Page 41 of Queen of the Cursed Egg
Regretting not getting to spend time with my mom,I rumble to him. I make it loud enough for my other mates to hear. The vibration travels through my entire body, making my scales clink softly against each other.
“You and my mom are close. I know it’s not the same, but at least it’s something,” Abraxis offers, and I carefully nod my head, the motion slow and measured so as not to dislodge him. His hand rests against my scales, warm and reassuring. I don’t want to talk about parents anymore. One was a monster and the other, well, she was a prisoner and in her own way, a monster too. The memories leave a bitter taste in my mouth, like ash and old blood, and I turn my face toward the stars, letting the cool night air wash over me, carrying away the ghosts of the past, if only for a moment.
“Mina, you need to wake up.”I hear someone yelling into my room, the voice piercing through the warm cocoon of sleep like a needle through silk. The sheets are tangled around my legs, still warm from the night, carrying the mingled scents of my family. I have all three babies and Ziggy in bed with me, their soft breathing creating a gentle rhythm that makes leaving even harder.
“Okay, okay, I’m up...” I groan as my feet hit the floor, the cold stone sending a shock up my legs that chases away the last vestiges of sleep. Glancing over my shoulder, I see the babies all laying on Ziggy, their tiny forms rising and falling with each breath, their bodies warm against his. I know I made the right choice having him be a stay-at-home dad. I get dressed quickly, the fabric sliding against my skin still sensitive from sleep, and grab my bag with my books for the second half of the year. The leather is smooth and worn beneath my fingers, comforting in its familiarity.
Vaughn pops out of his room and bumps shoulders with me, the brief contact warm and solid. His scent—clean linen with a hint of sandalwood—mingles with mine in the narrow hallway.
“We have to fly in unless Ziggy is taking us,” he smiles, and I shake my head, feeling strands of hair brush against my neck.
“He and the babies are still sleeping, so I’m flying us in unless Thauglor wants to do the honors.” We make it to the kitchen and see our cups of coffee already out, the rich aroma filling the air, bitter and inviting. Steam rises from the dark liquid in lazy curls. Abraxis has everything set for everyone, the table a carefully arranged display of morning offerings.
“Ready for your first day back?” he asks as he hands me my coffee and a danish, his fingers brushing mine in a touch that lingers just a moment. The ceramic mug is hot against my palms, almost uncomfortable but not quite.
“Yes and no,” I answer honestly before taking a bite of the cheese danish. The pastry is flaky and rich, the cheese filling tangy and sweet on my tongue. As I chew, I think about how I want to answer, the silence stretching between us like a living thing. “I’m going to go to the school counselor today to talk about what happened.”I honestly don’t know how I feel about what I did.My eyes search Abraxis’s, seeking understanding in those depths I know so well. He nods slowly, his gaze never leaving mine.
“I was going to ask if you wanted me to take you today. I wasn’t sure how to bring it up.” He walks around the side of the counter and kisses my temple, his lips warm and soft against my skin. The scent of him—pine and leather—fills my nostrils. “I’m proud of you, Mina.” He kisses my temple again before walking out of the room, his footsteps fading down the hallway.
The rest of my guys are standing there watching me, their gazes heavy and expectant on my skin. Mental health has been a hugetopic of conversation in the nest over the last three years. Abraxis is in therapy as well, dealing with his near-death experience and not being in charge anymore. Klauth and Thauglor go to help them adapt to current times. We have a group session once a month as a check-in with the nest.
“I’m ready to go when everyone else is.” I know I move faster than the others in the nest, my body always humming with barely contained energy. But sometimes it’s nice to just sit back and relax and let Thauglor do all the flying, to feel the security of his massive form beneath me.
“I can take us if you want,” Klauth offers, and I smile, looking at him. His ancient eyes catch the morning light, turning them to burning embers.
“I thought you had meetings today?” I tilt my head, looking at him, trying not to smile, feeling the corners of my mouth twitch with the effort.
“We do,” he motions between him and Thauglor, the movement casual yet precise. “But we can make time to get our family safely to school first.” His voice rumbles deep in his chest, the sound vibrating through the air between us.
“I hear those five males will run the gauntlet this afternoon,” Balor says, his smile positively feral, teeth gleaming white against his tanned skin. The anticipation in his voice makes my pulse quicken slightly.
A soft purr escapes my lips, the vibration pleasant in my throat. “Can we get watch spiders again? They were a fun adversary.” I giggle as Callan pulls me to him, his arms strong and secure around my waist. The heat of his body seeps through my clothes, a stark contrast to the morning chill.
“You really don’t want them to live, do you?” He nuzzles my cheek,then kisses me under my ear, his breath hot against my sensitive skin, sending a shiver down my spine.
“If we are adding males to the flight, I need to know they can fight or defend the territory. Otherwise, it’s dead weight being added, and that doesn’t help anyone.” I glance from Klauth to Abraxis, waiting to see what he thinks. Their expressions are guarded, giving nothing away.
“Mina has a point. Everyone in this house, minus Klauth and Thauglor, have run the gauntlet.” Abraxis shrugs his shoulders, the fabric of his shirt rustling softly with the movement. “What’s the worst that happens? They die?” His voice is flat, matter-of-fact, and cold as winter stone.
Leander shakes his head, a wry smile playing on his lips. “You’re starting to sound like your ancestor.” A laugh escapes his lips as we look up and they are standing the exact same way—arms crossed over their chests with the same scowl on their faces, their postures mirror images reflected across time.
“It’s gotta be a black dragon thing.” I grab my bag, the strap digging slightly into my shoulder as I adjust it, and head through the house to the upper courtyard to wait. Those two are so similar, it’s scary at times. Their shared mannerisms make me wonder how much is blood and how much is influence.
I walk to the edge and watch the sun as it crests over the horizon. The vivid colors streak the sky—crimson, gold, and deep purple, bleeding into the fading night. The air is still cool, crisp with morning dew and the scent of pine from the forests below. It makes me sigh, the sound soft against the backdrop of awakening birdsong. For the first time in years, I can draw in a deep breath, filling my lungs completely without the weight of fear pressing on my chest. The fear of my father hunting me is over, leaving a hollow space I’m not yet sure how to fill.
This moment of silence is something I never thought I would experience. Watching and waiting for the next attack has become such a big part of my day that the silence is almost scary. Slowly, I turn back around in time to watch Klauth shift. The sound of bones reshaping, scales erupting from skin, fills the courtyard. It’s not painful for him anymore, but still a symphony of restructuring that makes my own scales tingle in sympathy. The size of his drake amazes me, his massive form blocking out the rising sun. How something so enormous fits in his human body is mind-blowing. Then again, it’s the nature of the shift and being of dragon blood, a mystery I’ve learned to accept without fully understanding.
Klauth lays down, and I watch the others climb on, even Thauglor, their movements practiced and efficient. I go to climb on, and Klauth moves his tail forward. I climb on, the scales warm and smooth beneath my hands. He lifts me up and turns his head so I can sit by his horns. I step off and sit down, feeling the hard ridges of his skull beneath me, warm and solid. The minute I’m settled, he stands and leaps into the air, the powerful surge making my stomach drop pleasantly.
The wind rushes past, cool and fresh against my face, whipping my hair back. The slow beat of his wings is soothing, a steady rhythm that matches the beating of my heart. I know why I’m up here—he’s giving me time to get my head straight for the school day. There’s a lot that I’m working through. Some things I’m not ready to admit to or talk fully through yet, but I’m getting there. As long as I make a little progress every day, it’s better than nothing.
‘Did we figure out what teachers were working with my father and Lysander?’I fire the one question that scares me most off to the ancients, the thought chilling despite the warmth of the rising sun on my skin.
‘Not yet. I’m sure they will reveal themselves soon. After all, their protectors are dead,’Thauglor mentions.‘Oh, the meetings today arehappening on campus in case you need us.’He adds as an afterthought, his mental voice a comforting rumble against my consciousness.
‘Good to know,’I say to him through the bond, feeling the connection between us like a physical thread, strong and unbreakable.
‘Are you okay, my treasure?’Klauth asks gently, his concern washing over me in a warm wave.
