Esme's posture is defiant. That kiss was a mistake. Each time our lips meet, the walls between us shake. I see the evidence written in her stance, the fierce emotion around her eyes that betrays her. What began as mutual hatred—assassin and target, witch and dragon—has transformed into something neither of us can control. Blood bond, yes, but something more primal burns beneath.
“LEAVE!”A roar tears from my chest, shattering stone beneath my claws. The dome of Draethys trembles dangerously. I cannot maintain this form much longer without bringing the entire underground city down upon us all. A victory Anees would surely celebrate.
Brynn, at least, recognizes the danger. She drags her sister between two administrative buildings as they vanish into the tumult. Only then do I surrender my dragon form.
The transformation ripples through me—scales retracting beneath flesh, wings folding into my spine, bones compressing with sickening cracks. Moments later I kneel naked and human, chest heaving, sweat streaming down my temples as reality slowly reassembles itself around me.
Byzu's howl cuts through the chaos. “Daynthazar, you godsdamned maniac!”
I lift my gaze to see him charging toward me, armor rattling with each stride, a black cloak billowing from his fist. Dragons converge around us in a murmuring circle—some with approvingnods, others with furrowed brows. The elders' disapproving glares burn into my back.
“What the hell did you do?!” He flings the cloak over my naked shoulders.
My fist connects with his jaw before I can think better of it. “You sold us out! Our family! Our kingdom!”
“The hell I did!” Blood beads at the corner of his mouth.
“I saw you plotting with Anees and Brutus Meraxis!” My second swing meets empty air as he sidesteps.
Byzu backs away, eyes narrowing. “You've got this all wrong. I wasn't conspiring with anybody.”
“Esme saw you with the Braynor boy.”
Something shifts in his expression—amusement, of all things. “I thought I caught her scent. That shadow cloak... remarkable, isn't it? Dragon energy in darkblood hands creates wonders. No wonder Anees wanted her close.”
“For whatever brotherly love remains between us, Byzu—end this.”
“I wasn't conspiring, dammit!” His voice drops. “I was... pretending.”
“Pretending?”
“Father suspected traitors in our council months ago. I played along when the Braynors approached me.”
The crowd presses closer, dozens of dragon eyes fixed on our exchange. They're my responsibility now. My subjects. The weight of that knowledge tears at something vital inside me.
“You played along,” I echo, the words hollow in my mouth.
Byzu's eyes narrow. “I only discovered Anees's involvement this morning. He's kept everything hidden. Only Brutus Meraxis and his inner circle knew he orchestrated the whole rebellion.” He runs a hand through his hair. “I've been searching everywhere for Father to warn him. I can't find him.”
“You won't,” I say, the words like ash in my mouth. “Anees killed him.”
Byzu freezes. His golden eyes widen, then dull as understanding hits. His jaw clenches, a muscle twitching beneath the skin. Hishands tremble before curling into fists at his sides. A low sound escapes him, not quite a growl, not quite a moan.
I recognize his pain because it mirrors my own. That hollow ache where certainty used to live, that raw fury begging for release.
“I’m king now,” I say, my voice barely steady.
I’m king now.
And I’ve just lost my queen.
Byzu gradually regains composure, the shock fading. We slip away from the crowd, ducking past guards whose hands hover near sword hilts, avoiding the questioning glances of administrators clutching scrolls to their chests. The west wing offers us temporary sanctuary.
“Something's happening at the north entrance,” I murmur, watching dragons stream through the grand hallway toward the palace steps.
“What do you know of Arrynth?” I ask.
Byzu's golden eyes darken. “I kept him at arm's length from the conspirators. Told the Braynors I was working on him while actually warning him away.”
