Page 71 of Guardian of the Cursed Egg
The sincerity in his voice catches me off guard, and I feel the sting of emotion rising in my chest. I glance toward Mina and see it reflected in her eyes—tears pooling but not yet falling, shimmering in the flickering light.
Without a word, Mina climbs onto the couch, her steps silent as she crosses the cushions. The soft creak of the leather barely registers as she kneels on the armrest behind Ziggy. I hold my breath as she leans forward and brushes her lips against the side of his neck. Ziggy freezes, his glowing eyes widening as if he’s been struck. For a moment, it looks like he’s forgotten how to breathe.
Abraxis, standing off to the side, smirks knowingly and shakes his head, his broad shoulders moving with suppressed amusement. Whatever this is, it must have been part of their dinner conversation.
Ziggy slowly turns to face Mina, his movements almost reverent. Her dragoness’s eyes shine through, the predatory gleam in them softened by the gentleness of her touch as she cups his cheeks. The tension inZiggy’s body melts away the moment her bare hands make contact. We hear the deep, resonant purring that rumbles from him, loud enough to echo across the room.
Mina giggles, a soft, musical sound, as Ziggy lifts her effortlessly and spins her in a tight circle. The room feels lighter, warmer, as if their joy is tangible. When he sets her down, her hand lingers on his chest for a moment before she tilts her head toward Balor. Ziggy’s expression sobers, and he gives her a slight bow before stepping aside to join Abraxis.
Mina moves slowly across the room, her bare feet silent against the stone floor. The air seems to grow heavier with each step she takes, charged with an electric tension. It’s as if the room itself is holding its breath alongside Balor.
“Hmmm, someone’s been naughty,” she purrs, her voice rich and velvety as she looks up at him.
Balor tilts his head at that infuriating angle, the one that always seems to spark Mina’s ire. “Who would that be?” he asks, his tone dripping with false innocence.
Without warning, Mina sweeps her leg out, knocking him flat on his back. The dull thud of his body hitting the floor echoes loudly. She straddles his chest in one fluid motion, pinning his arms down with her legs. Her hands shift, talons emerging as she strikes the floor on either side of his head, the talons sinking into the wood with a sharp crack.
“Some basilisk has hidden a mate bond for a very long time,” she growls, her voice dangerously low.
Balor doesn’t flinch, his sharp amber eyes locked on hers. “A dragon bond before all others…” he murmurs, his tone laced with venom. “How would it have looked if I came forward first, before Abraxis? Your father would have tried to have me murdered.”
Mina’s talons retract, the soft rasp of them sliding back into her fingers barely audible. Her expression softens, but only slightly. “I’m still mad,” she says, her voice quieter now as she turns her face away, still perched on his chest.
Her gaze locks with mine across the room, and I mouth the words,Listen to him. She narrows her eyes at me before turning back to Balor.
“Mina…” His voice drops to that low, persuasive timbre he uses when he’s trying to sway someone.
But Mina only smirks, her lips curving mischievously. “Apparently, your Jedi mind tricks don’t work on me either,” she smirks. “This is not the dragon you’re looking for.” She waves a hand in front of his face dramatically.
Callan, seated nearby, sputters on his drink, the sound breaking the heavy atmosphere. He chokes and coughs, his laughter barely contained as I step forward to thump his back. The tension in the room eases slightly, but my focus remains on Mina and Balor, the weight of what’s left unspoken still hanging thick in the air.
“Go shower. We need to go for a long walk and talk about things.” She slides off his chest, then comes over to me.
I stare down at my mate and smile at her. “He has his reasons. They’re not perfect, but they’re reasons all the same.” I kiss Mina’s lips softly before she heads to her room to get changed out of her leathers.
Abraxis looks towards Mina’s room and then back again. “The skirmishes are starting up again. I don’t know how much longer I have before I get called back to command the northern armies.” He looksover at Ziggy, then towards Balor’s room. “If Mina allows it, settle the bonds as soon as possible. You’ll need to be able to sense when each other is in trouble.” With that, Abraxis turns and walks into his room and closes the door behind him. What he didn’t notice was Mina standing in her doorway listening to everything he said.
CHAPTER 44
Mina
Balor has beenmy mate longer than Callan, if my math is correct, and he hid it.I don’t know how I feel about that if I’m being honest with myself.Part of me feels betrayed he didn’t trust me enough to accept him. But then again, my father would have hunted him to the ends of the continent without question.
I sigh, the fabric of my favorite leggings cool against my skin as I slip them on, followed by the soft cotton of my tank top. The familiar texture comforts me before the tension of tonight’s conversation. The faint scent of lavender from my laundry fills the air as I move quietly, careful not to disturb the stillness of my room. I open my door quietly; the hinges whispering a soft creak that barely breaks the silence. Outside, the aroma of the evening meal wafts through the air, mingling with the crisp scent of the night.
I catch the tail end of what Abraxis is saying about being called back soon. My eyes slide from Leander’s stoic expression, the dim light reflecting off his sharp features. To Callan’s guarded stance, andfinally to Abraxis’s retreating back, the fabric of his jacket rustling softly as he moves. The pull to the dragon in the bond is undeniably strong, a magnetic force that tugs at my very being.But what about Balor? He’s a basilisk, and they are part of the dragon family.The thought sends a shiver down my spine, a mix of anticipation and unease.
I glance over my shoulder once more at Iris, curled up around the two cursed eggs on the pillow on my dresser. The soft rustle of her scales against the fabric is a comforting sound in the otherwise tense room. One day, I’ll have eggs of my own and have to worry about Abraxis leaving his clutch behind. Then there’s Klauth and Thauglor, the two ancients in the nest. I can only hope they are as patient as Abraxis, their presence a silent strength amidst the chaos.
Shaking my head, I step out into the common area, the cool hardwood floors creaking softly under my feet. The room is dimly lit, shadows dancing on the walls as the overhead lights cast a warm glow. I wait for Balor to emerge, the scent of aged wood and leather filling my nostrils. “He takes longer than a woman to get ready sometimes, I swear,” Ziggy says, his voice light and teasing as he swoops in to steal another hug from me. His warmth envelops me, the familiar scent of his cologne a comforting presence. He brushes a sweet kiss across my lips, leaving a lingering taste of peppermint.
Ziggy is so full of life and happiness, it’s amazing. He’s like a puppy, excited every time their person looks at them. “We shouldn’t be gone long,” I reply, pressing my lips against his again, feeling the softness of his mouth and the slight chill of the evening air on his breath. I can’t help but smile and laugh a little, the sound bubbling up effortlessly.
“Are you ready?” Balor’s voice catches me off guard, deep and resonant, pulling my attention toward the front door. He’s standing therein a simple t-shirt and jeans, sturdy boots grounding him. I’ve never seen him in anything other than his leathers, the rough texture of the material contrasting with the casual outfit he now wears.
“So there wasn’t any padding in the leather…” I smile at him, my eyes tracing the broad expanse of his chest and shoulders, the way the fabric stretches slightly over his defined muscles. Abraxis and Vaughn have broad shoulders and chests, but Balor’s are more defined, each muscle standing out beneath his skin, making him look irresistibly strong.
“You look like you’re sizing me up for dinner.” He arches a brow, his gaze intense as he looks down at me, then brushes some rogue hairs from his face. His hair catches the light, shimmering like an oil slick, colors shifting and dancing with every movement, much like his scales do.
