Page 49 of Maleen

My body is shaking with effort as my father circles me, watching every movement with a dragon’s precision. Then my body betrays me and the grasp I have on the sword slips slightly. No, no, no.

“Get my mate,” he snaps at one of his guards.

“No, leave her out of this. Let me try again!” I beg.

His strike is so fast I barely register the pain until his hand is back at his side. Blood beads and spills down my cheek; the iron ring he wears just for these lessons, glistens with red. “Don’t fucking speak. You brought this on yourself.”

My mother’s voice rings out into the yard. “Leave my son alone! He’s just a fledgling!” She struggles against the guard, trying to get to me, or him. I’m not sure.

“He’s twelve, practically fully grown. Maybe if you bred a competent male, we wouldn’t be doing this, mate.”

Tears prick at my eyes, but I refuse to let them fall as they force her to her knees in front of me.

“Son,” she cries, reaching out to brush the blood from my cheek. “I’m so sorry,” she whispers. “I didn’t know he would do this, I didn’t—”

Pain lances up my back again and I scream out in pain from the unsuspected lashing.

My father laughs. “Your son is weak,” he spits. “He can’t even do simple formations. At his age, I was already leading my own squad!”

She gasps, grabbing hold of me, trying to cover me to protect me from my fathers wrath. “He’s still a fledgling! He has years until he’s fully grown, this is barbaric!”

The whip whistles again and I try to push her off me, but it’s too late—her arms and my back are caught in the crossfire and she screams in rage.

“Mother! Stop, father! Don’t hurt her!”

His grin is cruel and slimy as it spreads across his face, as if our begging brings him joy. “I think you’ve been coddled enough by this female. Every time she comes to your defense, or you hers, you will receive discipline. I won’t have a weak, female simp for a son. And by the time I’m done with both of you, you’ll never crave the comforting touch of mother and son. In fact, she will wish you’ll have never been born.”

My mother’s sobs and screams echo into the present and I gasp, staggering back. I need to go, I need to feel the biting pain of my fists breaking things. I won’t let it happen to her—no I will save her this time. I’m not a fledgling anymore. I’m a male who doesn’t baulk at the sight of death. I embrace it, and this time will be different.

Nero lands on the training dummy next to me, tilting his head as his beady little eyes examine me with what seems like interest.

“Kill?” Ravina’s voice comes from behind me.

My eyes shutter closed for a moment before I slowly turn to face her, shame building in my gut.

“Are you okay?” she takes a step closer, appraising me with concern pinching her brows.

“I should be the one asking you that,” I grumble, my voice coming out rough with buried emotions trying to break through.

She shrugs with a small smile. “I’ve made peace with my past, but I’m still healing. All of you knowing helps, but I am sorry it upsets you. I hope…” she trails off as she fidgets with her hands, looking away toward the troops training in formations.

“What is it, Little Warrior?” I ask, hesitantly, my fist balling as I feel the tight scars on my back when I reach for her. My hand lands gently on her shoulder and I nearly collapse in relief as no pain comes. We are okay, I remind myself.

She takes a deep breath and stares up at me with her all-consuming eyes. “I hope… If you still wanted me after seeing how mangled my back is… I know it might be silly to ask, but part of me is still so insecure about it, and the others have tried to assure me, but I need to hear you say it.”

Shock punches me in the gut as I scoop her up into my arms, not caring that anyone else is around to see it. My body relaxes and my mind clears as I hold her close and savor how much having her in my arms brings me peace now. It was something I never thought would be possible after everything. “I will want you until my dying breath and then again when I find you in the next life. I need to apologize for running out. I just—”

She darts herself up slightly, pecking me quickly on the lips. “You don’t need to apologize. I’ve been there and—”

“You should have never had to deal with what that fucking village put you through,” I growl, getting a few looks from others around the yard.

She laughs. “Nero agrees with you. But you should put me down, as much as I wish I could stay in your arms all day. I did have a message to deliver, and I volunteered for obvious reasons.”

I shake my head. “How about you deliver your message, and I’ll think about putting you down. You quiet my mind,” I add in a low whisper, meant only for her ears. I need this for just a few minutes longer.

Her smile makes my stomach erupt into butterflies as she nods. “Talyn said that all the anti-dragon artillery has been loaded and made ready. Shadowflame torches and pits have been lit around the city, and Aemon has sent word for the entire Vathian army and rebels to make their way here, so be prepared for an influx of fae. They’ve been given a code phrase so you know they are friendlies,” she recites.

“And what is this phrase?” I murmur, enjoying the warmth of her body against mine.