Page 38 of Guardian of the Cursed Egg
From what I understand, for a female dragon to offer the mate of her son flowers in public is the highest honor anyone can give. Mina straightens as she rejoins the formation, her smile radiant, her golden eyes catching the flicker of torchlight. She plucks a single blood-red rose from the bouquet and lowers her head in a solemn gesture before offering it to Abraxis.
He accepts it without hesitation, sliding it into the sheath with his sword. The whisper of the petals brushing against steel is almost drowned by the crowd’s murmurs, but the gesture speaks louder than words. Yet another dragon tradition—this one proclaiming the strength of their bond.
The crowd grows louder as Mina rides past; the torchlight illuminating the shimmering scales that now cascade down her shoulders and back like liquid armor. Whispers rise, electric and awed, declaring her the strongest female of her generation. Their words wrap around me, the weight of their admiration palpable in the cool night air.
When the processional is over, we move to the grand hall, where the unclaimed daughters sit with their parents to meet the available suitors. The air here is heavy with expectation, the murmurs of conversation blending with the soft clinking of goblets and silverware. Candlelight reflects off the polished marble floors and gilded arches, casting a warm glow that contrasts with the tension thrumming in the room. This year, Abraxis escorts his sister to his parents’ table, his strides deliberate and posture rigid—a reminder that his days as an eligible bachelor are over.
“It’s so different on this side of everything,” Mina says, her voice barely audible over the hum of the crowd as she clings to my arm. Her body is warm against mine, her fingers tightening when we pass close to Abraxis’s parents.
“I know what you mean. My clan and those not of dragon origin were kept in the lower hall.” My tone is clipped, but the memory of that separation still stings, the echoes of past whispers and judgment ringing in my mind.
Vox overhears and steps into view, his presence commanding even as he moves with unassuming grace. His dragon scales shimmer faintly under the chandeliers, a subtle reminder of his lineage. “Come, let meshow you what your mate is talking about,” he says, extending an arm to Mina.
She accepts it, and we walk together to the brass rail overlooking the lower level. A tang of salt and musk drifts up from the mingling crowd below—almost thirty different species of shifters, their vibrant energies clashing and intertwining like a living tapestry. Some voices rise in laughter, others in debate, all underscored by the low, predatory growls of dominance disputes barely restrained.
“I still don’t understand why we are held to these archaic ideals,” Mina says, her voice tinged with sadness as her gaze finds mine. Her scent—something wild and floral—grounds me, even in this swirling chaos.
“Dragon society has been the same since the Gods walked among us,” Vox replies, his tone as polished as the brass railing he grips. He stares down at the mingling crowd with a wistful expression, his pupils narrowing to slits. “Dragon mate or betrothed before any other species may be added,” he says, his voice quieter now. “My mate was a siren.” His tone shifts, heavy with sorrow. “My father killed her on sight because I was betrothed to Cerce, and a dragon bond is desired over all others.”
The weight of his words settles over us like a shroud. His gaze flickers to me, then back to Mina. “My son is lucky to have you as a mate and betrothed.” With deliberate tenderness, Vox presses a kiss to Mina’s temple before releasing her to my care.
I draw Mina close, wrapping an arm and a wing around her. My wing shielding her from the noise of the hall behind us, muting the clamor and encasing her in the warm, leathery cocoon of my protection. She sighs softly, her tension easing against me.
“Is it wrong that I want to take Cora down there after she meets her mate?” Mina motions to the lower level where the non-dragon shifters are engaged in their own rituals. Her voice carries a flicker of defiance, and I can see her dragoness stirring behind her eyes.
“Not at all,” I murmur, brushing a kiss against her temple. Her scent mingles with the faint metallic tang of the air, and I smile. “But let her get used to her mate first before we bring her with us to the cafeteria.”
The sound of a deep, resonant horn echoes through the hall, silencing the crowd. The escorts are arriving with the females. We turn, and Mina steps forward, her posture steady, and her resolve fierce. She takes her place, ready to receive Cora, her protective instincts palpable in the set of her jaw. She’s agreed to be Cora’s handmaiden for the evening, determined to ensure no male takes advantage of her.
I glance at Abraxis across the hall, his golden eyes sharp and watchful. I’m not sure if it was wise to entrust this task to Mina, but then again, the alternative would have been him. Perhaps chaos is inevitable either way.
Mina takes Cora to her parents’ table, her movements deliberate and precise, like a predator closing in on its domain. The dim lighting glints off the scales exposed by the dress she’s chosen for tonight—an unmistakable display of dominance and pride. The dress not only showcases the iridescent sheen of her dragoness scales but also highlights the multiple bite marks left by Abraxis. Each mark is deep, raw, and unyielding, a testament to the territorial claim of a black dragon. The light flickers over the marks on her throat, just under her chin, and the jagged imprints on her shoulder. Her hair is swept up, leaving nothing to the imagination. Every single bite is visible, a silent challenge to anyone daring enough to look too closely.
A deep, throaty rumble escapes Mina’s lips, reverberating in the heavy air around her as her piercing gaze follows Arista weaving through the crowd. There’s a rawness to her sound, almost guttural, and it sends an uneasy ripple through nearby guests. Cora’s small hand reaches up, her fingers trembling slightly as they rest on Mina’s arm. The warmth of her touch contrasts with the icy tension radiating from Mina. It’s a futile attempt to anchor her, to keep her focused.
The scent of roasted meats and honeyed pastries wafts through the air, but it does little to mask the underlying tang of fear and unease that lingers in the room. I approach with a tray of snacks and drinks, the weight of it pressing into my palms as I maneuver past clusters of onlookers. Their whispers are barely audible over the hum of conversation. I catch snippets—mentions of Mina, of her power, of her mates. The air feels electric, charged with anticipation and dread.
When I reach the table, I offer the tray to Cerce and Vox. The sharp clink of porcelain as Vox pours himself a cup of tea momentarily breaks the tension.
“You don’t need to serve us, Vaughn,” Vox says, his tone warm but edged with a formality that only emphasizes his status. “You’re Mina’s mate. You may as well be royalty with how everyone is moving because of who my son is.”
I force a small laugh, the sound brittle against the backdrop of the room’s tension. “They’re a power couple, that’s for sure,” I reply, trying to keep my voice light. But even as I speak, my gaze shifts to Abraxis.
He’s giving the signal.
My stomach tightens, a mix of excitement and apprehension twisting inside me. Abraxis is about to bring Warrick over to meet Cora. Theflickering chandelier overhead seems to dim for a moment, or maybe it’s just my pulse quickening. Warrick’s a monster in every sense of the word, and the thought of Cora rejecting him makes my blood run cold. I don’t know if I’m more eager to see how it unfolds or terrified of what will happen if things go wrong.
CHAPTER 23
Mina
I keeptrack of where the fire drakes are in the room, their scales glinting under the flickering amber light from the chandelier above. The faint crackle of their fiery breath lingers in the air, mingling with the sharp tang of ozone that clings to me. My gaze shifts to Warrick and Attor, Cora’s betrothed. That blue dragon’s reputation precedes him—abusive, aggressive, and cruel without provocation. The very sight of him makes my dragoness stir uneasily, her instincts sharpening my awareness of every sound and movement. Why on earth would Vox sentence his daughter to that horrid drake is beyond me?
Abraxis gives the signal, and I pull Cora to stand, shielding her from the room’s prying eyes. Just as I do, Iris lands gracefully on my shoulder, her tiny claws pressing against my skin through the fabric of my dress. Her tail wraps around my neck possessively, her soft scales cool against my flushed skin. The faint hum of her energy amplifies mine, and I can feel my lightning coiling just beneath the surface, ready to strike. It’s a reassurance, a promise of power at my fingertips.
When Warrick approaches the table, his heavy boots thudding against the stone floor, a low snarl rumbles from my throat. I let my dragoness rise, her presence flooding my senses. Lightning skitters along the length of my horns, the sharp, acrid scent of it mingling with the tension in the room. Warrick halts, his eyes widening before he lowers his head and bares his throat in submission. His deference is satisfying, a visceral acknowledgment of what I am. By my hair color alone, he knows I am a green dragon mixed with something more dangerous. My mate marks, left by a dominant black dragon, are unmistakable. I tilt my head, exposing the large scar from Abraxis’s claiming mark, a silent warning to all who might challenge me.
“Cora…” My voice softens as I turn to her, my gaze gentling. She looks up at me, her nervous energy radiating in waves. I smile and press my lips between her eyebrows, the warmth of her skin grounding me as I hold her there. Over the top of her head, I glare at Warrick, my unspoken threat clear. “Whatever your decision is, I will either stand in front of you, beside you, or behind you. Choose well, my sister.” My voice is firm but tender, a vow of unwavering support. I place my hand over her eyes, blocking out the chaos of the room as I turn her to face the bronze dragon male waiting before us.
