Chapter 211: Home
>>Draegon
The moment I saw her form tumbling through the clouds, everything else ceased to exist.
No thought. No hesitation. Just instinct.
My wings snapped open with a roar of air, muscles straining as I launched upward. The wind screamed past my ears, the world a blur beneath me as I locked onto her falling form. She was spinning, weightless, fragile ,far too fragile, against the vast, merciless sky.
I angled my dive and the air grew colder, sharper, burning against my skin. My heart hammered.
Faster.
With one last surge of my wings, I was there.
My arms closed around her before the world could take her away. She was limp against me, weight frighteningly light. I cradled her to my chest, keeping my wings stretched wide to steady us before turning back toward the palace.
The flight down was quick, too quick, my mind a storm of dread. She was still. Too still. My grip tightened as if sheer strength could keep her tethered to me. Every second I thought of calling for the court mage, the healers, anyone. I didn’t care if I had to tear through the entire city to find the one who could wake her.
The palace roof came into view, the wind easing as I landed softly on the stone. I laid her down gently, but my hands refused to leave her. My breath was uneven, my chest tight.
Then, her eyelids fluttered.
!!!!
Slowly, her eyes focused on me.
"Aelin!" I let out a worried smile.
But when she looked at me, there was nothing but calm on her face.
And she smiled at me,
"I’m home," she whispered, voice fragile but warm. It showed that she was fine, perhaps just exhausted.
A deep, shaky breath left me, the pounding in my chest finally beginning to slow. My lips curved into a smile that felt like relief itself.
"Welcome back," I murmured, my voice quieter than I expected, but steady now.
>>Aelin
I was still resting in Draegon’s arms, his steady heartbeats beneath my ear, when a familiar voice cut through the haze.
"Princess!"
I turned my head just in time to see Ari rushing toward me, her eyes wide with worry. She skidded to a stop beside us, reaching out as if to touch me but hesitating when she saw I was still cradled in Draegon’s hold.
"Are you okay?" she asked breathlessly.
I gave her a small smile, my voice still soft. "I’m fine."
Relief washed over her features, and for the first time I noticed, her hair had grown a little since I last saw her. It framed her face differently now, softer, though the sharp light in her eyes remained.
Behind her, more figures came into focus.
Drakkar stood with his arms loosely folded, watching me intently. Draken was beside him, posture relaxed but gaze alert, and Vesper hovered just behind them, an unreadable look on her face.
And then my eyes drifted to the very back.
Seraphine stood tall, serene as ever, her presence calm yet commanding. And beside her... Uriel. My maid. She caught my gaze immediately and gave me the warmest smile.
"Welcome home, my lady," Uriel said, her voice as gentle as I remembered.
Something inside me eased at that.
I let my eyes linger on all of them, Ari’s worried expression, Drakkar’s steady watchfulness, Draken and Vesper’s quiet strength, Seraphine’s regal calm, Uriel’s unwavering kindness.
Warmth spread through me, chasing away the lingering chill of the sky. My chest felt lighter, my lips curved upward without me realizing.
I was home.
***
A few weeks later when I recovered and was healthy again, I attended the event I was waiting for eagerly.
The wedding hall was awash in golden light. Lanterns floated above us like captive stars, their glow dancing over the polished marble floor. Flowers , soft white and deep crimson , lined the walls and wrapped around the arch where Ari and Drakkar now stood.
I couldn’t help but smile. Ari, usually quick with her sharp wit, was radiant in a way I’d never seen before. Her dress shimmered faintly with threads of silver, her hair pulled back with a crown of white blossoms. And Drakkar... well, Drakkar looked like Drakkar, tall, composed, almost too stoic, but the way he was looking at her gave away everything.
The ceremony was short, but the emotions in the room were thick enough to hold in your hands. I found myself standing near the front, just behind Seraphine and Draegon, watching as their hands were bound together in the old way, a silken ribbon tying the promise between them.
When the officiant stepped back, Drakkar didn’t speak right away. Instead, he turned to face all of us gathered, his hand still holding Ari’s.
"I have something to say," he began, his voice calm but carrying across the hall. "Ari and I... this union isn’t just about us. It’s about a choice we’re making together."
I tilted my head, curious.
Drakkar glanced at Ari, and she gave a small, encouraging nod. "There are others out there," he continued, "people like Ari, people who have lived in fear, hiding what they are, never knowing if they’ll see another day in peace. We’re going to find them. Every single one we can. And when we do, we’ll help them live a proper life." He looked at me and Draegon, "By the King and Queen’s command, the kingdom of Dravos will give protection to all hermaphrodites."
OH! Right, we talked about that.
Draegon gave out an official order to protect people like Ari.
A murmur ran through the guests. Ari squeezed his hand and spoke, her voice steady but filled with quiet fire. "We’re done letting fear write the story for people like us. We’re going to change that."
I felt a swell of pride for them both. Ari had once been so guarded, so ready to fight the world alone, and now here she was, standing beside someone who not only saw her but shared her mission.
The guests erupted into applause, some cheering, some yelling. I clapped along, my chest warm. Seraphine’s lips curved in a rare smile, and Draegon gave Drakkar an approving nod.
The rest of the evening was a blur of music, laughter, and dancing. I found myself caught in a circle of guests at one point, spinning to the rhythm of drums. As the night wore on and the lanterns began to dim, I caught a glimpse of the two of them by the balcony, Ari leaning into Drakkar’s side, the two of them looking out into the dark horizon as if they were already planning their journey.
***
Life goes on for everyone. People make different decisions and have different life stories.
Every one has a different plan.
Drakkar and Ari began to help other people who were hermo’s. I helped too by talking to Killian and having him spread awareness about them and have the kingdom give these people proper protection.
Draken and Vesper gave us all a surprise when they came out and told everyone they had become a couple. But what further shocked everyone was how they declared they were going on a long journey
Draken was always keen about learning new things, new culture, history from all around the world and Vesper was eager to learn all the battle styles of different people around the globe.
They set out to do their own thing while me and Draegon stayed and ruled Dravos.
I sat on the edge of the bed, my hands clasped tightly in my lap, heart still pounding from the check up. Doctor Lazelle’s voice was calm but warm as she looked over the parchment in her hand.
"Queen Aelin," she said softly, "you’re pregnant."
For a moment, I just stared at her, the words echoing in my mind without fully landing. And then, like sunlight breaking through clouds, they settled in. My breath caught, and I felt my lips curl into a wide, trembling smile.
"Pregnant..." I whispered, and the joy surged through me so fiercely I thought my chest might burst.
I barely had time to savor it before the door opened. Draegon stepped in, his eyes sharp with concern. "Aelin? I heard you fainted-"
I didn’t let him finish. I was already on my feet, running toward him. He caught me instantly, his arms closing around me with protective strength.
"What happened?" he asked, voice low and urgent, his gaze searching my face.
I could hardly keep the smile from breaking across my lips. My voice trembled, but not from fear. "Draegon... we’re going to have a baby!!!"
His eyes widened, and for a second, I saw him freeze, as if the world had stopped.
Then his expression softened, breaking into a smile so full of wonder and love that my throat tightened. "Aelin..." he breathed, almost like he was afraid saying it too loud would break the moment.
The next thing I knew, he was twirling me around the room, his laughter mixing with mine, warm and unrestrained. He set me down gently, his forehead leaning against mine, his hands still holding me as though he’d never let go.
"I’ve fought a thousand battles," he whispered, "but this... this is the greatest gift I’ve ever been given."
I smiled through the blur of happy tears, my fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt. Outside, the evening light poured through the window, casting the room in a golden glow, wrapping us in quiet warmth.
And there, in his arms, I knew, no matter what storms lay ahead, this was our forever.
