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Dismounting is tricky in this place, and my boots scuff against the rocky ledge as I find purchase.

“Why did you bring me here?”

But Ryu’s already launching himself back into the sky, disappearing around the curve of the mountain.

“Great.” I confront the dark maw of the cave. “Very helpful.”

Concern knots my stomach. Has something happened to Dame? To the eggs? I duck into the cavern, blinking as my eyes adjust to the dimness. I could light a fire, but that might startle the soon-to-be parents. Since I’m clueless about what I might find, I tread as carefully and quietly as possible.

The passage slopes downward, widening as it goes, the rough walls bearing marks of Dame’s claws where she’s expanded the space. The air grows warmer and moister, carrying the mineral scent of the hot spring.

I hear it before I see it.

Beneath the gentle steam of spring water, there’s…humming. A melody. Haunting and beautiful, it resonates in my bones, more felt than heard.

Someone’s inside this cave with me. Someone other than the dragons.

My heart races with trepidation, and I find myself rushing toward the eggs. If something’s happened to them, if someone’s harmed them in any way⁠—

I refuse to finish that thought.

Rounding the final bend, I stop short. The cave opens into a chamber large enough for the two dragons that currently keep vigil at the edge of a steaming pool of water. Dame stands beside the spring, her reddish-brown scales gleaming in the strange, diffused light that seems to have no source. Her pale yellow underwings quiver with anticipation as she watches over the pair of floating eggs.

But Dame’s not the one humming.

Near the water, a small figure with blond hair and a spattering of freckles across her nose sits cross-legged in a nest of straw.

Rose Lockwood.

My heart stops, then beats double-time, and I release a breath. The eggs are safe. No one has harmed them. As for Rose? I don’t have the slightest clue how she got here, but I’m relieved that she appears unscathed.

Now’s not the time to question her about her antics.

Absorbed in her song, the little girl doesn’t notice me at first. The flame familiar hovering above her shoulder casts flickering shadows across her face. The sprite flares in rhythm with her melody, growing brighter and dimmer like a heartbeat.

I’ve never heard the song before. Then again, I grew up in Aclaris, so I’ve missed out on a lot of my native Tirenese culture.

Chirean stands guard at the far side of the chamber, his orange scales burnished to copper in the weird light. Both dragons exude calm, as if entranced by Rose’s humming.

Following their lead, I do my best to emulate their apparent serenity. I move closer, careful not to disturb the scene. The eggs pulse in their watery cocoon, as if responding to the melody. I’ve never heard, read about, nor witnessed dragons reacting to music before.

“That’s pretty.” When Rose pauses for a breath, I scoot closer. “Where did you learn it?”

She glances up, not at all surprised to see me. Her blue eyes shine with a wisdom far beyond her years. “Kin taught me. It’s old. From before.”

“Before what?” I settle down beside her. Chirean and Dame don’t seem to notice, their gazes still locked on the pool.

Please, Ziva, Goddess of Fire, let this be a good thing. Protect this new generation of your favored creatures.

“Lots of things.” Rose shrugs and resumes humming. Her flame sprite dances more energetically.

The song cloaks me like a warm blanket, soothing away the tension I hadn’t realized I was carrying. Sweat drips down my skin, but not in an uncomfortable way. More like…a cleansing.

Fear, confusion, worry, and the constant pressure of responsibility all recede, leaving only this moment, this cave, this miracle about to unfold.

The first egg rocks gently, then more insistently.

Tiny cracks appear on the surface.