muscles working beneath the scales, the joy of flight, the freedom of the open sky.
This is amazing, she thought, and felt Pyre's agreement.
It's what we were born for, the dragon responded. You and I, together. This is the bond at its strongest.
They soared over the valley, the Citadel shrinking beneath them until it looked like a child's toy. In the distance, Seraphina could see the mountains where she had grown up—Thornhaven was somewhere beyond them, though too far to make out.
Do you miss it? Pyre asked.
Sometimes. Seraphina watched the landscape scroll past below. But this... this feels more like home than Thornhaven ever did.
Because it is home. Pyre banked, turning them toward the east. This is where you were always meant to be. The Binding chose you for a reason.
They flew for an hour, Kestrel and his own mount shadowing them at a distance. By the time they returned to the Citadel, Seraphina felt like a different person—stronger, more confident, more certain of her purpose.
The training continued through the afternoon, and by evening, she was exhausted. She retired to her chambers early, Pyre curling up outside her door like a massive, scaly guardian.
But sleep did not come easily.
Sometime after midnight, Seraphina was awakened by a presence in her room. She reached for the knife beneath her pillow, her heart pounding—
"It's me." Kestrel's voice, barely above a whisper. "We need to talk."
She sat up, her eyes adjusting to the dim light. Kestrel stood by the window, his face shadowed. Something in his posture told her this was not good news.
"What is it?"
"I spoke to the Queen. She's called a midnight council—a secret meeting of the most trusted Dragon Lords." He paused, and she saw his jaw tighten. "The note you found... it was genuine. The Ash Covenant has infiltrated the Citadel more deeply than we feared."
"How deeply?"
"Deep enough that we can't trust anyone outside this room." He met her eyes, and she saw something there that might have been fear—or might have been determination. "The Queen wants you moved to a secure location until we can identify the traitor. Somewhere they won't think to look."
"Where?"
"The Sleeper's Chamber." Kestrel's voice was grim. "Where Valdren's bones rest. It's the most heavily protected part of the Citadel—and the most dangerous."
"Why dangerous?""Because the Sleeper is there. The ancient dragon who spoke to you in your dreams." He paused. "She's been waiting for you, Seraphina. And now it's time for you to meet her in person."
Seraphina felt a chill run down her spine. The dream—the vast chamber filled with sleeping dragons, the creature with burning red eyes who had spoken of tests and enemies and barriers.
"She's one of the dragons from my dream," she said slowly. "The one who transformed."
"The same." Kestrel moved toward the door. "Get dressed. Pack only what you can carry. We leave in ten minutes."
"And the traitor?"
"Will be dealt with. But first, we need to make sure you survive long enough to face what's coming." He opened the door, checking the corridor beyond. "The Conjunction is closer than we thought, Seraphina. And the Sleeper has answers you need."
Answers. After months of questions, Seraphina was finally going to get some answers.
She just hoped she was ready for them.