Page 46 of Progeny of the Cursed Egg (Dragonis Academy, Year 3)

Mina

It had to be wyvern…

I can’t even enjoy a relaxing flight home tonight.

For once, I just want an evening free of chaos.

After I secure Leander in Balor’s coils with firm precision, I let my fury loose.

Sometimes it feels as if nothing in this cursed world wants me to be happy—even though everything I desire is within my grasp.

I have wonderful mates, and a nest I can call my own.

Still, a deep, raw roar tears from my dragon lips as I bank hard, pursuing the next wyvern lurking near the tree line.

Rage burns through me like wildfire, and my blood feels as if it’s on fire with every powerful beat of my wings.

Each time I unleash my breath weapon, I sense it striking with even more devastating force than before.

The headmaster—and my father—stand as obstacles between me and the fragile peace I crave.

I just want to go home and see my friend with her clutch—Cora.

I worry about her over breeding; too many hatchlings cramped together can be as damaging as a clutch laid too large.

I strike down the wyvern I was chasing, its last cry lost in the rush of wind, and then shoot upward into the night sky just as Abraxis and Warwick appear on the scene.

Pumping my wings harder, I slice through the cool air, my eyes scanning the darkened landscape for any further threats.

‘Mate? How are you moving so fast?’ Klauth’s voice echoes inside my head. I hover in place, the wind buffeting against my scales, and scan the area—I don’t see the others. Then it hits me: I’m less than a mile from my nest.

‘How did I get to the border of my territory?’ I wonder aloud, my eyes darting over rustling trees and the dim outlines of distant hills.

‘You’re at the border?’ Klauth’s tone is laced with shock.

‘Some iron dragonesses can bend time with their swift movement—a gift lost around the time of my birth. I never witnessed it in my youth.’ With that, I land in a soft clearing at the edge of my territory, waiting for them as the night air settles around me.

I have no idea what I did or how I did it, yet here I am—almost home—confounded by the mystery.

My eyes keep flitting between the swaying trees and the star-flecked sky, searching for answers.

Klauth’s booming roar cuts through my thoughts, and I launch back into the sky.

The question: How did I get here? Echoing in my mind.

We circle the compound several times before Abraxis and Warwick land first, their heavy steps stirring dust from the rocky ground.

Klauth touches down next, his presence enough to send a shudder through most of the population.

I complete one final circuit before shifting just as I’m about to land.

When my feet finally meet the cool, rough rocks, I sprint across the courtyard, following the familiar, comforting scent of Cora.

But I skid to a halt when I see Cerce’s dragoness form lying before the den.

She lifts her head slowly, eyes meeting mine, and I feel my inner dragon stir uncontrollably at the look in her gaze. “I would like to pass, Cerce,” I breathe. The last thing I want is to shift and attack my mate’s mother.

“Mina, we can come back later,” Abraxis offers, his tone laced with concern. I shake my head firmly.

“No, this is my territory. My mountain.” A low, rumbling growl vibrates deep in my chest as I fix Cerce with a steely stare.

“You don’t want me shifting right now, Mom …

My dragoness is angry and not in the mood to be gentle.

” I watch as her scales prick and stand on edge, glistening in the faint light.

“Cerce, step away from Cora,” Vox commands from over my shoulder. His tone is cold, and she bares her teeth at her mate—a silent alarm that something is terribly wrong.

“Fuck, something is wrong,” I mutter. I shift on the spot, raising my frill and flaring my scales to appear even larger.

I swing my head from side to side, sizing her up.

I know I’m bigger than Cerce—it’s plain to see.

Lowering my head, I roar a challenge. She may lead her flight, but here, she’s merely a guest. I feel a charge of static, like lightning rolling over my scales, as I struggle to suppress the urge to strike.

“Mom, Mina is in a foul mood. We fought wyvern on the way here—please move…” Abraxis begs, his voice trembling with worry.

The sound of his pleading makes my temper spike.

I pivot sharply and snap my jaws near him, and he tumbles to the ground with a thud.

Before I can fully process my actions, I turn back to see that Cerce has already shifted back to her human form, now cradled in Vox’s arms. My inner dragon softens; I croon in a low, soothing timbre, letting my song wash over Cora to calm her.

After several long, tense minutes, Cora rises and drifts away from the nest.

I settle near the opening of the den and snake my head inside.

As I tilt my head, I quickly assess the situation.

Four eggs lie before me— two are soft-shelled and lifeless, one has a hardened shell but holds no promise of life.

Only one egg is viable, though its shell is slightly malformed.

Carefully, I extend a taloned finger, plucking the three dead eggs away and nudging the good one to the center.

As I remove the lifeless eggs, Cora shifts back to her human form and breaks into tears in Warwick’s arms. I glance over at Klauth. ‘Offer her the egg chamber off of the main hall for her egg,’ I instruct silently.

I watch as Klauth moves forward, resting a hand on Warwick’s shoulder. “Mina is offering the egg chamber off of the main hall,” he announces, and both men turn to me for confirmation.

“I didn’t hear her say anything,” Cora protests as she approaches my dragoness. “You’ll let me use your egg chamber?” she asks, her eyes pleading.

My dragon rumbles its assent, reminding her she may use the chamber where I was hatched. The chamber above is part of my private residence—reserved only for me and my bloodline. When my dragoness finishes her rumbling, Cora nods gratefully.

“I understand. Thank you,” she murmurs, smiling as she carefully steps past the dead eggs, gathering her only viable egg before heading inside.

I seize Warwick by hooking a talon around him, halting his advance.

In one swift motion, I shift back, standing toe-to-toe with him.

“If Cora lays another egg this year, I will personally ensure you never have use of your favorite part again.” My talons extend from my human hands as I tap the back of one against his groin.

“Understood, my queen…” Warwick replies, bowing his head and quickly retreating.

Before I can shift to dispose of the eggs, two young drakes scurry forward to clean up.

I arch an eyebrow as I watch them tidy and then clear out the nest. Lowering my head slightly in acknowledgment, they smile and wave before disappearing back inside.

I stand for a long moment, staring at the now empty cavern as silence settles in.

“Why did Mom challenge you?” Abraxis asks softly from behind, wrapping his arms around me. The warmth of his embrace steadies my racing heart.

I lean back against him and sigh heavily.

“She was worried about Cora. She didn’t want me to get upset about the eggs again.

” Slowly, I pivot in his arms, resting my head against his shoulder as my arms wrap around his waist. “Klauth told me about another dragoness—one who was essentially bred to death. Too many hatchlings in too short a time can deplete a female.” I close my eyes, letting the familiar comfort of his hold ease the turmoil inside me.

For once, my inner dragon isn’t railing against me for taking what seems like a submissive stance with my mate.

“I was going to talk to him about that,” Abraxis admits quietly.

“But we also have to remember that my sister willingly went into season again. She’s just as much to blame.

” He presses his lips gently to my forehead before leading me inside, and I let his warmth carry me away from the storm of the night.

I walk into the lower part of the compound, and a chill creeps along my neck, setting my scales on edge.

The cold stone beneath my feet and the faint odor of damp earth stir memories I’d rather forget—childhood days steeped in loneliness and pain.

I pass the main sitting area, its low murmur of conversation and shadowy corners whispering warnings, and head toward the egg chamber .

Inside, the air is warm and heavy. Cora stands there in the dim light, cradling her son in her arms as she gazes at an onyx egg resting in the egg cradle. I step into the doorway and murmur, “Hey.”

“Hey,” she replies in a soft, resigned tone.

Her voice trembles like a distant echo in the cavernous room.

“I just wanted William to have a sibling. He’s the only hatchling in the compound, and it’s so lonely for him.

” I watch as her eyes soften while she leans down to check on her sleeping babe, the quiet rhythm of his breath mingling with the low hum of the room.

“We grow fast. I get it,” I say, stepping closer.

My fingertips hover over the egg’s smooth, dark surface—barely touched by the colors of her mate.

It’s a bit larger than a big watermelon, cool and weighty in my hand.

“Was it easier when you were your dragoness?” I ask, tilting my head as I search her face for any sign of regret or relief.

She laughs—a soft, bittersweet sound that fills the silence. “Oh gods, tons easier. The wait sucked, but it was painless.” With a gentle smile, she kisses her son’s forehead, the gesture both tender and melancholic.

“It was what—three days from conception until you laid the eggs?” I probe, piecing together what I’d overheard from Klauth.

“About that. We counted, I think, a little over two days after it was finished,” she replies, her smile tinged with nostalgia.

I furrow my brows and, almost instinctively, brush aside her hair to search along her neck for scales.

“What are you looking for?” she asks, a trace of amusement in her eyes.

“Scales. You don’t have any,” I reply, sliding her hair aside again, double-checking what I know to be true.

“You’re the first female I’ve seen with scales in human form, Mina. I don’t think it’s a common trait,” Cora says, her tone a mix of wonder and caution as she takes my hand and leads me out of the egg chamber .

I bite my bottom lip as we return to the main sitting area, where murmurs and subdued laughter fill the space. Klauth catches the puzzled expression on my face and arches an eyebrow. “Am I an oddity for having scales in my human form?” I ask, glancing between Cora and him.

“These days, probably,” Klauth replies. “Back in my time, only the most powerful dragonesses bore scales in their human form.” He then turns his gaze to Vox. “Do you know of any other females with scales in their human form?”

Vox paces the room, his boots echoing on the stone floor, then stops to lift Cerce’s hair. He reveals three delicate scales along the back of her neck. “Nothing compares to what Mina has. She nearly has armor in her human form,” he observes, his voice low and measured.

I think to Klauth, ‘ I can cover my ribs, stomach, and arms with scales when needed, not just my neck.’

Almost immediately, his voice resonates in my mind, ‘ No one outside our bond needs to know that.’

Before I can dwell further on our secret, Ziggy suddenly bounces in front of me. My heart jumps, and I squeal, nearly stumbling backward. “Shit, Ziggy!” I exclaim.

He boops my nose with a soft, playful nudge. His purr vibrates against my skin as he chides, “It’s not nice to talk only to Klauth in front of everyone.” In a swift, unexpected move, he dips me backward and plants a quick kiss on my lips before helping me steady myself and trotting off.

“You two share a mental bond?” Vox asks, his eyes narrowing with curiosity. I glance over at Klauth, who leans casually against the wall.

“Yes. I am a great wyrm—it’s a gift that comes with age. I share it with my mate for her safety,” he grumbles, his deep voice blending with the low ambient sounds of the room.

“That must be very handy,” Vox adds, glancing first at Abraxis and then at me.

“It is. It comes in handy when I run the gauntlets and need someone to keep an eye on me. Besides, it saves me from having to rely solely on Ziggy,” I reply with a smile, snuggling closer to Callan as he ambles past me.

Callan’s gryphon emits a high-pitched whistle—a sound that sends a delightful shiver through me.

I purr softly, nuzzling his cheek and the underside of his jaw, feeling warmth flood through me.

My eyes close as I melt into his arms. The comforting warmth of his embrace mingles with the ambient murmur of the room.

“I’ve never heard a gryphon make those noises before,” Warwick comments.

Instantly, my scales prickle with a protective heat, a fierce instinct rising within me at the mention of Callan.

“My shift makes that sound for its mate—just as a happy dragoness purrs, a gryphon calls to his mate,” Callan explains, his fingers threading soothingly through my hair.

“The room feels scary…” Cora murmurs, pressing herself closer to Warwick as if seeking solace.

“Your mate spoke of Callan in a way that angered Mina. What you feel now is the presence of her dragoness—a force that can fill a room and intimidate those weaker than her,” Klauth declares, stepping forward to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Abraxis.

I hear a soft “oof” and a cough before turning to see everyone’s concerned faces. Warwick clutches his ribs, holding himself near Vox. “I’m sorry if my statement angered you. I meant no disrespect,” he says, his voice earnest. I nod in acknowledgment, feeling the tension ebb slightly .

“Forgiven,” I reply, glancing over at Balor and then Leander.

“Dinner should be just about ready.” The two flank me with knowing smiles.

Leander hands me Thauglor’s egg carrier, its cool leather contrasting with the warmth of my skin as I strap it on.

Being in charge of a flight isn’t easy, but in this dark, unpredictable world, it’s a responsibility I’ve learned to embrace.