Page 30 of Trial of the Cursed Egg

Around us, several other dragons launch from their perches, silhouettes in the dark, their wings carrying them to unknown destinations. We land on the far side of the field, and he sets me down with a gentleness that belies his strength.

“It might be easier if you shift first,” he suggests, his eyes searching mine with an intensity that makes my heart stutter. “Having a drake looming over you may make your dragon concerned about emerging.”

His forethought catches me off guard, and I nod, stepping away. I scan the field, ensuring I have the space I need before closing my eyes and reaching inward. The shift is almost instantaneous, my dragoness bursting forth in a swirl of energy. I feel the rush of power ripple through me as I stretch my wings wide, their membranes catching the waning light.

I turn my head, marveling at the sight of her—of me. My body is armored like my mother’s, dark gray scales glinting with an emerald sheen as I move. Abraxis steps closer, his gaze sweeping over me with an expression that makes a shiver run down my spine. His smile is pleased, almost feral, as he lets his own drake explode into existence.

The air crackles with energy as his pitch-black drake unfurls massive wings, curved horns scraping the sky. Glints of crimson and bronze flash in the fading light, subtle but unmistakable, much like the hidden colors in my own scales. He dips his head, and I catch the unspoken challenge in his eyes.

Without hesitation, I leap into the sky, the powerful thrust of my wings sending me soaring above the clouds. I climb higher, higher still, until the stars blur around me and the campus below is but a speck of light. I hover, waiting, daring him to catch up.

He doesn’t keep me waiting long. His drake surges through the cloud cover, a blur of shadows and power, and then he’s at my side. Our dragons are similar in size for now, but I know that won’t last. Females are always larger than males—stronger, too—for reasons even the oldest of our kind can’t explain.

We ride the thermals, the currents of air lifting us effortlessly. He circles around me, a dark blur in the sky, his movements deliberate as he weaves in and out of my path, trying to distract me. I snarl softly, amused, and make a sharp dive below the clouds, veering towards the familiar pull of my mother’s nest.

A part of me hesitates, but I push forward, angling us towards the gauntlet and training grounds, where I spent countless hours proving my worth. I sense his confusion through our half-formed bond, feel the ripple of shock as he sees the place I once called home.

The gauntlet sprawls beneath us, a deadly labyrinth of jagged rocks, shifting platforms, and traps designed to cripple the unprepared. Far more lethal than anything the academy has thrown at me. I feel his understanding settle in—a dawning realization of what I endured, what shaped me.

With a powerful beat of my wings, I change course once more, diving straight for the heart of the Risedale nest. We land in the courtyard, our presence a sudden disruption that draws immediate attention. My mother and father step forward, their gazes lifting to take in the sight of my dragoness.

Shock flares in their eyes as they study me. I see it mirrored in their expressions—the recognition of my mother’s scales, the dark gray hue tinted with emerald, the powerful crest running between my horns that I inherited from my father. And then, as I shift back into my human form, I catch the pride gleaming in my father’s eyes.

“Welcome home,” he says, his voice reverberating through the courtyard. His gaze lands on the bonding mark at my throat, and I can practically see the wheels turning in his mind.

I sense, rather than see, Abraxis land behind me, his massive drake casting a shadow that blots out the light. The courtyard falls silent ashe shifts, the sheer power radiating off him enough to send even the bravest of dragons to their knees.

But not my father. He merely lifts his chin, a slow, calculating smile spreading across his face. I swallow hard, nerves thrumming beneath my skin as I stand between them.

This—this moment changes everything. And I’m not sure what I’ve set into motion.

Abraxis

This month is goingto test the frayed strands of my sanity. I knew our families had plans—always scheming, always maneuvering. Seeing the cold calculation in her father’s eyes and the hollow emptiness in her mother’s … It pushes me to the edge of a precipice I’m not sure I can come back from. The tension coils tight in my chest as Layla steps forward, her face composed into a serene mask that hides whatever storm brews underneath. She hooks her arm through Mina’s, leading us silently through the winding corridors toward the room they’ve prepared for us.

I can barely breathe through the thick silence that stretches between mother and daughter. Layla only speaks when we reach the chamber nestled at the highest point of the tower. “I’m sorry…” she murmurs, pressing a soft kiss to Mina’s cheek before she slips out of the room, leaving us alone.

Her words linger in the air like a ghost, heavy and full of meaning. My gaze snaps to Mina, questions burning on the tip of my tongue. Before I can voice them, she turns on me, eyes blazing with barelycontained rage. The fire within them makes me take a step back, my wings spreading instinctively to shield against the force of her fury.

“What am I missing?” My voice is calm, but every muscle in my body is wound tight, ready to respond to whatever comes next.

“Females can communicate by touch, direct contact,” she bites out, her tone clipped and sharp. “Mom figured out what Dad is up to. Apparently, both of our fathers want to create the ultimate bloodline using us.” She shakes her head, a bitter smile twisting her lips as she raises her chin, meeting my gaze defiantly. “My hatchlings will not be pawns in our fathers’ games, do you hear me?” The low growl vibrating in her chest sends shivers down my spine, making the dragon within me stir. He respects her, recognizes her strength.

“I agree. They will not be pawns.” My voice is firm, steady. I flex my wings, drawing my attention briefly to the room around us. The enormous bed dominates the space, covered in a smattering of flower petals. It’s a mockery of intimacy, a stage set for an act neither of us plans to perform.

Huffing, Mina rolls her eyes at the absurd display. “Typical bullshit. They did this to my sister too…” she smirks, rolling up her sleeve to reveal a tiny scar etched into her skin. “I have a birth control implant that’s good for five years. I snuck out and got it before we left for the academy.”

Her words hit like a punch to the gut. “You know, if your father found out, he could have had it ripped out.” The bitterness in my voice is impossible to hide. Females are viewed as possessions, property to be controlled and traded until they find a mate or are given to a betrothed. I hate it, but it’s the brutal truth of our world.

“It was a risk I was willing to take. Do you want it gone?” She stepscloser, challenging me with her fierce gaze, daring me to demand anything of her.

“Your body, your choice.” I lift my hands, palms up, to show I’m not here to control her. “When you’re ready for us to have hatchlings, we’ll go together to have it removed. If you want more time, we’ll have it replaced when it’s due.” I shrug casually, even though my heart hammers in my chest. The relief that floods her expression makes my dragon preen with pride.

“I want to finish school, then decide what I want to do with the rest of my life. Besides being your mate, of course,” she adds with a small, almost shy smile.

“Of course,” I murmur, a grin tugging at my lips. “Shall we go join the circus or hide out here for a while?” Her nostrils flare, pupils dilating slightly. The change is subtle, but I catch it. Every part of her is reacting to the tension between us, to the charged air that crackles with unspoken words and unmade decisions.

“Maybe dinner first might be a good idea.” Her voice wavers, uncertainty flickering across her features. I close the distance between us, reaching out to trace the line of her jaw with the tip of a finger.

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