Page 60 of Pursued By the Dragon Alien

Razion stared. Blinked. “Thefekdid you just say?”

Ellion sighed as if this was a tedious revelation to share. “Your—our—mother, the mother whose life you swore your oath upon—” he folded his arms across his chest, “—was the last queen of Zarux.”

Razion stilled.

Cyprian made a noise of amusement, leaning back against the edge of a shelf. “Technically, that makes us long-lost princes. Charming, isn’t it?”

Razion let out a low, humorless laugh. “You’re not serious.”

Ellion arched a brow, ever composed. “I assure you, I am.”

“So, let me get this straight.” Razion scrubbed a hand down his face. “The mother I never knew, was a queen. And this?” Heswept a hand toward their surroundings. “This fortress ship was hers?”

Ellion nodded. “It was the royal residence and battle cruiser of the Zaruxian monarchy. Our father, King Dazrian, died early in the war, defending our people. When Zarux fell, the Axis took what remained—including the heirs. We were hatchlings, raised by them, molded into their tools.”

“All of you,” Razion said tightly, his jaw locked. “Except for me.”

Takkian folded his arms. “Lilas said you were abducted by raiders.”

Razion nodded absently as his head churned through this vast dump of information. His whole life, he’d believed he was an orphan of war, another casualty in the Axis’ conquest. Now, he was standing in what was once his mother’s home, hearing from his brothers—brothers—about the life he had never known.

The revelation should have crushed him. Should have made bile rise in his throat at the sheer weight of everything he’d lost. But instead?

For the first time in his life, he felt like he belonged.

Razion ran a hand through his hair. “Well,” he muttered, “this wasn’t a conversation I thought I’d ever have.”

“Don’t dwell on it,” Takkian remarked. “Royal blood means nothing when you’re among the last of your kind. But I figured, just rip the bandage off before Bruil surprised you. He’s a gruff oldfekker, but these things mean a lot to him. Your mate thought it was hilarious.”

Ah, Lilas. “Thank you,” he said, his voice rougher than he intended. “For protecting her.”

Ellion inclined his head. “She is our sister now. We protect our own.”

“The dragon’s fire burns hotter when he has a Terian mate,” Cyprian said, rolling a small data disk between his fingers. “That’s what Bruil claims.”

“Really?” Razion narrowed his eyes. “Why?”

“Bruil, who is more versed in our history than any of us, believes that our kind, ourfire, thrives on bonds. Apparently, Teria and Zarux are twin planets that rotate around each other, and a long, strong alliance always stood between the two planets.” Takkian waved a hand to the library. “You can find some of it here, but it would seem certain bits were removed by the Axis when they took over the fortress. But Bruil insists that a Terian mate strengthens a Zaruxian’s fire. Fuels it.” He shrugged. “I incinerated an entire arena, so I’m inclined to believe him.”

Razion absorbed that. “You’re saying that a Zaruxian’s power—our ability to shift, to fight—increases when we have a Terian mate?”

“Bruil fought beside our father, our uncles, our warriors. He lived long enough to see what had been lost, remembers well.” Takkian leaned forward. “If a Zaruxian finds a Terian mate, his fire burns hotter. He becomes stronger. Fiercer. He will take on his full form, and his dragon will never be denied again.” His sharp eyes locked onto Razion’s. “It’s no coincidence that every one of us who has begun to shift has had a Terian mate.”

Razion frowned. That couldn’t be right—could it? He had never been able to shift before, and yet, in the moments he feared losing Lilas forever, somethinghadstarted to change inside him. His dragon had stirred, fought to emerge.

“Another thing Bruil mentioned,” Takkian added. “There can be offspring between Zaruxians and Terians, but they are live births, not from eggs, like in a pure Zaruxian union.”

Razion swallowed hard. His fingers twitched at his sides. “We’re different species,” he mused, imagining a fleeting fantasyof Lilas holding a child.Hischild. He wanted it so badly his chest ached, but he’d never thought it was possible. “We can truly…reproduce?”

“Yes. These children are strong, healthy,” Takkian said. “But they lack the ability to transform into dragons. It never passes beyond the first generation.”

Razion exhaled slowly. The weight of that knowledge settled in his chest. Generations of lost warriors, of a bloodline decimated by war, by the Axis. And now, this—proof that their power wasn’t just about survival, but aboutwhothey fought alongside.

His mind reeled with the enormity of it, but he didn’t let it show. Instead, he pushed off from the table, rolling his shoulders as if shaking off the weight of the revelation. “Good to know,” he said simply.

Cyprian smirked, flicking the small data disk between his fingers. “Honestly, it’s a relief. If Fivra and I ever have children, I wouldn’t wish that discomfort on anyone.” His lips curled as he watched Razion. “It’s a unique type of agony.”

“It would appear we drifted off topic,” Ellion said delicately, dipping his head. “I think we’ve given you more than enough to think about. Our immediate goal is to locate our remaining two brothers and the Terian females, although I suspect if we find one, the other will be nearby.” He rose from the table with a smile. “We shall part for now, Razion, but let us know your thoughts on joining us. No hard feelings if you wish to continue on your own way.”

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