Page 27 of Progeny of the Cursed Egg (Dragonis Academy, Year 3)

I drop into the squeaky chair, feeling its worn leather protest beneath me.

Leander sets up the scenario with deft fingers, each click of the keys echoing in the otherwise quiet room.

It’s the same battle we barely survived a few weeks ago—every detail is mapped out in the sim.

“Can we have Mina run it like she was the attacker next class? I’ll get Idris to come back and face off against her.

” My voice comes out tight with curiosity and unease.

If my tactician can’t match her raw instincts, we have a bigger problem than I realized.

“Of course. What’re you thinking?” Leander moves beside me, the soft rustle of his jacket filling the silence. We both stare at the flickering images on the screen.

A dull ache spreads through my jaw as I clench my teeth.

“I’m wondering if we were given an inexperienced tactician on purpose—maybe someone wanted to get me and Callan killed.

” I pace, the floor cold beneath my boots, then glance back at the sim.

“Look at how we got swarmed. Wyverns and green dragons rarely attack head-on. Drow hunted down Callan in broad daylight, using the forest to shield themselves from the sun.”

Leander snorts, raking a hand through his hair. “I was attacked and tossed in the academy’s prison like a piece of meat—left for dead. Vaughn got taken out when they stole his amulet.” He jots down a list of occurrences on a notepad, each scratch of the pen echoing in my ears.

“Damn … Didn’t Ziggy say Mina told him they wanted to turn her into some kind of dracolich?

Her father basically sold her body to a mage to create an ‘ultimate weapon.’” My stomach twists in knots, and I exchange a panicked glance with Leander before we both bolt for the door.

Balor’s classroom is only a few steps away, and Mina is his only student during this period.

We rush inside, immediately spotting Mina, and Balor huddled over a thick tome.

The scent of ink and old leather assaults my senses.

I clear my throat, and Klauth—standing watch—fixes us with a glare as we beckon him into the hallway.

Eventually, he sighs and follows us, arms crossed in annoyance.

We shuffle into Balor’s cramped office next door.

“What’s so important, youngling?” Klauth demands, voice rumbling with irritation.

Leander blurts out, “They want to turn Mina into a dracolich,” and then proceeds to fill Klauth in.

The explanation takes a good twenty minutes; Klauth’s stern expression barely changes as he listens.

The tightness in my chest grows as we detail the past two years of conspiracies, close calls, and betrayals.

When Leander finishes, Klauth lets out a slow breath. “I see. One issue with that plan: she’d have to willingly tie her soul to a phylactery to escape a true death.” He glances out the open door, eyes lingering on Mina across the hall.

I pinch the bridge of my nose, forcing myself to remain calm. “Even so, knowing her father tried to sell her soul puts Mina in a lot of danger.” Anxious energy crackles through me, making my wings twitch against my back.

“We will be more vigilant,” Klauth says, squaring his shoulders. “For now, at least, I can remain at Mina’s side.”

“For now?” I echo, arching an eyebrow.

He inclines his head. “Once I’m crowned again, I’ll have to manage the continent’s affairs.

I’ve already agreed to have Mina’s property overhauled—exactly as she wished.

Aside from what Warwick’s people can do, we’ve got engineers coming in to modernize and upgrade the private shelter I built for Mina.

” Klauth tilts his head at an angle I know irritates her to no end.

Leander clears his throat. “Did Mina approve this?” He voices my question before I can ask.

“Approve it? She suggested it.” Klauth gives a faint smirk. “Restoring my home would be too resource-heavy.” He gestures across the hallway. “Come on, let’s speak with her. She hates it when we plan these things without her input.”

We follow him back, expecting Mina to explode at any moment, but she barely looks up when Klauth addresses her. “My treasure, we have a matter that needs clarification.”

“Oh? What is it?” She sets down a pair of glass vials, their liquid contents reflecting the overhead lights in shifting colors.

“Regarding where we should rule from,” Klauth begins. “Where would you prefer?”

I tense, fully expecting him to simply dictate terms, given his personality.

But Mina surprises me by answering lightly, “My lands. Most of the infrastructure is already in place. We just need to update the lower levels, add a throne room, and enlarge the war room.” She tilts her head and smiles.

“Klauth suggested having contractors modernize our private dwellings. I agree it would be nice to have hot water and soaking chambers, like your mother has, Abraxis.”

Suddenly, a golden eagle swoops through the open window. The rush of wind from its wings tousles my hair, and Mina calmly covers her forearm with a thin layer of scales just before it lands. My gaze narrows. “Is that my dad’s familiar?”

“Yeah,” Mina says, untying a small scroll from the eagle’s leg.

“Since emails and texts can be intercepted, we’ve switched to using our familiars.

” She unrolls the parchment and skims the contents, her expression unreadable.

“Perfect. Your dad’s sharing his plans for his home with the contractors.

I already gave Vox a list of things from your father’s estate that I want in mine.

” She hands me the note, scribbles a reply of her own, and secures it back to the eagle’s leg.

It takes off silently, leaving a swirl of loose feathers drifting to the floor.

“When were you going to tell me about all this?” I snap, my pulse hammering. I hate being in the dark—it makes me feel powerless.

Mina’s eyes flash, her pupils contracting to dangerous slits.

“Look at your messages, Mr. Havock.” Her voice carries a low, dragonic growl, and the hair on my arms stands on end.

Hastily, I pull out my phone. It’s still on silent from this morning’s therapy session.

My stomach drops when I see a dozen missed messages in the family chat—exactly what I needed to stay informed.

“I’m sorry, Mina,” I mutter, lowering my head. “I messed up. My phone was on silent for therapy. I’ve been going every day these past four days … trying to be a better mate and bond brother.” Shame coils in my gut, and I feel my wings droop.

Mina steps closer, lowering her head until our gazes meet.

“I’m proud of you, Abraxis, for going.” Her tone softens.

“I didn’t want to push you, because I know you’re sensitive about being seen as weak.

” She nudges Klauth with her elbow, eyes shining with amusement.

“ Guess what? He started therapy yesterday, too. Klauth, you need to head there now if you don’t want to be late.

Love you.” She leans up and kisses him, sending him on his way.

“I’m going to finish up with Balor, then we’ll head home.

” Mina turns to me with a gentle smile. “Do me a favor and start some steaks, maybe?” That small gesture—a simple request—warms me from the inside.

Despite everything, the tension in my chest eases, and for a moment, the world feels right again.