Page 52 of Guardian of the Cursed Egg (Dragonis Academy #2)

Mina

Balor pulls his tongue out of me and rocks back on his heels, his lips glistening in the dim light. My skin tingles where his mouth had been, the lingering heat of his touch sending shivers down my spine. I rip my tank top over my head, the fabric rasping against my skin, and look back at him.

He’s naked before me, every inch of his body carved like a masterpiece from stone.

Shadows dance across the hard ridges of his abs, the sharp angles of his jaw.

The air feels charged, the air heavy, as my gaze drops lower.

My breath hitches when I see it—his thick, pierced length gleaming faintly.

Six barbell piercings trail up the underside of his shaft, the metal catching the light in a way that makes my mouth go dry. He’s been hiding a Jacob’s ladder.

“That had to hurt,” I murmur, my voice barely above a whisper, my fingers twitching with the urge to touch him.

“When it was done, absolutely.” His tone is a low, rough purr, his confidence as intoxicating as the sight of him. He gives himself a single, deliberate stroke, and I watch as moisture beads at the tip, glistening before pooling. “It’s meant to feel good for the female.”

He leans down, his breath hot against my skin, and takes my nipple into his mouth.

His tongue is wet, rougher than I expected, and the sensation sends a jolt straight through me.

His hips rock, the head of his length dragging through my slick heat, coating himself with me.

The pressure builds until he releases my nipple with a soft, wet pop and pushes forward.

Every inch stretches me, filling me almost too much, teetering on the edge of pain and ecstasy.

A gasp escapes my lips, sharp and raw. Balor braces himself on his forearms above me, his chest pressing against mine as he stills.

My body throbs around him, needing time to adjust to the overwhelming sensation.

He touches the tip of his nose to mine, his breath mingling with mine in soft pants.

The bond between us hums like a live wire, threading through my chest and pulling me toward him.

I stare into his eyes, deep pools of spilled blood streaked with gold flecks that shimmer like fire.

Up close, they’re mesmerizing, otherworldly.

A window into the basilisk lurking just beneath his skin.

“Wow…” My voice cracks as I lift trembling hands to frame his face. His heat radiates against my palms, the bond thrumming stronger than I’d ever felt it before—almost as strong as the one I share with Abraxis.

“I feel you in my heart,” Balor whispers, his lips brushing mine like a promise before he claims me in a deep, hungry kiss. His taste floods my senses—something dark and smoky, like charred sugar.

“Me too.” I kiss him back, harder, rougher, grounding myself in him as he remembers what we’re doing .

He moves then, rolling his hips in slow, deliberate strokes that drags his pierced length through me.

Each ridge, each barbell, rubs against me in ways that make my head spin.

Pleasure sparks, white-hot and raw, radiating through me until my skin feels electrified.

I’m hyper-aware of every point of contact between us.

His weight presses me into the moss as his rhythm builds, grinding against me in a way that leaves me panting and clawing at his shoulders.

Molten heat pools low in my core, the tension coiling tighter with every thrust. I lift myself against him, my lips brushing the curve of his shoulder as I search for the perfect spot to mark him. My dragoness stirs, urging me forward, craving the bite that will make him ours.

“Do it,” he growls, his voice ragged as he cups the back of my head and holds me to his shoulder, his movements never faltering.

The moment my teeth sink into his flesh, his blood fills my mouth—hot, metallic, and addictively sweet.

A purr vibrates through my chest as I clamp down, holding him as my climax tears through me.

I release him as he changes his angle, intensifying the feeling for me.

My body arches beneath him, a scream dying on my lips as waves of pleasure crash over me, too intense to contain.

Balor’s fangs pierce the skin above my breast, his bite sending a second orgasm barreling through me, sharp and sudden. I tremble in his arms, my nails digging into his back as I grind against him, chasing the sensation like a woman possessed.

His growl deepens, and he releases my chest to roar, the sound louder than the crashing waves of the nearby beach as I feel his length pulse inside me.

Each throb sends aftershocks through my body, tiny detonations of pleasure that leave me light-headed and limp.

He holds me tightly, his arms like iron bands around me, as if letting go might make me vanish.

The world narrows to the feeling of him—his heat, his scent, his weight.

And as I catch my breath, I realize I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.

We lay together under the starlit sky, the cool grass beneath us damp with evening dew.

The occasional shooting star streaks across the heavens, leaving a shimmering trail that vanishes almost as quickly as it appears.

The faint, earthy scent of the surrounding moss mingles with the salt of the distant sea air, grounding me in the moment.

Balor’s warmth radiates against my side, his steady presence calming the unease curling in my stomach.

We talk softly, our words blending with the rustle of leaves in the gentle breeze.

He recounts everything—from the first moment he saw me to the chaos of today.

His voice is deep, resonant, and soothing, like the quiet rumble of a storm building far away.

Our bond feels different from the one I have with Abraxis.

With Abraxis, I can be sharp and untamed; he craves the tempest in me.

But Balor? Balor coils around me like a protective serpent, his touch designed to soothe every frayed nerve before igniting them into flames.

I tilt my head back, staring at the Waxing Crescent moon hanging low on the horizon and the Dragon Star pulsing faintly above it.

Its blue light seems more vivid tonight, casting an ominous glow over the landscape.

“I’ve never dreaded a moon phase so much in my life as I have this one.

” My voice is barely a whisper as I motion to the sky, curling tighter against him, seeking solace in his warmth.

“It’s understandable. Big changes are coming.

Klauth is going to hatch to save you.” Balor’s voice is steady, but the momentary tension in his frame doesn’t escape me.

He turns his head away, his jaw tightening as though steeling himself.

Then, he looks back, his crimson eyes catching the faint glow of starlight.

“Where am I through this whole thing?” His gaze pierces me, the slit of his basilisk eyes narrowing, seeking answers I wish I didn’t have to give.

I close my eyes and let the vision rise again in the darkness behind my eyelids, pulling at every detail to locate him in the chaos.

It’s clearer this time—more visceral. “Sent off on a mission by Abraxis.” My throat tightens as I see it again, from his perspective.

My voice wavers as I add, “You see Callan’s gryphon get shot down, and you go after him. ”

Opening my eyes, I find his gaze still locked on me, heavy with unspoken questions.

The weight of his stare makes my pulse quicken, a mix of fear and longing as he cups my face in his large, calloused hand.

The roughness of his touch is a stark contrast to the tenderness in his movements.

“I can’t believe I chose him over you.” He says puzzled.

“Callan is blind on one side, and I can fight. It made sense. You were torn but went because you know I would want you to.” My words spill out, each one cutting into me like shards of glass.

Rising onto my elbow, I press a soft kiss to his lips, tasting the faint hint of smoke lingering on his breath.

It’s brief, but it steadies me enough to speak again.

“We should head back. I think Abraxis and Callan are getting called away in the morning.”

The ache in my chest deepens as I say it aloud, solidifying the gnawing feeling of inevitable separation. The stars blur slightly as I blink back tears, and deep down, I know I’m right.

He shifts immediately, the rippling of his muscles audible in the quiet night, and I climb back into the space behind his head.

His scales are cool and rough beneath my fingers.

Slowly, he slithers back across the Whispering Sea toward land, the gentle splash of waves against his body echoing around us.

The salt-laden wind stings my face, carrying with it the faint cries of nocturnal birds.

This time, he doesn’t stop at the shore.

Instead, he slithers his way all the way back to Malivore.

The ancient structure looms ahead, a monolith against the star-strewn sky.

Its four spires pierce the heavens, their dark silhouettes stark and unyielding.

A faint golden glow seeps from the windows of our suite on the third floor, and my stomach knots when I spot a shadow moving inside.

The distant murmur of leaves rustling in the breeze is drowned out by the pounding of my pulse.

My chest tightens as the weight of what’s coming presses down on me. The academy will be under siege, and silence is the only thing keeping me alive. If I breathe a word of what I know, my life will be forfeited.

Balor shifts back into his human form beside me, his breath puffing out in soft clouds of vapor in the cool night air.

He takes my hand, his grip warm and steady, but the moment we step into Malivore, the oppressive chill of the ancient halls washes over me.

One of the precepts pacing the corridors halts, his eyes narrowing as he takes in the sight of us—our joined hands, the unspoken betrayal of my bond to Abraxis in his eyes.

Balor’s hand slips from mine with practiced ease, and he steps forward, his voice dipping into a tone that vibrates with power.

The precept’s body goes slack, collapsing to the floor in a heap, the sharp thud echoing in the otherwise silent hall.

Balor jerks his head toward the suite, his expression hard.

I follow him, my heart racing, my every step muffled against the worn stone floors .

The suite door creaks faintly as we enter.

Inside, the warmth of the room is a sharp contrast to the chill outside, but it does little to ease the tension that claws at my insides.

Callan and Abraxis are waiting, letters clenched in their hands.

The firelight casts flickering shadows across their faces, and the gravity in their expressions makes my blood run cold.

“It’s happening, isn’t it?” The words tumble out of me, my voice trembling. My heart hammers against my ribs, erratic and wild. My eyes dart between them, desperate for denial, for hope, for anything but this truth.

Callan’s golden eye glimmers with sorrow as he steps closer.

The scent of leather and iron clings to him, grounding me as he wraps his arms around me and pulls me against his chest. His heart beats slow and steady beneath my ear, a rhythm that feels like both a promise and a farewell.

“It’s happening just like you saw,” he whispers.

I choke on a sob, my words spilling out in a rush.

“You can’t leave … You’re outnumbered… Callan gets shot down…

” The memory of my vision tightens around my throat like a noose as I lift my gaze to Abraxis.

His amber eyes burn as he strides toward me, his movements precise and deliberate.

He takes me from Callan, his arms wrapping around me in a protective embrace.

The leather of his wings unfurls and cocoons me, shutting out the firelight and the world beyond.

The scent of him—smoke, cedar, and something uniquely his—fills my senses, calming the storm inside me.

I press my forehead against his chest, the steady rise, and fall of his breathing lulling me, but my voice cracks as I whisper, “Please don’t leave me. ”

Abraxis tilts my chin up, his eyes glowing brighter than the firelight beyond his wings. The softness of his lips against mine is fleeting, but it sends a jolt through me, grounding me in this moment. My hand presses against his chest, feeling the wild cadence of his heartbeat mirroring my own.

A single tear escapes him, falling to my cheek and snapping my eyes open.

I stare at him, stunned, as he whispers, “I wish I could stay.” His wings retract, letting the firelight spill over us again.

“I refuse to pressure you into having a clutch to keep me home. You’re too young, and the risk is too great that I’d lose you and the clutch.

” His voice is heavy, raw with emotion, and his hands frame my face, his warmth searing into my skin.

“I love you too much to risk you. I will always choose you over me.” His golden, slit-pupil eyes flare, glowing like molten sunlight. It’s as if both the man and the dragon within him are saying goodbye, their combined love a weight that makes my chest ache.

The room feels colder as his words settle over me, and my tears fall freely now, mingling with the taste of salt on my lips. I clutch his hands, desperate to hold on to this moment, even as the horizon looms closer, dark and uncertain.

He presses his lips to my forehead once more before passing me off to Balor. “Kill anything that gets close to her. I’ll sort the bodies out later.” The deep growl that escapes his lips makes Balor stiffen behind me.

“You have my word.” He says as he tightens his grip on me.

I watch two of my mates leave my nest. One I don’t know if he lives or dies, the other I know will rain napalm down upon his enemies just to make it back to me.

I rush to the window and watch Abraxis’s massive dragon take flight with Callan’s gryphon on its back.

Two pieces of my heart are flying off and there’s nothing I can do about it.