Page 14 of Guardian of the Cursed Egg
The moment our teeth break skin, something snaps inside me. A searing, molten wave crashes through us, tethering us together in an unbreakable bond. Our simultaneous release sends sparks dancing behind my eyes, the world blurring into nothing but heat, light, and Vaughn. His growl deepens, vibrating through me as I collapse against him, his wings wrapping me tighter, possessive and protective.
The evening stretches on, slow and intimate, every moment with Vaughn etched into my skin and memory. Out of all my mates, I never would have expected him to be the one to savor every touch, to make love to me repeatedly, as if it’s the first time. His hands trail over me, his lips press against mine, and every caress feels like it carries the weight of eternity. He keeps me wrapped in his wings, knowing how much I love the cocoon-like security of being encased in them.
It’s sometime after midnight when we finally curl up together, his form shifting back to human. My fingers trace the lines of his skin, lingering on the mate marks I’ve left on him. There’s the one on his shoulder, the spot I’ve bitten repeatedly, almost possessively. Then there’s the bold claim under his jaw, the one that practically screams,fuck off, he’s mine.No matter what he wears—his leathers or the school uniform—it’s always visible, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
“Mina?” Abraxis’s voice carries into the room, an echo in the otherwise quiet nest.
I sigh, rolling onto my side to face the door. “I’m in Vaughn’s room!”
The door creaks open as Abraxis and Callan step inside. It’s rare for me to be in anyone else’s room; my own is neutral ground for a reason. I rise onto my elbow, the bite Vaughn left on my shoulder displayed without shame.
“How did everything end up?” I ask, my tone sharper than I intend.
A slow, predatory smile spreads across Abraxis’s lips, his eyes flashing with dragon-like slits. “The arrows in the section you were in werepoison-tipped,” he says, far too calmly. “Which isnothow they were supposed to be. We”—he motions to Callan beside him—“believe someone was trying to kill you. Obviously, they don’t know you’re immune to most toxins and poisons. The fire drakes and Arista are obvious suspects.”
My stomach twists, unease blooming. “Something’s off…” I sit up, letting the sheet pool around my waist. Vaughn shifts beside me and pulls out one of his oversized shirts, offering it silently. I slip it on, the fabric falling mid-thigh like a dress, and move to stand just out of reach. The unspoken rule among my mates about not entering each other’s spaces lingers in my mind.
“Why are you so calm?” I narrow my eyes at Abraxis.
“Because Vaughn’s in all your core classes now, the ones we couldn’t test you out of,” Abraxis says smoothly, his gaze shifting past me to Vaughn. “Now that you’re fully bonded, I don’t have to worry as much.” His eyes glint with approval as he points to my shoulder. “Good job,” he says to Vaughn with a thumbs-up before turning to leave the doorway.
Callan lingers, tilting his head to the side. I tug the neck of Vaughn’s shirt over to reveal the bite mark again. He grins, a mix of pride and satisfaction, and nods. “First day of classes tomorrow,” he reminds me. “Nine a.m. sharp.” He winks, the gesture as teasing as it is sincere, before following Abraxis out.
I shake my head, letting out a slow breath as I watch him go. Vaughn’s hand brushes against mine, grounding me. Tomorrow, the academy’s chaos begins anew, but for now, I let myself savor the calm before the storm.
“Come back to bed. We still have a few hours of sleep,” Vaughn murmurs, pulling me back under the covers. I let him, curling into hiswarmth and resting my head against his chest. The steady rhythm of his heartbeat lulls me, and sleep takes me quickly. In his embrace, I feel safe—relaxed in a way I haven’t felt in so long, except maybe when I’m with Abraxis.
Morning comes far too early. I slip from Vaughn’s arms reluctantly, dragging myself back to my room. It’s a familiar routine now: packing my bag for the day and slipping into the horrid uniform that’s more slip dress than clothing. The dark green Shadowcarve sash ties at my waist like a badge of warning. I sigh, rolling my eyes at the memory of all the academy’s regulations as I grab my science books. Wednesday mornings mean first period science, and while I’d rather not deal with it, skipping isn’t an option.
I strap the double egg carrier under my chest, concealed under the stiff jacket that second-years are required to wear. It feels like armor, but not the good kind—restrictive, suffocating. With one last glance in the mirror, I step out into the main living area and spot Balor approaching. He’s holding a coffee cup and a pastry.
“Try not to kill anyone today, will ya?” he says, a playful smirk tugging at his lips.
I can’t help but laugh. “If they don’t try killing me first, I won’t kill them.” I beam at him, taking the coffee and sipping it gratefully.
Vaughn walks in, slinging his backpack over his shoulder. “I was thinking we hit the cafeteria in the southern dorms on the way to Arcanum.”
I blink at him, confused. “There’s a cafeteria here?”
Abraxis raises his mug in a lazy salute. “The northern dorms are set up like houses with stocked kitchens for dragons and dragon kin, since we need to eat more often than other species.”
“Oh. That makes sense then,” I say, finishing off my coffee and pastry. “Let’s go explore this cafeteria.”
Vaughn takes the lead, guiding us out of Malivore and across campus. The southern dorms are starkly different from ours, looking more like apartment buildings than the house-like setups we’re used to.
“This might be a bit of a culture shock for you,” Vaughn warns as we approach. “We have to wait in lines for food and drinks, and there are seating arrangements. Plus, there’s a hierarchy in the cafeteria.”
I arch a brow at him, the corners of my lips twitching. “Hierarchy? I can’t wait to see what kind of hell I’m walking into.”
CHAPTER 9
Mina
The cafeteria is pure chaos—aclanging, banging war zone of noise and motion. Students talk over each other, shoving past in a desperate attempt to navigate the packed tables and narrow pathways. The air is thick with scents and energies from dozens of species, most of which I’ve never encountered before. My eyes dart around, tracking the constant movement, my instincts on edge. So many prey species in one place—it’s overwhelming, a feast of motion and sound that sets my pulse racing.
“This is why dragons have their own kitchens in their living spaces,” Vaughn says, his voice soft but close enough to tickle my ear.
I glance at him just as a group of males wave their arms, vying for his attention. Vaughn laughs, the sound deep and rich, as he steps ahead of me. “Come meet my clan,” he says, leading the way.
