A MOON LATER...

The night sky stretched out before us, a blanket of twinkling stars scattered like diamonds across an endless expanse. I walked beside Darkstalker, his immense form casting a shadow over the path as his wing brushed against mine, the tips of his scales shimmering in the moonlight. It had been a full moon since his awakening from the mountain, and in that time, Jade Mountain had gradually come to accept him, much like I had. Though I had come to care for him deeply, I couldn't quite bring myself to say the words—I love you. It seemed like too much, especially with all the uncertainty swirling in my heart.

I was still unsure if Darkstalker felt the same. I had hoped, and I believed it too, but sometimes the weight of unspoken emotions hung heavy between us. We had made progress since then, though. The prophecy no longer dominated my thoughts; instead, I allowed myself to imagine a future without its shadow, one where we might be free to live without the looming threat of darkness.

We had found the Lost City of Night together, following a trail of clues buried in ancient legends. It had been a monumental discovery, and we had brought some NightWings from the rainforest to live there. They had once roamed the earth as outcasts, but now they had a place to call home once more.

Darkstalker's voice broke through my thoughts, smooth and warm as he asked, "Do you want me to read you the tale of the two sisters?" His gaze shifted to me, his eyes glowing softly in the dark, his voice tinged with affection.

I smiled, my heart fluttering a little. "Sure," I replied, my voice light with a teasing hint. "I love hearing you read."

He chuckled softly, a deep sound that resonated through his chest. "I'm glad. This one is a special one."

As he opened the book with his claws, the dim light from the stars and the glow of his scales illuminated the pages. He began to read in his usual calm, steady cadence, each word flowing like a soft current of sound. The tale was one we both knew well by now, the story of two sisters bound by fate—one who sought knowledge, the other, power. The world had changed them, tested them, but they had always remained linked in ways that neither could fully understand.

I leaned into him as he read, listening to his voice in the stillness of the night. The way he spoke—so carefully, so thoughtfully—made every word feel like a treasure. It was easy to get lost in the rhythm of the story, the warmth of his presence anchoring me.

I wanted to say something more—to tell him how much his voice meant to me, how it made me feel like I was the only dragon in the world when he spoke to me—but the words never quite made it past my lips. Instead, I settled for a quiet sigh and a gentle nudge against his side, a silent acknowledgment of the feelings I couldn't yet express.

The tale continued, but in that moment, I realized that even though the prophecy was still a part of our lives, it didn't define us anymore. What mattered now was the here and now—the quiet moments we shared, the soft rhythm of his voice, and the stars that shone above us, witness to a love that was still blossoming in its own time.

Just as I was on the edge of sleep, my mind heavy with the warmth of Darkstalker's presence, a sudden chill crept down my spine, sharp as an icicle. I sighed, trying to shake it off, but the unease lingered in the air like a storm on the horizon. I turned my head toward the entrance of Jade Mountain, and there he was—Winter. His piercing ice-blue gaze locked on me, the weight of his stare as cold and unrelenting as the winter storms he commanded.

I twitched my wing uncomfortably, and Darkstalker, ever observant, noticed it immediately. "He's jealous," Darkstalker murmured softly, his voice both understanding and amused. "He loves you too, you know."

The words hit me like a sudden gust of wind, and my body froze, the warmth I had been basking in evaporating in an instant. Winter loves me? I thought, my mind scrambling to make sense of it. Impossible, I told myself. Winter was my friend—my fellow student, my teammate—but love? That didn't fit. Not with Winter. Not with us.

Darkstalker's low chuckle drew me back to the present, his voice warm and teasing. "Not impossible, darling." His gentle wing brushed mine, and I couldn't help but shiver at the closeness of his words.

I flushed a deep red, my heart thudding in my chest as I buried my face in my claws, embarrassed and flustered beyond belief. "Darkstalker," I whined, the sound of my voice muffled against my talons.

He laughed softly, the sound wrapping around me like a comforting embrace. "Oh, I'm just teasing, darling." He nuzzled beneath my jaw, his breath sending a wave of warmth through me. "Though it's not impossible to love you, and he does."

I pulled back slightly, my eyes wide and searching his face for any sign of seriousness. His expression remained soft, affectionate, but there was a glint of mischief in his eyes. He was teasing, but I knew he wasn't entirely wrong.

The revelation hung in the air between us, heavy and uncertain. Winter loves me? It was a strange thought, one I hadn't ever considered, but as I glanced back toward him—his icy stare still focused on me, distant yet somehow not entirely unkind—I wondered, maybe, just maybe, Darkstalker was right.

I could only hope that whatever this was—whatever feelings were swirling in the air between Winter, Darkstalker, and me—it wouldn't break the fragile peace we had found.

I sighed softly, the weight of my thoughts pressing against my chest as I leaned into Darkstalker's side, seeking the comfort of his presence. His warmth wrapped around me, soothing the restless energy inside, but the nagging questions in my mind refused to let go. What should I do?

Darkstalker shifted, his wings folding around me in a protective, comforting embrace. "Whatever you want," he said simply, his voice smooth and reassuring. "As long as you're happy, I'm happy."

His words should have made me feel lighter, but they only seemed to deepen the ache in my heart. I smiled, but it was bittersweet, tinged with doubt. I wondered, as I always did, if he knew—if he somehow sensed the way I felt about him. Was it so obvious? Did he read it in my thoughts, in my actions? But he had always respected my boundaries, never delving too deeply into my mind when it came to feelings, emotions—things like that.

I stood, pulling myself from the safety of his embrace. The cool air of the cavern wrapped around me, and I felt the familiar tug of responsibility pulling me toward the tasks of the day. "Well, I'd better get to class," I said, my voice quiet. "I'll come later, and you'll read, right?"

Darkstalker nodded, the softest smile curling his lips. But there was something in the way his eyes lingered on me—a fleeting sadness, maybe? Something unreadable that I couldn't quite place. I could have sworn I saw a hint of longing, but when I glanced away, the moment was gone, like it had never existed.

I turned to leave, my heart heavy as I walked away from him. Every step felt like it carried the weight of unspoken words, of emotions left untold. And yet, in that brief moment of departure, I couldn't help but wonder if perhaps I wasn't the only one hiding something.