1. Tiamat

Chapter 1

Tiamat

The ancient power hums under my scales with every beat of my wings en route back to the Bronze Dragon Court. Every gust of wind seems to be magnified tenfold as it passes over my scales and the leather of my wings. My vision has changed irrevocably; It magnified every single detail of whatever I look at. My senses have also heightened beyond what they once were: it is almost as if I am truly in tune with the earth itself.

Through the bond, I feel the pain radiating from my mates as they deal with their father's death in their own way. Draven's pain has turned to anger; Knox is still in disbelief and possibly shock. Me? My blood is boiling under my scales. My dragoness is calling for blood and to burn the world to ash till no Drow exists anymore. She also blames the Fae for Austin's death. Through Galus's memories, I learn like me; the Fae created the Drow for a purpose. I search Galus's memories further and find out they were created as dark assassins, the Fae's answer for if a species became too powerful. Thus, furthering my need to decimate the entire hive of Drow here and in the Underverse. Part of me wants to go to war with the Fae, but I will shelve that thought for now.

Quickly, I leave Mother Russia's air space and head south, back towards my mate's kingdom. I am almost afraid of what we might find there. The pain and fear I feel through the common bond screams of mass destruction. The more I ponder what may be, the more the ancient power crackles to life and runs over my scales in flight.

"Tia?" Knox almost whispers through the bond. "Are you okay?" He asks, more worried about me than himself or his brother.

"I should be the one asking you that. I can feel you are not okay. Words don't do justice for how sorry I am for yours and Draven's loss." I say with a sigh, trying to distract myself from the rage that is simmering under the surface.

Knox goes silent for a few minutes before he walks up my back to lean against my left horn on my head. "I'm worried about Draven. He's still present in the bond, but he's so lost in his rage that I'm worried he's going to do something stupid." Fear etches the tone in Knox's voice, and I heed its underlying warning.

"Draven feels like he's failed as a son. He's an enforcer and an assassin, and yet he wasn't home to protect his family." Surprisingly, I sense my mate's emotions as if they are my own, another recent development since my ascension. As Knox preens my scales, his touch gentle yet purposeful, I feel the weight of his emotions settle over me like a heavy blanket. His concern for Draven is palpable.

I close my eyes and focus on the sensations coursing through our bond, allowing myself to fully experience the depth of Knox's emotions. There's a mixture of sadness and frustration swirling within him, a sense of helplessness that he struggles to conceal.

I understand his feelings all too well. The burden of responsibility weighs heavily on Draven's shoulders, and I can sense the guilt that gnaws at him, the constant self-doubt that plagues his mind. He's a protector by nature, a fierce and loyal guardian, and yet he blames himself for not being there when his family needed him most.

The warmth of the sun bathes me in its golden glow, casting long shadows across the land. I can feel its comforting embrace, a reminder that even in the midst of chaos, there is still beauty to be found.

As we fly, I can't help but think about the task ahead. Warning Klaus's pack of the impending danger is crucial, and I'm grateful to have Zephyr by my side to help me deliver the message swiftly.

When Zephyr is ready, I open my taloned hand, releasing him into the sky. Watching him soar off towards his destination fills me with a sense of pride. He's a magnificent creature, fiercely loyal and capable, just like his master.

With Zephyr on his way, I turn my attention to the ocean below. The water stretches out before me, its surface shimmering in the sunlight. I can feel the pull of the sea, beckoning me to dive below and feed.

Warning Knox of my intentions, I prepare myself for the hunt. With a quick nod, he moves back to where Draven is, leaving me to focus on the task at hand.

As I dive towards the ocean, the rush of cool air against my scales is exhilarating. I feel a surge of adrenaline coursing through my veins, anticipation building as I approach the water's surface. But I am undeterred. With keen eyesight, I scan the waters below for my prey. And then, I see it—a massive whale, gliding gracefully through the water. Without hesitation, I dive towards it, my sharp talons ready to strike.

In a swift and decisive motion, I seize the whale in my grasp, snapping it up in three quick bites. The taste of its flesh is satisfying, filling me with renewed strength and energy.

As I feast, I can feel the water cascading over my scales, each droplet tracing a path down my body. It's a sensation unlike any other, soothing and exhilarating at the same time.

And as I finish my meal, I can't help but feel a sense of gratitude for the ocean and all its bounty. It has provided for me once again, nourishing me and fueling me for the battles that lie ahead. With my hunger sated and my strength renewed, I prepare to continue on my journey.

In the distance, the edge of Draven's kingdom can be seen. Thick black smoke billows up from multiple places over the expanse of land. As we get closer, the sounds of battle reach my ears, and my scales stand on edge.

The intensity of Draven's rage reverberates through our bond, a searing wildfire that threatens to consume everything in its path. I can feel the raw fury coursing through him, burning bright and fierce, fueled by the news of his father's death at the hands of the Drow.

As his mate, I can't help but share in his anger, feeling it surge within me like a tidal wave threatening to overwhelm my senses. But amidst the chaos of our emotions, there's a steely determination, a resolve to seek justice and vengeance for the injustice that has been done.

"I'm with you," I respond, my voice echoing with the weight of our shared fury. "We'll make them pay for what they've done. No one gets away with harming our family."

With those words, I feel a sense of unity between us, a bond forged in the fires of our shared grief and rage. Together, we'll confront the enemy head-on, facing whatever challenges may come our way with unwavering determination and strength.

And as we prepare to unleash our wrath upon those who dare to threaten our family, I know deep down that nothing will stand in our way. For when the blood of dragons runs through your veins, there's no force in the world that can extinguish the flames of vengeance burning within.

"Wipe them from the Earth, torch everything, leave no place for them to hide." Draven's voice is all his dragon as he tries to hold it together. Like the Dragon Council, he has issued the kill order for the Drow. His voice echoes through the common dragon bond as he reaches out to his people and the castle's staff. He tells them we are closing in on their position and to hide till we can reduce the Drow's numbers. I can feel the relief of his people as they seek shelter. He tells them to head to the nest in the castle; it will be safe for them.

Once I am sure he is done speaking, I let loose the loudest, most powerful roar I can muster. Stones shake loose from walls and buildings; trees are knocked over. The Drow stop in their tracks, staring up at me in disbelief. Before the Drow closest to me can spin the catapult in my direction, I rain my force weapon mixed with lightning down upon the masses. The scent of burned flesh, wood, and earth fills my nostrils as I breathe in deeply to prepare for my next attack. Pass after pass, more Drow are burned and turned instantly to ash.

The one thing I wasn't expecting was for the Drow to be within the castle walls. I get hit by a spear on my left side. Thankfully, it does not penetrate my armored scales and falls to the ground; the spearhead flattened from impact. Draven sees me take the hit and launches off me, flying straight for the Drow.

Everything moves in slow motion as I watch the Drow drawing back the next bolt. Out of nowhere, Luna's white wolf comes flying through the air. Her dire wolf's mouth is wide open, aimed right at the Drow. Draven flairs up at the last moment as Luna impacts the Drow, sinking her toxin-filled canines deep into his blackened flesh. I watch her shake her head from side to side, ripping his flesh apart. Her once white fur painted vermillion as blood splatter paints her muzzle and chest. Noah comes charging up right after her to attack the other Drow on the wall.

I was unaware that Luna and Noah stayed behind; I was under the impression that they had left with my parents. Their presence here adds to the collateral damage that I may cause, and I do the only thing I can think of. I call through time and space through the common dragon bond to the one being besides myself that would risk life and limb for Luna. Her mate. "Marco! Your mate needs you! It's time!"

I can sense his dragon rip free of his human bonds and leaves the Ice Dragon Court moving fast. I sense the urgency through the bond of his movements. His heart sings of the happiness of finally being able to hold his adult mate. My father screams through the bond to Marco to return that he does not feel Luna is ready. I am death incarnate and a much larger, stronger dragon than my father. Marco wouldn't dare disobey me or disobey the needs of his mate. " Marco! Blacken the sky, call your kin, rain acid from above! "

Within seconds of my call, I feel the awakening of an entire clan of black dragons I was unaware existed. Marco calls forth his entire bloodline and the neighboring flights from his homelands. He hails me as the second coming of the Blood Queen. That his mate is in danger, and he must obliterate the intruders. His kin are quick to agree, and I can sense the mass moving towards our position without hesitation.

Knox launches off of my back as I hover over the wall of the castle. Shifting quickly back to my human form, I land on the wall, close to my brother and sister. Knox lands quickly next to me and looks up and down the length of the wall. I double-check my brother and sister for wounds. Thankfully, both are perfectly fine.

I scan the sky for Draven, and he is breathing his lightning breath upon all the Drow running around. My heart breaks a little, watching my alpha mate taking his pain out on the Drow. Knox grips my hand as we walk along the wall, heading towards the stone stairs to get into the courtyard. As we descend the stairs, my siblings follow behind us closely. In the eerie silence of the courtyard, the scales on the back of my neck stand on end. Something is not right; I just can not put my finger on it. Scanning the courtyard, my eyes shift again back to obsidian with the electric blue pulsing center.

Drow wander the courtyard, glamoured hiding between shadows and light advancing on the castle's front door. Without hesitation, I shove my mate behind me and throw my hands forward, sending a wave of force weapon across the courtyard. Several Drow turn just before impact to see the wave of death I sent towards them. Instantly, their once corporeal forms disintegrate, becoming dust in the wind. Through the bond, I feel Knox's shock at what was beyond his sight. Raising a single hand, I make the Shhh motion with a single finger before finishing prowling the area within the walls.

Raising my hands in front of me, I guide my arctic winds to open the front gates. The gigantic doors open smoothly to reveal the bloody, body-filled battlefield that had once been a well-manicured front lawn. Many of the bodies that litter the field were once warriors within Draven's ranks. Shaking my head, I walk through what I am, dubbing the valley of death. Hundreds of bodies litter the field, Drow, and dragon alike. Clansmen from local bear and wolf clans also lay dead in the shadow of the castle walls. On the hill under a weeping willow tree, I find Draven holding what remains of his father in his arms. Knox and I take off at a run to get to Draven. I throw safety and caution into the wind as we close the distance.

We arrive swiftly at Draven's side, and his eyes are devoid of emotion, stone cold. He's shut himself off from Knox and me to the point I can no longer sense his feelings. Hesitantly, I reach out to him; my hand shakes as it inches closer to him, closing the distance. Finally, I make contact with him, and I feel his scales shifting under his human flesh. His dragon is out for blood, and it's protecting its human half by sheltering him from what's in front of them. "Mate." Escapes Draven's lips, but the tone is all his dragon.

My eyes shift to my dragon's as I look into his eyes. "Yes?" My voice hisses, bearing some tones of my dragoness as I remain in full control.

"They killed father." His serpentine slits glance down to the headless body in his arms, then back up at me. "Stole father's head, no afterlife without head." In that one statement, it becomes clear why dragons have the urge to collect their enemies' heads.

"We must protect father's remains. Dragon, may I have my human mate back? I need his help in protecting father's body." His dragon's eyes bore into mine; my heart rate speeds up then settle's back down. I'm not sure what transpired, but soon I am looking Into Draven's emerald-green eyes once more.

"My love, my life … We must bring your father's remains into the birthing chambers. I need to preserve his body until we can get his head back." I say as gently as possible. Silent tears roll down my cheeks. Thinking about how horrible Austin's last moments must have been.

Draven looks briefly to Knox, then back down to his father's body in his arms, and simply nods. It takes Draven and Knox to carry their father back into the castle. Luna and Noah howl, their combined tone haunting, making the scales on the back of my neck stand on end. For now, we've purged the castle grounds of Drow. I know this will not be the last that we see of them. It's going to be a waiting game. Orders have been issued to gather the dead. We will construct funeral pyres for proper burials to be performed as soon as the sun sets tonight.