Author's Notes:

Hi all! I want to thank you ahead of time for reading my story. First, I would say, don't read this if you haven't read both books in the Eon/Eona duology. There's a lot of spoilers... especially in this prologue...

So, here's what you need to know before reading: Everything in the books has happened up to the point where Ido stabs Kygo and goes into full-power-hungry-mode. In this version of the story, Ido stays good and restores the dragon power - but he still did try to convince Eona to steal the power right before. This prologue just serves as a bridge between the end of Eona - The book and my story, so a huge chunk of it are passages from the end of Eona edited to make sense.

Unfortunately, that means that Eona is still leaning towards Kygo, and this is going to take awhile to unravel - which is why I decided to make this longer than a one shot. Alison Goodman is an amazing writer, and if you read it carefully, there's not a lot of love-love going on between Ido and Eona, which makes me sad. We'll change that with this story though. :)

With that said, please enjoy!

…

Sudden screams lifted my head. The men who had taken refuge on the top steps were diving out of the way as the new Mirror Dragon's huge muzzle planed across the platform and stopped a length or so above my head, the heat of her breath carrying the unfamiliar spice of nutmeg. I stared past the razored fangs and looked up into her dark eyes, my heart pounding. Within the wise depths of her gaze, I saw something shift. An echo of an old bond. Slowly, she lowered her great chin and delicately nuzzled Kygo's chest. She drew in a breath and on its sweet nutmeg exhale, golden Hua flowed into his body.

She was healing him.

I watched as the wound across his shoulder closed, skin fusing seamlessly, leaving behind only the smooth evidence of new life. She turned to Ido next, pressing gently across his chest. His sorrowful scream and the remorse strewn with tears on his face when she left him told me she had healed more than just his physical wounds and perhaps this time, it would last. Then I felt the soft touch of her muzzle brush against my head. Her power flowed into me: a glorious rush of joy and gratitude. The golden Hua pulled my scorched skin into smooth ease. My own breath broke into a long, hard sob.

I stretched up and stroked the ridged silk scales, hoping she understood my joy and gratitude, too. She crooned and pulled her head away.

The triumphant call of the Mirror Dragon announced her return to the celestial plane. She arrowed her body upward, the dark ring of clouds breaking apart as her huge crimson body cut through them. With one last spiraling plunge she disappeared from the brightening sky.

Silence settled across the platform. Slowly, soldiers and resistance fighters clambered to their feet, their awe gathering them into a loose semicircle before me, Kygo, and Ido. Farther back, Dela helped Tozay to stand. Both alive. I sent a small prayer of thanks. And another prayer for Ryko – May he walk in the garden of the gods.

The semicircle parted as Dela led Tozay to us. Although the general's face was pale and drawn with pain, shrewd sense was back in his eyes.

"His Majesty is truly blessed by the gods and beloved of the dragons," he said loudly as he and Dela limped through the ragged collection of men. "He has returned the Imperial Pearl to the spirit beasts and brought renewal and peace to our land." Slowly he turned, eyeing the reverent men. "Bow before your true emperor."

One by one, the men on the platform knelt before us in low obeisance. With Dela's help, Tozay slowly lowered himself to his knees, his keen glance meeting Kygo's in silent strategy. The Contraire gracefully bowed beside him, a fleeting smile answering mine. She had lost so much, yet she still had the strength to smile.

Kygo straightened. "Rise," he ordered the bowing men. "Balance has been restored to the heavens and earth, but we have work ahead of us to restore order to the empire."

Balance in the heavens. Could I still see the dragons? On a deep breath I sought the pathways of my mind-sight, shifting into the familiar streaming colors and swirling Hua of the energy world. High above us, the Circle of Twelve was complete, all the dragons in their celestial domains. As if she recognized my presence, the new Mirror Dragon turned her huge crimson head toward me. I felt her curious spirit brush against mine, and within it was the soft cinnamon joy of a remembered bond.

A hand on my shoulder brought me back to the earthly realm.

"Your emperor is waiting for you, Lady Eona," Ido spoke, his voice stiff.

I looked at him, is he angry with me? Angry because I chose to free the dragons over power? Did he not feel the joy of his dragon when it had renewed and return to its home in the celestial plane? Hasn't the mirror dragon healed his compassion point and the black gap in his crown?

"Naiso." Kygo's voice brought me out of my thoughts. His palm held open towards me, waiting for me to follow him back to the safety of the camp.

With a final look at Ido's stoic face, I turned away and placed my hand in Kygo's.