“I need to give Keir a scale.” She says it with such certainty. If I didn’t know any better, she’s staring in the direction she’s sensing him through their bond.
“I’m sure he would wear it with pride.” Leaning forward, I kiss her cheek, tasting salt. It’s interesting that I don’t feel the insecurity or jealousy that Abraxis warned me about. Just contentment that she’s happy.
“Where did your thoughts just go?” Her eyes flick to mine as she picks up the egg carrier, strapping it to her chest with practiced movements.
“Abraxis made it a point to warn me about getting jealous over your other mates.” The hair on the nape of my neck stands on edge at the memory of that conversation.
“Only a male who is insecure in himself fears the other mates’ arrivals.” Raven says so calmly. Her eyes drop to the cursed egg she’s carrying, the orange shell glowing faintly. “Solaris wonders how you’ll handle his arrival. Him being the elder drake, stronger and more powerful.” Raven bites her bottom lip, and then the corner of her eye ticks. She has her own concerns about this.
“As the oldest drake in our nest, he would by default lead us. I also understand that he will hold the majority of your attention, being the stronger male.” This is a subject I’ve thought about since she received a cursed egg. I’ve made my peace with it.
The slow tilt of Raven’s head reminds me of Klauth when he’s sitting among the council, weighing evidence. She’s weighing what I told her, measuring my sincerity. Her eyes drop to the egg carrier. “He wants your counsel and brotherhood when he hatches.” Her eyes appear vacant for a moment, distant as she communicates with the being inside. “He senses you are a good male. And you honor the old ways.” Raven closes the distance between us and kisses me before leaving, her lips soft and warm.
Thauglor and Klauth told me about how they used to speak to Mina when they were in their eggs. Balor and Ziggy expanded on what they had said. The more the ancients spoke to Mina, the more possessive of the eggs she became. Raven is clinging to the egg, and I swear it responds to her and her moods—glowing brighter when she’s happy, dimmer when she’s stressed. He is another mate of hers, one that cannot protect itself yet. We have a good mate, one that I count my lucky stars I was blessed to have.
And I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure she never regrets choosing me.
Chapter 45
Raven
I feelthe pull in the direction I sense Keir—a warm tug in my chest that says he’s somewhere in the eastern wing. But a more insistent pulse pulls me deep into the bowels of the academy, toward the ancient stone corridors that smell like earth and secrets. I find my birth father and nest father Klauth standing on either side of a large oak table scarred with centuries of use. The torchlight casts dancing shadows across their faces.
“It had to be fucking drow.” My father practically hisses, and I’ve rarely heard him use that tone—raw fury barely contained.
“From what we learned, Abaddon was working with the drow before Mina roasted him. I believe the drow are working with the mages now.” Klauth says, looking from the documents scattered across the table, then up at my dad. The papers are covered in what looks like blood-red ink.
“It wouldn’t shock me. We still have the issue of which teacher was working with Kai and Abaddon from twenty years ago.” My dad tilts his head, then looks toward the door. “Raven...” Shock is evident onhis face as he gawks at me, like he can’t believe I’m standing here. Like I’ve crossed some invisible line.
I raise my hand in a placating manner and approach cautiously, my boots quiet on the stone floor. “Mom told me stories of what had happened. Being the future nest mother and one day—a billion years in the future—queen.” That earns me a smile from Klauth that softens his normally stern expression. “I need to know our history and potential enemies.” Stepping closer, I see all the documents sprawled out across the table—maps, reports, drawings of the drow compound.
“The nest you and your mother demolished is now an enormous crater in the center of the lake.” Thauglor says with a wince, like the memory still hurts. His eyes drift to my wing, and I shift it, stretching it open. The healed bone pulls slightly but holds. Dad moves closer and looks at the main bone that had been broken, his fingers hovering but not quite touching. “Are you cleared to fly with it in human form?” His sapphire gaze flickers, showing the hidden concern beneath the casual question.
“I am going later today to get another set of X-rays. I can fly as my dragon as long as Corvis gets me off the ground before I shift.” My eyes dart between both dads, and I can sense their fear that I am a sitting target. Grounded. Vulnerable. The heir who can’t escape if someone comes for her.
“What time do you go?” Klauth asks as he opens his arms to me. I kiss Thauglor on the cheek, breathing in his familiar scent of smoke and old leather, then move to snuggle into Klauth’s arms. He purrs deeply for me—a sound that rumbles through his chest and into mine—and I sigh, relaxing in his grip despite the weight of everything pressing down on us.
“After fifth period. Callan and Vaughn are excusing Keir and me so I can go for the check-up.” I bite my bottom lip and take a step back, looking up into Klauth’s crimson-flecked amber eyes. I shift my weight anxiously from foot to foot.
“With what we’ve figured out...” I bite my bottom lip, trying to figure out how I want to say the next part. The words feel too big, too important to mess up. “You’re basically my birth father, and so is Balor.” I spit it out, almost tripping over my own words. I open the sleeve of my jacket and stare at his scale implanted there—crimson and amber swirled together, a permanent mark of what we are to each other.
“That is true. What’s on your mind, precious one?” Klauth brings his hand up and puts the side of his index finger under my chin to get me to look up at him. My eyes dart around the room for several moments, barely flicking up to make eye contact. The anxiety builds in my throat like I’m trying to swallow glass.
“Am I? I mean, may I?” I bite my lip harder, trying to push past the anxiety and fear of rejection that’s threatening to choke me.
“May you what?” He’s smiling, and I see the start of tears gathering in the corner of his eyes, making them shine in the torchlight.
“May I call you Dad?” A single tear rolls down my cheek. I feel it rolling slowly until it hits my chin, warm and vulnerable. “Calling you my nest father feels wrong knowing you and Dad and Balor all are a part of who I am, what made me.” I pull my wings in tight and draw my shoulders up, making myself smaller, bracing for rejection.
Before my mind has a chance to wander and dredge up negative thoughts, Klauth hugs me to him tightly. The thunderous purr that escapes his lips makes the tears I was fighting fall freely. A soft laugh escapes my lips, relief flooding through me. “Well, you have fathered four children now. The most in the nest.”
Klauth laughs as he sets me down and kisses my forehead, the gesture so tender it makes my chest ache. “Yes, I suppose you’re right.” He has the broadest smile and is probably the happiest I’ve ever seen him—like I’ve given him some precious gift.
“I technically have three. Raven, Thorne, and Orpheus—unless your son is a chimera too.” Thauglor says with a smirk, though there’s something wistful in his expression.
“Let’s face it, Daddy. If Allister had a special ability, the entire nest, and school would know.” I say, looking at Thauglor before turning to look at Klauth. “Hmm... Klauth, I’ll call you Dad—you’re more serious. Thauglor, you’ll stay Daddy.” I purse my lips, thinking about what to call Balor. “I think I’ll call Balor Pops. That way everyone knows who I’m calling.” This whole being a chimera thing is getting very confusing. Three fathers, multiple bloodlines, abilities I’m still discovering.
“For your and the other children’s safety outside of the nest, call me by my first name. Same thing with Balor—we don’t need you, Orpheus, or Thorne being targeted.” Klauth says, and I nod, seeing the wisdom behind it. The weight of being heir settles heavier on my shoulders. Even how I address my family becomes a security concern.
