A/N: Yay! We have a cover. Tell me what you think of Raxtus; this is how I pictured him! (And, yes, I know my drawing skills are trash.)

"We're here," Grandpa Sorenson called from the barrel. Then he disappeared. Seth and, finally, Kendra came through the barrel. They were now in Blackwell Keep in Wyrmroost, a dragon sanctuary. They had come to end their caretaker-ship there. It hadn't been a year since their induction, but, since Celebrant had been defeated, the title of co-caretaker had been transferred to Raxtus. The members of Dragonwatch hadn't wanted to adopt new treaties just after all the chaos of the battle, so they'd kept the treaties for now and let Kendra and Seth pick a dragon to be the new co-caretaker. Of course, they'd chosen Raxtus. Kendra and Seth didn't have any doubt he'd let them be replaced.

Kendra entered Blackwell Keep, the memories rushing back to her. She saw Henrick and greeted him: "hey, Henrick!"

"You're here to abdicate?"

"Yep," Seth said.

"We need to return to Fablehaven," Kendra explained, "our other grandparents are currently running Fablehaven, but they… are needed other places. Grandpa Sorenson is leading the Knights of the Dawn, and Ruth should probably have help. We also need to be available in emergencies and not stuck at Wymroost."

"Marat's ready to take over for you. He'll escort you to the perch, in case anything… funny happens."

"I have no doubt anything will. I would trust Raxtus with my life. But we might as well be safe."

Marat entered the room. "Are you ready?"

"Let's go."

Marat, Seth, and Kendra stepped onto the Perch formed by Seth's onyx tower.

"Raxtus, come to the perch!" Marat called. All dragons had excellent hearing, so probably every dragon in the sanctuary could hear his call. In less than ten seconds, Raxtus came into view. He swooped over to the Perch, then flapped in front of them.

"You needn't tire yourself. Perch upon… the Perch," Marat invited. He muttered, "that came out wrong."

"Thanks," Raxtus said, "I wasn't sure if you'd be comfortable with that."

"Raxtus, stop that you know we trust you," Kendra scolded.

"Kendra!" he exclaimed, just realizing she was there, "C-can I talk to you… in private?"

Marat hesitated. "Kendra, I wouldn't-"

"Sure. Marat, I am still caretaker. I make my own decisions and have more authority than you."

Marat sighed. "You should be fine."

"Hop on," Raxtus said.

As Kendra complied, she heard Marat whisper to Seth something about Celebrant. She mounted Raxtus and he flew under tree cover, out of view of Marat and Seth on the Perch.

"I've been wanting to do this for a while," Raxtus said. Before Kendra's eyes, Raxtus's shape became blurry. When it came back into focus, he had shrunk and his features had changed. He blurred again and was in his human form. The entire process had taken less than a second. Kendra looked at his human form. There was one word that came to mind: cute. Not strikingly handsome like Bracken, but like a puppy you just wanted to snuggle. He had silvery hair, and very light blue eyes, almost like the color of ice. But his eyes were not icy at all. They were soft and shy. His skin was just slightly darker than Kendra's, which was surprising because of his paleness in dragon form. He was blushing, which added to the look. He seemed to radiate light. Now she knew what creatures meant when they said she shined. She liked this look almost better than Bracken. Maybe better.

"I thought you couldn't take human form."

"Well, the Fairy Queen answered my pleas and gave me a human avatar temporarily. If I earn it, I can keep it. If not, I'll never be able to take mortal form again. Anyway, I thought we could feel more similar if I took this form."

Kendra had an idea of where this was going with Raxtus and was tempted to mention the she had a boyfriend. However, Raxtus spoke first. "You have to leave?"

"Yes. I have to return to Fablehaven."

"Are you going to come back to visit?"

"Probably not," Kendra admitted.

"Well… um… I'll miss you." Raxtus gained more confidence in his speech. "I know you must hate dragons' guts right now, but-"

"No, Raxtus, I could never hate you!"

"Well, thanks. Just know… just know you have a dragon out there who cares about you."

Raxtus approached Kendra and tried to embrace her, but held back, unsure of what Kendra felt towards him. Kendra finished the job for him. As they hugged, Kendra thought, Bracken! No, just forget about him for now. Enjoy Raxtus. He deserves to be enjoyed.

Raxtus, still in the embrace, broke the silence, "Should I become a wizard?"

"You can't."

"But… what if I could. Would it help you forget… I'm a dragon?

"Raxtus, human, dragon, I don't care what you are, as long as you're you. And why would I want to forget you're a dragon?"

Raxtus pulled away and smiled. "Thanks." He stepped away farther and turned into a dragon.

"Raxtus! One more thing. I… I'll come back to visit." Raxtus seemed to smile as Kendra mounted him.

Kendra and Raxtus flew up to the Perch and Kendra got off. Seth asked, "what was that all about?"

"You want me to be honest?"

"Sure."

"I just got another boyfriend."

Before Seth could reply, Marat started the process. "Do you, Raxtus, permit the transfer of co-caretaker from Seth Sorenson and Kendra Sorenson to me, Camarat."

Raxtus looked at Kendra. "I'm sorry," she mouthed, "I have to leave."

If dragons could cry, Raxtus was. "I… I permit."

"You seem reluctant," Marat commented.

"It's… a private matter that is troubling me. It's what I talked to Kendra about."

"Very well. Let us care for this sanctuary together. Kendra, Seth, you can leave now.

"Raxtus," Kendra called before leaving, "we will see each other by the end of the year."

Raxtus seemed to smile. "I hope we do."