The next day, the three of them descended to the grand main hall.
Isolde stepped forward, keeping Lila on one side and Eudoxia on the other, her voice firm yet respectful.
— Valerianne — she began, — I've come to say goodbye. We're leaving for Greece today. Me, Lila, and Eudoxia. Please tell Élodiane that we're going. And who knows… maybe other places after that. I don't know when we'll be back. It might take a while. It might be never. But I want her to know the hospitality was… unforgettable.
Valerianne tilted her head slightly, a soft smile appearing on her lips.
— I understand. I'll deliver the message to Élodiane exactly as you said. So soon? I thought you might stay a few more days.
— The plans changed — Isolde answered with a half-smile, her sharp canines peeking out just a little. — But we were very well received here. Who knows… one day we might return. Maybe for longer. Maybe for something more.
She let the last words hang in the air, heavy with quiet suggestion. Her amber eyes stayed fixed on Valerianne with calm intensity.
Valerianne held her gaze for a few seconds, then nodded slowly, a clear spark of interest in her expression.
— Who knows indeed… — she replied, her voice low and elegant. — I'll pass everything on to Élodiane. The doors of this mansion will always be open to the three of you. Come back whenever you wish. We'll be waiting.
Isolde smiled, satisfied.
— Then it's settled. Until we meet again.
She turned, taking Lila's hand in one of hers and Eudoxia's in the other, and guided them toward the exit. As they walked down the wide corridor, Lila leaned her head close to Isolde and whispered curiously:
— Do you really want to come back here later?
Isolde gently squeezed her hand, looking straight ahead with a small predatory smile.
— Maybe. It depends on what we find in Greece… and in all the other places we haven't even imagined yet.
After crossing the long corridor of the mansion, the three stepped out into the main courtyard. The fine rain of Velmoure was still falling softly, wetting their hair and making the air feel even more humid and fragrant. Isolde paused for a moment, feeling the cool wind on her skin, and gave both Lila's and Eudoxia's hands a gentle, firm squeeze.
— So, Eudoxia… — Isolde asked, her voice low and calm, amber eyes shining with honest curiosity. — How exactly are we getting to Greece? I don't see any ships or portals around here.
Eudoxia smiled softly, her silver strands sticking to her pretty face from the rain. She raised her blue staff, the crystal at the top beginning to pulse with a gentle light.
— I'm going to call someone special — she answered, her voice melodic. — Someone who flies faster than any wind and is gentle enough to carry us comfortably.
The mage closed her eyes for a moment and whispered ancient words in Greek. The air trembled lightly. A low, deep, and beautiful roar echoed above the clouds. The raindrops seemed to dance as a huge, elegant silhouette spiraled down slowly.
It was a dragon.
Scales of bright sky-blue, almost translucent, glistened wet from the rain. Its long, sinuous body moved with grace, membranous wings spread like silk sails. Its eyes were a warm, deep amber — exactly like Isolde's now. It landed in the courtyard without a sound, its huge claws touching the stone with surprising delicacy. It made no other noise. It simply tilted its elegant head, watching the three of them with calm intelligence.
Isolde blinked, genuinely surprised. Her amber eyes widened a little and she let out a soft, instinctive "Huh…", tilting her head as she looked the dragon up and down.
— Wow… — she murmured, her voice coming out naturally astonished. — A real dragon? And those eyes… they're just like mine now. This is… really beautiful.
Lila, beside her, gave a small jump, her feline ears shooting straight up and her tail stretching out in pure shock. Her green eyes went wide like saucers and she let out a genuine little meow of surprise:
— Uwaaaah! — she meowed, her voice full of childlike wonder and excitement. — He's huge… and so pretty! Look at how his scales shine… and his eyes are the same as yours, Isolde! Is this real magic?
The nekogirl took two hesitant steps forward, slowly reaching out her small hand as if afraid the dragon might vanish. Azure simply blinked slowly, looking at her with those calm amber eyes. Lila let out another soft, admiring meow.
Eudoxia laughed gently and stroked the dragon's snout with affection.
— This is Azure — she said, smiling. — He doesn't speak with words, but he understands everything. He's the most beautiful and fastest way to cross the sea. Climb on. He'll take us to the mountains of Thessaly, near Mount Olympus.
Isolde was still staring at the dragon with that genuine look of surprise, a small, slightly silly smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. She stepped closer and slowly ran her hand over the warm, smooth scales of his neck, feeling the soft yet strong texture.
— I never thought I'd actually ride a real dragon… — she muttered, almost to herself, her voice still carrying natural awe. — Alright… let's go then.
Isolde climbed up first, settling herself firmly on the dragon's broad back. She then helped Lila up, the catgirl still meowing softly in surprise as she sat right in front of her, nestled between Isolde's thick thighs. Eudoxia climbed up last, sitting in front of Lila.
Azure waited until the three of them were comfortably settled. Then, with one elegant and silent movement, he spread his huge wings and took flight.
The cool wind hit their faces, but the dragon's warm body kept everything comfortable. Valerianne's mansion grew smaller below them, its dark towers disappearing into the misty rain. Soon the open sea stretched out beneath them — gray waves topped with white foam under the cloudy sky.
Lila leaned back more against Isolde's chest, her feline ears still trembling with excitement. She turned her little face to the side, resting her cheek on the elf's shoulder, and let out a soft, wonder-filled sigh.
— This is so… unreal — she meowed quietly, her voice still full of natural surprise. — We're really flying on a dragon… look down there, Isolde… the sea looks endless.
Isolde simply tightened her arm gently around Lila's waist, her thumb making a slow, soothing caress, while her amber eyes stayed fixed on the horizon, still shining with quiet amazement. Eudoxia glanced back over her shoulder, her sky-blue eyes serene, watching the two of them with a gentle little smile.
Azure flew steadily and gracefully, carrying the three of them in silence through the gray sky, heading toward ancient Greece. The wind sang around them, and the only sounds were the soft beat of his wings and the calm, awed breathing of the three women.