Page 65 of Trial of the Cursed Egg

Relief sweeps through me as I lower my mouth to her shoulder, my human teeth grazing the skin over her mate mark. I bite down gently, claiming her in a way that doesn’t ignite the beast, but soothes her. She melts against me; the tension slipping from her body and flowing into mine.

I hold her close, hoping that her recent rampage through the gauntletand the smoldering wreckage of the training buildings has burned off enough of her rage for now.

It takes nearly an hour to coax Mina away from the wreckage of the gauntlet and lead her to the courtyard. When we finally land, my parents are already there, and the tension crackles as soon as Mina lays eyes on my mother. A low, menacing growl rumbles from her throat. Damn it … Mom being in her nest area is agitating Mina’s dragoness, stirring up instincts neither of us can afford right now.

I don’t give her the chance to make a move. Lunging forward, my jaws clamp down on the back of her dragon’s neck. With a forceful shove, I press her down to the ground, growling low to remind her who’s in control here. She thrashes, wings straining, claws scrabbling, desperate to throw me off—until she remembers the egg nestled carefully in her dragon’s grasp. Her whole body freezes, tension fading as she curls around the egg, holding it close to her chest. Only when she goes limp beneath me do I finally release her, lifting my head to roar, a fierce reminder that I’m the one calling the shots. At least for now. In a few years, she’ll be larger than me, stronger, and I can’t let her dragoness think she’s in charge just yet.

Mina shifts back, catching her breath before stretching her arms out and casting an apologetic glance toward my parents. “Sorry, I’m a bit on edge.”

Mom steps forward, a warm smile in place. “It’s okay; it happens to the best of us.” She wraps Mina in a hug, her presence softening the lingering tension.

Mina’s voice drops to a murmur, as if it’s barely meant for the surrounding air to hear. “It was never this bad…” Her words carry a weary, hollow note as she follows my mother into the building, leaving me standing there, releasing a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding.

“You did good, son,” Dad says, falling into step behind the two females. “If she’d gotten the upper hand now, you’d all be in deep shit in about nine years.” His laugh rumbles low in his chest, and I can’t help but join in, though the thought sobers me.

“What happens in nine years?” Callan asks, catching up, curiosity flickering in his gaze.

“By then, her dragoness will be bigger than Abraxis’s. She’ll hit wyrm status by thirty,” Dad explains, glancing at me with a knowing look.

“A male hits wyrm status sometime after a hundred and fifty or two hundred years, depending on species.” I arch a brow, glancing between Callan and Vaughn, who share a look of growing concern.

“She’s already nearly as big as you,” Vaughn mutters, scanning the area as if Mina’s dragoness might suddenly reappear.

“Exactly why I told my son to make her submit if her dragoness started acting up.” Dad smirks, casting a glance back at me, his approval clear. There’s a pride in his voice that feels weighty—like it carries expectations I’m still growing into.

“Is Mom taking her to the egg chamber?” I ask, my eyes tracing the familiar stone walls, the memories pressing in like ghosts from years past.

“She is, and she’s going to sedate her. That’ll keep her in a deep sleep for the next three days.” He stops just outside the door, his gazesharpening as he studies me. “Judging by the color in her cheeks, she’d be in her cycle by tonight.”

“Mates only. Or someone she trusts. Don’t let anyone else in, under any circumstances.” His voice drops to a serious tone, his hand resting on the door as he looks at me, that unspoken weight of responsibility hanging in the air. Then he pushes the door open, the echo bouncing off the stone walls.

Inside, shadows cling to the ancient arches, the room as solemn as a tomb. And yet, I feel the weight of something sacred here, something more than just stone and walls.

My mom set up furs on the ground and several pillows close to the raised platform that will hold the eggs. In the center, Mina sat the cursed egg. It pulses with power still in time with Mina’s heartbeat. Mina closes the distance between us and kisses my lips softly. “Your mom says it’s safer to sleep through the cycle since we’re not ready for hatchlings.” Her eyes lower, then raise slowly. The slits of her dragon’s eyes are at war with her human gaze.

“We’ll be here in the compound with you the entire time.” I press a kiss to her temple, breathing in her scent, grounding myself in the feel of her close.

“Can Balor shift and guard the chamber? I’d feel safer that way,” she murmurs, her gaze moving from me to Balor. He meets her eyes and nods, then glances back at me.

“Absolutely. I can’t think of a better guard for the chamber.” I brush another kiss against her forehead before passing her to Callan.

He takes her into his arms, kissing her gently. She sighs, leaning into him as he hugs her close. “Sleep well, beautiful,” he whispers, giving her one last kiss before letting her go.

She hesitates, then moves closer to Vaughn, tilting her head a few times, studying him. “I know you’re mine,” she says, her voice soft, her hand lifting to touch his cheek. His eyes close as her fingers graze his skin. “I’m just not ready yet. I need time.” Her tone with him is softer, almost tender, surprising me in its warmth.

“We have all the time in the world,” he responds with a small, patient smile, a quiet laugh escaping him. “May I kiss your forehead before you go to sleep?” His request catches me off guard, and I watch Mina’s reaction closely.

A faint blush colors her cheeks as she nods, tipping her head back to him. His hands frame her face, and he presses his lips gently to her forehead. Through the bond, I sense no tension—only a peaceful contentment. She melts into his touch, and when he pulls back, she rises on her toes, her lips brushing his cheek in return.

Her voice is soft, vulnerable. “Abraxis? Will you hold me while I fall asleep?” She shifts her weight, looking unsure, and I nod without hesitation.

“Anything you need, my love.” I cross to the furs, settling down on my side, patting the space in front of me. My mother hands her a tonic, and she swallows it, her fingers trembling just slightly as she brings the vial to her lips. She moves toward me, lowering herself onto the soft furs with a long yawn.

”Thank you, Cerce,” she murmurs, her voice thick with drowsiness as she sinks into the pillow, sighing at its softness. I nestle behind her, draping my arm over her and pulling her close, feeling her breathing slow down as she relaxes into my hold. Just as her eyelids flutter shut, Balor’s basilisk slithers into the room, silent and watchful. She catches a glimpse of him and murmurs, ”Thank you, Bee…” before the tonic fully takes hold, drawing her under.

Once I’m certain she’s sleeping, I carefully slip out from behind her, mindful not to disturb her. Balor coils around her and the pedestal holding the egg, his massive form encircling her protectively, his head aimed toward the door with all six eyes glowing a fierce crimson, filled with malice. His watchful gaze feels almost terrifying, seething with a dark promise for any who might intrude.

“Thank you for doing this.” I press my hand gently against the small bone plate between his eyes, a silent understanding passing between us. Together, we close the chamber. A dull ache fills my chest, leaving her to rest alone, knowing she’ll face her cycle in solitude. But with Balor guarding her, no harm will touch her tonight.

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