Page 76 of Queen of the Cursed Egg
Thauglor
I HAVE A DAUGHTER...
I stare downat the little miracle in my arms, her weight both substantial and precious against my chest, and I can honestly say there are no words to express what I’m feeling. The emotion is so overwhelming it threatens to crush my ribs from the inside out. It’s a mixture of fierce protectiveness and tender love that makes my ancient heart feel like it might burst. I got her to shift to her human form, and she’s perfect, every tiny detail crafted as if by divine hands.
She has Mina’s eye shape, those beautiful almond curves that tilt slightly upward, and her full lips that promise sweetness and strength in equal measure. She has my nose, strong and proud even in miniature, and my birthmark is by her collarbone, a small crescent moon that marks her as mine. My daughter’s skin is a golden bronze, not quite as dark as mine, but not as pale as her mother, the perfect blend of our heritage.
Everything about this little girl in my arms is amazing, from the tiny fingers that curl around mine with surprising strength to the wayshe breathes in perfect rhythm against my chest. Her wings are shaped like mine, with a large claw at the peak, the bone structure already showing the promise of incredible span and power. When she naps, she encloses herself in the leather of her wings, creating a perfect cocoon that rises and falls with each peaceful breath. You can’t get much more adorable than that, the sight making my throat tight with emotions I never knew I could feel.
I feel a tapping on my shoulder, gentle but insistent, and I open my wings to look over my shoulder. There stands Mina, smiling with a radiance that could outshine the sun, holding the green and silver hatchling in her arms. “How’s our daughter?” she whispers, her voice soft as silk as she leans in to look at her, love radiating from every pore.
“I’m so jealous she has wings.” Her hand hesitates for a moment before reaching out to touch our daughter’s wings, fingertips barely grazing the delicate membrane with reverent care.
“You are perfect exactly as you are, my eternal. Our daughter is doing wonderfully.” I bend down and kiss her lips softly, tasting the sweetness that is uniquely Mina, purring just for her, the sound rumbling through my chest like distant thunder. The beast in my chest finally stops trying to claw its way out every second of the day, settling into contentment I never thought possible.
Mina slips herself in close to me, her warmth seeping through my skin and bones. I stretch my wing around her and the hatchling she’s holding, creating a cocoon of safety and love that encompasses our growing family. A deep, resonant purr escapes her lips, the sound vibrating against my chest, and I know she’s thrilled, that contentment flowing through our bond like warm honey. “Even though I don’t have wings of my own, I know you, Abraxis, and Vaughn will always wrap me up in yours anytime I want.” She smiles up at me, and it’s radiant, lighting up the day better than any torch ever could.
“You’ve given me the greatest gift a drake could ever ask for. A progeny of my own and a faithful, powerful mate. You honor me greatly by gifting me a daughter.” I bend and kiss my daughter’s forehead, her skin soft as rose petals beneath my lips. She purrs in her sleep, the tiny sound making my heart swell with pride and love.
Mina giggles, the sound like silver bells in mountain air, and kisses the little girl in her arms, her lips gentle against the small forehead. “Cerce says only a truly powerful dragoness can bear multiple female offspring. Is that true? I thought it was all temperature related.” Mina’s golden eyes search mine, bright with curiosity and perhaps a hint of pride. I motion to the stone bench nearby for us to sit on, the ancient carved surface worn smooth by countless years of use.
When she sits, the fabric of her dress rustles softly around her legs. I sit beside her and wrap a wing around her shoulders. The leather warm from my body heat, creating a private shelter for our conversation. “It was a legend that the Goddess Tiamat gifted only the strongest females the ability to bear more than one female offspring,” I tell her, my voice carrying the weight of ancient knowledge passed down through generations. I smile at her and kiss her temple, breathing in her scent—wildflowers and storm winds and something uniquely dragon that speaks to my soul.
“You have gifted this family five daughters and two sons. If your position as dominant dragoness was ever in question, this proves that you are a dragoness of mythic bloodlines.” I tilt my head, looking at my young mate with new understanding and awe. Her eyes, so innocent compared to mine, search my face for truth and reassurance.
“Klauth said there’s a gathering we’re supposed to go to with all the hatchlings.” Her eyes drop, and I know why, can feel the anxiety radiating from her like heat from a forge. She gave birth to a basilisk and two hybrids. She’s worried about how that would look to other dragons, how they might judge or threaten what she’s created.
“No one will do or say anything about our progeny. Balor’s and Ziggy’s progeny are safe. They are dragon-born. Your scent is blended with theirs until they hit puberty.” My voice carries absolute certainty, the promise of violence underlying every word. “Anyone raises claw, fang, or talon to any of the progeny. I will melt them where they stand.” I turn Mina to face me and cup her cheek, feeling the delicate bone structure beneath warm skin. I look into her eyes with all the fierce protectiveness of an ancient dragon defending his most precious treasures.
“Okay.” She forces a smile, the expression not quite reaching her eyes, but through the bond I know she trusts me completely. It’s everyone else that makes her uneasy, and I can’t blame her for that wariness.
“We leave in about two hours. I believe it’s the last meeting we need to have before we host the yearly gatherings here at our nest.” Mina’s eyebrows shoot up, surprise and perhaps concern flickering across her features.
“It’s because it’s where we rule from,” Klauth says as he joins us, his footsteps echoing softly off the stone floor. His son sits up high on his father’s shoulders, looking around at everyone and everything with the bright curiosity of youth, tiny hands gripping his red hair for balance.
“What do you need me to do?” Mina’s eyes move from mine to Klauth, ready to take on whatever responsibility is required, despite her nervousness.
“Carry our progeny. I know you won’t be comfortable unless all the children are with you,” Klauth reaches out and cups her cheek before kissing her lips, the gesture tender and reassuring. “Plus, it gives Abraxis an excuse to ride on your back, having three non-dragon hatchlings with you.” Klauth says smoothly, his political mind already working through the implications and appearances.
“Klauth and I will flank you the entire way. Balor will also be with us as your personal guard and for his son’s benefit.” I rest a hand on Mina’s hip, feeling the curve of bone beneath soft flesh, my touch meant to soothe her rising anxiety.
“Every nest in our flight with hatchlings will be flying out with us. You will roar and signal it’s safe for them to land,” Klauth tells her, and Mina nods, understanding the protocol and her role in it.
“Okay, let’s do this. I need to get changed and gather all my children.” Mina kisses us both before she heads back into the nest, her skirts swishing around her legs as she moves. I just stare after her, watching the graceful way she carries herself despite the weight of responsibility on her shoulders.
“That was too easy,” I observe, watching her as she passes the guards, noting the respectful bows they give their queen.
“Abraxis will be safe, and she’s carrying all the hatchlings. We covered all of her fears in one pass,” Klauth says calmly, satisfaction evident in his tone. “Oh, I forgot—Zigmander will be coming with us in case the babies need to be removed quickly.” He waves a hand and heads inside too, his boots clicking against the stone.
I guess I need to get ready, but for a moment longer I sit here, holding my daughter and feeling the weight of this new chapter in our lives. The gathering ahead may bring challenges, but with Mina carrying our legacy and our family united in protection, I’m ready for whatever comes. My daughter stirs in my arms, and I look down at her perfect face, knowing that I would face down every dragon in existence to keep her safe.
Mina’sdragonesstakes up most of the upper courtyard, her massive emerald and silver form sprawling across the ancient stone like a living mountain. I stare in shock at the sheer magnitude of her presence. I honestly believe she grew again, her scales gleaming like polished jade and silver in the afternoon sunlight that filters through the mountain peaks. She hit wyrm status months ago, but maybe it’s just being in the courtyard that makes the difference so stark. I swear her dragoness is more heavily armored and larger, each scale the size of dinner plates and thick as my forearm, overlapping in patterns that speak of impenetrable defense. The sight makes my breath catch in my throat with pride and awe.
Ziggy comes walking out with his kittens, their small forms darting between his legs like playful shadows, followed by Lily, the green and silver hatchling, mine, and Klauth’s hatchling trailing behind him in a parade of scales and wings. The sound of tiny claws clicking on stone mingles with excited chirps and the rustle of developing wing membranes. Looking around, I see Balor with his son coiled around him, the basilisk’s serpentine form wrapped securely around his father’s torso like living armor, six eyes bright with curiosity as they take in the preparations.
“Are we ready?” I ask as I watch Abraxis moving around, arranging hatchlings along Mina’s frill with the careful precision of someone handling priceless treasures. His movements are sure and gentle, each placement calculated for maximum safety and comfort.
“Almost there!” Abraxis yells down as he gets my daughter in place, his voice echoing off the courtyard walls. I can see her tiny form nestled securely against Mina’s massive neck, wings folded neatly against her small body.
