At the end where Destiny awaits: Book 6 of the Kinstone series

The area around us then darkens as something massive flies over. I look up, eyes bulging wide as I see the one of, if not the, largest dragon I have ever seen. The four of us stare on as the gigantic crimson dragon banks to the right and turns back towards us.

My heart shoots straight into my throat as we watch it land just less than a couple hundred yards away from us. However, as massive as it is, the ground doesn’t even shake, not even in the slightest as it gently lands, folding its wings over the sides of its body.

It’s beyond massive, towering easily well over a hundred feet in length, standing taller than even most of the trees here, so over ten stories to the top of its head. Its dark, crimson scales shimmer softly as water rolls down its body from the mists in the air.

It doesn’t even take a few steps for this massive creature to approach us. When it does, Marron quickly pulls me behind her, stepping us away from the railing as my wolves leap of in front of us, snarling at the great wyrm, each flaring and channeling in ice and shadow as it swirls around them.

The dragon then lowers its head towards us ever so slowly, as if not to cause us alarm. Well…too late for that. Its head is huge, long and slender the size of a school bus. It’s tapered to a point like some of the dragons from old fantasy movies with horns coming out from the back of it head.

Marron holds onto me tightly as I gaze up into its emerald eyes. While terrified at the prospect of facing down possibly the largest being I’ve ever encountered, I can’t help but feel as though I’ve seen this dragon before from somewhere.

The great dragon’s lips then slowly curl back, forming a warm and tender smile. Its eyes appear gentle, yet full of joy and relief. The tip of its snort is less than twenty feet from us, yet even at that distance it’s awe-inspiring the more I gaze up at.

“Good morning to you both,” says great wyrm. “It does my heart such joy to see you both alive and safe. You have had us worried for all these months, little ones.” Its voice while a deep and booming in sound, is gentle and caring, like hearing a grandfather speak. For a dragon, it’s warm to the heart, a feeling I know from Silvi.

It then gazes down at my wolves as their magic swirls around them, dipping its head to them. “I mean them no harm, great wolves. For they are my children.”

Both wolves instantly stop growling and cease their coalescing magic and stare up at him. Marron and I stare on in shock and confusion. Wait…what?!?!? His children?

The dragon returns his onto us, his gentle smile softens. “I have missed you both deeply, having been worried for my family.” My soaring heartrate slowly starts to less as I listen to him.

“When Regulus revealed your lineage to the Court,” he continues, “I suspected something terrible was going to happen. Therefore, my clan attempted to reach you, hoping we’d make it in time. However, we were intercepted by another clan, having already allied with Regulus.”

He gaze softens even more, “I worried for your safety the longer they detained us. After dispatching our attackers, we flew with all haste, hoping and praying to make it time. Only to receive news you had not only survived your attack, but had been safely returned home.”

Wait…this dragon was there at Court when Regulus announced I was descended from Shyair? I gaze up into his eyes, seeing the pieces finally come together. My eyes then grew huge as I remember who this dragon is.

“You’re Arcohan!!" I shout. "You were the sleeping dragon I saw when Mom and I attended Court.”

The dragon grins broadly as he nods. “Indeed I was, little Aria. I was filled with such immense pride and happiness when you and your mother strolled into the parliament chambers.”

I slip out from behind Marron and walk between my wolves, no doubt with my sister watching me closely yet dare not make a move. I approach the railing, feeling the heat from the wrym’s breath as it softly blows onto me, smelling of a warm spring day. “I caught you looking and smiling at me at times.”

Arcohan chuckles gently, “Both your mother and Miriam would often tout of your sharp eyes. I wasn’t fully aware you caught me in the act.”

I quickly turn back to Marron when he says Miriam’s name. She too is in shock and confusion. I look back at him. I know he knows Mom from Court, and everyone there is knows Miriam, given how she can scare the hell out of them with merely a letter.

“How…how do you know Miriam?” asks Marron.

The dragon smiles, “I am as she is, a founding member and leader of the coven of Colburn.”

We each step back slightly, with my heart shooting right back up into my throat. This…this dragon is one of the founders of our coven? Is he the one Titania told me about?

His smile stretches once more into a fang-filled gentle grin. “However, Arcohan is the name I use while in Court and throughout most of Europe. For my true name is Ddraig.”

I feel my wide growing so wide they threaten to pop out at this announcement. “As in…the Welsh dragon of legend?” His massive head nods slowly, smiling to me.

Behind me I feel the tension and nervousness from my sister growing. I know she’s still apprehensive when it comes to meeting anyone from the Coven.

Arcohan or now, Ddraig, looks to her. His gaze never loses its gentleness; in fact it softens even more. “You have nothing to fear from me, young Marron. I know the truth of what happened that night. That you are as much a victim of Regulus’ schemes as was your younger sister.”

I turn to see Marron clench her fists tightly. No matter what’s happened since, she still carries some guilt for it. I forgave her, and I know she’s forgiven herself. It still stings that it happened. Regulus and Selene are going to pay for that.

He smiles to her, “The Coven misses you deeply as they do your sister. They are always craving news of your whereabouts and status. Granted, your call to Miriam was truly made the Coven breathe a greatly needed sigh of relief. I know that your friends are ever so eager to see you once more.”

She looks to him, smiling slightly as I feel her coming closer to me. She nods to him, resting a hand onto my shoulder to which I smile, holding onto it. “Thank you, sir.”

Both wolves look to her and fully relax, each sitting beside us, however still watch the ancient dragon. Can’t say I blame them.

His smile lessens somewhat, “For the longest time, I have watched over the Court. My intent was to ensure they never meddled too deeply in the affairs of Colburn.” His gaze droops slightly, “A charge I failed not once, but twice. I wasn’t present the day when Beltrok was sent to your home. When I learned of what happened, I nearly turned the vampire into ash. However my son and daughter dissuaded me while in chambers.”

He then chuckles, “However, neither of us could help but laugh when Miriam’s letter burst from its envelope, berating and scolding the Court for the incident. A rather assuming and satisfying event, one I wish could have recorded.”

I blush softly, knowing Mom may have also wanted to see it happen. Not to mention how even Serasfall knew of Miriam. My Granny sure gets around and is even feared by others. No one messes with her grandchildren.

Ddraig then lowers his head. “As for the second failure, I must apologize from not preventing the attack on your home last July. Lana and Mistral, along with Irina Velkoz and their allies, managed to slip past everyone. No doubt having had aid from the formers’ fathers.” He then looks to me, “Yet I was filled with pride when I learned that not only had you survived the assault, you had come out victorious. You truly are your mother’s daughter and child of our coven.”

I grin, blushing softly. I gaze up at Marron who smiles to me. That night was my first real battle, one where my own life and possibly everyone else’s was on the line. We fought hard, nearly losing Abigale and Bianca while at the same time, losing a few of the living armor. Yet I gave a proper ass-whooping to all three of them. Part of me hopes I earned some respect as a result, but I’m really not holding my breath.

Another question then pops into my head as I look back to Ddraig. “How do you know about this place?” I ask him. “I thought only those of Shyair were aware of its existence. Or better yet…how did you even get through the barrier? We were only able to thanks to me using a fairy road and my knights thanks to them being launched from underground and outside of it.”

I feel my worry growing even more as I look up into the sky. Even the Estate had a powerful barrier erected around it to stave off attackers or even being spotted from the sky. However it was brought down by a flight of dragons.

One of the biggest concerns has been Regulus being able to track me anywhere in the world. During the second battle at home, he even employed a sphinx and that really makes me worry what else he has at his disposal.

He smiles, swishing his tail behind his massive body, yet no trees were uprooted or earth upheaved. “I have been aware of this place for centuries, Little Aria. It has been a great secret, bestowed onto me by your ancestors after performing a great deed of trust.”

I tilt my head and then sigh, smiling. Serasfall. So he’s the one she was referring to. Geez, that woman knew nearly everyone I do.

“I hoped that you might come here if you were alive,” he continues. “No doubt having learned of its existence from your knights. So for the past two months, I have patrolled this area, attempting to sense your presence here.”

I become worried even more as I once again look around and up at the sky, and finally back to him. “Someone could have followed you or have been watching you.” Oh crap, does this mean we might have to abandon the Outpost soon?

Ddraig then lets out a gentle, yet hearty chuckle. “No, little one. No human, no matter how powerful, nor creature of even greater ability can track my movements. That is no mere boast either. Not even Titania herself dares to follow me. Although, I am very well aware of how deeply she cares for you.”

I blush softly. I miss her and the others too. I smirk, wondering how Kenji’s doing with Yukari.

His gaze then turns solemn as he looks to me. “Sadly, Little Aria, I also come bearing terrible news for you.”

I tilt my head. I’ve been out of contact with the rest of the world when we arrived here. The barrier, while shielding us from detection also blocks out any form of signal. So I really have no idea what’s been going on after we left Japan.

“Miriam has kept me informed of our enemies’ movements in America,” he starts, growing angry. “He has on occasion, and through proxies, launched attacks against our coven. Recently, a rival coven assaulted members living in St. Louis and in Nashville.”

My eyes grow wide, Jenn, Heather. I look to him, “Are they okay? I mean…did anyone get seriously hurt or…or.” I feel frantic at this.

Ddraig shakes his head. “All are fine, Little Aria. Your friends are safe and alive.”

I sigh heavily, thank God. Please…please be safe guys. I miss you so much.

The great dragon then looks to me. “However,” his voice now sounding troubled and dismayed, “he located the last of your birth family and had them murdered. Their bodies were put on display in order to draw you out.”

I stand there for a moment as the news cycles through my mind. I then stagger back, feeling my heart plummeting even deeper into my stomach. I haven’t spoken to my uncle in years, not since the funeral. Yet still…even then he’s still my family. They’re all I have left of my birth family, my last blood kin.

They’ve had nothing to do with this war, or with Dewloura. Arnold, John and David are also descendants of Shyair, but Regulus left them alone and even out of his announcement. He’s been after me because I also possess the Xur’canah, and what he wants to unseal the city. So he used them to get to me.

Tears start to well up in my eyes as I drop to my knees and wail loudly. I grab hold of my chest as I feel my heart pounding heavily in my chest as memories of losing Tyrion and his family coming back to me. I then seen flashes of Serasfall on the ground as she dies, hearing Celes saying goodbye echoing in my ears.

“Why...why do I keep losing family?!?!” I cry out. In the span of twenty-four hours, I have lost more family than ever before in my life.

Marron holds me tightly to her, rocking. “Shh, shh.”

I feel cold noses nuzzling my as my wolves try to comfort me. Yet again, they comfort me like parents. Fenris shoots the dragon glare, not snarling at the wyrm, just angered by him.

However, my sorrowful wails echo into the forest. I don’t even my knights scrambling over yet stopping short to watch.

“I truly am sorry to bring such news to you, Little Aria,” apologizes the great dragon.

Marron strokes my hair while still holding onto me. “Don’t trouble yourself over this,” she replies. “Aria traveled to Dewloura in the past, only just coming back yesterday. There she met her ancestors who took her in as their own.” She rocks me more to calm me down. “She lost them all in the Fall.”

Ddraig looks to me for moment, and then nods.

I feel something new gently brushing against my face. I peer up through my tears, seeing a massive red snout nuzzling my cheek. His emerald eyes gaze into mine, still possessing a tenderness to them. I feel him nuzzling me again. “I am truly sorry little one. When I heard the news, I was just as outraged and appalled. Regulus flew into a rage after your long absence. Even now he still furiously searches for you.”

I continue to gaze into his eyes, feeling the same loving feeling I get from Miriam. I slowly settle down, and reach up, touching his snout.

He smiles warmly, “I possess no words that will aid you, other than I am happy you are still alive and still possess family who loves you. I myself included.”

I look around, seeing my knights, wolves, and Marron with me. I still have my aunts, my coven, and my village, all still alive and worrying for me. A soft smile stretches on my lips as this takes root.

Ddraig smiles as my mood improves, softly nudging my face once more. “Such wonderful eyes should never be drowned in tears little one,” he says. “I am aware that Miriam refers to the children of the Coven as her grandchildren. If you wish, I would be honored if you both were to call me ‘Grandpa’ or ‘Grandfather’.”

I blush softly, wiping my tears and look up to him incredulously and surprised. “Grandpa?”

He beams brightly, eyes softening as he nods. “Yes, Little Aria.”

He then leans in and gently presses the tip of his snout to my chest. I smile softly, stroking it, realizing how tiny we really are compared to him. His snout alone is as large as a full-grown man. It’s rough and scaly, par for a dragon. However it’s smooth to the touch the more I stroke it.

He smiles, his eyes shifting to Marron. “You have done well in looking after your sister. Aiding her against her demons and staying at her side in her grief.”

She smiles, looking down to me. “That’s what big sisters do, no matter to era.”

I giggle softly, “She’s the best.” She grins, leaning down and kissing my forehead. I cling to her, feeling her heart against my chest.

Ddraig nods, “It brings me such joy to see the children of the Coven together. Regrettably, I wish I were present more often in your lives, even if to come on occasion to visit my family. The Court rarely, if ever, affords me the opportunity to slip away. Although, I was present the night your mother introduced you to the Coven.” He smiles. “You truly were beautiful that night, no doubt thanks to your mother’s care.”

I tilt my head, recalling that night. My eyes dart around for moment, then go wide, looking up at him, “You were the old man Mom was talking to that night.”

He chuckles, “You truly do possess sharp eyes. Yes, I was there, in fact all three leaders were in attendance that night. However, the fae lady and I did not wish to overwhelm you so soon. Therefore we resigned ourselves to merely be observers.”

I blush softly. All three leaders of the coven were in the same place, and there for me. I smile to him, my new grandfather, happy to have been brought into such an incredible family. I lean my head back, resting it on Marron’s chest. She smiles, stroking my hair.

Even before Mom adopted me, people were looking after me. I was theirs from the start. Oh how I love my coven.

“What are your plans?” asks Ddraig.

My calmness is soon replaced with boiling anger, not only for Regulus murdering the last of my blood kin, but for attacking my coven. Either through his direct hand or the covens stupid enough to join him, he’s come after me with pure malice and hatred. He launched an attack against my home, killed my mother, my sister, my aunt. The man is pure evil.

Not only Regulus, but Selene needs to pay for what she did in the past. This isn’t “sins of the father”. That bitch murdered her wolf, Serasfall, wanted to turn my wolves into her slaves, and tried to kill me. She manipulated Marron, preying on her emotions and resentments. Then there’s Diana. She’s a whole other set of issues.

I stare up at the dragon. “I’m going to leave here and make him pay for everything he’s done.”

“You will do no such thing, young lady,” declares Marron, gripping me tightly. “You just returned from the past. Don’t even get me started on how you have yet to recover from everything you’ve endured while there and now this?”

I growl at her. She stares into my eyes. “You leave now in this state, guns blazing, you’ll be playing right into his hands. Remember, I am still your guardian. You need time to process everything, and one night isn’t going to cut it. Hell, we all need time to process everything you just told us.”

I growl again at her. “Screw that.”

Her face turns to anger, “You listen here, young lady. I am your sister and you will do as you’re told. You got me?”

I grit my teeth, ready to just break and throw everything to chance. Right now I could turn into a nuke and run after Regulus, using a fairy road make him pay for everything he’s done. My blood feels like its boiling the more we glare at each other for a moment before I close my eyes.

“How long?”

“As long as it takes. Go study, train, reacclimate to the present.”

I think for a moment, taking several long and deep breaths, still ready to bolt and make a run for it. So many thoughts and desires run through my mind. I really do just want to leave and rip an tear my way through the entirety of the world in my attempt to find Regulus and make him pay. However…gah, she’s right. Hell, she always is.

I sigh, dropping my head, “Fine, you win.”

Marron hugs me tightly, kissing my forehead. She then looks to my wolves, “Make sure she stays put.” They grin, nuzzling my face with tails being wrapped around me. I smirk, stroking them.

I feel another pressing the top of my head. I look, seeing Ddraig smiling to me.

“I too shall remain here,” he says, “adding yet another layer of protection for as long as you remain here, given other recent battles.”

“Other battles?” asks Marron. “What else is going on back home?”

He smiles, “All shall be revealed in due time. What I can tell you is that America is safer to return to than it was a few months ago. Seeing how some of your enemy’s allies have been dealt with.”

I nod.

“Yet I agree to remain here, for even Europe is not safe to venture into at the present. His allies here may track you if you were to leave the safety of the Outpost.”

I tilt my head. I pretty much told Miriam to go to war, and knowing our coven, even my friends; they’d go all-out if pushed. So like Marron asked, what else is going on back home? I really hope everyone is safe, and not pulling a berserker raid on our enemies.

I sigh softly, letting my mind settle again, and then giggle. I look up to him. “Thanks, Grandpa.”

He beams brightly. “Now, as I also know you tend to worry over others, you do not have to for my sake while I am here with you.” I giggle softly as he bows his head and turns, heading for one of the peaks overlooking the waterfalls.

We stand in awe as the massive dragon moves so quietly through the fields and river, not even stirring the trees as it move so gracefully. I shake my head, thinking that this world I live in still possesses such amazing surprises.

I smile; I have a dragon for a grandfather. Such a crazy day.

I look up, seeing both of my knights watching, yet smiling. It makes me think if they too recognized Ddraig, but still were worried when the massive dragon just appeared out of nowhere.