Page 27 of Ruling in Flames (Reborn 5)
8
MAYA
I wasslow to get ready. Despite being eager to see my parents and brothers, I knew that it would mean a large conversation—one where I would have to tell them about what I’d learned when I’d been reborn. One where I would have to face the reality that fate had chosen me to lead not the Dreki realm, but the dragon and phoenix communities here on Earth realm.
Somehow defeating Ry had seemed like an easier task.
Atlas braided my freshly washed hair for me, his hands working diligently as he completely focused on his task, my gaze moving to his own braid. I’d asked if we could have matching ones, and he’d been delighted by my request. Now I was dressed in an oversized robe as Marco sat nearby, his gaze on the plate of food in front of me. Whenever I stopped eating, he tapped the plate, seemingly hyper-focused on me eating. The comfortable silence between us was only broken by my occasional giggle at his intensity about food or Atlas shifting my head slightly so he could continue his efforts.
I didn’t know where the others were, but I figured outside of these doors was an entire mess of people—unless they’d just fled the compound—but if I knew anything from being imprisoned, it was that freedom could be equally as confusing and stressful. It propelled me to sit forward as Atlas finished my hair and I drained my third glass of water. I was feeling a tiny bit sore from Atlas’s amazing treatment of my body, but overall I felt relieved, and my body felt like melted honey. It was absolutely amazing.
“Wear something warm, it’s drafty in this damn place,” Marco instructed, Atlas nodding towards a large chest of clothing that had been brought into the room. I knelt down in front of it as they talked quietly, deciding to go with a pair of leggings and an oversized sweater with fuzzy pink socks. Somehow I had a feeling that these types of clothes weren’t normally found in Ry’s compound. No, this seemed handpicked by my mates. The perfectly sized panties and bra were a giveaway.
After getting dressed, I made sure to look over the large pink diamond still present on my finger and the sigil I’d now been given. Between those, the flight crest on my wrist, and all of the mating marks, it was impossible to forget who I’d given my heart to. Suddenly a slight panic hit me as I looked around for something I hadn’t wanted to lose but was now worried that I had amidst the battle.
Azrael’s feather.
Walking towards the bed, my breathing became tight as I searched through each piece of bedding, shifting the pillows, wishing I had been far more careful—
The feather floated up into the air and back down onto the bed, having been tucked underneath my pillow. I let out a soft, relieved sigh, tucking it into my bra and against my chest. It felt right there, and I found myself wondering if I could find a locket for it or something.
I wasn’t positive what Atlas and Marco’s conversation was about, but it was enough that they didn’t notice the full search I had done or that I was finished changing until I walked up to them and offered a small smile.
“I’m ready,” I announced.
Marco looked over at me and nodded, pressing a kiss to my temple. “Put on some boots and prepare yourself, baby girl—you’re about to be bombarded by people when we get downstairs.”
“Way too many fucking people,” Atlas grunted.
“Are you okay with that?”
I drew my bottom lip in with my teeth before nodding. “Yeah, I’m good.” I turned towards Atlas with wide eyes. “Can we see Bella first?”
“She’s in the nursery with the little ones. That may be a good first stop,” Atlas agreed.
Nodding, I looked around at the room I’d been put in, realizing that it was somewhat elaborate—light in color, gilded gold, and sparkling in the muted mountain light. It made me wonder what the rest of the compound was like, considering my only experience in it before this had been the prison cells.
After I slipped on the boots, we left the room and I gripped both of their hands, looking around the large stone hallways that reminded me of a medieval castle. It was gorgeous, and the large stained glass windows, while blocking the view outside, lit the walls in a cheerful array of lights that didn’t match the chaos that had happened here. Something that was showcased as we turned the next corner and found part of the wall missing, pieces of the ceiling having fallen in from the fight. I had a feeling there were many other sights like this within the compound.
“Are we safe here?” I asked.
“Everyone left alive has sworn allegiance,” Atlas said simply. I nodded, understanding what he was saying—anyone who had still been on Ry’s side was dead. I shivered, thinking about the cruelty of those guards and the torture they had inflicted on me…I didn’t feel bad. I should have, and I felt guilty about not feeling that way, but when it came to the safety of my mates and those I loved, I wouldn’t stand for it.
I also didn’t want to feel imprisoned again. Being here made me realize how quickly I had become used to freedom. How much I had savored it.
“Here we are—”
Marco opened the door, and a ball of fur launched itself at me, a pleased, affectionate noise coming from my throat.Bella.
Tears welled in my eyes as I held her against me and rubbed my nose against her fur. There were people talking around us, but all I could focus on was the way Bella was purring and the lick she placed on my cheek, making me giggle. When I pulled back, I noticed that her color was broken in part, and the white in her fur was covered in a bit of fresh dirt—probably from playing with the little ones I could hear in the room—but she looked okay outside of that.
“Did you keep them safe?” I asked in a whisper, and I swear she nodded in response. “Of course you did, you’re so amazing and sweet.”
“Maya?” Ember’s voice had me looking up and offering the young phoenix a smile. The last time I had seen Ember she had looked…well, rougher than my mates, who’d had the crap beaten out of them. Now, though, she was positively glowing.
Her skin was a golden color, her strawberry blonde hair was freshly washed, and she was wearing clean clothes. Seeing her this way, I was even more sure about my estimate on her being twelve, and despite looking exhausted—and not the type that is fixed by a few nights of sleep—she offered me a big smile.
“Thank you for looking after Bella,” I said softly, approaching her. “I want to get you a kitten of your own, if you’re okay with that.”
