bCHAPTER /bb67 /b

The transformation settled into her hones like liquid fire, heat threading through her limbs as she stood fully in dragon firm, by wines meet cast,  sinking slightly into the earth beneath her.

Saphira breathed deep, slow focused.

She tuned into the pulses of emotion threading through her bond with Vaclora, searching for something clear, something she could graspo

But nothing stood out.

No defined thoughts, no undeniable signals. Just presence. Just existence. She exhaled slowly, refusing to let frustration creep in

She needed to move.

Niks had told her thest time–run, jump, feel yourself in this form.

So she did.

She walked across the clearing, every step deliberate, feeling the weight of her body, the way her muscles worked in this form. The grass shifted beneath her ws, cool and firm, while the wind skimmed down her scales like an absentminded touch..

It felt strange at first, but as she moved–she ifelt /iiit/ii. /i

How amazing this was.

How inatural /iit felt, despite everything.

She reached the far edge of the clearing and turned back, her gaze sweeping over the open space before her.

A ichallenge/i. A moment to push herself. She rolled her neck, the stretch easing something deep in her spine.

Then–she ran.

Her wings spread behind her, catching the air, her powerful strides eating up the ground beneath her.

Halfway across the clearing, she pushed off, her body lifting, wings stretching fully-

And she iglided/i, it was clumsy at first.

Her form wavered, tilting slightly–left; then right–her control barely there.

But slowly–igradually/i–she adjusted. She corrected. She learned.

And when shended, her ws digging into the dirt, she felt it–the rush, the exhration, the sheer joy curling inside her chestb. /b

She didn’t even hesitate before turning back–before trying again.

This time–she was steady.

This time–her take off was smooth, her glide controlled, effortless.

And when shended again, breathless but alive, she felt it-

A surge of happiness, contentment, threading through her bond with Vaelora.

A confirmation. A recognition. She was here and she was learning, and for the first time-

Her bdragon /bfelt it btoo/b. bFully /bClearlyb. /bAnd something babout /bthat made für grin. Even if the want my what tage hand buncover/bb. /bbBut /bshe would. bAnd /bbshe /bcouldn’t wait.

bSaphira /bfolt the quiet pulse of energy threading through her, setting deeper into her bones at the bmused /bin bey dragon form. Prahy Cutebolly

bshe /bfelt it. The strength. The power: The bond..

Vaclora was more present now, more connected. Their emotions intertwined, a subtle rhythes passing between themb, /bgrowing stronger with ease. spent in this form.

Then there was a shift. A pull. Her dragon stirred sharply inside her mind, directing her attention toward the far edge of the clearing

Something was there.

Saphira stilled, her wings twitching slightly as she turned-

And froze. In front of her stood a dragon.

Just asrge as her, but entirely grey–the same shade that streaked along her own scales.

Her chest tightened, she didn’t know this dragon.

Even though the dragon seemed familiar, she realised quickly that she didn’t recognize the energy, the presence.

A spike of unease shot through her, instinct curling inward-

But then-

Vaelora pushed through her thoughts.

A pulse of calm washed over her, her dragon’s presence threading through her mind with certaintyb, /banchoring her.

Saphira’s breathing evened slightly, the panic dulling just enough for her to focus.

The grey dragon approached, slow, measured, eyes locked onto her with quiet intensity.

She remained still, uncertain but no longer afraid.

Then the dragon lowered its head.

And sniffed her.

A strange, deliberate motion–like recognition, like confirmation.

Vaelora’s voice came clearer than it ever had before, a single truth settling deep into her consciousness, undeniable, unmistakable.

iFamily/ii. /i

Blood ifamily/i.

Saphira’s entire body went rigid. She barely breathed.

Because what did that meanb? /b

Who was this dragon?

Why had she never known?

Vaelora didn’t offer banswers/bb, /bjust that word.

b2/4 /b

bCHAPTER /b67

bJust /bbthat /bcertaintyb, /b

Saphira bsulled/b, her dragon’s pulse thrumming beneath her skin, recognition pressing at the edges of bher /bbmind /b– but she egoldoga zra

The grey dragon in front of her took onest step forward, then shifted.

bThe /btransformation was smooth, effortless, and as the form settled, Asher stood there standing tall, shoulders squared, his breathing gready na kate locked onto her.

Saphira felt herself step back, instinctively creating space between them, her heartbeat hammering.

bWas /bthis the feeling she had sensed before? Was this why their dragons had reacted the way they didb? /b

Because he was–family?

Vaelora pushed against her thoughts, a steady, clear pulse of insistence threading through her-

Shift.

Her dragon wanted her to respond–wanted her to acknowledge this moment fully, to see it for what it was.

Saphira inhaled deeply–then, without hesitation–shifted back. The familiar pull of transformation washed over her, bringing her back to human form, her feet steady against the earth, her breath shallow but controlled.

And she just stood there. Watching him, she didn’t dare move, anxious of what might happen next.

Asher moved first, his eyes scanning her carefully, his expression unreadable–like he was searching for something.

He took another step forward, closer–then his bgaze /bshifted to her hair.

His fingers brushed the strands lightly–barely there–but enough for him to see.

The same exact shade.

Recognition flickered in his eyes–something hesitant, something deep.

Saphira swallowed, her voice quieter than she expected as she finally spoke.

“Who are you to me?”

Asher’s lips parted, almost responding-

Then-

There was a presence behind her.

It was heavyb, /bcharging.

She felt it before she heard it. Niks stepped into the clearing, his movements sharp, powerful–his entire being thrumming with undeniable anger.

Saphira turned, her breath hitching. His golden eyes werepletely ck.

She had bnever /bseen him like this before.

And suddenly- Everything felt dangerousb, /bmore than before.