Chapter 31: Treasure

Dylan’s Treasure was filled with people once again, and the halls of the castle rang out in celebration late into the night. The kitchen staff, who had labored in boredom for months, found themselves preparing a feast unlike one they had seen in years.

The Great Hall, formerly empty and dark, was alight with candles and torches. The hum of conversation punctuated with laughter echoed through the halls. Wine and ale poured out as freely as spring rains.

Asha was thrilled to have her children, Rubin and Nerahu, back with her, and they flew out over the sea while the humans celebrated in the castle. They settled down together in Asha’s cave, nestled against their mother as they did as hatchlings.

When the party ended, Siannon escorted all her guests to their quarters, seeing each of them settled in comfort. Her children and grandchildren joined her on the private level, and she tucked them all in with a kiss, and it felt like the grown-ups were children again.

Without realizing what she was doing, she unbolted her own bedroom, the one she shared with Dylan, and lit the candles to prepare for bed. She felt no sadness or regret but rather sensed his presence in the room like it had been before. She thought she could smell the scent of his skin and hair on the sheets and imagined she could reach over and touch him as always.

“This is our treasure,” she said, and smiled as she fell asleep.