After about fifteen minutes of walking, a narrow opening split across the cliff. Aeris slipped inside, closely followed by Caeli. Wade hesitated, eyeing the jagged rock walls towering over them. He glanced up at Serafina—after much convincing, he'd gotten her to mount Ember and rest. She was already drowsing, her head nestled against the horse's neck. Her hair had fallen across half of her face, and he resisted the sudden urge to brush it back.

Are you coming? Caeli said, amusement clear in her thoughts. Wade flushed and guided Ember into the opening. One turn, two, and then he was standing on a bed of pine needles. He rolled his feet, grateful for the softness beneath his aching feet, and looked around. They were in some sort of hollow, surrounded by ragged stone walls on all sides. A small stream tumbled down the far wall, feeding into a clear, shallow pool that drained through another gap in the cliff. Pines were scattered about, their scent thick in the air and boughs heavy with the soft rain.

Aeris was sitting against the wall, next to a shallow cave. It was a few yards deep and slanted upwards: perfect cover for the coming storm. It would come soon—Wade could almost taste the rain and lightning gathering in the still air.

A faint rustle; Wade's attention snapped upwards, to one of the stone walls around them. Perched delicately next to an ancient, gnarled pine, a silvery-eyed dragon stared back at him. It disappeared a second later, melting into the shadows.

Who was that? Wade asked Caeli, struggling to stay calm as he retreated into the cave. He gripped Ember's mane with one hand, itching to grasp a sword, a knife, anything.

A few others are watching. They won't attack you. Caeli paused, no doubt aware that that hadn't diminished his fear in the slightest. Your friends will be back soon.

I know. Wade swallowed; he'd called for Aurum as soon as they set off, and had been vaguely aware of the dragon's presence drawing nearer. He reached out for Aurum automatically, just wishing to feel his company.

Are you alright? Aurum asked, sensing his presence.

Yes. Wade sat near the cave's entrance, glancing at Serafina. She needed the rest; there wasn't much reason to wake her. He rubbed his eyes and yawned. It's been a long day.

You should sleep.

Wade shook his head. Maybe after you lot get here.

Aurum huffed his disagreement, but said nothing else.

A whisper of thought brushed against Wade's mind, faint and hesitant. Hello?

He jerked his head up; Ferah had crept around Aeris, her golden eyes trained on him. Her brother looked between the two of them, narrowing his eyes. Wade winced as Aeris shoved into his mind as well, observing everything with a sort of grim silence.

Hi, Wade replied to the both of them. He realized that Caeli was watching him, too, along with whatever other dragons had arrived, and shifted uneasily.

Ferah crept forward, timid in a way Wade hadn't seen any of the other dragons. She stopped a few feet away, curling her tail around her legs. My sister told me your friend was taken.

Wade swallowed. Yes.

Anger swirled through Aeris' thoughts, along with the faintest hint of guilt. He sat up a little straighter, glancing at Caeli. We will not help you with that. We can't.

Wade tamped down his disappointment—he'd guessed as much. Truthfully, he was just glad they hadn't killed him and Serafina.

A distant thunderclap rolled through the air, rattling through Wade's bones. He blinked, realizing that it was properly raining now. And the dragons were all standing in it.

Are you going to get cold? he asked.

Caeli snorted, as if the idea were absurd. We live and sleep in this weather. We do not need protection from it.

Wade nodded. His nerves sang as another dragon landed in the clearing and paced along the far wall. While the scales along Ferah's back shimmered between red and black, this one was entirely red. To Wade's relief, it only remained for a few minutes before leaping back out of sight.

Exactly how many other dragons are here? he asked, eying Caeli.

Three.

He bit his lip. We must be popular.

You're... Caeli paused, glancing at Aeris. Unexpected, to say the least. Aurum still has much to explain.

<><><>

Caeli was certainly right about that. The instant Aurum arrived, Aeris and Ferah leapt to his side. Wade caught glimpses of the other dragons prowling across the lip of the stone walls around them, intent on the new arrivals. He hastily waved to his father and Kira, who were lingering behind Aurum's tail. They complied, his father exchanging wary glances with the crowd of dragons. Caeli moved with them; it seemed her walk with Aurum that morning had been enough to slacken her curiosity.

"Serafina?" Kira asked, instantly moving to her sister. Serafina stirred against Ember's neck, blinking down at her sister as the girl moved over to the horse.

"Kira? How did you get here?" Serafina yawned.

"You've been asleep for a while," Wade explained. Serafina sat up, taking in their new surroundings with a slightly dazed look. She struggled out of the saddle, and Wade offered his arm to help her down.

Wade's father took off his pack and sat wearily, opening the bag to reveal a small pile of greens. Wade crouched and inspected them curiously. So they have been getting food.

"These are clovers," Kira said excitedly, kneeling beside him and pointing in the bag. "And a few dandelions... we didn't have a knife to cut some bark from the pines, but I did gather a bunch of the needles." She looked at Serafina, who was now focused on the dragons. "If you can heat up some water, we can have tea!"

"Hmm?" Serafina looked down, her eyes clearing. "Oh, of course. That's a great idea, Kira." She thought for a moment and drew her flask. With a wave of her hand, it was filled to the brim and steaming. Without so much as blinking, Kira grabbed some needles from their small pile and tossed them in, a proud smile spreading across her face.

In a few minutes, all four of them had hot tea. At Kira's advice, Wade gave it a few minutes to steep and cool, wrapping his hands around his flask to pull some of its warmth into his fingers. After what felt like ages, he took a sip—it tasted... well, piney, and filled him with a welcome wave of warmth. He took another drink, relishing the heat.

"Sera?" Kira whispered, tugging at her sister's sleeve. Wade stared down at his drink—it was clear the girl wanted to speak privately, but he couldn't change the fact that he could hear them. They were simply too close, and his hearing was sharp.

"Yes?" Serafina replied softly.

"Will the other dragons help us?"

"I... I'm not sure yet." Serafina looked over at the dragons. "But I don't think so. I spoke with Caeli earlier, and they won't risk being hunted again for one human. I can't really blame them. At least they'll shelter us." She sighed.

"...Caeli?"

"We, er, named the blue dragon." Serafina pointed. "And that's Aurum's other sister, Ferah, and his brother, Aeris."

Kira smiled, but something dark flickered in her eyes. "When do you leave?" The girl's voice shook, and Wade flinched. When Serafina had told her she'd be leaving to help Asher, Kira had only clenched her jaw and nodded. Wade hadn't missed the tears in her eyes, though. She was terrified for Serafina. He didn't blame her; he was, too, and riddled with guilt on top of that. He took another sip of his tea, glancing at Aurum.

"I'm not sure yet. Probably tomorrow," Serafina said, setting her jaw.

"No," Wade interjected. He winced as everyone turned to him. He forced himself to look at Serafina. "You can't do this, not without at least a week of rest. Aurum needs to recover, too—I know he's more tired than he lets on."

"But we might be too late," Serafina replied, though her shoulders slumped. He knew she'd thought of this.

"I know," Wade muttered. "But you're driving yourself into the ground. We can't help Asher if we're dead." His eyes moved to his father as he spoke. Serafina wasn't the only one who was pushing herself too far.

Serafina was silent for a moment. She slowly stood up, brushing off her skirt. "Wade, may I speak with you for a moment?"

"Uh... sure," Wade replied. He carefully got to his feet and followed her out of their shelter and into the soft rain. A few of the dragons glanced at them, but his attention was focused on Serafina. She leaned against the stone, giving him a look as sharp as a knife.

"We?" she finally said. Wade paused for a moment; then he understood.

"I'm mostly healed," he retorted, straightening his shoulders. "You know that."

"Yes, but..."

"But what? Serafina, you said that I can fight as well as you." Wade narrowed his eyes, ignoring the hurt that flashed through him. "Were you lying?"

"No, of course not!"

"Then what is it?"

Serafina wavered, biting her lip. "Even if we do wait a week, you'll still be in pain."

"It will take days to catch up to them. I'll have more time to heal."

Serafina took a deep breath, pinching the bridge of her nose. "You waited a while to bring this up."

"I, er..." Wade shifted his weight. "I wasn't sure how to."

"This method works as well as any."

Wade and Serafina both jumped at the sound of his father's voice. The blacksmith was leaning against the wall behind them, his face haggard. He took a step forward; Wade braced himself, his heart drumming against his ribs.

The smith just placed a hand on his shoulder. There was darkness in his eyes, an agony that Wade couldn't even fathom. The pain of a father taken from his son; a father about to be taken from the other. "I... I would tear the world apart for you and Asher. You know that, right?"

"Of course I do." Wade looked into his father's eyes, something constricting his chest. "But you can't come."

"I know."

Wade took a shaky breath, a question he'd shoved back for days coming to the fore of his mind. "You're ill, aren't you?"

The look on his father's face was answer enough. Wade's stomach twisted in a sudden panic, and his next words came strangled, hoarse. "Are you dying?"

"No," Serafina murmured behind them. Wade spared her a brief glance. "But he might if he keeps going like this." Her eyes moved to his father almost guiltily. "Sorry, sir. I've been watching you."

"I'll be alright," the blacksmith, lifting his chin a little. His fingers tightened on Wade's shoulder, and that aching void in his eyes widened. "I've failed Asher, and now I'm failing you. I—"

Wade cut him off with a fierce hug. He buried his face into his father's shoulder, closing his eyes lest he start weeping. "No, you haven't."

His father took a shuddering breath and wrapped Wade in his arms. They stayed like that for a minute; Wade didn't want to let his dad go, not when he could feel the man silently tearing himself apart.

Then his father released him, and Wade quickly brushed at his eyes and stepped away. The blacksmith lifted his eyes to Serafina, who squared her shoulders.

"I'll keep him safe," she murmured, eyes sharp and sincere. She held out one hand, and Wade's father took it.

"Thank you," the smith replied, tightening his grip for a moment. His eyes slid to Wade. "But the road runs both ways."

Wade nodded, a silent promise.

"I'll take care of Kira," his father continued.

Serafina's gaze softened, and a sad smile touched her lips. "Thank you, Henry."

Are you okay? Aurum asked. Wade jumped as the dragon broke free from the rest of his family, eyes bright with concern as he looked between the three of them. Why is Kira getting nervous? Why is she alone?

"Oh, skies," Serafina gasped. She rushed back to the cave, casting a nervous look at the dragons before she vanished.

Aurum let out a huff of air and drew to a halt in front of Wade and his father. Are you alright? he repeated.

Yes. But you and Serafina are going to wait a week to rest.

Aurum's eyes flashed, but there was a hint of defeat in his golden gaze. We can't. Asher—

I know. I know, Aurum. And you might be fine. But Serafina... Wade sighed. You need to wait. Oh, and I'm coming with you.

Aurum was silent for a moment. I thought you might do that. We need all the help we can get for Asher; it will be good to have you.

Thanks. Wade allowed himself a moment of relief; he could feel Aurum's reluctance, but the dragon spoke the truth. His attention flicked to the other dragons, lurking some distance away. Caeli stood closer than the rest, her amber eyes on him.

Caeli will come with us, if she can heal soon enough. The others will watch the young one and your father, Aurum said.

Wade blinked. Caeli? She will help us?

Yes.

I do not want to lose my brother again, Caeli interjected. She glanced at the cave, and then her wing. And I owe your friend my life.

You wouldn't have died. Wade didn't mean to say that; the thought simply came as he examined what remained of her injury. The wing still hung in tatters, but it was whole. She'd heal fully in time.

Freedom is life. Caeli shook herself, face tilted to the rain above. Now go take shelter. We all need time to heal.

Time. When had it become so precious, so scarce? Guilt squirmed in Wade's chest. Just hold on, Asher. Hold on.