“Wait, that makes sense.” Keir says as Balor steps into the suite, his basilisk presence filling the room with something ancient and powerful. “I noticed Raven has some scales on her neck that look like a basilisk’s and not a dragon’s.”
I tilt my head, looking between apparently my dads and mom. The revelation should feel shocking, but somehow it explains so much. “Okay, so the reason I create acid deep in my chest and have an igniter is because of Klauth.” He nods and smiles, pride evident in his crimson-flecked amber eyes. “My stone gaze and matte black scales are because of Balor.” Balor beams with pride, his expression softening in a way I rarely see. “And my good looks and lovely temperament come from Thauglor.” Mom almost chokes on her drink, wine sputtering, and I laugh a little. The sound breaks some of the tension coiling in my chest.
“Hey sis, you almost ready in here? The natives are getting restless.” Orpheus says as he moves in to hug me, his arms strong and familiar around my shoulders.
I snuggle against my brother and whisper in his ear, my breath warm against his skin. “It’s time to show them. Apparently, I’m like Thorne, and so are you.” I stand there with my hands cupped around my brother’s ear before pulling back and looking into his eyes—waiting, hoping he understands what I’m asking.
“Are you sure?” Orpheus asks, and I can see the fear flickering there mixed with excitement.
“Yeah, do it.”
Orpheus winks at me when I back up, and he lowers his hands to his sides. Black armored scales that look more dragon than basilisk ripple up his arms like water flowing upstream. Short silver talons extend from his fingertips that look like smaller versions of mine and Mom’s. The transformation is beautiful, powerful, and completely unexpected to everyone but us.
I smile proudly at my brother and look over at our parents. Mom has her hand over her mouth, tears gathering in her golden eyes. Thauglor looks stunned, frozen in place.
“Oh sis, I can do one other thing.” Orpheus says before turning his head and spitting a small glob of acid onto the floor. It hisses and steams where it lands, eating through the stone like butter.
“We have three children who are chimeras.” Thauglor says as he moves closer to examine Orpheus’s scales and talons, his massivehand gentle as he touches our brother’s arm. “His scales are like yours, Klauth. The talons are all Mina, and the acid is me.” Dad’s eyes focus on me with new understanding, then look over at Klauth. “Does Allister have any extra abilities?”
Corvis laughs as he straps the egg carrier to himself, adjusting the leather until it sits comfortably against his chest. “If he did, everyone would know it and have to bask in his glory.”
“Sadly, that’s true.” Klauth says with a resigned sigh. “I’ll have to question my son later if he has any other abilities.”
“We need to get going—it’s almost time.” Mom says and leads my dads out ahead of us, her fighting leathers creaking with each purposeful stride.
I watch Keir closely, and I can see his nerves in every line of his body—the way his jaw clenches, the slight tremor in his hands, the rapid pulse visible in his throat. “Deep breath.” I grab hold of his hand and give it a squeeze, trying to pour confidence I don’t quite feel into the gesture.
“You need this.” Hemlocke sets the diadem on my head—cool metal settling against my forehead—then kisses the tip of my nose. The gesture is so sweet it makes my chest ache. He then slips a simple necklace around my neck, the pendant in the center catching the light. It looks to be made of obsidian, polished to a high shine.
“It’s beautiful.” I hold the pendant out, looking at it properly. The stone is warm from being against Hemlocke’s skin, and I can see my reflection in its dark surface.
“As a stallion grows, we get bone spurs near the base of our second horn. The pendant is a stone cut from one of my spurs. Dad helped me make it when he helped me clean up around my horns for the processional. It’s the most valuable thing I have to give.” Hemlocke stares down at the pendant, then looks up at me. His eyes are burning with the magenta of his shift, bright and intense.
“It’s not the most valuable part.” I rest my hand over his heart, feeling the steady beat beneath my palm. “This is.”
Looking down at my hands, I shift my left one—scales rippling up my arm, talons extending with soft clicks. I pluck a small black scale from the back of my hand. The sting is sharp but brief. I stare up into Hemlocke’s eyes, holding his gaze, and then dig my talon carefully into his skin at his hairline. He doesn’t flinch, doesn’t move, just watches me with absolute trust. Carefully, I place the scale into the small wound, then rise up on my tiptoes and lick the wound, my saliva sealing it closed. I watch the scale melt into his skin, becoming a part of him—black against his golden skin, a permanent mark of our bond.
One down, two to go.
The thought sends both excitement and anxiety through me. Flight mother. Three mates. Chimera abilities I’m still discovering. Everything is changing so fast, and I’m not sure I’m keeping up.
But as I look at Hemlocke’s face—at the love and pride shining there—I realize I don’t have to keep up alone.
We’re doing this together.
Several emotional moments later,I walk out arm in arm with Keir, heading to where my mother and father stand on a raised platform draped in crimson and black silk. The fabric ripples in the evening breeze, catching the light from hundreds of lanterns strung throughout the courtyard. All the members of my birth flight and everyone who has sought sanctuary here are present—the crowd stretches as far as I can see, a sea of faces watching us. Keir’s pack is here, their scent distinct in the air—wild and earthy. Maeba isstanding near my parents, her white hair gleaming like moonlight. Only when she sees me in my gown and diadem does the weight of my bloodline hit her. Her weathered face goes pale, and I watch her eyes widen with recognition of what I truly am.
I kiss Corvis, tasting fresh-baked bread and home, and Hemlocke, tasting meadow flowers and devotion, before walking with Keir up the stone steps to my parents. Each step feels heavier than the last, the diadem cool against my forehead, the weight of hundreds of eyes pressing down on my shoulders.
Klauth is actually wearing his crown today—something I’ve only seen a handful of times. The ancient gold gleams against his dark red hair. He raises his hands to silence the crowd, and the noise dies as if someone cut a cord. “We are gathered here for two reasons today.” He looks around slowly before continuing, his voice carrying across the courtyard with preternatural clarity. “First, Keir Aurelio, by the rights of his people, is ascending to the rank of Alpha.” Klauth motions to Keir, and he steps forward, his shoulders squared despite the tremor I can feel through our bond.
“There’s no proof he’s bonded!” A shrill female voice calls from the center of the pack, cutting through the ceremony like a knife.
“Leana, shut your mouth! He is not your mate!” Maeba says, and I’m impressed that the elder blink hound got so loud. Her voice cracks like a whip across the assembly.
A soft growl escapes Keir’s lips, vibrating through the air. His eyes bleed to the soulless black depths of his shift—no pupil, no iris, just endless darkness. Gently, I place a single finger under his chin and turn him to face me, drawing his attention away from the challenge. His hand comes up and grips my throat—not threatening, but possessive. He stares into my eyes, and I see everything in those black depths. “Raven is my mate. I bear her bite, and she has mine.” He says, looking deep into my eyes.
“I don’t believe it. He’s mine! We planned our lives, and I just got back!” The female—Leana—says, her voice breaking with desperation. I almost feel bad for her.Almost.
