Page 20 of Beneath Scales and Shadows
Ember’s expression darkened. “Disappeared into the lower dungeons with the royal alchemist. They took three newly turned omegas discovered at the Selection as prisoners with them.”
Rage flared in Ignis’s chest, smoke curling from his nostrils. The implications were clear—and horrifying. The royal family’s persecution of omegas had always been brutal, but this suggested something worse. Something unnatural.
“Double the border patrols,”he ordered.“No human crosses our territory without detection.”
“And if they come with armies?” Ember asked, her duty as King’s Guard compelling her to voice the question.
Ignis’s gaze returned to Sora, peaceful in sleep, unaware of the storm gathering around her existence.
“Then they will learn why dragons ruled this land long before humans drew breath,”he answered, ancient fury lacing his thoughts.“And now we have our queen, they should fear our return.”
As Ember departed to carry out his orders, Ignis settled deeper into his protective coil. Sleep would elude him tonight. Too many threads were being woven together—involving prophecy and politics, ancient magic and new beginnings.
His mountains. His queen. His destiny.
In her sleep, Sora murmured something unintelligible, her hand reaching out as though seeking something—or someone. Without conscious thought, Ignis extended the tip of his tail, allowing it to rest near her outstretched fingers.
Her hand settled against his scales, and she sighed, tension releasing from her body even in slumber.
The connection hummed between them, undeniable even in unconsciousness— her soul recognized what her mind still fought.
Outside the mountain stronghold, thunder rumbled across distant skies—a warning, perhaps, or a promise.
Deep down, he knew her arrival was just the beginning—and he was prepared for what was to come.
CHAPTEREIGHT
SORA
Warmth enveloped Sora, cocooning her in comfort unlike anything she’d known in her academic life of cramped apartments and forgotten meals. She nestled deeper into the sensation, her mind hovering in that perfect space between dreams and waking. Something solid yet yielding curved against her body—warm, textured, alive.
Her eyes snapped open.
Ruby scales filled her vision, gleaming in the soft light that filtered through the chamber. Her legs were wrapped around Ignis’s oversized tail, her arms hugging it to her chest like some enormous, scaled body pillow. Heat flooded her face as she realized she’d spent the night cuddling a dragon’s tail.
She attempted to disentangle herself without waking him, but the moment she moved, a low rumble vibrated through the chamber. Ignis’s head lifted, crimson eyes finding hers with unmistakable amusement.
“Sleep well?”His voice resonated in her mind, carrying a hint of masculine satisfaction.
“I... um...” She released his tail and sat up, drawing the silken sheets around her. “Sorry about that. I must have gotten cold in the night.”
“Dragons radiate heat,”he observed, his mental voice laced with that same pleased undertone.“It’s natural you would seek warmth.”
“Right. Warmth. That’s all it was.” She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, avoiding his knowing gaze. She wasn’t going to tell him how comforting it was—he was—not wanting to give him the idea that he could freely touch her…
Because she didn’t know if she could resist him, as odd as it sounded.
Ignis uncoiled his hefty form from the stone slab, stretching like an enormous cat, wings extending to brush the chamber’s high ceiling. Magic shimmered around him as he began shifting into his half-form, scales flowing and rearranging until he stood before her on two legs, wings folded neatly against his back.
“The council awaits,” he said, his physical voice rougher than the smooth mental communication. “They’re eager to speak more to the twice-born who has awakened dragon magic within our mountain.”
“Dragon magic?” She frowned. “What do you mean?”
Ignis gestured toward the prismatic veins that ran through the chamber walls. “They’ve grown brighter since your arrival. New formations appeared overnight in the main cavern.”
“That can’t be because of me.”
His expression softened. “You still resist your nature.” He approached, offering a taloned hand. “Come. Let’s eat first, then answers.”
