Page 28 of The Cursed Queen

Was I going to die? Was I going to lose my mate after finding him days ago?

The pain rapidly grew and began spreading throughout my body. I felt hot to the touch, like my skin was on fire. A strange itching sensation started along my back and forehead. I couldn't grasp what was happening, or if I would make it. I felt Andriel picking up speed, presumably to get me to solid ground fast toassess what was wrong with me. He knew about the curse, but was unsure what it could be, or if it was even real. I started to wish I kept taking the dragonsbane, even if it left me unsteady.

I felt Andriel dip downward, cutting through the thick veil of clouds, temporarily leaving me blind. Once the air cleared up, I saw where we were heading. We were right gliding through the mountain range of Wadon Heights. They say the highest mountain top also jutted beyond the clouds. But rather than going to the top, we were diving lower, concealed by sharp stone pillars. Even through the pain, I looked on, noticing hundreds of caves and crops. Humans—shifters, I realized moments later—gathered around. At the center stood a circular platform the size of a stadium. A building made of obsidian stone stood behind it with two dragons on either side.

I would've been in complete awe had it not been for my insides, feeling as if they were going to combust and burst into flames. Shifters began chattering in surprise at seeing Andriel and his brothers' return, while others seemed to notice Virgil and me on his back. Andriel was the first to land, lowering himself to the ground so we could get off.

"Let me help you, Sera." Virgil lifted me in his arms and jumped off Andriel, landing on both feet while holding me close to his chest.

The other shifters must've noticed the armor he wore, because the word druid began echoing among our audience. Several streams of fire erupted, but none hit us. There was no denying the hostility they felt at us being here when they finally felt secluded enough.

"You dare bring druids into our den," a shifter barked in outrage before shifting into his full dragon form and stomping over to where we were. Immediately, two of the rescued dragons, the blue-green and the pitch-black, moved in front of us to act as our bodyguards.

Andriel's body was engulfed in a spiral of flames before shrinking and revealing his human form. "My brothers and sisters!"

He raised both hands to get everyone's attention and continued speaking like a leader commanding an army. "We have returned after being held captive by the druid kingdom. These two have shown great sacrifice in rebelling against their own people to set us free. They are our allies and will be addressed as such! In addition, the girl is my fated mate. As such, under our laws, she is not to be harmed!"

The other three dragons with us became a storm of flames before shifting into their human forms. It occurredto me that until now; I had never seen what their human forms looked like. Now I had. The two that were guarding us turned in our direction, both with a look of confusion on their faces. The black dragon was as dark-skinned as his beast form, the top of his head smooth and hairless. His eyes glowed like topaz as he looked from me in Virgil's embrace to Andriel.

"Your mate?" the shifter questioned. "That's impossible, Andriel. She'smymate."

I gaped at him.

"No," the blue-green dragon shifter spoke next. His skin was lighter and fairerthan anyone else here. Deep brown almond-shaped eyes, raven black hair that parted down the middle and fell right above his eyes, his cheekbones high and defined, andthe most kissable lips I'd ever seen on a man. "She's my mate."

"You're all insane." Our final dragon stepped forward, the one we rescued from his rider. He was on the paler side, like Virgil, and leaner than the other three dragons in our party, with stringy hair the color of sand and some stubble peppering his jawline. His eyes were as blue as the sky on a sunny day. Hepointed to himself as he declared, "She's my mate. I can feel my dragon's connection to her."

The other three declared the same thing, and soon enough, an argument ensued between them.

"I'm so confused," Virgil whispered.

"You?" I looked up at him. "Imagine how I must feel right now. On top of committing treason, I somehow have four dragon shifters declaring me as their mate. What in the world is going on?"

"Enough!" a loud, booming voice echoed throughout the platform and ran up the walls, causing all shifters to shudder and squirm in their place. My four supposed mates looked back toward the open doorway leading to a darkened hall as someone slowly approached the sun's rays. I had to assume he was in charge, considering the power of his command over the shifters. He was an older man with deep tanned skin and dark hair with flexes of grey. His glowing amber eyes reflected power and wisdom in their depths. He wore a long white robe with a wood-carved staff that had a dragon statue at the top. A silver crown adorned the top of his head.

All shifters dropped to one knee and bowed their heads in his presence. Virgil and I looked at one another, wondering what would happen now.

"Lord Igneel," Andriel murmured.

Lord Igneel acknowledged Andriel before turning to Virgil and me, his eyes narrowing slightly. "And you two are?"

I could hear Virgil gulp before introducing himself. "Virgil of the Zeffari Kingdom, sir. This is Seraphina, the kingdom's princess."

"Formerprincess," I corrected.

"Druids," Lord Igneel tilted his head. "One being the heiress of the very kingdom who threatens our very livelihood."

"Sir, if I may speak." Andriel lifted his head. "These two have risked their lives to save us from captivity. The princess is also my fated mate."

"And mine," the black dragon shifter cut in.

The others also claimed me as their mate.

"Yes, I heard from your incessant ramblings," Lord Igneel said. "Seraphina, is it? Why did you save my clan members when your family has captured and enslaved us for decades?"

I gestured for Virgil to put me down on my feet so I could properly talk with the dragon lord. Virgil seemed hesitant to let me go, but gently did so. My feet were shaking, but I stayed upright, the pain in my chest dulling some. I felt the only proper thing to do in his presence was to mimic the gesture of his clan, so I too knelt on one knee and bowed my head as a show of respect.

"Lord Igneel, I don't think I alone have the power to tell you how sorry I am to have learned the dark secret of my kingdom. Until two weeks ago, I did not know what my mother was doing to your clan. I wasn't aware that shifters even existed."

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