Mili watched Jacard perform a crude version of the Kiss Royale. Under normal circumstances, a party of grand magnitude would have proceeded with the ritual. Time was not on Javana’s side. No glorious celebration for her, but she lived.

Jacard climbed off the table, to Javana’s dismay.

Alara helped Jacard sit down in a chair nearby. It was more of a flop. “Magda, why is Jacard so tired? He was full of energy a few moments ago. Did providing the venom drain him to that extent?”

“The Kiss Royale is no light gift. It bonds the two together for life—no, Alara, yours, and Jacard’s bond is different, but Javana’s bond is strong. Javana will be part of your lives. She has no choice. To separate her from Jacard for an extended time would torture her.”

Jacard lifted his head. “Wow. I didn’t know how much it would cost.”

Mili nodded. “It is time I gave you a gift, Jacard. I was planning on saving it for your ceremony with Alara. Yet, now is the time. Wait here.” Mili laughed. “I don’t think you will go anywhere soon.”

Mili took a deep breath and pushed on her staff, turned, and walked out.

These old bones. Getting old…how do the young ones say it? Sucks! We will need to do a renewal ritual soon. My staff is already below half power. It is time to recharge, but first, to my private sanctum. It will take hours at the rate I am walking.

She stopped walking, concentrated, and murmured a few words no one else could hear. She drew precious energy from the staff. Her back straightened. Mili stood taller and had a slight glow about her. Continuing, she let the vitality flow throughout her body.

She ran across Neferita. “We will hold a Renewal Ritual in the early morn tomorrow. I need eleven, no ten higher ranking members to form the main circle, and anyone else may join as they wish.”

Neferita smiled. A rare expression on her face. “Magda, you know the entire coven will want to take part. It won’t be a matter of getting volunteers. The challenge is getting everyone to the open temple. Are you positive, everybody?”

“What? Yes, yes, invite everyone, except the minimal needed for security. Plus, make sure if they have any chargeable items, bring them. This will be an energy renewal.”

“Oh my, we have not performed one in a long time.” Neferita’s smile faltered. “Is it related to Jacard?” The last word spoken held a hint of disdain.

Mili was sick of Neferita’s attitude. “Of course it does! Neferita, you need to get over it. Jacard is royalty. He is a respectable member of our society. His transformation of gold will keep the coven supplied for decades. I couldn’t perform that act. You’re lucky this is not the time when dragons ruled the planet. We held executions for less. You need to curb your feelings and start treating him with respect.” The anger in her voice made her tremble.

Neferita’s eyes went wide and teared up. “I… I am sorry, Magda. I didn’t know he meant so much.”
“Not just to me, the entire coven. I have things to attend to. See that your actions stop and try being nice for a change. Can I trust you will carry out your assignment?”

“Yes. I will make it so.”

Mili continued her walk, smirked to herself, leaned forward, and flew. Few had seen her move so fast. Her speed was like a jog, not quite a run, surprising many coven members as she passed. It was a long path, even moving at her pace. She cast a light since where she ventured was only darkness and worked her way down beneath the ground level and further. The caverns and paths grew hotter with each level down. Fire pits and lava flowed all around as she traveled the ancient caverns of the red dragons. Many centuries ago, dragons filled these halls, going about their daily tasks. These halls belonged to her and her family.

“How I miss them so.”

She came to a wall. It looked like any wall, nothing special. She tapped her staff against it.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

The staff revealed its proper form. It was no longer a gnarled old weather-beaten staff. That was just an illusion. The bottom portion showed seven parts, each corresponding to the primary colors of the rainbow: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. Each color comprised a gemlike crystal. The top held a gemstone, a giant purple dragon’s eye held by a claw with four talons encasing the gem in a protective hold.

Rock covering a hidden door slid down into a molten pool. A door with old intricate markings revealed itself. A dial lived in each corner, and a more extensive series of five circles filled the central portion with a final knob in the very center.

Mili turned the four dials to their proper place. Then she turned the center circles like a combination lock or a safe. Once done, she cast a spell known only to her.

Jacard will own this one day soon.

A burning sensation of heat and flame radiated from the door as it opened to a chamber beyond.
The cavern smelled musky. Long unopened, the unused air lay thick.

Mili tapped the ground, and wisps of air blew through the chamber, renewing the air to a more acceptable palette.

All around the chamber walls hung tapestries and paintings. Old deeds lost and forgotten. Mili touched a few with fond memories. She could spend days in here reminiscing, but not today.

Piles of silver, gold, and platinum items lay against the walls, plus many stood in the center area along with chests, jewelry boxes, a few weapons, and even a couple of dragon-armor suits held display near the back. The treasures contained within, she would never sell or part with; they were too valuable.

She looked for a specific jewelry box with the name Silver-tongue. She located it at the very back. The platinum dragon box had jewels inlaid in a line all around. A gold velvet-like material lined the edges. Several items lay inside, but she picked out two packages. One held a purple dragon’s eye ring, a stone similar to the one the staff had, surrounded by ten smaller stones. Each stone represented a different type of dragon. A ring only to be worn by a king. All of them, except for herself and Jacard, were gone. The other box contained a pair of rings made of a powerful, unique metal of which she did not know the name. These were wedding rings.

She placed the two boxes inside her pocket as she left. The door reformed and hid, leaving no traces of activity.

Upon Mili’s return, she found Alara monitoring Javana and Jacard asleep on the floor. Someone took the time to give him a pillow. Raias rested nearby, waiting to help if needed.

Raias looks concerned about Jacard and Javana. She came around. It is nice.

Mili looked over at Javana. She sleeps, yet something is different about her.

She turned to Alara. “How are our patients?”

Alara arched one of her brows. “Good, but something is off with Javana. Maybe it is the recent dragon venom application or perhaps the normal way Javana’s energy looks. I can’t tell. It is not normal. Her energy looks more similar to Jacard’s than a human’s.”

“You see it too? She is changing. Give her time. Her body has gone through a lot the past day. Get some rest. I will watch over until it’s time.”

“Time? Time for what?”

“Tomorrow, we hold a full Renewal Ceremony.”

Alara laid next to Jacard. He moved over in his sleep, giving her room for her head on the pillow.
Hours passed. Mili felt terrific. Drawing the power of the staff sustains and invigorates. I should do it more often.

She checked on the patient.

Javana’s hair had become darker with a considerable amount of red tint. In places, especially surrounding her face, slight pale discolorations appeared.

It can’t be. No. Can it? I hoped Jacard would be the one to replace me. He has been the sole candidate for centuries. But this is a miracle. I have to be sure.

Mili rolled Javana over to her side and checked her back. Yes! Two nubs protruded. The beginning of wings?

Jacard has not only the Kiss Royale but also the Dragon’s Kiss. This changes everything. If true, I don’t need to worry about the next generation.

Javana woke and looked at Mili.

There, her eyes.

Javana’s eyes had turned red with an oval pupil. The eyes of a dragon, like herself.