Page 170 of Gift from the Nexus

“You’ve met Willow unofficially, but this is her. The Adored of the Keep.”

This time, Tanith lowers her body like she did when Keeper first approached her. Willow, without a shred of fear, goes right up to her, beaming a breathtaking smile, and kisses her on the ridge of her snout. It makes my heart flutter, and I don’t know if the butterflies are from how fucking epic this is to witness or because my turn is next, and I know what he’s going to say.

“And this here…This is Draken. My son,” he announces. The pride in his tone causes both warmth and panic to spread throughout my body.

I want to freak out, argue simply because I don’t know how to feel right now, but I hold myself back and follow exactly what Willow did. Well, I don’t kiss Tanith, but I do lay my forehead to her scales.

“Hello, young lord.”

I startle and jump away as an otherworldly, soothing, and soft voice penetrates my mind.

“I did not mean to startle you. I apologize. It’s very nice to meet you.”

“Little wanderer…”

“It’s okay. She can communicate with us and Keeper. Probably anyone else she wanted to as well.”

“Your beloved is correct, but I’m selective in who I speak with. You two, though, will always hear me.”

“I…I don’t know what to say.”

“That’s quite all right, young lord. I will put your mind and heart at ease first, then allow you to be until you’re more comfortable with me. I felt you the day your counterpart shook the ground beneath his claws, and I knew a being of me had been born. The roar you released on the day of your freeing is a melody I’ve replayed many a times throughout my imprisonment. You are and have always been in my favor. Nothing will ever change that. You are already unknowingly taking after me.”

My watery smile grows as my erratic heartbeat levels out. How she knew of my worries or thoughts I’ve got no clue, but my little wanderer isn’t panicking, so I’ll just take this in stride and relish the weight Tanith’s lifted off me.

“Draken. You can call me just Draken if you want.”

“Draken it is then.”

The magical hum of her joy radiates through me and the smile on my face is real as I back away from her. It may not seem like it, but I feel like we just took a ginormous leap.

“Little warrior, let’s get these chains off and get going. We’ve got a few injured and Jamie’s the only healer with us,” Tillman says softly as he approaches closer, observing the material the chains are made of.

“We’re safe for now. Send them all back to the academy except for my brother’s and Oakly’s Nexus, please,” she commands sweetly.

“Princess, that’s probably not the best idea,” Corentin chimes in.

“It’ll be fine. I’m sure of it. They took a massive hit today and will need some time to lick their wounds. Plus, Tanith deserves a little privacy for her first moments free. Our three Nexuses are already a crowd. She doesn’t need any more spectators.”

Corentin’s stern face softens like melting chocolate at her care and attention to the needs of a dragon she’s only just met. It’s fascinating and so fucking sexy how she can go from burning men’s faces off to being so caring and loving. I eat that crazy shit up. It’s my second favorite personality switch to her possessiveness.

Caspian’s and Tillman’s laughs distract me, and when I glance at them, they’re beaming at Willow. The look I’m getting, though, is not the sweetest, but it’s still sexy.

“What?”

“Did you seriously just call me crazy?”

“No, I called your behavior crazy. There’s a difference, little wanderer.” I tsk. She should know that.

She rolls her eyes playfully before focusing back on Tanith. Her small hands glide over the stone choker and chain, and a displeased rumble stirs in her chest. Her outrage settles in my heart like an extension of me and I’m instantly pissed off again.

“What’s the matter?” I ask.

“It’s like the magical cuffs. They’re blocking her power out, but I don’t know what power.”

“My flight. My wings can only spread but so far until the shock reverberates through me.”

Dread seeps through my skin. She can’t spread out her wings or flap them or raise herself off the ground even a little. I’ll kill them all for this. This is beyond cruelty and torture. This is fucking ridiculous.

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