The wind whipped past them, cool and steady, carrying the scent of pine and distant rain. Adam’s massive form cut through the sky with serpentine grace, each wingbeat propelling them miles across the darkening landscape. The forest below had given way to rolling hills, then sparse woodland, then rocky outcroppings that jutted from the earth like ancient bones.

Ignis had finished her bread and was now sprawled across Adam’s back, her flames reduced to a warm, contented glow. Her head rested against Lilith’s shoulder, her eyes half-closed.

"Adam... your scales are warm," she murmured drowsily.

A low rumble vibrated through Adam’s chest—something like a chuckle. His mental voice brushed against their minds, warm and amused.

’They’re always warm. I’m part dragon now, remember?’

Ignis sighed happily, snuggling deeper against his scales. "Mmm... nice..."

Lilith’s lips curved into a serene smile. Her fingers traced idle patterns on Ignis’s shoulder, soothing the young drake toward sleep.

Isolde sat apart from them, her back against the curve of Adam’s spine, her hood pulled low. She stared at the horizon, her pale eyes distant.

After a long silence, she spoke.

"Adam."

His massive head turned slightly, one golden-flecked crimson eye fixing on her.

’Hmm?’

"How long until we reach Kaelthar?"

’Aren’t you the one who knows the way?’ Adam thought, studying her troubled profile. ’Hmm... seems like her mind still isn’t at ease.’

Adam’s gaze shifted forward, scanning the terrain below. His mental voice was thoughtful.

’At this speed... maybe another day. Maybe less. The wyvern detour cost us time, but we’re past their territory now.’

Isolde’s jaw tightened. Her fingers curled into fists beneath her cloak.

"That’s too long."

Lilith’s voice drifted over, cool and measured. "Patience, vampire. We will arrive when we arrive."

Isolde’s head snapped toward her, her pale eyes blazing. "You don’t understand. Every day we delay—"

"Is another day the humans who killed your students breathe free." Adam’s mental voice cut through, calm but sharp. "I know."

Isolde’s breath caught. Her hands trembled.

Adam’s massive body undulated through the air, his wings beating in a steady, powerful rhythm. His voice, when it came again, was quieter.

’Revenge won’t bring them back. You know that.’

Isolde’s throat worked. "I know." Her voice cracked. "But I can’t... I can’t just let them go. They slaughtered children, Adam. Children who had never hurt anyone. Who didn’t even know why they were being hunted." She pressed a hand to her chest, over her heart. "If I don’t make them pay... if I just let them live out their lives in peace... then what was the point? Why did my students have to die?"

Silence stretched between them. The wind rushed past, cold and indifferent.

Adam’s voice, when it came, was softer than before.

’No one’s saying you should let them go. But rushing into Kaelthar half-prepared won’t help you find them. The compass, the Wasteland, the information we need—all of it takes time.’

Isolde’s shoulders sagged. She looked away, her voice barely a whisper.

"I know." She pulled her hood lower. "I know."

Lilith watched her for a long moment, something flickering in her crimson eyes. Then she looked away, her gaze drifting to the horizon.

"The sun is setting," she observed. "We should find a place to land soon."

Adam’s head tilted, scanning the terrain below. Rocky hills gave way to a shallow valley, bisected by a narrow river that glittered in the fading light. A small copse of trees clustered near the water’s edge—sheltered, defensible.

’There,’ he said, angling downward.

His wings folded, and they descended through the cooling air, landing with surprising gentleness in the clearing beside the river. Adam’s massive form shifted, scales rippling, bones reforming, until he stood among them once more in his humanoid shape.

He stretched, his new muscles flexing beneath his skin.

"Not bad for a first flight." He glanced at Ignis, who had slid from his back and was already bouncing toward the river. "Ignis, don’t drink that water without boiling it first."

Ignis waved a dismissive hand without looking back. "Yeah, yeah!"

Lilith drifted to Adam’s side, her hand finding his. Her voice was soft.

"How do you feel?"

Adam flexed his fingers, dark energy curling around his knuckles.

"Strong." He looked at his hands, then at the sky. "Different. But good."

Lilith’s smile widened. She leaned up, pressing a brief kiss to his cheek.

"Good."

Isolde stood apart from them, her back against a tree, her hood shadowing her face. She watched the easy intimacy between Adam and Lilith, the way Ignis splashed in the river without a care, the way they moved around each other like a family.

Her chest ached.

She looked away.

Adam busied himself gathering wood for a fire, his movements efficient. Within minutes, flames crackled in a small pit, casting warm light across the clearing. He pulled strips of wyvern meat from his pouch and began to cook them over the fire, the savory scent filling the air.

Ignis abandoned the river immediately, dripping water across the grass as she scrambled toward the fire.

"Is it done?! Is it ready?!"

Adam’s lips curved. "Almost. Sit down."

Ignis plopped onto the ground, her eyes fixed on the sizzling meat.

Lilith settled beside Adam, her shoulder brushing his. Isolde remained at the edge of the clearing, watching.

Adam glanced at her. "Aren’t you hungry?"

Isolde’s jaw tightened. "I don’t need to eat as often as you."

"I know. But you still need to eat." He held out a piece of cooked wyvern meat, skewered on a sharpened stick. "Here." 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

Isolde stared at the offered food. Her pale eyes flickered to his face, then away.

"...Fine."

She pushed off from the tree and walked to the fire, accepting the meat with reluctant fingers. She sat across from him, her hood still low, and took a small bite.

Her eyes widened slightly.

"It’s... not bad."

Ignis beamed, her mouth already full. "Told you! Adam’s cooking is the best!"

Adam’s lips curved into a faint smile. He pulled more meat from his pouch, adding it to the fire.

"Eat up. We have a long flight tomorrow."

They ate in companionable silence, the fire crackling between them, the stars beginning to emerge overhead.

Isolde watched Adam as he tended the flames, his face illuminated by the warm glow. The hard lines of his jaw, the curve of his horns, the impossible gentleness in his crimson eyes.

’He treats me so casually...’ she thought, her jaw tightening around the next bite. ’Even though he’s the one who poisoned me.’

She swallowed, forcing herself to focus on the warmth spreading through her empty stomach.

’Whatever. At least the food isn’t terrible.’

Across the fire, Adam watched her from beneath his lashes, a small, knowing smile playing on his lips.

’Hehe. You seem to be enjoying it, Isolde...’ His internal voice was amused, almost smug. ’There’s an old saying—if you want to conquer someone, you have to go through their stomach first.’

He took a bite of his own portion, chewing thoughtfully.

’But... the meat is still a bit tough. Did I not cook it long enough? Hmm... I’ll try cooking it longer next time.’

He leaned back, stretching his arms above his head.

"Well," he said aloud, "we’ll reach Kaelthar tomorrow. After that... the Wasteland." He glanced at Isolde. "You’re sure the compass is with this merchant? Alistair Croft?"

Isolde nodded, her voice flat. "That’s what I remember. Whether he still has it, or whether he’s willing to part with it..." She shrugged. "That depends on you."

Adam’s lips curved. "Then I’ll be very convincing."

Lilith’s smile sharpened. "I can help with that."

Ignis, still chewing enthusiastically, waved her skewer. "Or we could just take it! That’s faster!"

Adam shook his head. "No. We’re not raiding a merchant’s home in the middle of a lawless city. That’s how you get an entire town after you." He glanced at Isolde. "We do this peacefully. We find Croft, we make him an offer, and if he refuses..." He shrugged. "Then we find another way."

Isolde’s eyes narrowed. "And if that ’other way’ involves violence?"

Adam met her gaze evenly. "Then we cross that bridge when we come to it."

The fire crackled between them. Isolde looked away first.

"...Fine."

Adam stood, brushing dirt from his pants.

"Get some rest. I’ll take first watch."

Lilith rose gracefully, her silver-threaded gown pooling around her. "I’ll keep you company."

Adam’s lips twitched. "I thought you were tired."

"I am. But I’m also curious." She drifted closer, her crimson eyes gleaming. "About your new form. About what else changed."

Adam’s face flushed slightly. "Lilith..."

Ignis’s head snapped up from where she’d been sprawled by the fire, her golden eyes narrowing at Lilith’s soft words. She scrambled to her feet, flames flickering with sudden determination.

"Wait! I want to keep Adam company too!"

Lilith’s serene smile didn’t waver. She tilted her head, her crimson eyes glinting.

"You’re tired, Ignis. You should rest."

"I’m not tired!" Ignis’s flames flared brighter, her chest puffing out. "I can stay awake! I want to—"

"You were half-asleep on his back not two minutes ago."

"That was different! That was... that was just resting my eyes!"

Adam watched the exchange, his lips twitching. He held up a hand, cutting through the brewing argument.

"Both of you. I can handle the watch alone."

"No!" Ignis stomped her foot, her voice rising. "Lilith always gets to be with you! It’s not fair!"

Lilith’s smile sharpened. "Life isn’t fair, Ignis."

"Lilith..." Adam’s voice was warning.

Ignis crossed her arms, her pout deepening. "You always take her side!"

Adam pinched the bridge of his nose. A headache was forming behind his eyes.

"I’m not taking anyone’s side. I’m trying to—"

"Then let me stay too!" Ignis marched forward, planting herself on Adam’s other side. Her flames brushed against his arm, warm and insistent. "I’ll be quiet! I promise!"

Lilith’s crimson eyes flickered with something between amusement and irritation.

"You? Quiet?"

"I can be quiet!"

Adam sighed. He looked at Ignis’s determined face, then at the darkening sky.

"Fine. Both of you can stay." He held up a hand before either could speak. "But no fighting. And no... distractions." His gaze lingered on Lilith meaningfully.

Lilith’s smile widened. "I make no promises."

Ignis bounced on her heels, boastful. "Yes! I win!"

Lilith’s hand shot out, pinching Ignis’s cheek. "No one won, Idiot lizard."

"Mmph—! Let go!"