48. Abraxas

Iretreated to the balcony that overlooked my city. I sat on the stone railing, my legs dangling over the side. I needed to calm down and looking down at everything always helped. My people went about their lives, reminding me there was peace and calm in this world.

Thecity was still a wreck after the last battle, but I could already see rebuilding efforts. Neighbors and friends came together, stacking bricks and building scaffolds to repair what had been torn down. Everywhere, soldiers in dark attire milled about. Some offered leadership, but others just assisted where needed. It calmed my heart.

Iheard her footsteps before she hopped up on the railing beside me, her hand finding mine.

"Tell me about that place." Her voice was soft as she met my gaze.

"That place… SacrignisTorr. It was the dragon's last stronghold in the War of Flames. A place for families where eggs were laid. KingObion brought his forces there and murdered them all. My aunts, my cousins, my entire people. Gone."

"How? How could he have taken on so many?"

Ifelt my claws extend from my fingertips, ripping into the stone beneath them. "Treachery. He came, claiming peace, wanting to negotiate a truce. So many dragons had already been killed, but still, we had not learned the wickedness of the fae. He was welcomed in. My father begged them not to, but they wouldn't listen. They thought that logic and the greater good would prevail. Those fools." I shook my head.

"I had always heard there was a great battle and the valor of KingObion. But there was no way he could have taken on a force of dragons like that. What happened?"

"I don't know. They ordered my father away, saying he was too volatile. By the time we heard of the betrayal, it was too late. Me and him were now the last dragons in existence."

Herface was grim. "That's why your father invited Hadeon into the city that day. Retribution."

"I believe he saw it that way. But the cost was too high."

"We will not repeat the mistakes of the past."

"I have lived long enough to know that is never true, little bird. I know I will sacrifice whoever stands in my way to destroy him."

"Abraxas." She held my cheek in her hand, stroking gently with her thumb, "I've seen you choose your people time and time again. Why do you doubt that now?"

"Yes, my people. During the War of Flames, the people of the dragon kingdom remained loyal. Even humans with lives so short, were willing to sacrifice themselves to save my people. It was the same in the RiverKingdom to the south. This is why we have always remained allies. The rest of the continent, however, can burn for all I care."

"Abraxas, you said so yourself. The humans and small folk of this world don't care about war. They care about their own daily survival. You cannot blame them for the crimes of generations past." Her eyes hardened. "Let us focus on the destruction of our true enemy."

"Wise words from one so young. But what will happen to this world once Hadeon is gone, I wonder?"

Sheshrugged. "What always happens when the hydra loses a head? Another grows back in its place."

"You make it sound like killing Hadeon has no merit, my love."

"Oh, it has merit. It will feel damn good to squeeze the life out of him with my own hands. However, I won't pretend it will solve all that ails with this world." She let out a long sigh, then squeezed my hand. "I understand why going to the Torr will be painful for you, my king. ButPallas is right; there is no better place for us to go. It's protected, so we can figure out what needs to be done and how to destroy the node. Besides…" She looked out over the balcony to the west. "I've been dreaming of it."

Iraised an eyebrow at her. "What sort of dreams?"

Sheshook her head. "All the mushrooms I have been taking muddled it, but I can feel it. It feels like…" She pointed to the barren land outside the city, the cursed place where my father had been slain.

"So, you do know it. The curse that the Torr will hold. You felt how it seemed to suck the life from you. It is worse for me. At the Torr, the curse is tenfold. No one can enter and survive."

Shelooked thoughtful, and then a mischievous smirk entered her eyes. "No fae can enter and survive." She leaned into me and planted a soft kiss on my cheek. "Leave this to me."

Shemoved to hop down when I snagged her around the waist, pulling her body against mine and pressing my tongue into her mouth. She surrendered immediately, running her fingers through my hair. I felt her grip down, trying to take control as she claimed my mouth with her own. I fought back, and she bit down on my lip hard. I hissed and pulled away.

Sheflashed me that wicked grin. "Not interested in playing a little rough?"

"Princess, it's time I reminded you who the god is here." I wrapped my arms around her waist tightly and shifted our weight over the edge of the balcony.

"Abraxas, what are y—" But her eyes widened, and she screamed as I pushed our weight over the edge, and we plummeted towards the city below.

Fora moment longer, I held her in my arms, reveling in her panic as she clung to me, arms around my neck. ThenI found that power through her that had been kept away from me for so long. In the space of two heart beats, I changed, my wings stretching out behind me, slowing our descent. She still clung to my neck, but now she rested between my wings, her warm skin pressed against the scales of my back. I stretched my neck and tail as I soared over the city.

Herbreathing started to regulate. Don't you ever fucking do that again! She screamed at me while she still clung to me with all her strength.

Ilaughed. You had it coming, little bird.

Domineeringreptile.

Icould still feel her rage, but it slowly faded, and her grip relaxed. She held me with her thighs and released her hands, arms spread wide. The wind surrounded her, and I knew she felt the same joy that the sky brought me.

I'vegot something to show you, little bird.