Page 51 of Destiny of the Dragons

“How could I think that my youngest daughter would actually do her duty by her family without a fight?” Mother smiled, but it was filled with teeth. “The Cross family has a tracking spell that could locate our spellbook, but what is that compared to marrying a man you think is icky?”

“We could find another way—“

Mother grabbed her arm, her thumb digging into the shadowmark on her wrist.

Pain dug into her wrist like Mother had used a knife instead of her thumb. Mia cried out, struggling to stay in her chair.

Mother’s expression didn’t change. “Our spellbook was stolen from us.”

Pain leeched from her wrist to her forearm, devouring everything until there was nothing but the throbbing hot pulse. Mia toppled out of her chair, held upright only by her mother’s grip.

“We have a chance to do what none of our recent ancestors couldn't, and find that spellbook. And you want to throw that away.”

Mother’s expression changed into something fearsome, a grimace of hatred that contorted her into a monster. “Because you don’t like the man.”

Mia focused on her breathing. Magic coiled inside, growing into a bright ball. She had to stay in control, had to focus on the pain.Throughthe pain.

“You can’t do a single thing I ask of you without complaining.” Mother’s voice was pure venom. She shook Mia’s wrist, a fresh burst of pain eating away at her.

Her heart beat faster in her chest, and she couldn’t get a breath in. Dark spots appeared in her vision, and she struggled to stay conscious.

She couldn’t pass out. Her mother would kill her, right here and now. She wouldn’t mean to, but Mia had never seen her mother in such a rage. She had to placate her somehow, but she couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think.

The kernel of magic she’d felt ever since she formed a bond with Jace and Smoke flared to life. It enveloped her, dulling some of the pain.

Mia sucked in a breath. And then another. The dizzy feeling faded enough that she could reply.

“I’m sorry,” Mia sobbed.

“You are sorry.” Mother dug her thumb deeper. Pain moved from her shoulder into her neck, her shoulders. “If you weren’t so useful I would have disposed of you long ago.”

Cold tremors washed over her. Mia knew her mother didn’t love her, had probably never loved her, but she didn’t think…she’s always assumed her mother kept her around out of duty.

“You will marry Cross, and you won’t do a single thing to jeopardize this wedding.”

Mia nodded. She couldn’t breathe enough to get the words out.

“If you so much as glare at Cross and he calls off the wedding, I’ll make you wish I’d never pushed you out.”

With one final burst of pain, Mother let go of her wrist.

“Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes, Matriarch,” Mia said, her throat sore.

Mother stood up. “Get back to work.”

Mia forced herself to stand up, her body shaking. Her hands wouldn’t work properly, but she limped back into her chair.

“Congratulations on your upcoming wedding, Mia. You’re going to be a beautiful bride.” Mother left with a satisfied smile.

Mia collapsed onto the workbench, unable to keep the tears from coming.

Smoke stopped in his tracks, the bond inside him flaring to life.

He ignored it over the months, but it was always there, a kernel of warmth inside him. A reminder of what had been.

The best time in his life and his biggest failure. He couldn’t be the bridge that Jace and Mia needed to overcome their fears, and they all fell apart as a result.

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