The quiet space between Zephyr and me is filled with the familiar rhythmic click of the carriage wheels on the cobblestone.
Gradually, the grand thoroughfare leading to the palace replaces the bustling city of Stonelight. The royal carriage is as ornate as one would expect, gold-trimmed and emblazoned with King Grey's crest, its interior lined with plush cushions and polished wood.
Zephyr sits opposite me, arms crossed and looking away. We have been quiet, not speaking much since our time at Hero Academy. The weight of Avalon's words hangs heavily in the air, unspoken but understood. Dragons. S-class threats.
The possibility of our world changing forever.
I shift in my seat, looking out the window as the massive shape of Tarondar Palace appears. The gleaming spires and expansive walls, symbols of the kingdom's strength and resilience, remind us of what we are fighting to protect.
