Topple `184

Chapter 184 

Elowen POV 

: 

35 

Dragon Castle 

West Wing 

“I swear,” 1 muttered, brushing dragon soot off my sleeve, “if I have to sit through one more war meeting where everyone’s growling and flexing like horny rhinos, I’m gonna set something on fire.” 

Taya snorted beside me, flipping her bright red braid over one shoulder. “Bitch, you say that every time.” 

“And yet you still let me go,” I deadpanned. 

Amaris giggled, looping her arm through mine as we turned down the corridor toward the children’s medic tents. “Because you do end up setting things on fire. It’s part of your charm.” 

“Don’t encourage her,” Taya warned, elbowing me playfully. “El’s already got dragon sized ego energy from mating Vaelrix.” 

“You say that like it’s a bad thing,” I shot back, grinning. 

As we stepped out into the courtyard, the sun was starting to dip, casting a golden glow across the tents. The air smelled of lavender and roasted root vegetables, the kind of comfort food that filled bellies and hearts. Children’s laughter floated on the breeze, and I swear Lyssira actually purred in my head. 

“They’re healing, El,” she whispered. “They’re not just surviving. They’re living.” 

A lump hit my throat so fast I had to swallow twice before I could speak. At the far end of the field, three massive dragon females stood near the main tent. Shifter forms, towering and elegant, with braided hair and runed armor that shimmered like ancient stone. 

One of them turned to us, smiling warmly. “Elowen,” she said, her voice low and musical. “I am Elder Kelyra. These are Elder Brinna and Elder Solai. We’ll be guarding the little ones during the nights.” 

“We don’t sleep much,” Brinna added with a wink. “And if anyone tries anything, well…” 

Solai bared her teeth in a grin. “We bite.” 

Taya clapped. “I love them already.” 

“They’ve been asking to move,” Kelyra said, nodding toward the children. “The stable ones. We think about thirty are ready. Some are already up and bouncing like they never spent a second in that compound.” 

Amaris beamed. “Then let’s fucking go.” 

We led the excited herd of kids, thirty strong, a rainbow of tiny voices and tangled hair, toward the west wing of the castle. A group of female Fae and dragon shifters walked with us, hearts already softening as they matched pace beside children they couldn’t stop glancing at like maybe, just maybe, this one is mine. 

The doors opened with a soft hum, and the gasps that followed were loud enough to make me tear up on the spot. 

1/3 

20:12 Sat, Oct 18 

Chapter 184 

“IS THIS ALL FOR US?!” 

“WE GET OUR OWN ROOMS?!” 

“OH MY GODS LOOK AT THE BUNK BEDS!” 

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35 

The west wing was glowing, literally. Enchanted lanterns floated near the ceiling. The walls were covered in bright murals painted by Fae artists. Plush rugs and pillows. Magic sealed windows to keep the night air warm. A game room pulsed with laughter and enchanted toys. 

Ten of the rooms were set up with the most badass triple and quadruple bunk beds I’d ever seen. Sturdy wood, carved dragons on the posts, ladders that glowed in the dark. The littles were already scrambling to claim their spots. 

“I want top!” 

“No fair! You always get top!” 

“Too late, I licked it!” 

Taya wheezed. “I forgot how feral kids get about bunks.” 

I watched one small girl with huge brown eyes drag a stuffed phoenix toward a single room, glance back at the woman walking beside her, and whisper, “Can she come too?” 

The woman fell to her knees instantly, wrapping her in a hug. “If you want me, I’m yours.” 

My whole chest cracked open. Lyssira whispered gently, “This is what we were made for, El. This is your magic. This. Bringing everyone together. You’re doing it bitch.” 

I didn’t bother hiding the tears anymore. 

“Alright, monsters,” I called out, clapping my hands. “You’ve got ten minutes to pick your room before the enchanted door locks choose for you!” 

Screams. Chaos. Laughter. Running feet. Joy. Amaris looked over at me, wiping her eyes. “They’re gonna be okay.” 

“No,” I whispered. “They’re gonna be more than okay.” 

They were gonna be safe. Loved. And maybe… just maybe… free enough to dream again. 

Dragon Castle 

West Wing & Bathhouse 

It took another solid half hour of “No sweetie, that one’s already taken,” and “Yes, I promise the bottom bunk is just as cool,” before we got the rest of the kids into rooms, 

Another dozen had joined us from the medic tents, hobbling in on healed legs or being carried by nurses. Only ten little ones were still under full healer care, most of them asleep with fae healers murmuring soft spells around them. We’d get them settled soon. 

2/3 

20:13 Sat, Oct 18 

… 

🙂))