“Lily, don’t you want to stay with me and Mom?” Abraxis asks, hurt clear in his voice.
“No, I have a cursed egg and no mate. Raven and I are close, and I don’t feel threatened entering her space. Thauglor and Klauth both said that because of how close we are, we could share a space. I want to be with my sister.” Lily, for once, puts her foot down with her father, and I’m in shock. Pride swells in my chest, momentarily displacing the fear and guilt.
We head down the stone steps carved into the mountainside. Our boots scuff on the loose stones as we move, the sound echoing off the narrow walls. The echoes announce our arrival long before we appear. At the foot of the stairs, Vox, and Cerce wait for us, standing in the massive entrance hall. Both look uncomfortable as they see all of us there—an entire delegation descending on them. I’m about to kick my grandfather out of his home. The thought makes bile rise in my throat.
“How did it go?” Vox asks as he looks at me warily, his eyes tracking my every movement.
“I believe you already know, Vox, how it went.” I tilt my head at such an angle that he takes a step back. My dragoness rises slightly—that predatory stillness that precedes violence—and they both pale. I force her back down, guilt churning in my stomach. I don’t want to intimidate him. He’s family.
“Raven, cut it out.” Abraxis says, which earns him a growl from Thauglor that rumbles through the stone.
“Raven is claiming the right of inheritance. As my oldest living progeny and heir, she is here to claim Blackhaven as her own.” Thauglor crosses his arms over his chest, looking at Vox with an expression that brooks no argument.
Vox glances over at me for a moment, then looks over at Thauglor again. “It will be done. Where shall my bride and I go?” He doesn’t look at me again. I can see Abraxis pacing off to my left, agitated energy rolling off him. My chest tightens.Does Vox hate me now? Does he see me as an enemy?
“Mina has offered the space Raven and her mates had at the base of the mountain, close to Cora and her mate.” Thauglor says as Lily snuggles close to me, her warmth comforting. I lean into her, needing the contact.
“Give us a week to get things in order?” Vox glances at me, and I nod, trying to swallow past the lump in my throat.
“The school year ends in three weeks, so I can give you two weeks without an issue.” I answer formally, trying to sound more confident than I feel. My voice comes out steadier than I expected. My eyes are still locked on Abraxis, anxiously dancing around the courtyard on the phone with someone, his wings flexing with agitation.
The next thing I know, Mom, Klauth, and Ziggy appear—the air shimmering as they materialize—and Mom is already rolling her eyes. “What seems to be the issue?” She glances between me, Vox, Thauglor, Lily, then finally Abraxis.
“As far as I’m aware, there is no issue.” Vox says, puzzled, looking between my mom and me. I raise my hands, making sure everyone knows I wasn’t involved.
“Brax, what’s wrong now?” Mom has that tone in her voice that she would use when she was over our shit as kids.
“Raven is kicking my parents out of their home and taking Lily with her.” He tilts his head and crosses his arms over his chest as he flares his wings—trying to make himself bigger, more intimidating.
I flare mine wider—twice the span of his, serrated edges catching the light—and clack my teeth at him. The sound is sharp, aggressive. I will not be threatened by anyone, nest father or not. But inside, I’m crumbling. Why is he making this harder? “Lily.” I motion to my sister, my voice breaking slightly. “ASKED to join me here.” I huff out a laugh that sounds more like a sob and smirk. “Weren’t you the one pushing for all the black dragon hatchlings to return to Blackhaven?” I look over at Keir and mouth to him to get Orpheus and his mate. Within seconds, my mate is gone on his mission, blinking out of existence.
“That was different.” Abraxis states firmly, but his conviction is wavering.
“How is that different?” Vox asks, and he’s finally seeing some of his son’s bullshit firsthand. I arch a brow, watching my nest father squirm under his father’s gaze. Part of me feels vindicated. Part of me just feels tired.
“I can protect my daughter better.” He says, and Mom shakes her head at him.
“Raven, you have my blessing to take Lily and any other siblings with you that wish to live here with you.” Mom says, then looks over at Vox and Cerce. “We’ve renovated the entire lower level, and there are several open apartment areas for you to choose from. You have access to hot springs and private bathing and open spaces. The flight works on a tithe system, so we can find things for you to do.” Mom explains calmly before stepping closer to me and hugging me. Her arms are strong around me. I bury my face in her shoulder and let out a shuddering breath.
“Sorry, Mom.” I whisper and kiss her cheek, tasting salt—her tears or mine, I’m not sure. “I never wanted any of this.”
“Don’t be. Ever since his injury, he’s been fighting to find where he belongs. Deep down, he means well. But a war drake that can’t fight in a war is lost.” There’s a sadness in her gaze before she hugs me again, holding me tighter this time. “You’re doing what you need to do, baby. I’m proud of you.”
The words break something in me, and I hold her tighter, shaking with silent sobs.
I listen to the wisdom in Mom’s words, and it makes sense. Abraxis needs to control something because he feels he has none. The understanding doesn’t make it hurt less, but it helps. Soon she and the others vanish—the air shimmering where they stood—leaving my nest and me with my sister and father at Blackhaven.
It’s time to take the official walkthrough before the move. Oh, how the year has changed.
I’m twenty-one years old, dominant dragoness of the continent, claiming my own territory, and I still feel like a child playing dress-up in her mother’s clothes. I just forced my mother to submit. I just kicked my grandfather out of his home. I just split my family across two mountains.
But maybe that’s what growing into power feels like.
Terrifying and exhilarating and heartbreaking all at once.
I wipe my eyes and square my shoulders. Time to see my new home.
Time to become who I’m supposed to be, even if I don’t know who that is yet.
