“Like I’ve told you a million times before, I don’t know anything.” She rasped; her voice hoarse yet resolute. “And even if I did, I wouldn’t tell you. You’ll have to kill me first.”
Determination flashed in her eyes, even as she struggled against his chains that bound her. I pushed myself away from the metal surface and towards the bars, drawn to my mother. They can’t see me. This was a fragment of her past, a haunting memory replaying for me.
King Draevens' grip tightened as he pulled her closer, eliciting a whimper from her lips, and my heart twisted in response. I gripped the cold metal bars, my knuckles turning white as I watched the torment unfold. The anguish etched across her face lit a fire within me, a desperate urge to reach through time and space to protect her, to free her from this nightmare.
Lucian leaned in, inhaling deeply at the curve of her neck, his fangs glinting in the dim light. But he didn’t bite her.
“Then I only have one other use for you.” He murmured, yanking her head back cruelly. Dark bruises and bite marks marked her skin, evidence of her past torment. My stomach twisted violently. I knew exactly what an unwanted vampire bite felt like—the way it burned, how it stripped away any sense of control. The agony was unlike anything else.
“Magnus,” Lucian called lazily, his eyes never leaving her. “Tell them to prepare for her experiments. And if they fail…” His tongue flicked out, tracing the air between them like a predator savouring its next meal.
“Then she’s mine.”
Magnus gave a short nod, stepping closer to whisper something in the king’s ear. The guards moved swiftly, breaking the chains and dragging her across the stone floor that was covered in dry and fresh blood. She thrashed weakly,her body frail but her spirit unwavering. I lurched forward, desperate to stop them.
I tried to scream her name, to call it, to do anything—but nothing came out. My voice was stolen, just like my power tochange this. All I could do was stand here, watching helplessly as my mother was hauled away, knowing exactly what awaited her.
A cold, crushing despair wrapped around my chest, my heart fracturing with every step they took. The room began to distort, the figures dissolving into shadows before vanishing completely—leaving me alone in the dark, suffocating echoes of the past.
I woke up with a gasp, my chest rising and falling rapidly. This time, darkness did not surround me; I was staring up at the night sky, the stars scattered like shattered diamonds across the sky. A comforting warmth cocooned me, and something solid wrapped around me, grounding me in the present. Xarothar was looking down at me, his silver eyes concerned.
“You’re finally awake.”His tail curled around me, squeezing gently, a silent reassurance.
I exhaled slowly, the tension in my chest easing just enough to allow a small, tired smile.“I’m sorry about your mother.”
My breath hitched. “You saw?”
His eyes flickered, avoiding mine as he gazed past me, his expression unreadable.“I did.”His voice was softer.
A low growl rumbled through him, vibrating against my back, his annoyance simmering just beneath the surface.
“What’s wrong?” I tried to sit up, only to realise my arm was secured in a sling and the pain was reduced to a faint ache.
Xarothar moved carefully, helping me into a sitting position. The crisp winter breeze brushed against my skin, ruffling my hair as I took in my surroundings. And then I saw them, those piercing blue eyes watching me from the shadows.
“Cherry is awake.” Ronan drawled with a wicked grin, his gaze sweeping over me in quiet amusement. He held a bowl of something rich and savoury, the scent making my stomach tighten with hunger.
Oh, hell. He shouldn’t be here.
He must have noticed the panic flicker across my face because he carefully set the bowl on the ground, his movements slow. His sharp, blue eyes never left mine as he remained crouched, raising his hands in a gesture of peace.
“I’m not going to hurt you,” he said smoothly, his voice deep. “Besides, your dragon here would crush me before I ever had the chance.” He smiled at me lightly.
It was only then that I truly took in Xarothar's transformation. The last time I was awake, he had stood at my height—now, even lying down, he was so much bigger. His body had grown taller and broader, his black-silver scales darkening in a richer hue. Low, jagged spikes ran along his snout and up the crest of his head, giving him an even formidable presence. He was changing, and I had no idea what to expect, how much bigger he would grow.
Hiding Xarothar was going to become damned near impossible. Then it hit me, where were Magnus and the other soldiers? They would go straight to the king if they survived.
Panic clawed at my chest, but Xarothar's voice rumbled through my mind.“No need to worry, Raven, your hunter handled it.”
“My hunter?”
He just hummed in reply.
I snapped my gaze back to Ronan, who was still crouched nearby, watching me like I might bolt. “You killed them?”
He gave an easy shrug, mischief dancing in those wicked blue eyes that I already liked the look of. “Kind of my job, Cherry.Though, I gotta say… playing knight in shining armour for a pretty little damsel?” His grin turned sharp, teasing.
“A total perk.”
