Page 71 of The Cursed Queen

That was the last thing I heard before sleep won out, and I fell into darkness.

Sera

––––––––

I promised Ladon I would show him and the den why I deserved to be the dragon queen, and that was what I intended to do. Three days had passed since we got the news of Baxus' plan, and I was determined not to let our remaining time go to waste. I poured myself relentlessly into training. To help speed up time, Drayce and Ryu agreed to train me together, both in combat and in my fire enchantment. They were both extremely skilled as individual warriors, but together, it was like facing an army solo.

Drayce would swing a fist at me, which I dodged flawlessly, only to whirl around and collide one of my fireballs against one of Ryu's. They did it consistently, hoping I'd stumble in confusion and leave myself open. The first dozen times I had, but with each round, I predicted their movement and counterattacked. My maneuvers weren't flawless, but it was enough for both of them to be satisfied with my progress.

While Drayce and Ryu worked with me, Andriel continued working with Virgil. He didn't take the news of Baxus' plan well, but it motivated him to push himself harder. Virgil and I were in this together. We both had something to prove.

After Andriel's training with Virgil was complete, it was time for him to help me gain full control over my dragon. Seven chains. That's all I needed to break through for my dragon and me to be connected. During the three days, I took down one chain each. Normally I would've pushed myself further to break more than one at a time, but the extensive training with Drayce and Ryu wore me down. That was the only downside.

Alas, I worked with what I could manage. The upside to it was being able to break the chains quicker. My strength had improved since being part of the den; both physical and magic-wise. I just destroyed the fifth chain much faster than before. Four chains remained. I wasn't the only one who seemed to have been regaining their strength. My dragon looked healthier than when I first entered this limbo world where I met her. I looked forward to the day my mind could be shared with hers—when I could hear her voice for the first time.

"Look how far we've come," I said, petting my dragon on the snout.

The dragon's eyes hooded as a soft rumble of delight reverberated off her.

I giggled. "I wish I knew of you sooner, but in a way, I did. You were there for me in my dreams. Your indirect appearance helped lure me to my mates, and the truth. Still, I could never apologize enough for all the pain I caused you. For the faux medicine that nearly killed you. I never knew you existed, but now that I've met you, I can't imagine my life without you."

My dragon pressed her head against my chest in a show of affection. I wrapped my arms around her snout as best I could. I was an only child. Back then, I never knew what it was like to have a sibling, but I always wanted one. My dragon was as close to a sister as I would ever get. Our hearts were connected.

"Just a bit more time," I assured her. "A bit more, and you'll be finally free."

––––––––

––––––––

"You seem happier than I've ever seen you." I was heading back to my cave when I stopped and turned to the sound of Virgil's voice.

He looked as if he'd just completed his training with Andriel, naked from the waist up, covered in a sheen of sweat, and holding a clay cup of water. We'd hardly had time to talk since first arriving in the den, my focus being solely on my mates, my training, and Lord Igneel. I missed his company and often wondered how he was adjusting to life here. Hopefully, Baxus' taunting hadn't scared him off, or made him regret his choices, but he seemed to be in good spirits.

Grinning, I thought back to how I was back at the castle, and how far I'd grown here in the den. In reality, it hadn't been that long, but it felt as if a lifetime had passed.

"I am," I said, then scrunched my face. "It's strange, isn't it?"

"What do you mean?"

"Being here. I mean, six months ago, did you imagine we'd be living inside a mountain full of dragon shifters?"

"Heh, not even in my wildest dreams," Virgil snorted, then sipped his drink. "It's hard to believe that we never knew about any of this."

"Agreed. The more I think about it, the more disgusted I am at Verania. I loved her. I trusted her."

"I know." Virgil frowned. "But soon, she'll pay for all her crimes. To the shifters, to the kingdom, and you."

I looked forward to that day. The day I could show Queen Verania that I wasn't the weak little princess she tried to make me become. I now knew who I was and what I was capable of, and I'd barely reached my full potential. I brought my hands forward, clenching them into fists as the determination manifested within me.

Soon, Verania. Soon, you will feel my wrath. You will pay for everything. I will also avenge my parents. I promise you that.

"It's great seeing you like this." I jumped at Virgil's voice, briefly forgetting where I was.

"What?" I asked.

His gaze roamed up and down my form, smiling approvingly. "The fire within you. It's a good look for you. Back home, you always looked defeated, lost, and despondent. You weren't living, Sera. But here, right now," he pointed to me. "you're living now. I haven't seen this spark in you since we were children, and you saw the dragon riders for the first time."

I thought back to that day, seeing the dragon riders sailing by in awe, only now it was a bitter feeling. More than once, I wondered if I'd have done something sooner if I knew. Would I have demanded answers from Queen Verania? Would I have demanded she release the dragons? It wasn't as if she'd listen to me if I had. Still, it wouldn't have left me feeling blind and guilty.

---