"So, the Kiithran used it, too?" asked Aidan, disappointed.

"We did," Dürgah admitted. "Not to better ourselves, like the Tal, but to better our society—how it's managed. The enchantment placed on it allows the wearer to know the feelings of others—to know their intentions."

Cassius perked an ear, "It makes you an Empath?"

"Effectively, yes. That's how we're able to keep crime to a minimum here, by stopping it before it starts."

"So, you spy on them?" asked Petra. "That's a bit invasive."

"So is having a horn shoved into your side."

Petra stammered but acknowledged his point. Dürgah sighed and let his eyelids droop, "We've been trying to think of ways to govern without it, but have yet to discover anything better."

"I doubt there is anything better," Aidan chimed, "but just-as-good is better than nothing."

"The Kiirem is also a relic, a symbol. The elders would never hear of it."

"Then don't tell them," Petra said. "Replace the shard with a normal one. I doubt they'll even notice."

"Perhaps not, but I cannot out rightly lie to my people. It would go against everything we stand for and I would lose any faith they have in me."

"Then let them decide for themselves." Syra's words brought looks of surprise and confusion from the Kiithran.

"All of them," she continued, "not just the council. This decision affects every Kiithran on every island. They should have a say, too. Explain the situation and let them decide yes, or no. I'm sure they'll appreciate your honesty and your concern."

"That's a lot of Kiithran to ask at one time," Dürgah said in his consideration. "We'd have to gather everyone together and--"

"Today," Razira said, leaning over the table. "Ask them today, at Ekhalu's Ati-kii. The whole Aerie will be there. After the ceremony, you can address everyone."

"But that's so sudden, and I'd hate to ruin the good mood."

"Too sudden to save your people from an amassing army?" asked Aidan with a raised brow.

"The boy has a point," Viilah said to her mate.

Dürgah pondered a moment. His ears twitched and his eyes darted as his mind ran the pros and cons of such a decision.

"I will make the announcement at the ceremony," he said after a long sigh, "but only after everyone has eaten. Perhaps a full belly will make the news more palatable."

***

Despite their humble furnishings, the Kiithran spared no exuberance when it came to ceremony. Every hut and every street had been set aglitter with stones, feathers, and even shells. Strings of flowers draped hut-to-hut down the procession line, and each aerie member was freshly preened and donned their best adornments. Razira and Viilah had loaned the party their extra fineries for the occasion, but they fit awkwardly and Syra still felt underdressed in her dusty vest and britches.

She and the others stood just off the platform where Dürgah, Viilah, Razira, and Namir sat in full headdresses to oversee the ceremony. In front of them, a young rahg restrained himself from pacing as everyone awaited the arrival of his mate-to-be.

Not one sound was muttered when the blue-gray kria entered into the round. Even Petra was speechless seeing the headdress the kria wore. Trailing from her head and down her back, a train of long feathers dragged several feet behind her in a rainbow of colors.

"Those are the feathers from Ekhalu's family," Suri whispered to Syra from her spot by the platform. "Her mother's, grandmother's, great-grandmother's. Ekhalu's were added just this morning."

As the kria ascended onto the platform, Syra saw the deep blue feathers gleaming from the train's tail end. She craned her head for a better view of the couple that stood snout-to-snout above them.

"Thank you, all," Dürgah began, standing to address the gathering in Kiithrani, "for joining us in this momentous and wonderful moment in the lives of these two young Kiithran."

Syra's mind stumbled as his words filled the clearing. They came out in throaty huffs instead of hisses, but she understood them. With the exception of a word or two, this Kiithran was speaking Draconic. She looked to Suri for an explanation, but the anukaal was too enthralled with her mentor to pay her any mind. She glanced over to Petra and Cassius and they exchanged agreeing looks. So, it isn't just me.

"Even as an anukaal," he continued with a warm glance to the rahg, "Sendur was always eager to learn and has proven himself a strong and dependable dahmia. I, Dürgah, Gahirem of Morai and mate to Viilah, am pleased and honored to present him as a worthy mate to she who will have him."

Dürgah turned to Viilah, who rose to take her place at his side.

"I, Viilah, Lahirem of Morai and mate to Dürgah, am pleased and honored to present Ekhalu as a mate worthy of his name and affection. Moremi has confirmed with me that Ekhalu has completed her Vaasah with ready heart and sound mind. Throughout her apprenticeship, she demonstrated an open heart and a strong sense of duty to her aerie members regardless of age. Even as she stands here, she comes with numerous recommendations and no qualm against her. With the Aerie's permission, I ask these two be bonded in Ati-Kii: as one heart below the sky."

The silence over the crowd broke and cheers erupted into a chorus of applause for the new couple. Dürgah and Viilah turned from the crowd to Razira and Namir, who stood and presented two metal rings to the couple. With shaking hands, the two placed their rings on their mate's left horn, the colored bands matching their mate's plumage.

"It's the same," Petra whispered in confusion, "the speech, the rings, all of it is the same as ours. Why are Kiithran mimicking a dragon ceremony?"

Cassius shushed her, but Syra had the same question and she made a mental noted to ask Razira after it was all over. But for now, she took in the glowing faces and flapping wings of the village as the couple finalized the ceremony with outspread wings and entwining horns.

Drums beat, flutes whistled, and voices sang. But seeing the rings glint on their horns and the joy behind their eyes made Syra's chest seize. It was a scene she had wanted to share with Aidan, but one that would never play.

It's not like you could stay with him, Petra's words echoed in her head.

It's true, though, she thought against the ache, a union like ours couldn't work long term. He's human. If I do return and become Vayguard, I'll have to provide an heir. There's no magic for that.

"So, what did you think?" Razira's excited trill snapped Syra out of her trance. The ceremony had ended and she had completely missed the part where the couple had glided off together into the clouds.

"Oh, it was...heart-wrenching." She wasn't lying.

"Wasn't it?" Razira said with a bittersweet chuckle. She stared off into the sky where they had departed, her eyes fighting the sadness that threatened to make them water. "I've always thought it was a beautiful sight, to see them soar away together—as one heart under the sky."

"Yet it's something you'll never have for yourself?" Syra's words escaped her filter and caught Razira off guard.

"I'm sorry! I shouldn't have—"

"No, you're exactly right," said Razira with a wry grin. "Until I can change everyone's mind about Vaasah, it will only be a dream."

Syra paused a moment, then placed a gentle hand on Razira's snout and smiled, "Somethings are worth changing."

"Hey, Raz!" Petra called, walking over. "Why was that ceremony spoken in Draconic?"

"Draconic?" asked Razira.

"That's right," Syra said, remembering her question, "your ceremony was very similar to ours. Almost word for word."

"Word for word?" Razira tilted her head in confusion, "But, that was all in Kiithrani."

"It was both, in a way," Dürgah said as he left the platform to join them. "I'm not sure how much history your elders teach you," he said to the siblings, "but Morai wasn't founded by the Kiithrani—not originally. But by dragons. The Sylvani, specifically."

The siblings went wide-eyed. Syra had noticed small similarities, but attributed it to the growing trade between them.

"Then why are there only Kiithran in Morai?" asked a skeptical Petra.

"According to record, the Kiithran are a relatively new race. When the dragons came from beyond the sea, they marked us as prey. But, apparently we showed promise and they decided to foster our potential and began to teach us. Our language and customs are similar because they were the first we ever learned. And why we regard dragons so highly."

He gave Petra a stern look, "It was also a reason why I allowed you to stay here despite the events at dinner—out of respect for your kind."

"We certainly appreciate that," Cassius said, dipping his head.

"Glad to hear it. Now, if you'd excuse me, it appears I'm needed elsewhere," Dürgah said before trotting off to join a dahmia who paced with a look of concern.

"Well, now that we've all had a history lesson, how about we check out the buffet? I heard they brought fish this time and I'm starving." Petra rounded the platform and made a b-line to the spread of platters piled high with tasty treasures.

***

Syra was about to bite into a juicy melon when bloodscent chilled her stomach. A bugled shriek came from behind the platform. All heads turned and dahmia leapt from their seats.

Dashing past the feasting gathering, a rahg bounded down the street with a mass of jewels and feathers caught in his mouth.

"That's the Kiirem!" shouted Namir, racing off after him.

Syra and Razira went to follow, but were stopped short by Dürgah's raspy voice.

"Razira, wait!"

Syra's gut dropped at the sight of the chief limping around the platform, blood dripping from his side and dribbling down his legs.

"Pacha!" Razira screamed and ran to his side.

Syra went after her, but Petra held her back.

"I'll stay. Don't let him fly away!"

Syra hesitated and bit her lip as Dürgah collapsed, but Petra pushed her away.

"Go!"

"Stop the bleeding," Syra commanded before bolting off behind Aidan after the rahg.

Syra was relieved to see that Namir had cornered the rahg just before he had reached the landing platform.

"Stay back!" Namir yelled at them.

But the rahg used the distraction to buck his head up under Namir's snout, knocking him back and allowing him room to leap away.

"Shit," Aidan hissed and picked up his pace.

Syra sprinted after them, but the rahg's figure continued to shrink away. At this point, neither of them could reach him and she watched in horror as his wings unfurled and flapped in the wind blowing in from the ledge.

I can't let him fly. If he takes off, we'll never get it back.

Stretching her hands in front of her, she focused on the wide masses of feathers. She breathed in sync with their beating, and felt resistance against her palms as light glowered around the rahg's wings. And then she pulled. Hard.

The snap of bone echoed off the trees and the rahg screamed and fell with his snout digging up dirt. Namir threw himself over the rahg's neck, holding him down, but he continued to shriek under his weight. Both wings were bent at a disgusting angle and blood had begun to leak onto the ground from the exposed bone.

"Get the Kiirem!" Namir commanded Aidan, who snatched the headdress from the rahg's gaping mouth.

Holding his head against the ground, Namir saw the blood that glistened and stained his horns red. It smelled of his father.

"Why did you do this?" Namir snarled down at the rahg.

But he gritted his teeth and refused to give Namir an answer.

"Answer me, Namek! Of all my dahmia, I thought I could at least trust you." Pain mingled with the anger on Namir's face, "You were my friend, so why—"

"Because we need it!" Namek hissed. He forced his feet under him and tried to buck Namir off, but Namir slammed his weight down and back against a wing, inciting another scream.

"Who's we?"

Again, Namek clamped his mouth shut despite the pain. But Syra already had an idea of who he was talking about.

"The Black Thorn, right?" she asked, standing over Namek who stared up at her in shock—he had a horrible Poker face. "I thought so. Lift up his head," she told Namir.

Hidden among his neck feathers, a bronze coin hung from a leather strand.

"So, they are coming after them," said Aidan. "We'll have to tell Valen when we get back."

"You're not going back," said Namek, "I won't let you." He thrust his head back, digging the tips of his horns into Namir's meaty shoulder. Not deep, but enough to make him lose his grip.

Namek bucked, flinging Namir away and charged at Syra. She grabbed for her sword, only to remember she had left it in the room for the ceremony.

"Here!" Aidan threw his sword over Namek and Syra dodged to the side to catch it.

She tossed the sheath to the side and held the shining blade at Namek's face. It was long and heavy, and her hands shook. Namek reared and she ducked under his swiping talons. She heaved the blade upwards, slashing across his jaw. He screamed and raked his horns up against the air, their prongs seeking her soft belly as he pushed her back towards the ledge.

Syra faltered as she felt wind whip against her back from below. The fear in her eyes spurred Namek on, and he lowered his head for the last strike.

"Run!" Aidan called from behind Namek and he leapt on top of the rahg, grabbing him by the horns and steering him away from Syra.

Syra's feet pushed her sideways, away from the incoming horns. But as Namek's head spun around, so did his hindfeet.

Oof!

Syra felt all the air leave her lungs as a hindfoot collided into her chest. Her feet left the ground and she watched in slow motion as the ledge pulled away from her and the wall of stone rushed upwards as she fell.

Earth and stone blurred her vision, but she still felt the hilt in her hand. She shoved the blade into the clifface. It shook and jostled and scraped against the rocks, but she clung on with both hands, her muscles screaming under her weight and momentum.

"Syra!"

She opened her eyes to see Aidan's small head poking over the ledge. The sword had stopped her descent, but she was left hanging with a weakening grip.

"Just hold on! Namir's coming to get you!"

She ground her teeth against the pain in her hands, but breathed a sigh of relief, "It's okay, I got it!"

If I can get the sword out, I can just shift and fly back up, she thought, wiggling the blade back and forth. It gave easily and she felt herself slip. But it was the glow that peeked out from the stones by her face that made her freeze. Lodged under the blade, a morakii smiled up at her as cracks shimmered and split from the blade's edge.

"Bashta—"

Her vision went white then black as the explosion sent her soaring.