I pull the dagger from Lock and look at my dragons. “There’s no going back now.”
“There never was.” Kane locks his eyes with mine. “Do it.” I nod, keeping my eyes on Kane as I cut a line straight across my palm and feel hardly any pain. I don’t wince. I stare downat my hand, watching my blood bloom up before one line of it drops down my palm and off my hand. Time slows as it falls and splashes onto the stone, and I gasp. We all do. The power of my bonded slams into me, just like before, pulling me to my knees, but I don’t pass out. I fight the urge to as my head spins and my teeth clench. My magic comes back, feeling like an endless well of fire and darkness, and it’s perfect. It’s ours; we share our power, just as it always was meant to be.
Vale is the only one still standing, but he is swaying like a leaf in the breeze. Kane, Black and Maz are on their knees, panting from the power. Kane barks out a laugh. “You’re one hell of a powerful witch, Juniper.”
“You only just realized that?” I chuckle, my laugh dying off as Black walks to me. He leans down, tangles his hand in my hair and pulls me into a searing, shocking kiss. He kisses me, not like it’s the first time, but something familiar. I kiss him back, clutching his cloak and wanting so much more.
He groans, sensing my need and breaking the kiss. “Mine.I remember you, Juni. I remember everything from last year.”
“So do I.” I spin my head to Maz, who grins. “Sweetheart, thank fuck you came for us. I’m going to kill the Umbral Authority for taking you away.”
“Same.” Black strokes my cheek before touching my swollen lips thanks to his kiss. “They all die for hurting you and invading your mind. I don’t give a fuck who your mother is or any prophecy. I care only thatyouare safe.”
“What the fuck do you two remember?” Vale interrupts. “Are you in a relationship with a witch? It’s forbidden, you idiot?—”
“Shut up,” Black growls at him. Vale doesn’t remember. I look at Kane in hope, and he shakes his head. I tell myself it’s okay; there must be a way to get their memories back if Black and Maz can remember now. “You want her too, Vale. You always did, and she saved your life even when you were a dickto her. She almost died for you at the end of last year. Her heart stopped, and I watched you beg on your knees to the goddess to save her.”
Vale stares at Black in silence. He grits his teeth. “I would never kneel for any witch or beg for a witch’s life.”
“You did,” I bite at him. “And I begged the goddess for a chance to save you too. You are my bonded; I willneverlet you die. I walked through a room full of death magic to save your ass. You can thank me another time.”
He looks at me and glowers. “Why the fuck would I be in a room with death magic in the first place?”
“To save a witch you apparently hate,” I mutter, pinching the bridge of my nose.
We all go silent, Black and Maz standing at my side like they need to be as close to me as I want to be to them. Kane and Vale stand together a few feet away, a clear divide between the dragons. I don’t know what to say to them anymore; it’s so messy between us all. Maz touches my hand with his, linking our pinkie fingers. “Want to go and make a fuss? You show them the marks on your palms, and shit will hit the fan.” I smile. I do want to do that. “We need to make up a good story for why we broke out and found each other.”
We walk back through the castle while discussing our lie, and they only leave me when we get to the ceremony hall and I join the line of witches waiting to be called up. They can’t come up on the stage with me, but they leave to join the crowd looking up at the stage. I really hope some of the Umbral Authority are in the audience for this. To watch as their plan for this year begins to crumble into dust.
I walk up to the headmaster when it’s my turn, and he smiles, his red hair flashing. “Miss Daygan. I have heard much about you and your fiancée. Did you hear your foster sister Rue wascalled to the army earlier than usual? She passed all her exams, and the Umbral Authority found her ready.”
Rue isn’t here? My heart patters at the news. “I wasn’t told. I was looking forward to seeing her again. It’s been years.”
“A shame, but you will see her at the front lines of the war, without a doubt. Now, show me the mark from Aster.” He offers me his hand.
“I bonded to four dragons,” I announce loudly, showing Mentor Parker my marks on my palm.
The professor looks down at me in shock before surprising me with a smirk and a short laugh. His voice lowers and his bonded hisses. “Well played, Juniper. Your mother will be proud. Watch your back; they will not be happy and they are done being nice to get their own way. They will want you dead.” He gently shoves me out to the crowd, who cheer and clap, but his words ring in my ear. He knows who I am. Is the headmaster on my side?
Chapter 5
“Tell me again exactly what happened in the forest,” Fasrah demands, her hands on her hips, her expression one of shock. She looks so pissed off that it’s almost funny.
I didn’t tell my dragons, but part of the plan is to get those cards somehow and research the other goddess items she mentioned. Those cards have so much power, so maybe the other items do too. Lock is my best bet of getting close to a member of the Umbral Authority and figuring out the location of the cards. I suspect they keep them in the academy or very close by, just in case they need to use them on me. I hope so anyway.
“Like I said, Aster and I were attacked by shifter snakes and other wolves. I don’t know what else you want me to say about that part. I ran away as Aster fought them, because I was scared, and I’ve never seen shifters before.” I pretend to shake in fear. “I somehow found myself near the castle, and they were there. The dragons. They ran after me, and I fell on a bloodstone, cutting my hand on the dagger Lock gave me. I was trying to defend myself from them and instead found myself bonded to four dragons.”
I smile sweetly at Lock, who looks like he’s one step away from trying to kill me. My dragons have left me to it, but I feel their eyes watching me from the corner of the room as they help themselves to food. Lock shakes his head like he’s in disbelief, just as Wini and Aster come over, and I’m glad for the distraction from the interrogations. Wini smiles brightly at me, and I wince at the state of her. She is covered in scratches, mud and leaves.
“I heard you bonded to four dragons, Juniper! Everyone is saying you’re going to be one of the most powerful bonded groups in history!” She looks at Lock. “Brother, aren’t you so lucky that your fiancée is crazy powerful now?”
“Yes,” he bites out, sharing a look with his mother. Wini frowns but bites down on her lip.
“And you bonded with Aster.” I change the subject and look at Aster with what I hope is a chagrined smile. “I’m sorry about what happened in the forest. I shouldn’t have run from you when we were attacked.”
“Everything worked out well in the end,” Aster carefully replies. “I found Winifred stuck in a tree, climbing away from a nasty panther shifter who wanted her dead. I told her about the plan and how I was meant to bond with you, but we searched and couldn’t find you anywhere. In the end, I knew it was best we bonded to survive the forest.”
Wini flashes me a sheepish grin. “I hope you’re not mad. It seems like it worked out for the best in the end!”
