Dragons are creatures with nearly unlimited life spans. They can survive for long periods of time, and no one has found a dragon that has died of old age. Adolescence is usually marked by the growth of a hatchling’s wings, although not all breeds of dragons grow wings and some breeds have other traits that indicate the beginning of maturation. Once they hit adolescence, hatchlings change quickly, maturing to their full forms in only 2 years.

Dragons don’t communicate with each other verbally, but they will growl to scare off predators and frighten prey. Young dragons will emit an extremely high-pitched squeal when they are frightened. To communicate, they use telepathy with each other and to speak to other creatures.

Thunder dragons are the masters of electricity. Their wings gather energy as they soar through the clouds, and when they clap their wings together they can create devastating arcs of lightning. They can stay airborne nearly indefinitely, landing only to sleep and breed; they catch their prey from the air and take moisture from the clouds. A thunder dragon’s roar is considered to be an omen of misfortune.

Ivan Stenvitez is the eldest child of Izdati Sanglune. As one might expect coming from such shadowy parent, Ivan has had a complicated life. He bears himself in the same charismatic, powerful manner as his father yet he is far more personable and warm.

Despite his blood relations, by the time Ivan was an adolescent, he'd spoken with Izdati a total of eight times in his entire life.

Everything changed when Darya was born. She was the first princess. Ivan doted on her. When she was two, she became horribly ill. The only thing that might have saved her was stunting his growth with magic. But their father refused. Instead, he killed her on the spot in front of Ivan.

In retaliation, Ivan attacked. But Izdati had size and experience on his side. By the time the fight was stopped, he'd been ripped open lengthwise.

Izdati ordered him executed immediately in the woods. Fortunately for Ivan, his would-be executioners grossly underestimated him and he escaped, now hellbent on revenge.