Page 52 of The Heart of the Dragon

"How?" my father asked. "He was impervious."

"No one is impervious." Magnus smirked.

I could sense the continued doubt from my father, but my mother and Kitra were both white as a sheet. As for me, I felt nothing. I'd already mourned the idea of my parent's deaths when I'd found out the truth about my adoption. Or the pretend truth.

I sighed.

I still had my arms wrapped around my middle, but the pain had lessened to a degree since Kitra had used her magic. Although it still seemed to come and go in waves. I could, however, feel my temperature rising with sweat beading on my forehead and neck. "Is it hot in here?"

"I blame you for this," my father said, walking over to place his hand on my forehead like he used to when I was a kid. "Our girl was fine until the three of you showed up. And—" he whirled around to stare down Magnus. "No way in hell is she your omega. She is a dark fae princess, not some sort of factory womb for your dragon clutch. Do you even understand the role of an omega?"

My mouth dropped open. "Dad!"

"I'm sorry, Rosebud. But it's true. I don't know what their endgame is here, but something doesn't feel right, and they're going to get all of us killed."

I stomped over to the table and took the seat next to my mother, grabbing her hand. "You've always been open with me. Please tell me the truth. What in the world is going on?" I could feel the pressure of tears behind my lids but there was no way in hell I would cry. That's not the kind of person I was or ever would be.

"Rose," she hesitated, covering my hand in return. "It's complicated."

"I don't care. Just tell me. Rip the band aid off."

"Your biological father is an evil monster. If he’s not dead, as the dragon says, and I can’t believe he is dead, and he finds out for sure you have the mark, he will kill you. If you're lucky. If not, then he will start a war to harness the power of the omega."

My stomach cramped and I whimpered as I clutched it.

"Rose," Magnus stepped forward.

"No! Stay back. I'm not ready for you to touch me again." Every time he got close it felt like I couldn't keep my head clear, and I was going to drag the truth out of my parents if it killed me. But the stricken look on his face tore at my resolve. "One thing at a time. Please. Let me do this first."

He stared at me for a few seconds until the glow in his eyes faded and he nodded his head. He then stepped back next to Isaac and Kitra. The three of them were an intense and formidable group. And unnaturally magnetic. It made me wonder if all fae were like that.

If this woman was fae and not my real mother is that why it was so easy to believe her story?

I turned back to my mother, forcing all the confusing thoughts of Magnus and the pull towards him from my mind. I doubted he was going anywhere.

"I'm not human?" I could barely wrap my head around that let alone push the words out.

"No."

"And you?"

"No."

"I have powers?"

She sighed, looking reluctant to answer. However, her silence was more than enough for me to make a decision. If I couldn’t get the answers from my parents, then we'd do this the hard way.

I turned towards Kitra. "Break the spell."

"Wait! No, Rose, you can't. We don’t know what could happen, especially with you in mating heat. Releasing that kind of power without control could be fatal." My mother reached for my hands, but I pulled away too quickly. My mind was set, and regardless of the outcome, I was determined to uncover the entire truth.

"Rosebud."

"No!" I whirled on my father. "I can't deal with you two right now. You lied to me. About my life. About everything."

"Only to protect you," my mother said quietly. "That was the assignment. Keep you safe at all costs. But I guarantee if you break that spell, something you regret WILL find you."

"Assignment?" I choked, not having heard a word beyond that one.

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