Page 89 of The Dragon King's Foundling

The drums intensified, and Raven met my stare. Holding hands, gazes, and souls, we chanted with our people.

“Same fire!

Same breath!

Same stone!”

Raven pulled me closer. My left wing curled over his back. We became one, dancing in perfect harmony, our boots pounding the earth in time with the drums.

“Same fire!

Same breath!

Same fire!

Same breath!

We stand together!”

The song came to a roaring conclusion, and Raven pulled me out of the circle to swing me into his embrace. Between the swirling dancers and pounding drums, he kissed me. Joy burst from my chest, and instead of enveloping him in my wings, I lifted them high behind me, wanting to share the moment with these people who were all, suddenly, my people.

When our kiss settled into a soft brushing of lips, Raven whispered, “I have found you at last.”

“And I am found at last.”

The Dragon King swept me up into his arms and carried me through the cheering crowd, back to our tent. This was just the start of our life together, but what an incredible start it was. Through tragedy, we had found love, and through each other, we had found joy. Ours was a true symbiotic union, with each of us making the other stronger—a story-knot of love.

I couldn't wait to see what happened next.