As the two flew over on forest and hen another, trying to keep her nerves in tact. It was hard for her to think of sweet, vibrant Zeta gone from them way too soon. Forcing back tears over her good friend. They didn't always get together often, but she'd been a good kind soul added to those in the after-life.  Shaking her head the the empress stared off into the clouded skies.  

A half hour later, the dragon broke the flight of silence. "You going to be alright?" 

"I'm okay now," She said.

"I mean with the sorceress passing away," He replied.

"It's shocking, she's younger than me." 

"When we get there tell master Daniel I'm sorry for him," The dragon replied.

"I will, first thing." 

"I don't know how 'd feel if my mate, child or you were gone from me," He said, trying not to sound emotional. 

"I feel the same way. We don't share the same blood-line, but you are my family." 

He said nothing but simply accepted the simple truth from her. 

After a few minutes of tranquil inner quiet, she broke the silence. Are we close?" 

"It shouldn't be much longer, forty minutes at the most," He explained.

"Good,"