Dadcrossing Stories

  Chapter 18: A New Dawn Nick’s breath caught as the caravan rolled into view of what used to be the Luminaris ranch. Gray ash clung to the air, swirling like specters in the waning daylight. The smell of charred wood and scorched earth hit him full force, and his stomach twisted. Where family laughter and the gentle neighs of unicorns once filled the yard, only blackened timbers and collapsed walls remained. Sparks still flickered in places, tiny embers refusing to die in the rubble. Beka sat beside him on the carriage seat, her knuckles white as she gripped the edge, eyes wide in disbelief. They’d been locked in tense silence on the journey from Emberfalls, with Elder Fig muttering denials whenever the subject of the ranch came up. Now the truth lay before them, undeniable in its cruelty. Beka choked on a sob, pressing her hand to her mouth to stifle the cry. Nick felt a hot sting in his eyes—rage, sorrow, and heartbreak all tangled into a knot inside his chest. No one in the car...

  Chapter 17: Returned Favor Ariel’s lungs burned from running, each jagged breath barely keeping pace with her thundering heart. The night sky pressed down on her and Noah, smothering what little moonlight could guide them across the rocky ground. Cold sweat dripped down her neck as they stumbled over loose stones. Beyond the reach of Zed’s faintly glowing horn, towering shapes of boulders loomed like silent sentinels, threatening to trip them at every turn. But it was the torches in the distance—flickering ominously closer—that truly put terror in her gut. Behind them, a cacophony of angry shouts echoed across the raw, open landscape. Arrows hissed through the air, some clattering against stone, others burying themselves in the dirt with dull thuds. One whistled past Ariel’s ear, making her yelp in alarm. “Noah!” she screamed. “They’re getting closer—we can’t outrun them!” “No kidding!” he panted, darting behind a jagged outcrop. His voice shook with exertion. “But I’m not sure t...

  Chapter 16: Into the Drakeclaws The first pale rays of dawn cast their weak light over the ragged edge of Ember Hollows , stirring Ariel from a fitful sleep. For a moment, disorientation held her. She felt the rough scrape of scales beneath her cheek, the cold, unforgiving ground beneath her knees. Memories of the last few days tumbled back into place. She blinked groggily, her muscles aching with every movement. When she finally sat up, she found herself still encircled by the three wyverns— Neo , Silverwing , and their younger sibling—who had spread their wings around her, Noah, and Zed through the night to block the piercing wind. Zed was curled at her feet, snoring softly. A few steps away, Noah stood peering out at the distant Drakeclaw Mountains , their peaks etched in sharp relief against a sky of iron gray. The change from the forest to this bleak, rocky landscape was stark. Loose stones and patches of windblown sand stretched away, and every gust felt like it carried sha...

  Chapter 15: Shelter of Wings The last light of day was a pale glow against the ragged treeline where Ember Hollows slowly gave way to a stony wilderness. Ariel, Noah, and their four-legged companions trudged forward on aching feet and trembling wings. The sudden drop in temperature hit them the moment they emerged from the dense canopy—gone were the muted greens and browns of the forest, replaced by dull gray rock and patches of coarse sand. A cold wind knifed through the air, cutting straight to the bone. They stood there, gazing into the distance at the towering silhouettes of the Drakeclaw Mountains . Ominous and foreboding, the peaks stood like jagged spires against the darkening sky. Yet, to the three wyverns—Neo, Silverwing, and their freshly freed sibling—these mountains were home, longed for with every beat of their hearts. They rumbled softly, scanning the horizon as if searching for the familiar clefts and ridges that marked their territory. Ariel wrapped her arms arou...

 Chapter 14: Divided Paths The cold morning wind swept across Ember Hollows, rustling the leaves and carrying with it the dust of conflict. The sun struggled to break through heavy clouds hanging overhead, casting the world in muted tones that mirrored the tension between Elder Fig and the Luminaris family. Nick and Beka stood bound before the assembly, their clothes smeared with dirt from being wrestled to the ground only moments before. A crowd of neighbors and local dignitaries circled them, many still holding torches from the frantic chase. Elder Fig paced back and forth, his jaw clenched and knuckles white around the hilt of his dagger. “You let your children run off with dangerous beasts!” he spat, his voice echoing in the clearing. “Now they’re out there, causing more trouble. We’ll have a horde of wyverns storming Emberwood by sunset if we don’t stop them.” Nick bristled. “Those ‘dangerous beasts’ were kidnapped by your men. We saved them from being exploited.” Beka’s eyes ...

  Chapter 13: The Long Road to Drakeclaw A faint wind rustled through the towering Emberoaks , carrying the scent of moss and the distant promise of rain. The Luminaris family lingered at the edge of Glittering Meadows , hearts weighed down by the realization that their beloved ranch was no longer safe. Leaning against a thick trunk, Nick surveyed his home in the distance—so peaceful in the early morning light, and yet under threat from Elder Fig’s growing hostility. Beka gently stroked Silvermist’s silky muzzle. The unicorn’s eyes shone with quiet worry, reflecting the tension rippling through everyone. Nearby stood Neo and Silverwing , the newly freed third wyvern lying close by, still exhausted from captivity. Zed hovered at Ariel’s side, nuzzling her hip for reassurance. Beka broke the silence first. “Silvermist, alert the herd. Take the adult unicorns and lead the little ones to the far side of the meadow—away from Emberfalls, away from Fig. Protect each other at all costs....

  Chapter 12: Secrets in the Shadows The Ember Hollows still carried the echo of raised voices and frayed tempers from the confrontation that had just transpired. Shafts of early sunlight filtered through the dense canopy, illuminating dust motes dancing in the uneasy air. Nick and Beka stood close to their children, their features etched with concern. In the near distance, Neo and Silverwing snorted and rumbled, restless after the tense standoff with Elder Fig and his men. Even Zed , usually keen to explore, hovered close to Ariel’s side, nostrils flaring as he picked up on the family’s apprehension. Beka broke the heavy silence first. “We need to talk about what Silvermist showed me.” She looked around, searching for the unicorn that had brought her the disturbing vision. A short distance away, Silvermist stood with her head bowed, flicking her tail in agitation. Nick exhaled, the lines of his face deepening. “Yes, let’s hear it.” Beka ran her hand down Silvermist’s mane, her ...

 Chapter 11: The Forest’s Secrets The first rays of dawn filtered through the Emberoak canopy , painting the leaves in hues of green and gold. The Luminari family walked cautiously into Ember Hollows , their steps muted by the soft, mossy ground. The forest, while beautiful, carried an air of tension. The stillness seemed to hold its breath, the occasional rustle of leaves or chirp of distant birds doing little to ease their unease. Behind them, Silverwing and Neo followed closely, their massive forms moving with surprising grace. Their scales caught the dappled sunlight, glinting like armor. To Ariel, they no longer seemed terrifying but majestic. Still, the tension in their snorts and the flick of their tails was palpable. The wyverns, like the family, were on edge. “This forest always feels like it’s watching,” Noah muttered, glancing at the towering trees that stretched endlessly into the sky. “It is,” Beka replied softly. “Every leaf, every stone, every shadow in Emberwood ...