9. Tiamat

Chapter 9

Tiamat

As we march alongside the skeletal army, I can't help but feel a sense of dissonance deep within me. The weight of the armor and the grip of the weapon in my hand feel foreign, a stark reminder of the life I was forced to lead in the shadows.

It goes against every fiber of my being to hide, to conceal the power that flows through my veins. For so long, I was kept hidden from the world, my abilities deemed too dangerous to be unleashed upon the unsuspecting masses. And yet, until now, I hadn't realized the extent of the resentment that had festered within me.

Unlike my many siblings, I wasn't allowed the simple pleasures of dating or socializing with others. Instead, I was destined for a life of solitude, groomed to one day take my place as a queen. But as I glance over at Aurora, my mother, I grapple with a newfound realization.

"Mom?" I say, my voice barely above a whisper as I bump shoulders with her, seeking solace in her presence.

"Yes, baby?" she responds, her voice gentle and reassuring as we march towards the distant spires looming on the horizon.

Exhaling loudly; the words tumbling from my lips before I can stop them. "I've been thinking. I forgive you and dad for hiding me like you did." It's a confession that weighs heavily on my heart, a release of the pent-up emotions that have plagued me for so long.

Aurora's brow furrows in concern as she takes in the look on my face, her eyes searching mine for answers. "What's wrong?" she asks, her voice soft and understanding.

I shake my head, forcing out a laugh that rings hollow in the battlefield's stillness. "Look what happened when everyone realized I existed," I reply bitterly, my gaze sweeping across the army marching alongside us.

Because I breathe, we are at war. It's a fucked-up correlation, one that fills me with a sense of bitterness and regret. But as we continue our march towards the spires in the distance, I know that there is no turning back now. We are bound by duty and destiny, united in our quest to defend our realm against the forces of darkness that threaten to consume us all.

As Aurora looks out over the surrounding skeletal army, a heavy sigh escapes her lips, carrying with it the weight of her worries and fears. "Your father and I were concerned this was a possibility," she admits, her voice tinged with sadness. For a moment, she looks down, her gaze distant and troubled.

When she meets my eyes again, her expression softens, and she lets out another sigh. "I was almost killed twice," she confesses, her voice barely above a whisper. "Once before you were born, and then once after. Gallus saved me and gifted me with his strength and powers."

The revelation hits me like a physical blow, the weight of my mother's plight settling heavily upon my shoulders. Without a second thought, I wrap my arms around her, drawing her close as we continue to walk. The warmth of her embrace is a comfort amidst the chaos that surrounds us, a reminder of the bond that binds us together as mother and daughter.

"When they took you, almost killed you," she continues, her voice trembling with emotion. "I knew why I was given the power." Her words send a shiver down my spine, the gravity of her sacrifice hitting me like a wave crashing against the shore.

Aurora's smile is bright and unwavering as she touches my face, her touch gentle and reassuring. "I was given that power to hold for you, until you needed it," she explains, her sense of purpose shining through in her eyes.

In that moment, I can't help but smile, the love and admiration I feel for my mother overwhelming me. Despite the challenges she has faced, despite the pain and suffering she has endured, she has remained steadfast in her commitment to protect and support me.

Trapped between two worlds, neither fully Lycan nor fully dragon, my mother has always been a beacon of strength and resilience.

As my mother's words sink in, I find myself at a loss for how to respond. The weight of her sacrifice, of the power she has held for me, is almost too much to bear. "You are far more than just a vessel for power, Mom," I finally manage to say, my voice thick with emotion.

Reaching out, I take her hand in mine, threading my fingers through hers and holding on tight. "Thank you for being here with me and always fighting for and with me," I continue, my words a whispered prayer of gratitude for the woman who has been my rock through it all.

A rogue tear escapes from the corner of my eye, tracing a path down my cheek as I struggle to contain my emotions. In that moment, I am acutely aware of the loved ones who stand by my side, my mates to my left and my triplets with my father and grandfather.

They are the reason I fight, the reason I am so very far from home, facing mortal danger at every turn. The thought of them fills me with a fierce determination, a fierce determination to keep them safe, no matter the cost.

It is at this moment that I understand why my mother went to war to take back her mother's castle. Why she fought with every fiber of her being to protect her family. For a mother's drive to protect her children is the strongest force in the world, a force that knows no bounds and will stop at nothing to ensure their safety and well-being. And as we march towards the spires in the distance, I know I will do whatever it takes to keep my children safe. I will do anything to protect them from harm and to ensure that they have a future worth fighting for.

"As a mom and a leader, you understand what I went through. What we are going through together," my mother says, her smile warm and understanding as Nikita and Rex change our direction, guiding us towards the looming spires on the horizon.

I can't help but laugh softly, shaking my head in agreement. "We both have children we're fighting for," I reply, a sense of camaraderie and understanding settling between us. It's a rare moment of connection, one that fills me with a sense of gratitude and appreciation for my mother's presence by my side.

As the imposing spires grow closer, casting dark shadows over the mountains before us, I feel the urge to shift and unleash my fury upon our enemies. But I know that doing so would only play into their hands. They have mages capable of taking control of us, of using us as weapons against our loved ones.

The thought alone sends a shiver down my spine, reminding me of the dangers that lurk ahead. I take a deep breath, willing myself to remain calm and composed, to resist the primal urge to succumb to my dragon's instincts.

For the last thing she would have wanted is to hurt her mates and family, to betray the bonds of love and loyalty that bind us together. And so, with a silent vow to protect those I hold dear, I steel myself for the battles that lie ahead, determined to emerge victorious against all odds.

I press a gentle kiss to my mother's cheek, the bond between us strengthened by our shared understanding and determination. With a brief nod, I move to stand between my mates, feeling their comforting presence close beside me.

Turning to each of them, I place a soft kiss on their cheeks, a silent affirmation of the love and devotion that binds us together. Their smiles and winks in response fill me with a sense of warmth and reassurance, reminding me of the incredible bond we share.

Together, we have three children, and the love that flows between us is a powerful force, enough to fuel my desire to annihilate the Drow utterly. My mates mean the world to me, their presence a constant source of strength and support in the face of adversity.

As we prepare to face what may be the most dangerous battle I've ever fought, I find myself understanding my mother's devotion to all of my fathers. During chaos and uncertainty, your mate becomes the center of your universe, the anchor that grounds you and gives you purpose.

They are the air you breathe, the light that guides you through the darkness. And as we stand together, ready to confront whatever challenges lie ahead, I know that with my mates by my side, there is nothing we cannot overcome.

"Death..." I call out, raising my voice to get Nikita's attention amidst the chaos of our surroundings. Slowly, the hooded figure turns towards me, the red glow emanating from the sockets of the skeleton's eye sockets fixating on me.

"Can you summon some flying demons to do some recon?" I ask, knowing that in her current form, she cannot unleash her usual familiars. The tattoos adorning her body serve as conduits for her familiars, allowing her to command them when she's in her flesh.

As I speak, the crimson glow in her eye sockets intensifies, and a chorus of screeches fills the air. Suddenly, a flock of Cloakers swoops down from the sky, their twisted forms resembling manta rays as they glide overhead. Their eyes burn with the same crimson hue as Nikita's, a sign of her control over them.

With the demons now on reconnaissance duty, all we can do is wait anxiously to see what information they uncover. The tension in the air is palpable as we prepare ourselves for whatever revelations their scouting mission may bring.

We stand in the mountain's shadow, our gazes fixed on the jagged path that winds its way up the side of the cliff towards the twin spires looming ominously above us. The air hangs heavy with tension; the stillness broken only by the sound of our breathing and the distant echo of battle.

Oddly enough, there's nothing moving along the rock face, no sign of life or movement to betray the presence of our enemies. It's as if the very mountain itself holds its breath, anticipating the clash that is sure to come.

As we wait for answers to what lies beyond the cliff edge, Nikita shifts back to her human form, her horse disappearing in an instant. Her words carry the same venom that I feel building in my chest as she delivers her report. "The Drow are trying to enslave several deep dragons to use against us," she says, her voice laced with anger and determination. "They have them chained in the courtyard, hitting them with all kinds of magic to break their will."

The image of those majestic creatures, bound and tormented by our enemies, fills me with a sense of righteous fury. Closing my eyes, I reach out with my senses, trying to connect with the other dragons. I can feel their pain and fear, the constant assault of magic wearing them down slowly but surely.

"We need to help them," I declare, my eyes snapping open to reveal obsidian orbs with pulsing blue centers. In that moment, I feel the ancient magic coursing through my veins, a powerful force driving me forward with unwavering determination.

I will stop at nothing to save my kin and destroy those who seek to harm them. With a resolute nod, I steel myself for the battle ahead. I am ready to unleash the full extent of my power in defense of my brethren and the world we call home.