Iwasbornandraised in Blezen, the island north of both the human territory and supernatural territory. Our ancestors claimed the land as a symbol of power, being above all living things, since we had always been at the top of the hierarchy.
The dragon race started out with only ice and firedrakes, but then as our species’ greed increased, our population not only dwindled, but the birth of ice and firedrakes became rare. Only dragons were being born, without the fire or ice traits that made a firedrake or icedrake.
My parents were killed because once it was found that I was a firedrake, they tried to flee Blezen to go to Fate Hollow so I could live in freedom. I was confined to that barren wasteland for thirty years before I had enough.
Blezen wasn’t just a place where the dragon race lived. It was a cult. They killed those that disagreed with their ideals and committed heinous acts of violence toward the innocent.It made me sick.
“That smells good.” Wren’s small voice tinkled off the walls as I walked back into my room holding two plates of breakfast from the cafe.
She sat cross-legged on the bed in one of my button up shirts with her hair wet from the shower. Her swollen lips curved into a smile, and my pulse quickened.
“I went down to get us something to eat while you showered.” I walked over and handed her the plate before sitting down beside her.
I’d also sent someone to check on Grayson to see if the ritual had any side effects, but I didn’t want to worry her with it when I didn’t know anything concrete.
“Mmmm.” She licked her lips before picking up her fork and stabbing the eggs. Bringing the forkful to her mouth, she ate them with the cutest smile. “These are delicious, thank you.”
“Considering the energy we burned last night, I thought we both could use something to eat.” My stomach rumbled, and I took a bite myself and glanced over at the small woman in my bed.
Wren was a goddess, and she had no idea the power she held over me just by being my mate. Not only was she perfect for me, she was my weakness. I could get her killed simply by being mated to her.
“What is it?” she asked, glancing at her plate. “I canfeelyour worry. Why are you worried?”
I jerked my chin down and sighed. “It’s not that I’m worried because of you. I’m just worried about you.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re mated to me.” I pushed a hand through my unruly curls. “I’m not a safe being to get close to.”
“Why do you say that?” Her voice broke and fear rushed through the bond.
I turn to her and place my palm against her cold cheek. “Hey, I’m not saying anything about our mating. I’m happy to be mated to you, Wren.”
She sniffled but nodded. “Sorry, I just thought maybe it was too good to be true and that you were having second thoughts.”
A roar rumbled in the back of my throat as I shook my head. “Never. We’re bonded forever, fledgling.”
Her hand rested on top of mine as her icy eyes cut through my walls. “Then why are you so worried?”
“I’m worried because I come from Blezen. There are dragons who want to use my firedrake powers for their own benefit and then there are others who want to kill me for leaving their cult.”
“Cult?” she gasped, but I pulled away and shook my head.
Anger surged through me, and I clenched my fists. “I don’t want to get into it right now, but just promise me you won’t be on campus alone from here on out. There are two separate threats we are facing, and you, being my mate, puts you in danger from one of them.”
“Can you tell me why?” She reached over and put her hand over my trembling fist, and the rage within me faded. “Why did you leave Blezen? Why do you call it a cult?”
Her cold hands cooled my body temperature as well as my anger, and I took a deep breath in and out. “There were three dragons who ran Blezen. They taught the young ones that our species was superior. We were supposed to take life from the lesser supernaturals and human race to prove our dominance. It’s what they claimed the Dragon God had told them.”
Her thumb started moving in soothing strokes. “Dragon God?”
“It’s a fear tactic,” I explained. “My parents were both icedrakes. They were forced to do some really fucked up things and they were celebrated because of it. When they had me and it was realized I was a firedrake, they tried to smuggle me to Fate Hollow, but the elders found out and had them beheaded.”
She let out a growl, tightening her grip on my hand. “That’s despicable.”
“I lived there for thirty years until one night, they were performing a sacrifice to the Dragon God. They’d stolen three basilisks, a mother, a father, and their newborn son.”
Salt permeated the air, and I noticed Wren had tears streaming down her face. “Oh, no.”
