Callum held Zym close to him and he and Rayla were ushered into the throne room for the elven duke who had caught them. Despite his discomfort, it didn't hold a candle to how Rayla was acting. She was stiff, and her face set in a livid scowl. Callum wasn't sure he wanted to know why she was so angry, and he was afraid to ask with so many open ears around.

Zym whimpered in Callum's arms, and he gave the dragon a reassuring pat. He was just glad that Lujanne's gifts were working, and that Rayla was clever enough to ask for them. It took some getting used to , knowing that just because he could feel his pinkies didn't mean he could see them. Just because others could see the horns atop his head that didn't mean he could feel them. Just because Zym was green that didn't make him any less a storm dragon. He twisted the ring on his middle finger, the one that kept him disguised, and looked around the room at the many faces that watched he and Rayla approached the moonshadow elf seated on the dais.

The elf there was tall and slender with streaks of grey in her white hair. Her face, while still beautiful, was marked with age and some fine lines.

When Rayla stopped, Callum bumped into her, which made her turn around and glare at him. "Sorry," he mumbled as he took a step back.

She rolled her eyes but didn't respond, turning back to the older elf, who was using a gnarled cane to help her stand. Someone tried to help her up, but she shooed them away with a wave of her hand.

She approached Rayla, her violet eyes in a stern glare. "Rayla, is it necessary that we resort to capture for this?"

Rayla crossed her arms and defiantly said, "You of all people should know where I'm headed and why I need to get there."

"And you'd rather feed your pride and sleep in mud than set foot under this roof, I know," the woman grumbled. "You're just as stubborn as your father."

"And he's just as stubborn as you," Rayla muttered.

Shifting Zym onto one hip, Callum warily raised his hand and said, "Sorry, I don't mean to interrupt or anything-"

"And yet you have," the older elf said coldly.

"Don't mind him," Rayla interjected. "He was raised by humans. I found 'im and the little one in Katollis. I'm takin' them both home after my work is done."

She had worked on the lie for a while, and it had the desired effect. Murmurs rose through the hall, some of them full of pity and others outraged. It didn't do anything to help the already bad relationship between elves and humans, but it would keep Callum safe until they reached Zym's mother.

"You poor lad," the older elf said. "It must have been like being raised in a lightless cave. A skywing elf needs to be with the heavens. The mongrels probably didn't even teach you anything about your ways."

"Uh..." Callum said, looking desperately at Rayla for help. "I don't think so."

"You're welcome to our library for as long as you're here. There's a section about skywing magic there. Poor dear, you haven't even taken your wings yet. ," the woman offered. "Assuming the humans even taught you how to read."

"Yeah, they taught me how to read," Callum said, his confusion growing. "So...you're not taking us prisoner?"

The woman laughed at this. "Of course not, my pet. I'm Lady Raelyra, the matriarch of my family, the Welun family."

"I'm Calyn," Callum recited the rehearsed lie. He and Rayla had both agreed it would be best to keep elf-Callum's name as close to the real thing as possible. "We appreciate your hospitality, Lady Raelyra."

"Ah, yes. That's how I like my hospitality best. By force," Rayla replied snidely.

"Rayla!" Callum exclaimed.

Lady Raelyra laughed at this and said, "Don't trouble yourself, Calyn. That's far from the worst thing I've heard from my granddaughter. Now...supper

is going to be soon. Rayla, I hope you can see to it that your companions are properly attired."

Rayla gave her grandmother a mocking bow and said, "Anythin' you say, Lady Raelyra."

"I expect you to be properly attired as well, young lady," Raelyra said, her voice stern.

"I am properly attired. We're leavin'. I won't be roped into one of your stupid dinner parties."

"Rayla," Callum pleaded quietly. "The library. Pleeeeease? I could learn more sky magic."

"Then you can stay here, learn all the sky magic you like, and I'll take the little one," Rayla countered stubbornly. "I'm not stayin'."

"Then I guess I'll see you around because I am," Callum said.

Rayla bristled at this, and Lady Raelyra laughed. "I like your friend, Rayla. Surely a night or two won't kill you. Calyn will get access to the library, and you'll get caught up on some...important matters."

Rolling her eyes, Rayla scoffed, "Important matters...fine. We'll stay for one night. We leave tomorrow."

"Don't forget to make yourself presentable, dear!" Raelyra called after Rayla as she took Callum by the hand and yanked him toward the exit, her pace relentless.

This story isn't going to be super long. Somewhere between 3-5 chapters. Set in like...the middle of the third season, which has yet to be released. Probably because the second one just recently came out. Rayllum has become like...my obsessive ship for the time being. I love them so forking much! Anyway, be sure to subscribe and review if you want to see Rayla in a dress, a cousin of Rayla, Callum being a nerd, and more!