Page 11 of Beneath Scales and Shadows

“You’ve come.”His voice resonated directly in her mind, ancient and powerful.“At last.”

CHAPTERFOUR

IGNIS

Ignis had walked among humans for a century, but never had he felt more constrained by his borrowed form than tonight. The enchanted mask pressed against his face, its magic barely containing his true dragon self that raged beneath his skin. Every moment in this deception felt like a betrayal of his true nature—and his kind—but necessity demanded sacrifice.

His crimson eyes surveyed the Celestorian ballroom through the slits of his mask. Humans and their endless games of power. They danced and preened beneath the moonstone chandeliers, oblivious to the predators in their midst. To the war brewing outside their gilded walls.

Focus on the mission,he reminded himself.

Intelligence gathering—that was why he had asked Zalaya to craft the masks for him and his warriors to infiltrate the Selection Ball. To learn of Celestorian military movements against his clan and the nearby elf, fae, and wulfkin territories.

And yet, from the moment he had entered this place, something else had pulled at his senses.

A scent unlike any he had encountered in his long existence. Sweet moon blossoms, simmering embers, and something undeniablyhis. It had called to him across the crowded room, drawing him like a lodestone to true north.

When he found its source cornered by drunken nobles, rage had nearly shattered his control. The girl was small in her white serving dress, but the power emanating from her belied her stature. Even diluted by whatever herbal concoction she had used to mask it, her scent spoke of dragons and moonlight, of prophecies long forgotten by human minds.

Now she stood before him, sapphire eyes wide with confusion and something dangerously close to recognition. His hand remained on her shoulder, the connection humming between them, calling him to take what washis.

“Who are you?” she whispered, her voice steady despite the tremor he could feel beneath his palm. “And why did you help me?”

“I’m someone who has searched for you all of my life.” The truth slipped out before he could contain it. “To find the one who was written about for centuries, to bring balance to our land.”

She shook her head as confusion flickered across her features. “You’re mistaken. I’m just a kitchen maid. No more.”

Ignis allowed himself a small smile. “Are you certain of that?”

Her gaze darted around the ballroom, noting the attention they had begun to attract. The music had shifted to a slower melody, drawing couples to the center of the floor.

“Dance with me,” he said, not a request but not quite a command.

“I can’t.” She gestured to her serving dress. “I’m working.”

“Not anymore.” With a subtle gesture, he summoned one of his disguised warriors—Ember, his most trusted guard, currently posing as a minor noblewoman. “My companion will ensure you’re not missed.”

Ember approached, her scarred face hidden behind a delicate mask. She bowed slightly to Sora, her eyes assessing the baker’s daughter with thinly veiled curiosity.

“I’ll handle her duties,” Ember said in a flawless court accent, taking the serving tray. “Take your time.”

Before Sora could protest further, Ignis guided her toward the dance floor. Her body moved with the reluctant grace of prey sensing a predator but unable to flee.

“I don’t know how to dance like this,” she murmured as they reached the edge of the gathered couples. “Please… I’ll embarrass you.”

“Foolishness,” he replied, placing his hand at the small of her back. “Your body remembers what your mind has forgotten.”

The moment he drew her into proper dance position, her body responded with an intuitive precision. He led, and she followed as though they had danced together a thousand times before.

The music pulsed around them, a rhythm old as time itself, drowning out the conversations, creating the illusion it was just the two of them.

“Do you feel it?”He sent the thought directly to her mind, watching her eyes widen at the mental intrusion. “The connection between us.”

“How are you doing that?” she whispered aloud, missing a step before recovering.

“Dragon to dragon. Mind to mind.”He turned her in a slow circle, their bodies moving closer with each revolution.“Though in your case, the dragon blood runs thin—diluted by generations of human breeding. But it’s there. I can sense it.”

Her pulse quickened beneath his palm. “You’re mistaken.”