Page 62 of The Cursed Queen

Being half fire mage, Ryu's control over the element surpassed anyone in the den. The ability to summon, manipulate, and control fire, even in human form, couldn't be outmatched.

Virgil slightly relaxed at the sight of backup. It was the only sign he gave that showed the subtle fear he felt but masked it. His proximity was the only way I knew.

Satisfied that Virgil and I were safe, Ryu's flames fizzled simultaneously.

"That the hell is going on here?" Drayce's loud voice carried.

Sera ran over to us, first to hug me, then to inspect Virgil. "Are you guys all right? Are you hurt?"

"I'm fine. We're fine. You got to us in time," Virgil said.

Ryu and Drayce rushed to our side as well. Drayce's furious gaze went to Baxus and his group.

"How dare you try to start a fight with one of our honored guests when it's prohibited," Drayce growled. "Lord Igneel will hear of this incident, and I will see that your punishment will be met accordingly."

"Fuck you," Baxus hissed back. "You and the old man are the reason our den is doomed. We'll never survive a full-on attack from the druids because you lot have softened up with the enemy."

His supporters agreed with Baxus' words, except Ladon, who acted as more of an observer rather than an instigator. That didn't explain why he was hanging around Baxus.

"If you have a problem with how the den is running, perhaps you should express your concerns to our dragon lord rather than spout your nonsense to us," Ryu spoke calmly, his arms crossed and eyes sharp, as if daring Baxus to try something else.

Baxus visibly shook with tremendous anger and hatred in our direction, but was smart enough not to act further. Not unless he wanted to face Lord Igneel's wrath. Instead, he looked up in Sera and Virgil's direction.

"Watch your back," he growled before telling his group they were leaving. The threat didn't settle well with me, and I was about to deal with him for it, but Sera looked back at me and shook her head. Unable to say no to my mate, I backed off.

"Are you guys okay?" Drayce asked once Baxus and his group were gone.

"We're fine. Thank you, guys, for coming when you did," I said, then clapped Ryu on the shoulder. "And thank you for the fireworks."

"I should go after him and rip his fucking head off," Drayce growled, looking off in the direction Baxus ran off to.

I nodded. "My sentiments exactly."

"Absolutely not," Sera protested. "Don't we have enough enemies to deal with without making enemies out of each other?"

"But he's making you and Virgil a target, Princess. And it's our job to protect you both," Ryu retorted.

"It's not as if being targets for hatred is a new thing for us," Virgil said, leaning against Sera, who agreed with his statement.

"I'm used to being looked down upon, so nothing Baxus says can phase me."

Ryu reached out to brush a lock of our mate's wavy magenta hair behind her ear in a display of comfort. "Just because you can endure it doesn't mean you should, sweetheart. You've already been through enough."

His statement was unanimous among us. I wanted to press the issue further, but one look at Sera and Virgil's exhausted expressions told me now wasn't the time.

"We'll discuss this later. Right now, I think we're done for the day," I declared.

Drayce didn't seem to like that idea, but Ryu already had his arm looped around our mate's waist and pulled her closer to him.

"That sounds like a good idea. Why don't you head back with Virgil, and Drayce and I will escort our princess back to her cave," Ryu suggested.

"That sounds good. I'll stop by later to see you."

I watched silently as Drayce and Ryu led Sera back to her room. Before I suggested to Virgil that we should also turn in, he started walking in a different direction.

"Virgil?" I called to him.

"I'm not ready to return yet, but I need some air."

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