Page 28 of Trial of the Cursed Egg

Abraxis’ jaw tightens, but he nods slightly, his silence speaking louder than any words could. My gaze shifts to the others, each face etched with a mix of wariness and something else—something raw and uncertain. There’s no relief in their stares, only the deepening realization of what we’re all slowly piecing together.

“What if there’s a war coming that we aren’t aware of?” Callan suggests, his voice dropping to a near whisper as he steps over to the large map on the wall, fingers trailing over the inked lines that define the continent’s borders. “The northern territories are rich in minerals and metals. It’s where I lost my eye during the last war.” His hand lifts, almost unconsciously, brushing over the eyepatch that hides the scar beneath. He cringes, eye flitting back to mine.

“Who lives in the northern territories?” I ask softly, a pit forming in my stomach. “Dad never taught me about anything north of the Velician mountains.”

My question hangs in the air like a noose tightening around our necks, drawing each of them into a tense, unspoken agreement. One by one, their eyes flicker toward Balor, whose face drains of color. He swallows hard, glancing away before speaking, voice hushed.

“Elves,” he murmurs, voice strained as if it’s being pulled from him. “Manticore skin traders … deep gnomes and drow.”

A chill ripples down my spine. The northern territories—harsh, unforgiving, and crawling with creatures that make the shadows seem tame in comparison. If Callan’s right, if there’s something brewing beyond those snow-capped peaks … My heart pounds, and I try to breathe through the rising panic.

“So we’re pawns in a game we didn’t even know we were playing.” My voice shakes as I piece it together, staring at the map as if I can see the strings connecting it all. “What else aren’t they telling us?” I turn back to the others, the fire of determination sparking to life in my chest. “We need to find out what’s really happening. Because if there’s a war coming, I refuse to let us be blindsided.”

I turn, stepping into Abraxis’s space until I’m close enough to feel his warmth against my skin. My eyes lock onto his, searching the molten amber depths that always seem to churn with restrained intensity. His gaze holds mine, a silent question lingering there. “The solstice break between second and third quarter is coming,” I murmur, my voice wavering slightly. I press my lips together, staring up at my mate—mydragon. My heart pounds at the implications. Everyone expects us to complete the bond sooner rather than later.

“I’ll message my father,” I continue, swallowing against the dryness in my throat. “We’re going to spend the break at my parents’ nest.” Even saying the words feels like crossing an invisible line. I bite mybottom lip, knowing full well what that implies. Sharing a suite... a bed. Heat blooms across my cheeks at the thought.

Abraxis’s fingers graze my cheek, his touch featherlight. The world shrinks to just us—his palm cupping my face, his thumb brushing over my skin. “Are you sure you’re ready for what that will entail?” His voice is a low rumble, vibrating through me.

The concern in his gaze almost makes me falter. Almost. I roll my eyes, forcing a smirk to my lips despite the frantic hammering of my heart. “Are you?” I tilt my head up, meeting his eyes challengingly before glancing over at Callan, who has been watching us in silence. “So, what are we doing with me for the rest of the year, since obviously I’m ahead of the curve?”

Callan’s brow furrows, and he paces, his gaze flicking between Abraxis and me. “I’ll put you with the second years after the break. It’s mostly spy craft taught by Zigmander.” He reaches for a pen, scribbling furiously on his desk blotter as if he’s afraid he’ll forget this decision. The scratch of the pen on paper echoes in the silence, making the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.

“Sounds good.” I turn back to Abraxis and take my backpack from him, the soft material slightly damp from where his hand rested. I unzip it and pull out the cursed egg card—the smooth surface deceptively benign despite the chaos it represents. “What do I do about this?” I wave the four-by-four cream and crimson card at them.

All motion ceases. It’s like the air is sucked out of the room, leaving a vacuum of fear and uncertainty. Callan’s face tightens, his fingers still wrapped around the pen, knuckles white. “We’ll include that in your training.” He nods sharply, but I catch the flicker of dread in his eyes.

“What aren’t you telling me?” I take a step forward, the pulse of adrenaline pushing me to move closer, to get answers. My fingersbrush against his bare hand, and the sensation is instant—an electric hum that vibrates through me, mirroring the one I feel whenever I touch Abraxis. My breath catches. My instinct screams at me to yank my hand back, but I force myself to stay still.

Callan glances at my hand, then back at me. “Sometimes, when the dragons are freed, they…” He trails off, lips pressed into a tight line before he meets my gaze. “They try to kill the one who freed them.” His eye, usually so composed and analytical, now drift over my features with a strange, almost tender look, as if he’s memorizing them. As if he’s preparing to never see them again.

A shiver runs down my spine, but I lift my chin defiantly. “Good thing I’m not like most dragonesses then, now isn’t it?” My voice comes out stronger than I expect, the false bravado steadying me.

I shove the card back into my backpack with a little more force than necessary and zip it closed. They might be afraid, but I won’t let fear rule me. With a quick glance at the guys, I reach for my phone, typing out a message to my father.

Bringing Abraxis home with me for the break. Please prepare the tower suite.

The words are simple, but the meaning behind them is anything but. It’s a declaration. An acceptance. I’m bringing my mate to my family’s nest, and I know what that means. My father will expect us to share the suite—one bed, no excuses. He knows how vigorous newly mated pairs can be.

I sneak a glance at Abraxis from under my lashes, my pulse racing again, but this time for an entirely different reason. He’s standing there, still and composed, his gaze steady on me. My respect for him deepens. His drake must be driving him mad to claim me, yet he’sbeen nothing but patient, respectful of the space I needed to wrap my mind around … all of this.

Maybe he’s a better male than I’ve given him credit for. My chest tightens as I consider it, my fingers itching to reach out, to close the gap between us. But I don’t move. Not yet.

There’s still the cursed egg card to deal with, and whatever dark fate might lie in freeing the dragon trapped inside. “Alright,” I murmur, the resolve hardening in my gut. “Let’s figure out how to make sure that thing doesn’t end me.”

Mina

Eve before solstice break…

Isobel’s voice drones on about the histories of faerie dragons, her words weaving in and out of my focus as I sit between Cora and Garrett in our lit class. The room buzzes with the quiet rustling of papers and the occasional whisper, but all eyes remain on the delicate creature fluttering gracefully from desk to desk—my familiar, Iris. The shimmer of her wings catches the light, casting soft, iridescent shadows that dance across the room. She flicks her tail, sending a ripple of magic that has the students leaning closer, enchanted.

Isobel’s reading reaches the story of the notable faerie dragon Ysolde, a familiar that bonded so deeply with her witch that their magic became one. “Only in rare cases,” Isobel’s voice rises with a hint of excitement, “do faerie dragons choose a partner so fully that they bind their souls together for eternity.”

I feel Iris’s presence flare slightly through our bond, a pulse ofwarmth that tugs at the corner of my lips. I know she’s as proud as I am, her tiny head tilting as she glances back at me.

“Are you ready for tomorrow?” Cora whispers, leaning closer. Her voice barely reaches me, but I catch the mischievous glint in her eyes.

“Tomorrow?” I tilt my head, mirroring Iris’s curious expression. My gaze shifts to Cora, noting the way her lips quirk upward, the excitement barely contained.

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