The freezing draft of the subterranean eating corridor slapped Valeria across the face, instantly shattering the warm, residual hum of the draconic vision. The narrow passage beneath the palace bedrock was claustrophobic, smelling of stagnant water, decaying wood, and ancient stone dust. Behind her, the elderly healer Martha moved with a quiet, surprisingly agile haste, her wrinkled hands manually pushing the heavy volcanic rock slab back into place to seal off the entrance to the golden crystal caverns.
"Pull your silk collar up, child," Martha urged in a sharp, frantic whisper, her ancient eyes darting nervously up the dark stairs. "The magical trace on your skin is fading, but your internal aura is still vibrating like a struck bell. If Kaelen's elite trackers catch even a whisper of t
