Chapter 20: The Dragon Whisperer

Callum walked until his breath got short enough to give Rayla pause. It reminded her all too well of the way he'd gasped in the cave, drowning in the remnants of Dark Magic until he'd miraculously come back to her. She wrapped her arm around his shoulders to make his feet halt, and rested her other hand on his chest to feel him breathe.

The sky was nearly dark, and part of her was surprised he'd lasted this long anyway.

"Alright, we're done!" she called ahead to Myra, and the leader turned around with a scowl, the other elves watching her warily.

"We're not even halfway there."

"He can't go all night like this," Wren said, stepping forward. "And given the precious cargo we carry, it would be wise for us to get some rest as well."

"The faster we get there, the sooner the Dragon Prince is safe—"

"And any remaining Crescents will be desperate, and if we are tired and weak minded we will make mistakes."

Myra narrowed her eyes. "Well you would know all about making mistakes, wouldn't you, Wren?"

Wren's jaw clenched. "Given that you were secondary guards and not deemed good enough the first time around, what chance do you think you have now? The human prince has been through enough. He needs rest."

Myra looked beyond her at the way Callum tried to catch his breath, and her scowl deepened. "Fine. Waste our time. We'll head out again at dawn."

Wren shot one last glare at Myra before she beckoned Callum and Rayla inside a nearby cave, helping the former carefully into a sitting position.

"Comfortable?" Rayla asked.

"For a cave? Sure," Callum said with a slight smile. He looked at Wren. "Um, thanks."

Wren gave him a slight nod. "Just get some rest." She looked at her daughter. "That goes for you too."

"Yes mother."

The other elves fell in line, some setting down their weapons to make camp, Myra overseeing it all. "Aegnor, Elyssa, with me."

The Earthblood healer and the Moonshadow elf stood up, taking their weapons with them. For hunting, Rayla assumed, even if she didn't entirely like the idea of them going off on their own.

She caught her mother's eye. "Are you sure you don't want to go with them?"

"Stay with the princes," she said. "We'll be back soon." Wren exchanged a look with Arvis and then followed a frowning Myra into the woods, the two other elves bringing up the rear.

Callum had only been settled for a few moments before Zym crawled into his lap for scratches. He smiled, obliging, scratching a little harder when Zym's hind leg thumped with glee. "I don't get a moment's rest, huh?" Zym chirped happily, nuzzling into him, and Callum softened. "Yeah. I'll miss you too."

Rayla smiled, her throat going unexpectedly tight as she reached over to pat Zym on the head. "We'll come back and visit, wee one. That's a promise."

Callum didn't mean to start yawning, though. At least not while the remaining Dragon Guard still eyed him suspiciously, and Arvis set about making a fire with nearby firewood; he didn't seem keen to leave them alone with the other elves either.

Rayla's eyes were sympathetic when Callum turned to her. "Tired?"

"Yeah. I don't know why, really."

She reached over and toyed with his braid; that usually helped him relax. "I expect the sudden lack of adrenaline got to you. And the past couple of days have been emotionally exhausting."

He rubbed at his eyes. "I'm okay," he murmured. "How are you feeling?"

"Me?"

"None of this has been easy on you either. I know I've been… distracted, but—" His brow furrowed. "You loved him too. You've been so focused on helping me with it, but you deserve space to… feel things too."

Rayla's brow furrowed. "I don't want to upset you."

"You won't." He took her free hand. "Talk to me?"

"It...it doesn't feel like he's gone. I mean, I can't...believe he is. Like I keep thinking he was able to get away or hide somehow, and he's fine, and…" She squeezed his hand. "I'm sorry. I know it doesn't help."

"You're the only thing that's kept me moving these past couple of days," he said, running his thumb over her knuckles. "It's okay. Keep going."

"I don't know if I really believe myself or if I'm just...trying not to think about it." She sighed. "I guess we'll find out soon enough."

"I'm scared to hope that he made it somehow," Callum admitted. "Last time, with my dad… I get it. But I hope you're right." He tried for a little smile. "You usually are."

"Me too. And...I'll be with you. No matter what."

"I know."

"And you're feeling physically fine?" she double checked.

He nodded. "Nothing got reopened." He squeezed her hand. "I'm fine, Rayla."

She shook her head, narrowing her eyes even if she had to fight back a smile. She reached up and toyed with the braid she'd woven in his hair what felt like years ago, even if it had only been maybe three weeks at most. "You need to stop saving me by almost dying."

"I mean, don't you save me right back?"

"Yes, but I don't almost die doing it—don't smile at me," she admonished. "This is serious."

His eyes rested on her, and for the first time in days, he looked marginally at peace. "I know. I just love you."

Rayla flushed and floundered, her eyes darting away as she seemed to remember that they weren't alone. Her father was there and so was half the Dragonguard, a few watching them warily. "Ugh, this isn't—" She bit it back, because it was the most himself she'd seen Callum look since he'd heard the room. She settled. It wasn't like they were discrete, anyway, and she let her forehead brush his as she looked back at him. Who cared if they heard? It was true. "I love you too."

Callum smiled, pressing a gentle peck to her lips. She returned it with a small one of her own. He held her closer, a soft hum passing from his mouth to hers, and it made her shiver. A blush spread across her cheeks despite herself when they did separate soon afterwards, her hand gentle on his chest.

"You are ridiculous," she mumbled, lips upturned. Still a little begrudgingly self conscious.

"I know."

One of the elves made a scathing noise, but Rayla ignored them. What was it Callum was always saying? The two of them were making a new world. Everyone who didn't like it would just be left behind.

Wren, Myra, and the two other elves that had gone out came back after maybe another half hour with a dead deer and a couple of rabbits, the former hefted over Aegnor's shoulders. The other elves set to skinning it quickly, and Callum looked away towards the mouth of the cave instead, when Zym bumped him for more pats.

Callum gave in and scratched his chin, and Zym only scampered away to eat the rabbits once they'd been thrown to him by Wren.

"How are you feeling?" she asked Callum, handing him a plate with some cooked and skinned deer meat on it, once dinner was ready.

"Um… I'm okay," he said, rubbing the back of his neck. "Thanks for dinner."

Wren handed Rayla a plate next. "Anything happen while you were gone?" Rayla asked.

"I didn't see any traces of the Crescents, if that's what you're asking."

"Shouldn't we have a plan anyway?" Callum said. "If any do show up? Last time they got the jump on us with some sort of sleep spell."

"Usually I keep a pin or something on me," Rayla said. "Sometimes I can improvise with thorny plants."

Callum looked at her curiously. "When did you have to ward off a sleep spell?"

"Soren and Claudia snuck up on me," she supplied. She'd never bothered to tell him the beginning of that story closer to the time, with how much had happened afterwards, and so quickly.

Callum's expression darkened. "Attacking a sleeping opponent sounds like something Claudia would do." Catching Wren's look, he added, "The children of my father's High Mage. They tracked us to the Moon Nexus. They tried to steal Zym and kidnap my brother and I to bring us back to Katolis."

Rayla placed a hand over his now tight fisted hand. "They grew up together," she elaborated.

Wren's brow furrowed. "So you have lost friends, too."

Callum sighed. "It was probably for the best. I didn't know that they were always... like that." He smiled a little, glancing at Rayla. "Besides, I have new friends." He glanced outside. "I guess, though, when I go back to Katolis, if they're there, I'll have to decide what to do with them." His gut churned. "As king."

"There's no point in thinking about what hasn't come to pass," Rayla reminded him. "Right now, you're here. With us. In this decently-comfortable cave, still a prince. A rather poor prince."

He snorted, his shoulders easing. "Thank you."

She gently nudged him. "My prince."

Callum couldn't help but smile. "That was really sappy for you."

"And you love it."

"I do. I love you."

One of the elves—the same one as before, a paler Earthblood elf, who he now realized had been the archer—made a disgusted noise in the back of his throat. "Must you always flaunt your blasphemy so loudly? It's bad enough you've tainted her, but to make a Moonshadow elf so willowy…"

"Ragnor," Myra reprimanded, even if she looked displeased in the couple's direction too.

Callum let go of Rayla's hand and stood up. "No." He looked towards the elf. "If he has a problem with us, he should spit out so we can get it over with. So?"

"Humans are lesser beings, and you would dare chain her down to you? Take away her future and give her your worthless people in turn? Your father—"

"Was a flawed man," Callum said, glaring. "And I am here trying to fix his mistakes. And my kingdom is not worthless. My mother and brother died protecting it. And Rayla is fully capable of making her own decisions, regardless of what anyone else, including myself, thinks. You don't even know her."

Ragnor wouldn't be deterred. "If everyone you love ends up dead, then what does that spell for her?"

Callum flinched.

"Nothing," Rayla snapped, rising. "He's saved my life countless times. I wouldn't be here without him. I'd be dead and decapitated on the floor of a Crescent compound without him."

"Better dead than disgraced—what are you, other than a failure of an assassin?"

Callum's face contorted, and then he strode over and punched Ragnor in the face.

"That's enough," Wren snapped, before Ragnor could retaliate. She grabbed Callum by the arm and hoisted him back, half off the ground.

Ragnor held his nose between his fingers; Callum hoped it was broken. "The little palace brat broke—"

"You spoke out of turn," Wren said.

"The boy shouldn't have hit him," Myra pointed out.

"He shouldn't have spoken that way about Rayla," Callum said fiercely, struggling against Wren's grip. He began to still when Rayla took his free hand.

"I'm okay," she said gently. "I know who I am. I won't let anyone, especially a stranger, take that from me."

Callum stopped struggling and Wren let him go, even if he glared at Ragnor. "It's elves like you that make me wonder why I'm even doing any of this," he hissed, and turned away.

Myra let out a heavy sigh. "All of you now, hold your tongues. Ragnor, go for a walk. Scout and cool off." Glaring, Ragnor did, stalking off down the path. Her eyes narrowed at Callum next. "Boy—"

"I don't answer to you." He only began to relent when Rayla squeezed his hand.

"Let's get some air," she said gently.

He looked at Zym, and Arvis took a step toward the baby dragon. A silent We'll look after him while you're gone, before Callum let Rayla tug him outside of the cave and a little ways down the path. Ragnor was nowhere to be seen.

"You shouldn't have risen to his bait," she said quietly.

Callum's jaw clenched. "It's not okay for him to talk about you like that."

"I don't care what he thinks," Rayla said. "I care about what you think. You know me. He doesn't." She kissed his cheek and he softened a little, and she turned over his hand, examining his knuckles. "You didn't hurt yourself, did you?"

"You taught me how to punch."

"Yes, but I didn't think you'd use it." Rayla pursed her lips and then cradled his cheek in her hand. "I know you're going through a really hard time right now," she murmured, "for a lot of different reasons. And you have every right to be upset and angry. But you're also one of the most compassionate people I know, and… I don't want anything to steal your softness, okay?"

Callum leaned into her touch. "It won't," he promised. "I just don't like when people talk about you like that."

"I know. I don't like it when people talk badly about you either." Rayla stroked her thumb over his cheek. "Just a few more days, and then it'll be over, and we can go back home."

He gave her a small smile. "You're really set on making Katolis your home, huh?"

"I'm very set on making wherever you are my home, yes."

"Even if we keep going back and forth?"

"Even then."

He looked at her with wonder in his eyes. "I don't know what I did to deserve you," he said softly.

"You were you, dummy," she smiled. "I spent my whole life being either too much or too little. I didn't fully fit in anywhere. Not completely. Not until you."

"I wasn't a good prince," he mumbled, even if his eyes were bright when he looked at her. "You're not suited for royalty. Neither am I. I… I don't want to be king. Ez didn't either, but he was—it suited him. What if I go back and he really is…"

Rayla tilted her head. "Whatever happens, we'll face it and figure it out together. And it's not like Ez is a traditional king either, I'm sure. Why would you have to be one too? Tomorrow, we'll reach one of the dragon whisperers, and we'll know for sure. And whatever you need to do then, once you know, we'll make time for." She smiled a little. "I think my mother is about ready to go to war for you."

Callum managed a quiet chuckle. "It's… really nice of her. And surprising. I thought she hated me."

"I think you've grown on her. You grew on me, after all." She wrinkled her nose, thoughtful. "Like a weed."

He laughed just the way she'd hoped for. "Gee, thanks." Still, he smiled when she leaned in to kiss him softly.

"I love you so much."

His heart skipped a beat. So much was new. His smile widened, softening as he rested his forehead against hers. "I know," he murmured. "I love you so much, too."

Her lips turned wry. "Doesn't quite roll off the tongue as easily, does it?"

"Ah, it's worth a little awkwardness."

"Does that awkwardness include going back into the cave now?"

"It might," he admitted, reluctant, but they really should get it over with. She started tugging him back towards the cave by the hand when he stopped, hesitating. "Rayla?"

She looked back around. "Yes?"

"If any of it ever is ever too much—the comments, my… kingship, anything—you promise that you'll tell me? Even if it'll upset me? I know you want to support me, and that you believe wherever we go, we can make a home, but it's not always that simple, and I just—I want you to always be happy, first and foremost. And if you're not, I want to know."

Rayla squeezed his hand. "We'll talk about it if we get there," she promised. "But know that I'm happy with you, the same way you're happy with me. And even when we're not happy, it's still always better when we're able to get through it together, yeah?"

Callum smiled. "Yeah." He swallowed, a little nervous. "Does it ever scare you? How… intense, this is?" He gestured with their joined hands.

She stepped closer to him. "Sometimes it's a lot," she confessed. "I've never felt this much about someone before. And even before we started it, we already had to think long term about a future, so… it's a little scary, maybe, because it feels more solid than anything else, and I'm scared it'll be taken away. But mostly, you just make me feel safe."

He ran his thumb over hers. "You make me feel safe too. There's no one else I'd want to do this with."

"I know." She looked at him for a moment longer. "Anything else you want to get off your chest?"

He chuckled a little. "I think I'm good for now, but I'll let you know if anything else comes up."

"Mmhm." Rayla tugged on his hand again. "Now come on. We barely ate anything before you started picking fights."

It wasn't Wren's idea to be left on first watch that night with Myra, but fate hadn't liked her much lately, clearly. They sat by the mouth of the cave, near the ledge of the path that continued to spiral upwards towards the top of the mountain, the sleeping team and her family at her back. Wren had listened to them nod off one by one, counting the breath of relative strangers before familiar ones were ushered in. Arvis, breathing like the second beat of her heart. Then Rayla's, only after Callum fell asleep, like her daughter was waiting for him to do so, and she supposed it likely wasn't far from the truth.

"You can't approve."

Wren glanced up to look at Myra, frowning. "Pardon?"

"The… boy, and your daughter."

Wren looked away with a glare. She remembered Myra. Stoic, hotheaded, logical. Dabbled a little in magic. The Skywing elf had always been closer to Arvis, but they'd all trained together as part of the Dragonguard in training in their younger years, before being selected for either the Primary or Secondary ring. Above all else, perhaps not beyond being reasoned with.

"I didn't, in the beginning," Wren revealed. "We stumbled into Ryling happy to hear that she was alive, but when we saw her—the story she told, we thought she'd lost her mind. Then we saw the Dragon Prince, and…" Did she use Callum's name, or would familiarity be used against her? "The boy could barely walk. You saw the scars, and they look awful now, but they're nothing compared to what they were. And I did try to kill him at first."

Myra ran a whetstone over her blades. Wren couldn't tell if it was real or feigned disinterest, even as the elf asked, "What changed?"

"I saw what he was like with her. How she was with him. He helped her bury Runaan — the elf we left her with, when we joined the guard — even though Runaan was the one who felled his father. He's been taking care of the young Dragon Prince in spite of the history between their kin. Even if he is human... Arvis and I had hoped that, if Rayla found someone, she would find someone like him."

"But…" Myra's voice hardened. "You do not only approve. You sympathize."

Wren looked at her then. "Do you remember what I was like, after my brother died?" She'd volunteered and started training for the guard a few weeks later.

"You were manic," Myra said, but with no malice.

Wren gave her a short nod. "I watched that boy mourn not only his baby brother, but the last family he had just a few days ago. And he cannot hold a funeral nor tend to his people, because he is here, returning our prince to us, and when he goes home, he will be tasked with occupying the seat his father and brother died in." She cleared her throat. "Because you are right, Myra. He's just a boy. I am glad he has my daughter, because without her… he would have no one."

"It's foolish, to feel this way."

"Maybe. But to have no pity for one who has lost their entire family, I think, is cruel."

"He's a human."

"He took an arrow for my daughter. He bleeds just like the rest of us, Myra. My daughter once tried to kill him, and now he takes a blow for her. That is not nothing. It is proof that humans can change. I never thought I would see it, after what they did to my brother, but they can. They do. Or, at the very least, he is the exception, and you would be wise to see him as such."

Myra sighed. "Well, it won't be easy for them. Do you think he'll still be so devoted after they've dealt with words like Ragnor's for years?"

"I don't know. But I can hope. They've been good for one another so far, and right now is what matters."

"I hope you're right, then."

"Besides," Wren added, lips quirking, "he doesn't have a half bad right hook."

It was too dark to tell, but she thought the corner of Myra's mouth might have twitched, just for a moment.

They set out early. Dawn broke over the mountain face in shafts, light spilling wherever the clouds parted as they ascended. Soon, the town beyond the valley looked like a puny settlement with the peak of the mountain still so very far away. Rayla supposed they must have been reaching the halfway point sometime soon, and beyond that would be the last little village of dragon whisperers who had built their homes within the cliff faces.

She checked periodically on Callum's breathing, and a glare at the ready for whenever she caught Ragnor's eye. At the very least, he didn't say anything else, even when she held Callum's hand or kissed him on the cheek in front of the others.

It was around midday when they stopped to actually eat some of the leftover meat from the previous night. Callum didn't eat much of his—likely thinking about how the closer they got to the dragon whisperers, the closer he was to the possibly terrible truth—and let Zym have it instead, and Rayla couldn't find it in her to reprimand him.

She sat down next to him, away from the others, and almost smiled when he spoke. "I'm scared," he said.

"I know. It's okay to be scared. It's a lot." Then she laid her hand over his. "I'm scared too. You're not in this alone."

His shoulders eased even if he didn't stop fidgeting. "I just… I feel like I might freeze up. I don't know if I'll be able to go into the house or hut or whatever."

"It's okay if you freeze up," she said. "And if you feel like you can't hear it yourself… I never had to actually tell you about your stepfather. I can be the one to tell you whatever outcome it is, this time."

His brow furrowed. "No. At least, I don't know. Maybe? Let's just—see, when we get there."

"Okay." She pressed a kiss to the side of his head. "I'm with you no matter what."

"I know. Thank you." He gave her a small smile. "I never would've been able to do any of this without you."

"I mean, neither would I," she said. "We're in this together, remember?"

"I do." He pushed himself up and then offered her a hand; she took it. "Thank you, Rayla."

It was another few hours of walking before the small huts stowed away in the mountain peaks came into view. They were built on ledges, some of which appeared to be magicked into existence, the others natural and continuing the path up to the peak.

"We need to stop at one of the houses," Callum said, jogging to catch up with Myra.

She cast him an annoyed glance. "Why would we do that?"

"So we can understand what Zym is saying?"

She scoffed. "The Dragon Prince isn't meant to be translated by just any dragon whisperer, much less have his speech revealed to a human."

Callum's eyes hardened. "He has something to say and it seems to be about my brother's death so yes, I have every right to know."

"You have a right?"

"Myra." Wren's voice was stern. "It won't take long." She glanced back at where Zym was squirming in Rayla's arms. "And it seems the dragonling wants to be understood, anyway."

Zym broke free and then flew the short distance, before settling over Callum's shoulders, crooning and nuzzling into his cheek, and shooting a decidedly derisive snort in Myra's direction, just short of a growl. Callum hardly seemed to notice, smiling at Zym.

"Soon, buddy," he said. "I know it's something important." He just hoped it was something good.

Still, he slowed when they finally begin to approach one of the buildings, low-roofed and dome-shaped, the colour of grass stains. His heart felt simultaneously tight and like it was going to beat out of his chest. He winced a little out of guilt when Rayla took his hand, knowing his palms were sweaty and that his fingerless gloves couldn't cover it all.

"Do we need a moment?"

He shook his head. "Better not waste any time," he said, even as his throat tightened. Rayla squeezed his hand, not letting go as they entered through the reed curtain door. Her parents and the rest of her party entered behind him. The house was small and simple, furnished in equal manner out of stone and wood. The main room, consisting mostly of some squashy armchairs, a cramped kitchen, and a roaring fireplace with an iron pot set over it, was empty, but there was a hallway off to the left.

"Gaius," Myra called, voice sharp with irritability. It took Callum aback at first, but he supposed it made sense the Dragonguard would know the elves who lived down along the mountain. Perhaps even grown up there, too. "Gaius!"

There was a flurry of movement suddenly down the hallway, an elf with dusky blue skin bursting out of one of the rooms. "Is that you, Myra?" he called out. He stumbled into the main room, several loose scrolls in his arms. He seemed on the older side, his wings tinted with gray at the tips, and golden rimmed, circular spectacles.

"We have a… situation," Myra said dryly, her wings twitching.

"What do you mean—" Then he spotted Callum, and then Zym on Rayla's shoulder, and gaped, looking panicked. "Why is a human—"

"This is Prince Callum of Katolis," said Myra, sounding very resigned about the whole thing. "He's come here to return the Dragon Prince, Azymondias, to his mother."

Callum gave a feeble wave with his free hand. "Um… hi? We think he wants to say something. Are you a Dragon Whisperer?"

"Yes," said Gaius, now glaring, almost laughing, "but I am not going to share the words of the Dragon Prince with a filthy human."

"We think Zym's message may be about Callum's brother," Rayla said, stepping forward. "So yes, you are—"

"And who are you?" Gaius eyed their joined hands with disdain.

Rayla didn't let go. "His would be assassin. Now let the Dragon Prince speak, and let the human prince hear."

"Just get this over with," Myra said tiredly.

Gaius looked between all three of them, and then back to Zym. He sighed and then patted the low wooden table set near the fireplace. "You may sit here, Your Majesty," he said to the dragonling. "Speak, and I will do my best to translate."

Zym hopped off Rayla's shoulders, glancing back at her and Callum, only continuing at their gentle encouragement. He sat down on the table, eyeing Gaius cautiously, before he let out a few chirps.

Gaius's eyes widened, and he bowed a little. "Your Majesty, I apologize, but you have to understand, when I saw the human—" More sharp noises came from Zym's mouth. "Of course—" Then, unhappily, he turned to Callum. "I… apologize, Your Highness. It was not clear to me that the Dragon Prince considered you to be…" His mouth twisted. "Family."

Callum's eyes widened a bit, before he gave Zym an appreciative smile. "Thanks, buddy," he said softly.

Zym let out another chirp, happier this time, as he looked at Callum. His tail wagged before he turned importantly back to Gaius, straightening himself out before letting out some trills and firm grunts.

"He says to tell you that he and your brother are connected by a Mind Link," Gaius reported, sounding unsure.

Part of Callum wanted to ask what that was—why some of the elves gasped around him—but it sounded sort of self explanatory, if perhaps rare (or just surprising because it was between a dragon and a human, more likely) and there was definitely more to come. His breath shuddered in his throat. And…?

"Your brother survived the assassination attempt," Gaius reported, when Zym chirped insistently. "Some elves were slain but most were taken captive. He is working on getting their bindings off now with little success. He is alive, Prince Callum."

It was as if a gust of wind had filled his lungs, tears springing to his eyes. "Alive? He's—" He didn't realize he was teetering, staggering, until Rayla had to steady him. She didn't stop him from dropping to his knees. It sounded too good to be true, but—

"He's alive," Gaius confirmed, eyeing him warily. "Uninjured, too."

Callum buried his face in his hands as he let out a sob, and he let Rayla pull him into a tight hug as she sank down beside him.

"It's okay," she was saying gently, tears trickling down her own cheeks, but Callum could only faintly hear her.

Alive alive alive. Ezran was alive. Uninjured. His baby brother was okay. He was okay.

Callum uncovered his face to hug her back, hiding his face in her shoulder. "I thought—"

She ran her fingers through his hair. "I know."

He peeled himself away blindly, vision blurry with tears to find Zym, and he opened up his arms; the baby dragon flew straight into him. "No wonder you were trying to get my attention earlier, hey buddy?" he said with a tearful laugh, cradling Zym to his chest. "Gods—thank you, Zym. Thank you." He couldn't even find it in him to mind when Zym licked at one of his tears, an extra shock running across his skin.

Callum only set Zym down to wipe at his face with his scarf, and Rayla helped him up when he went to stand, Zym perching himself on the boy's shoulders. Callum let out a deep, shaky breath.

It felt like the world had been tilted back on its axis again. His baby brother was alive. The storm was over. There was hope again. He could breathe again without having it hurt. Things would be… okay. He was okay. They were both okay.

"Callum?" Wren's voice was quiet as she took a step towards him.

"I'm okay," he said quietly. It still didn't feel real, but it didn't feel like the beautiful truth would slip out of his fingers at any moment, either. "We—we can keep moving."

"Very well." She gave Gaius a stiff nod. "Thank you for your services to the Dragon Prince and his family."

"O-of course," Gaius said, blinking a tad stupidly, as he looked at Myra, who only raised an eyebrow in response.

Callum was still finding his bearings back in the present, Rayla's hand in his an anchor as they left the small house. She didn't press him to speak, recognizing the blurriness in his eyes as he fought to process, uncharacteristically quiet, but she was sure his mind was racing, even as his steps slowed a little. She tugged him along the mountain side, as Myra led the way in the front further up.

Callum scrubbed at his face with his free hand, a good twenty minutes later, letting out a shaky exhale. "Ez really is alive."

"He's alive," Rayla confirmed, squeezing his hand. She couldn't contain her own smile. "I can't wait to see him. I'm sure those surviving assassins are befuddled by him trying to take off their bindings."

Callum let out a wheezing laugh, throat still dry. "Sounds like Ez, doesn't it?"

She ran her thumb over his knuckles. "How are you doing?"

"I… really thought I lost them all. I'm just trying to… wrap my head around it. Thinking I lost him, either time, were the worst moments of my entire life. I just - want him to be okay." Callum's brow furrowed. "And maybe go home to be regent, anyway. To try and keep him safer."

"Go back and be king anyway?" she clarified.

"Just for a few years. This is the second time assassins have been sent after him. I… if there's a third time then I went it to be for me."

Rayla frowned. "They won't succeed. Ever. I'm coming with you."

He smiled faintly. "You're still sure?"

"Of course I am. And I could teach the Crown guard a thing or two, so no one's getting to either of you. Especially since some of your palace staff and guard clearly can't be trusted."

Callum managed a weak chuckle. "Everyone up there now is keeping Ez safe. That's good enough for now." He glanced down at their joined hands. "And I guess our other plans might have to wait?"

"I guess. But we'll be so much older by the time Ezran takes the throne again. Assuming he even lets you be his regent at all. Either way, we'll have made new plans by then, yeah?"

He thought of the long braids they'd woven in one another's hair. It was far too easy to imagine a thin gold band on his ring finger, and similar ones at the base of her horns. "Yeah," he said softly.

Rayla smiled. "You're going to have a good future, sad prince. Get used to it."

Callum kept step with her and squeezed her hand. It had felt impossible, a few days ago—even occasionally over the past few years—but with her help, he thought he could try. He smiled a little. "I'll do my best."

a/n: next chapter is the last one. my writing partner and i will have more to say then, but we hope you enjoyed this fic! thanks for sticking with us till the end :)