Page 70 of Trial of the Cursed Egg

Mina smirks, gesturing to the lush greenery and twisted vines around us. “It was spelled to prevent the use of technology here.” She sinks onto a stone bench, looking perfectly at ease as she waits.

“It’s... peaceful.” I watch the birds dart in and out of the arched opening above us, their wings catching glints of sunlight that filters down in beams.

“This chamber was created for my father’s mother,” she murmurs, her gaze distant. “My mom was forced to take over her mother-in-law’s nest.” A low growl slips into her voice, a clear sign that whatever’s bothering her runs deep and cuts close to her family.

“Hey, we’re here!” Balor’s voice echoes through the chamber as he steps inside.

Mina’s head snaps up, her eyes narrowing slightly as she watches him. She strides toward the iron gate at the edge of the garden and presses it open with a slow, deliberate push. She motions for us to follow, her voice soft but firm. “Stay on the path.”

We fall into line behind her, and as we step through, I catch Balor’s low whistle of appreciation. “You have a poison herb garden?” His eyes dart from plant to plant.

It’s now that I seriously look at what’s around us. Every type of poisonous or toxic plant known to exist is growing here. We do a slow spin looking at the garden cultivated here. “I started this garden when I was eight.” She shrugs like it was an everyday occurrence. Sadly, it probably was.

I blink, the full weight of her words settling over me as I take in the poison garden with fresh eyes. “You started this … when you were eight?” My voice is low, barely more than a whisper. It’s almost impossible to imagine a child tending to deadly plants, her small hands reaching out to touch leaves that could kill.

Mina nods, completely unfazed, her gaze drifting over the garden like it’s an old friend. “Father didn’t believe in ‘wasteful luxuries,’” she says, a bitter edge to her words. “I only got what he thought was enough, so if I misjudged…” She shrugs, casual, as if brewing dangerous concoctions under a strict ration was as normal as learning the alphabet. My chest tightens. For her, I guess it was.

“I watch her extend her hand, her fingers shifting, transforming smoothly into talons as she reaches toward a cluster of nightshade. She touches the berries lightly, her expression distant. “And you camehere to think…” I echo, watching her as she considers something far deeper than the surrounding plants.

She nods again, her jaw tight. “I don’t think my sister is truly my father’s daughter.” She rolls her hand over, examining the iron and emerald scales that glint under the dusky light. “Her dragoness,” she murmurs, almost to herself, “she’s more silver and bronze—no hint of green. It’s... telling.”

I feel a growl building low in my throat, my instincts flaring at the thought of Mina being lied to, manipulated, her entire sense of family twisted. But I keep it contained, focusing instead on her, this girl raised among poisons, sharp-edged in a way that makes me want to guard her from the very world she was built to conquer.

“You think your mother had an affair?” I can’t stop the question from slipping out as I reach for her, my fingers brushing the cool skin of her forearm.

“No,” Mina says quietly, her voice laced with a bitterness I haven’t heard before. “I think Mom was stolen from another male when she was already pregnant. To keep her compliant, Dad put the collar on her—and on my sister, since she isn’t his.” She exhales, shifting her hand back from my touch, her gaze flickering over each of us, almost assessing. “I always got the better food, the nicer dresses, a proper bed while she and my sister got scraps. It’s … all making sense now.”

Abraxis breaks the silence first, his voice steady. “What do you need?”

Mina’s eyes narrow, her fingers absently tapping her temple, a silent acknowledgment of her visions. “I’m not sure. There’s something bigger going on in the background, something I haven’t quite pieced together yet.” She pauses, jaw tight, her focus intense. “But I’ll figure it out.”

The look in her eyes is fierce, untamed. There’s a storm brewing within her, and something tells me that once it breaks, nothing in this academy—or beyond it—will be the same.

Morning arrives with a punch of light that feels like a fist to the face. Mina’s side of the bed is cold, and I’m up in a flash, tossing a pillow at Abraxis. It bounces off him with a dull thud, and he groans, rolling over.

“Wake up. Mina is gone.”

He cracks one eye open, a lazy grin tugging at his lips. “She’s not far … You seriously need to work on repairing the bond with her.” His words are a jab, but he’s snoring again within seconds, curled into the blankets like it’s the dead of winter.

I dress quickly and head into the hall, restless and tense. Every echo in these endless corridors taunts me, reminding me how little I know of where she is or what’s going through her mind. Leander is the first person I encounter, leaning against a wall, eyes narrowing when I approach.

“Have you seen Mina?”

He arches a brow, the hint of a smirk on his face. “You still can’t sense your mate?” His voice drips with challenge as he pushes off the wall and starts down the hall, barely glancing back at me. “Come on. I’ll take you to her.”

We weave through the nest’s twisted corridors, past shadows that seem to move as we pass. When we reach the courtyard, I pause, taking in the scene before me. Mina is fully shifted, her scales glintingin the morning light as Ziggy’s displacer beast claws at her, peeling away dead scales with careful precision. Balor sits nearby, loading each shed piece into a cart, his movements meticulous.

The sight of her, a powerful form in full dragon glory, is enough to make my chest ache. But it’s more than awe; it’s the sharp reminder of the growing chasm between us. One I need to bridge, no matter how many barriers or unspoken words stand in the way.

“Is there a reason we’re keeping Mina’s scales?” Mina’s head turns to face me as Ziggy works.

“She wants to have armor for your gryphon made from her scales. Other than mine, her scales are the hardest. She even has Abraxis beat.” Balor’s tone is full of pride as he looks up at my mate.

I trace the edges of the scale in my hand, feeling the cool, almost metallic texture under my fingertips. The weight of it, the way it catches the light—Mina’s strength feels tangible here, condensed into something I can hold. She wants to protect me with this, her scales, the hardest substance she has to give, and the thought leaves me speechless. Balor’s prideful gaze on her only deepens the quiet respect swelling in my chest.

“Armor,” I murmur, still awestruck. “For my gryphon.” The idea hadn’t even crossed my mind, but it’s just like her to be three steps ahead, thinking of every detail.

“Yeah,” Leander says, his voice softer, almost reverent. “She doesn’t just love you, you know. Dragons rarely shed their scales willingly.” His eyes flick back to where Ziggy’s displacer beast weaves around Mina, its movements restless but gentle, sensing the energy shifting in her.

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