Page 2 of A World of Ruins

I slant an amused glance his way. ‘How do you think you came into this world, hm? You once hatched from an egg, too, Tib.’

Tibith gasps, pawing at his plump figure as if wondering how he himself could fit somewhere so small. I think he forgets he was once the size of a thumb. ‘Did you hatch from an egg too, Darry?’

Before I can answer, Gus huffs out a laugh. ‘Have you taught him nothing about our species?’

I shrug. ‘He knows the important stuff.’

Gus’s brows shoot up. ‘Rolling around in gold isn’t what one might considerimportant.’ He slides his gaze towards Tibith. ‘Shifters don’t hatch from eggs, boy. We’re a much more evolved species of dragon. Thank Solaris and Crello for that.’

Fernah doesn’t like that answer, as she stirs and growls at Gus, baring her sharp teeth at him.

I straight-out laugh as I slap Gus on the shoulder with my free hand. ‘Now I’m starting to see why you are single.’

For a moment, something odd passes across Gus’s features, but not long enough for me to question it as he clears his throat and looks down at the nest.

‘There we go,’ he says, directing my attention back to the few hatchlings already by their mother. Some have a red shine to them: Ardenti. Others pure obsidian: Umbrati.

The one in my hands, though, is still shy to emerge. ‘Come on, little guy,’ I encourage. ‘I promise it is not so bad out here.’

Gus snorts, and I give him a quick smirk.

‘Of course, the food could be better, but what can we do? Gus seems to be fine with serving everyone meat that is slightly off.’

‘Watch it.’

I grin, knowing there’s a scowl on Gus’s face. ‘Maybe gold will tempt you.’ I reach into my pocket and take out my gold coin and flick it in the air. Leaning in, I hold the coin in front of the egg. ‘Between you and me, this is my most prized possession. It belonged to someone . . . exceptional.’Still does.

Slowly, the cracks in the eggshell widen, and a soft glow spills forth from the emerging fissures. The dragon within is determined to break free now, and I marvel at its resilience as a sleek black snout pushes against the confines of its shell.

Soon, the hatchling’s wings burst free from the crack, and I have to wipe away the excess gunk coating its leathery skin. I bring the hatchling towards my chest and look over at Gus, laughing as the dragon squirms in my hands. My heart swells with a profound sense of connection with the hatchling’s accomplishment.

As I look over at Gus, he smiles at me proudly. ‘It seems to like you, Darius.’

I click my tongue. ‘What can I say?’

‘Maybe it can smell Miss Nara, Darry!’

I stiffen at her name, and the hatchling almost slips from my grip.

What is it about you, Goldie, that has every living thing so enamoured?

My mood shifts, and I clear my throat as I gently place the dragon next to his mother and rise to my feet, gesturing for Tibith to come along.

I’m walking away when Gus says, ‘You’re still heading off early?’

I throw him a thumbs-up without looking back.

‘Not even going to celebrate your birthday?’

I pause before slowly turning to look at him. A slow blink follows before I narrow my eyes. ‘How did you know that?’

He sighs, taking his time to get up from the ground. As he straightens, he smiles down at me. ‘Tibith.’

My eyebrows almost hit my hairline as I drop my gaze to the orange furball beside me. He looks up at me sheepishly, an apology already circling his eyes.

‘Were you ever planning on telling anyone what today was?’

A huff pushes through my nose, and I shake my head at Gus. ‘I don’t need to when Tibith can do that for me.’

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