Looking at the dragon before him, Rhaegar immediately called out its name.
"Hiss-ga..."
The Gray Shadow let out a shrill cry, tilting its head as its vertical pupils scrutinized him.
"Does it appear often?"
Rhaegar examined the Gray Shadow and turned to ask Rhaenyra.
The last time he had seen it was two years ago.
That night, he had come to Dragonstone, and the Gray Shadow had flashed through the clouds without revealing itself.
Rhaenyra extended an arm in front of Rhaegar, her posture guarded. "Gray Shadow always lingers around the rocky reefs of the eastern coast. It never comes near the castle."
Over the years, Gray Shadow had long outgrown its juvenile stage.
Its scales were a pale gray, with white wing membranes and a pair of gray-white horns curving backward.
Its form was sleek and well-proportioned, roughly the same size as Sunfyre.
Both were adolescent dragons.
**Tap. Tap...**
The Gray Shadow flapped its wings, stepping forward cautiously on its hind legs as its claws pressed against the stone steps, inching closer to the siblings.
Its vertical pupils never once left Rhaegar.
It extended its slender neck, sniffing at them.
Suddenly, its pupils gleamed, and it raised its head, letting out a joyful cry.
Rhaenyra was stunned. Suspiciously, she muttered, "Rhaegar, why do I feel like... it's celebrating?"
"I have the same feeling."
Rhaegar gently pushed down her arm, which was still blocking his chest, and took a bold step toward the Gray Shadow.
A dozen meters apart, the gap between man and dragon quickly closed.
Gray Shadow watched his movements closely, folding its wings and crouching on the stone steps.
Rhaegar slowly approached, studying the dragon curiously. He reached out a hand and tentatively asked, "Timid little dragon, do you remember me?"
Their first meeting had been deep within Dragonmont.
At the time, Rhaegar had been trying to tame Devourer and had saved the Gray Shadow from becoming prey in the process.
"Hiss-ga..."
The Gray Shadow seemed to recognize the words in Rhaegar's voice. It let out a sharp cry, and a foul, salty stench washed over him.
"No! That's unbearable!"
Rhaegar pinched his nose with one hand, shutting his eyes against the nauseating gust.
As the roar faded, he was still reeling from the awful smell when he suddenly felt something cold and rough press against his palm.
Rhaegar opened his eyes, momentarily startled.
The Gray Shadow had stretched out its neck, nudging its snout against his hand.
"Rhaegar... Gray Shadow is really affectionate toward you."
Rhaenyra approached cautiously, utterly shocked.
Dragons were known to be proud and solitary creatures.
A person could only bond with a single dragon—unless one of them died, they could never form a new connection.
Rhaegar had been bonded with Devourer for years.
Other dragons, including Gray Shadow, should have had no reason to show him any affection.
Yet, in this moment, Gray Shadow's vertical pupils were locked onto Rhaegar, its demeanor almost playful, as if seeking his attention.
"Maybe it's because I saved it."
Rhaegar smiled, placing both hands on the dragon's snout and stroking its scales.
Every time he had visited Dragonstone over the years, he had always felt a pair of eyes watching him.
Thinking back now, it must have been Gray Shadow, observing him from the shadows.
"Timid little dragon, do you want to be my companion?"
Rhaegar was delighted by its affection and asked the question directly.
"Hiss-ga..."
Gray Shadow lifted its head slightly, shaking it in apparent reluctance. Its pupils flicked toward the far end of the stone steps.
Following its gaze, Rhaegar saw the black stone gates of Dragonstone.
In an instant, he understood.
Gray Shadow was reminding him that he already had Devourer.
Realizing this, Rhaegar sighed regretfully. "What a shame... I would have loved to take a ride on your back."
This rule had held firm since the days of the Freehold—no one could ride two dragons.
"Hiss-ga..."
A flicker of contemplation flashed through Gray Shadow's pupils before it suddenly twisted its body and crouched lower. Its flexible tail wrapped around Rhaegar's waist.
"Rhaegar!"
Rhaenyra gasped as Gray Shadow lifted him and placed him on its smooth back.
Rhaegar was stunned. Shocked, he asked, "Gray Shadow... do you want to take me for a ride?"
The dragon raised its head proudly and spread its wings wide.
Seeing this, Rhaegar quickly reached out his hand in excitement. "Rhaenyra, grab my hand!"
Rhaenyra hesitated for a moment, then sighed in resignation. She ran to Gray Shadow's side and grasped Rhaegar's hand.
With a firm tug, Rhaegar pulled her onto the dragon's back.
**"Screech..."**
Rhaenyra had just climbed onto the dragon's back when Gray Shadow let out a sharp cry and spread its wings, soaring into the sky.
"Be careful, Gray Shadow doesn't take orders from me."
Rhaegar laughed heartily, pulling the unsteady Rhaenyra into his arms.
"You're the only one brave enough to ride a wild dragon!"
Riding a wild dragon for the first time, Rhaenyra's heart pounded wildly.
Gray Shadow flew fast, its sleek body effortlessly changing direction, twisting and diving into the thin clouds.
The two of them, along with the dragon, weaved through the misty sky, bathed in the golden glow of the setting sun, their laughter and screams mingling together.
The sun gradually sank below the horizon.
**"Screech!!"**
A thunderous roar echoed over Dragonstone—Devourer's warning cry, deep and filled with menace.
Gray Shadow's body tensed midair, its vertical pupils flashing with fear.
Flapping its wings in panic, it descended quickly, landing on the stone steps not far from the Blackstone Gate.
The memory of the massive black dragon that had nearly hunted it still lingered in Gray Shadow's mind.
As soon as they landed, Rhaegar pulled Rhaenyra up and slid down the dragon's outstretched wing membrane.
Running a hand over Gray Shadow's wing, Rhaegar chuckled. "Devourer is angry. This is as far as we go."
**"Screech..."**
Gray Shadow nudged him hard enough to make him stumble before turning and flying toward the eastern coast of Dragonstone.
"It's jealous," Rhaenyra said, amused.
"Maybe," Rhaegar replied with a small smile, watching as Gray Shadow disappeared into the clouds.
Aside from Devourer, no dragon had ever been as close to him as Gray Shadow.
Even Syrax feared Devourer and avoided him altogether.
In high spirits, Rhaegar took Rhaenyra's hand and said, "Come on, your two foster daughters are still waiting eagerly for their dragon eggs."
"Tch, I only care about my future children," Rhaenyra said, tossing her long hair before striding toward the Blackstone Gate.
Rhaegar's eyes flickered—he caught the deeper meaning in her words.
---
That night, the stars were dim.
**Tidehead Isle, High Tide Castle.**
"Rhaenyra, you're finally here!"
As Rhaegar and Rhaenyra stepped into the hall of High Tide Castle, Laena welcomed them with joy, having waited for quite some time.
Noticing Rhaegar, Laena offered a polite bow and smiled. "Cousin, welcome to you as well."
She carried herself with grace and composure, betraying no hint of any discomfort.
"I should be at the Stepstones, but I came here on a mission," Rhaegar said with a smile.
To be honest, he admired Laena's ability to keep her emotions in check.
It was as if she didn't care about her husband, Daemon, at all—as if the three of them were just cousins.
"Enough with the formalities! Bring out the little ones—I'm here to claim my foster daughters," Rhaenyra said with a bright smile, extending her hand toward Rhaegar.
Rhaegar took the box from his back and opened it, revealing two dragon eggs inside.
A spatial bracelet couldn't hold living creatures.
The dragon eggs, brimming with life, had to be transported on his back.
Upon seeing the eggs, Laena's smile deepened, and she gratefully embraced Rhaenyra.
A perceptive maid quickly went upstairs to summon the nursemaids, who brought the two children down.
Taking the opportunity, Rhaegar began discussing the situation in the Stepstones—
as well as the logistical challenges of transporting supplies.
**(End of Chapter)**