Page 54 of When the Moon Hatched (The Moonfall #1)

A female came to me this dae with the same ember eyes as the male who visited last slumber. Just as remarkable to look at, with thick, curly hair and freckles on her nose and cheeks. She cradled a bowl of food she was brave enough to set down beside Slátra’s coiled tail.

I took one look at it and fell back to sleep, only to be woken some time later by the beautiful, heavily scarred male scooping me into his arms.

I thrashed and screamed, but Slátra did nothing. Nothing! Not even a growl.

The male tucked me against his chest, his arms so strong I realized that fighting was useless. And tiring. I had so little energy left and not much left to fight for anyway.

He carried me up the tunnel of stairs and into the Imperial Stronghold. He dumped me in a tub full of warm, bubbly water, fully clothed, then stormed from the room, leaving me alone with the female I suppose is his kin.

She undressed me, and I lacked the care to stop her, but I did try to hide myself as she bared my breasts. She pushed my hands away and scrubbed me down, telling me that where she was brought up, bodies are not seen as something to be shy about, no matter their shape or size. That flesh is not treated as some great secret, and breasts are worshiped for the way they nourish the younglings of their clan.

She introduced herself as Veya Vaegor and apologized for her brother’s behavior, talking to me as if I was conversing back.

I wondered which brother she was speaking of. I don’t believe I could ever accept an apology for what Tyroth Vaegor has so willingly taken from me.

My kingdom.

My independence.

She spoke of many things and asked many questions while I stared at the wall and wondered if this is how Haedeon felt all those phases he was mute. Like there was so little point in it all. But then she stopped scrubbing my body, tucked my hair back off my face, told me she teaches combat at Drohk Academy, and asked if I’d like some lessons.

The words lit something in me, and I felt more alive than I have in a very long while, like an aurora had just risen in my chest.

I told her yes—I want some fucking combat lessons.

Her smile was blinding.