10. Tiamat

Chapter 10

Tiamat

My mother, mates, cousin, and her mates are gathered around rough sketches that Nikita has drawn on the ground, strategizing and planning our next move. I watch them intently, feeling somewhat out of place during their tactical discussions. Unlike them, I am not the strategist or the tactician. I am a weapon of mass destruction, a force to be unleashed when the time calls for it. But right now, I feel like I am being held back, restrained by invisible chains tethering me to the earth, much like the deep dragons above us.

"How are we going to proceed?" Draven's voice breaks through my thoughts, his arm wrapping around me as he pulls me close. I lean into his embrace, seeking comfort and reassurance in his presence. Slowly, I lift my gaze to meet his, drawing in a deep breath.

"That's a loaded question," I reply with a forced smile, burying my face against his throat and pressing my forehead against his neck. "I'm torn. I can't decide if the dragons are a distraction or a threat. Part of me, I want to save them, but I also want to keep us safe."

I hold on to him tightly, hoping that somehow he might have the answers I seek. That Draven might be able to provide the clarity and guidance I so desperately need in this moment of uncertainty.

Draven's fingers weave through the thick strands of my hair, each gentle tug sending a shiver down my spine. His touch is like a soothing balm, his warmth seeping into my very core as I lean into him, seeking solace and strength in his embrace. The love I feel for him swells within me, filling every corner of my being.

"War is never easy," he murmurs, his lips brushing against my temple in a tender kiss. The deep resonance of his voice washes over me, calming the tumultuous thoughts swirling in my mind. "They may be dragon kin, but if they turn against us, we must see them as the enemy. They become a threat that we cannot afford to ignore."

Another kiss is pressed to my temple, his arms tightening around me in a protective embrace. "I understand," I whisper. His words were a balm to my troubled soul. "But it doesn't make it any easier."

As much as Draven's words soothe me, a pang of guilt gnaws at my insides. The weight of responsibility hangs heavy on my shoulders, knowing that I may soon be forced to confront my own kind in battle. Yet, despite the turmoil within me, I draw strength from Draven's unwavering support. I know that together, we will face whatever challenges lie ahead.

"I know, baby," Draven murmurs, planting a kiss on my temple before guiding me to join the others. As we approach, I find my mother and Nikita engrossed in a heated debate over the optimal line of attack. With a shake of my head, I glance at the hastily drawn plans before lifting my gaze to the imposing mountain ahead.

"Divide and conquer," I propose, my voice firm as I lay out my plan. "I'll shift and fly up to draw everyone's attention to me. Draven will hold my bracelet, and if the mages attempt to take control of me, he'll slap it on one of my horns."

I meet each of their gazes with unwavering determination. "You know the Drow want to capture you," my mother interjects, her voice tinged with concern.

"I know they do," I reply, my tone resolute. "That's why Draven is coming with me to keep me safe. The Drow will focus their attention on me, giving you all the diversion you need to launch a three-front attack."

As I speak, the voice of Gallus, an ancient presence I've come to rely on, resonates in my mind, offering guidance and strategy. With his wisdom at my side, I feel more confident than ever in our ability to overcome whatever challenges lie ahead.

The weight of my decision settles heavily in the air, palpable in the tension that grips us all. I see the resignation in my mother's eyes, her acceptance of the harsh reality we face. Her sigh carries the weight of countless battles fought and lost.

"Sadly, Tia's plan is the most sound we've come up with," she concedes, her voice heavy with frustration. The deep growl of her beast echoes her sentiments, a testament to our shared determination.

Knox's plea cuts through the air, his desperation clear in every word. "You can't be serious, we have babies," he implores, his hand trembling as it runs through his hair.

I meet his gaze, my heart aching with the knowledge of what I must do. "I know," I whisper, my voice trembling with emotion. "And that's exactly why I have to do this. I need to make this world safe for them, with or without me in it."

As the truth of my words settles over us, a sense of resolve washes over me. Deep down, I know I'm willing to sacrifice everything for the sake of my children. They will know the love of their mother, even if it means facing death.

The tension in the air crackles as Nikita steps forward, her crimson lips curved in a smirk. Her presence commands attention, and for a moment, I'm reminded of the fierce rivalry we once shared. "The only one of us that messes with life or death is me," she declares, her words carrying the weight of her authority.

A wry smile tugs at my lips. "You've got me there," I concede, acknowledging her unique expertise in matters of life and death.

But beneath the banter, there's a solemnity to our conversation. I turn to Nikita, meeting her gaze with a sense of mutual understanding. "In all seriousness, what I'm offering to do is extremely dangerous," I admit, my tone grave. "But looking at our suggestion objectively, it's our best course of action."

For once, Nikita agrees with me, and her rare acquiescence lends weight to our decision. She turns to my mother, her expression softened with empathy. "I'm sorry, Auntie, but she's right," she says gently. "They will focus on her, so we can get in there and take them out." Nikita's hand reaches out to stroke my mother's arm, offering what comfort she can in the face of uncertainty.

Mom's response is resolute, her concern for our safety clear in every word. "I'll agree on one condition," she declares, her voice unwavering. "I go with you, Tia. We can't risk losing the mother and father of the hatchlings."

I nod in agreement, grateful for her steadfast support. With my mother by my side, I know we'll face whatever dangers lie ahead together.

One hour later…

As I stand at the precipice, gazing up at the towering cliffs before us, a sense of urgency pulses through my veins. Time is of the essence, and every passing moment brings us closer to the looming threat of the Drow.

With a deep breath, I turn to my mother, passing her the bracelet that, in theory, should protect my dragon form. In theory, I am defenseless against the sinister machinations of the Drow mages. My dragoness roars within me, her fierce presence surging to the forefront of my consciousness. In an instant, she seizes control, her power coursing through my body as she takes shape.

The transformation is swift and undeniable. My colossal dragoness emerges, her scales gleaming in the sunlight as she shakes out her mighty wings. I lower my head, offering my mother a perch between my horns, and with four powerful beats of my wings, we ascend into the sky.

From my elevated vantage point, I behold the courtyard below, where the captive dragons languish in chains, their primal roars echoing in the air. The Drow mages turn their attention toward us, their malevolent intent palpable even from this distance.

In the depths of my mind, the voice of Gallus resonates with unwavering authority. "Your fire will not harm the dragons," he assures me, his words a beacon of guidance in the midst of uncertainty. With a resolute nod, I heed his counsel, unleashing a torrent of flames upon the earth below. As the inferno consumes the courtyard, I can only pray that Gallus's wisdom holds true, and that our daring gambit will tip the scales in our favor.

As my flames roar to life, a deafening cacophony fills the air, drowning out all other sounds. The courtyard is bathed in an infernal glow as my fiery breath blankets the landscape from end to end. I watch with grim satisfaction as the captive dragons break free from their chains, their primal roars mingling with the crackle of the flames.

Amidst the chaos, the anguished screams of the Drow barely register, their cries drowned out by the relentless fury of my inferno. With a final surge of draconic power, I cut off the flow of fire, the courtyard now a smoldering battlefield strewn with ash and debris.

With a heavy thud, I land amid the charred remains, keeping my mother safely perched high above the flames. As the embers die down, the once-proud spires stand as nothing more than crumbling ruins, their lofty heights reduced to smoldering rubble.

Turning my gaze to the twin towers looming before us, I transmit my intent to my mother, who swiftly descends my back and takes her place on solid ground. With a determined snort, I ram my colossal head into the first spire, the structure shuddering before finally succumbing to the force of my onslaught and crashing to the earth below.

A chorus of screams fills the air as the tower crumbles, its inhabitants plummeting to their doom. With ruthless efficiency, I turn my attention to the second tower, repeating the process with unyielding resolve. As the stone structure crumbles beneath my onslaught, I hear the telltale sound of Rex shifting, his draconic form now wreathed in flames as he unleashes his own fiery assault upon the crumbling tower.

As we survey the aftermath of our destruction, the air is thick with the acrid scent of smoke and burning debris. The charred remnants of the once imposing towers smolder around us, casting long shadows over the desolate landscape.

With a heavy sigh, I shift back to my human form, the weight of exhaustion settling over me like a suffocating blanket. The familiar weight of Austin's blade in my hand ground me, its presence a constant reminder of our goal.

Closing my eyes, I focus my senses, reaching out with my mind in search of the elusive location of Austin's severed head. With a furrowed brow, I sense a faint pull to the north, a distant beacon drawing us ever closer to our quarry.

"We need to head further north," I announce, my voice tinged with determination as I gesture toward our destination. Draven steps forward, his hand finding mine in a reassuring grip as he seeks clarity on our next move.

"I'm not exactly sure how far," I admit, a sense of uncertainty gnawing at the edges of my resolve. "But it's over that way. We could fly there faster, but we'll need the skeletons with us."

Nikita's laughter cuts through the tension like a ray of sunlight, her confidence unwavering as she offers a solution to our dilemma. "You do realize I can open rifts and move them quickly?" she interjects, her eyes twinkling with mischief as she meets my gaze. "Once you get where you need us, summon me again like you did last time."

Her words ignite a spark of hope within me, a renewed sense of purpose as we prepare to embark on the next leg of our journey. With Nikita's assurance ringing in our ears, we set our sights on the horizon, ready to face whatever challenges lie ahead.

The air is heavy with anticipation as we prepare to embark on the next phase of our mission. I watch as Nikita and her mates descend the mountain, their figures disappearing into the distance as they regroup with their forces below.

Turning my gaze towards the horizon, I squint against the glare of the sun, trying to discern the details of the settlement nestled at the foot of the hill. The silhouette of a castle looms in the distance, its towering spires casting long shadows over the surrounding landscape. A village sprawls at its base, a cluster of humble dwellings basking in the golden light of the setting sun.

An impulse seizes me, and I turn to my mates with a determined expression. "You two need to fly us in," I declare, my voice carrying a sense of urgency. "If they see me, they'll go on the attack."

Draven and Knox exchange a glance, their expressions reflecting a mix of apprehension and resolve. "Sounds like a solid plan," Knox acknowledges, his tone tinged with determination. He casts a glance towards his older brother, a silent challenge passing between them.

"Your dragon is bigger than mine. Why don't you fly us in?" Knox suggests, his words echoing the unspoken truth of our predicament. Draven meets my gaze, a flicker of determination igniting in his eyes.

"Let's do this," Draven declares with a smile, his confidence bolstered by the weight of our shared purpose. With a fluid motion, he strides away, his form shifting seamlessly into that of his mighty dragon.

As I prepare to mount his massive form, a surge of adrenaline courses through me, mingling with the thrill of anticipation. With my mates and mother by my side, we stand ready to face whatever challenges await us. Our resolve is unshakable as we soar towards our destiny.