“They don’t look very happy,” Seraphina says, looking past me.
“Well, they’re male, and dragons. Broody goes with the territory.”
Kai lightly pinches my side, and Penn chuckles behind me.
“We aren’t all broody,” Penn states.
“Yes, some are pompous asses!” I retort.
“Enough!” Demitri barks. “Ashwiyaa, you wanted your freedom. It’s yours.”
With a wicked grin, I let my dagger materialize in my hand and wink at Seraphina. As I make my way over to Demitri, he extends his hand toward me, and with a swift motion, I slice a deeper than necessary cut across his palm. Slicing my own palm, a tingle of magic moves across my skin, and I clasp his hand, an incantation falling seamlessly from our lips. A wave of magic falls over me like a bucket of cold water.
“It’s done,” Demitri says gruffly.
Penn’s massive form engulfs me, and I feel the warmth of his embrace as he tucks me under his chin. “I’m going to miss you,” he whispers into my hair.
The tension in my shoulders slowly melts away, replaced by a gentle warmth that spreads through my body. As I allow myself to soak in his familiar comfort, a wave of nostalgia washes over me, tugging at the corners of my lips, causing a subtle smile to form. Penn was a guiding light for me during the darkest moments when I first became part of his family. The weight of those trying times feels palpable still, even after two hundred years—as if the memories themselves carry a heavy burden. At the time, my five-year-old mind struggled to comprehend the loss of my tribe and the haunting whispers of ancient voices.
Penn’s presence had the power to ease the knots of anxiety that plagued me during those challenging years when I struggled to accept my fate. His unwavering support was my lifeline, providing solace and strength when I felt consumed by my own demons. He saw me at my most vulnerable, witnessed the depths of my pain, and yet he never hesitated in his unwavering commitment to stand by my side. That was until they sent me to the Valley of the Dead for a girl.
I snort and Penn pulls back, raising an eyebrow in question.
I wave him off. “Nothing. Just look after her. She knows nothing of this world or men.”
Penn’s gaze goes over my head, and the heat in his eyes leaves no doubt that he’s focused on Seraphina. When he finally diverts his attention back to me, I wink and gently jab him in the stomach. “I mean it.”
Penn grins, his green eyes lighting up. “I promise.”
Spinning on my heels, I quickly plant a gentle kiss on Kai’s cheek before making my way over to Seraphina.
“Are you sure this is what you want? You are free to make your own decisions.”
Behind me, Alex and Demitri growl in perfect harmony, and a wide grin spreads across my face. Lukas’s answering growl has my heart racing. These dragons aren’t used to people putting them in their place. It makes me giddy. Especially because the Daughter of Light will kick their asses in a second if they try anything.
Seraphina takes my hands in hers, her onyx hair gently swaying in the breeze. “I will be fine.”
“Give them hell, okay?”
Seraphina’s eyes sparkle with mischief. “I can do that.”
As Nesrin approaches, a smile spreads across her face, and she reaches out to embrace Seraphina in a heartfelt hug. Seraphina freezes for a moment before returning the hug.
“If you ever need anything, just call, okay?” Nesrin says.
Seraphina nods, her bright-golden eyes lining with tears. “Thank you. I’ve never had—” She cuts herself off and pulls her shoulders back. “I will remember that.”
Lukas steps up to his wife’s side, extending a phone toward Seraphina. “This is charged and has all our numbers in it. Should you need help or a friend.”
Seraphina’s eyebrows furrow in confusion as she blinks down at the phone, but she eventually reaches out and takes it from him. She glances up and smiles in thanks, a blush working its way over her face.
Kai slings an arm over my shoulders and plants a kiss on my head. “Well, baby, I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to go home.”
A wave of warmth washes over me, causing my heart to constrict. “Home?”
“Yes, home. Where I plan to tie you to my bed, and—”
Lukas clears his throat, slapping Kai on the shoulder and making Nesrin burst out laughing. “We don’t need to know what you plan on doing when you get home. You do have an eighteen-hour drive, though.”
