Page 24 of The Queen of Ash and Magic

“Ready?” I ask my parents as I take their hands. They nod, and I close my eyes. I try to sort my thoughts, but I struggle to separate my recent memories.

“It’s okay,” Mom says, squeezing my hand. When a witch projects a moment like it, it’s like a rush of knowledge. One second, they don’t know, and the next they know everything. I relax and project everything from my memories of Mom and me before I thought she died her death, and everything following. Rage instantly hits them, but they remain calm outwardly.

“What can we do?” Dad asks Drake, nearly growling.

“I want you two at the castle with us,” Drake says. “I won’t force you, but I think it would be good for Lysa, but the second they find out that Unika is alive… She is the first one they will try to kill. I can guarantee safety there. Beyond that, I just ask they you stand and fight with us.”

“Absolutely,” Mom says. “I don’t know what plans you have for Rystar, but I will fucking kill him for this. All of it. For hurting me my entire life. For trying to kill me for protecting my daughter. For raping her. He’s dead, and I won’t make it fast.”

“He’s all yours,” Drake says with a smile.

“Can I call dibs on the bitch?” I ask. “I’d love to beat her with a metal rod.”

“Absolutely,” Drake tells me. “I think Aldric is going to be the one we have the biggest issue with. He has a lot of support from the military because he specifically brings the ones in who hate dragons. It won’t be hard for them to target a hybrid and her dragon mate.”

“I assume that even though I am a hybrid, I don’t actually shift?” I ask.

“No, you won’t ever be able to shift,” Drake says. “You will have the same lifespan of a dragon and the same resistance. Your powers will be stronger and Ignisium will make them significantly stronger too.”

“When… I assume our child would be a dragon?” I ask.

“Yes,” he smiles. “There is a chance they will have some powers, but they will be much weaker than an average witch.”

“Did you have any other kids?” I ask my parents.

“No,” Mom says. “I just wanted to get you back, but we never could find a way back to you. We’ve been trying since I was healed enough to do spells.”

“Not too late,” I say. “You’re what… Thirty-seven? Drake is only a year older.”

“How’s that make you feel, Bud?” Eyrx asks.

“Old,” Drake chuckles.

“Do you want a sibling?” mom asks me.

“Wrong question,” Eyrx says. “She’s a morbid little shit.”

“I think you want another child, but you were afraid of it seeming like you were replacing me,” I say.

“I do,” she admits.

“How are you able to sense that?” Julianna asks. “Is that a witch thing?”

“No,” Mom says. “I think when her powers developed, she has a type of mind reading almost. She’s always been intuitive with other’s thoughts, but it is far more advanced now than it was before.”

“I have so many memories of us for only being six,” I say.

“I did the best I could to make as many positive memories for you as I could,” she says.

“I still have the bear,” I tell her. “Eyrx got his spit all over it, but I still have it.”

“You’re welcome,” Eyrx laughs.

“So, let’s go back. I am calling a meeting this evening for all nobles, so you’ll need to be there soon anyhow, Balor.”

“Give us just a few minutes to grab what we need and we will join you,” Dad says as we all stand. He turns and hugs me again and it’scomforting. “I wish every day I had found my way back to you. I would give anything to have been your father.”

“You are my dad,” I say as I hug him back. “We have so much time ahead of us. We can move forward and make memories.”

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