Chapter 17 #2
“We’ve talked about this,” Leander says quietly, moving to stand before her with shoulders slumped in defeat. He looks just as heartbroken as she does, and the sight of my friend’s pain cuts through me like a blade.
“I know...” Mina sighs deeply, pulling away from Abraxis to seek comfort in my arms. I wrap her in my embrace immediately, holding her close to my chest where she belongs, feeling her warmth seep into my very bones.
“They’re young. Give them time. Maybe Klauth can knock some sense into his son?” I suggest hopefully, though deep down I don’t believe even the most severe punishment will adjust Alister’s fundamental character flaws. Some attitudes run too deep to be easily corrected.
“I’m not going to hold my breath,” Mina replies with weary resignation, her golden eyes drifting to where Raven holds the rapt attention of all the children in the flight.
“I’ve already brought up the topic of changing the line of succession.
She’s a natural leader, and the children—and some adults—follow her without question. ”
There’s a wistful quality to Mina’s voice when she talks about Raven that makes my heart clench with understanding. She sees in our daughter the leader she herself has become—someone who inspires loyalty through compassion rather than demanding it through force.
“She’ll make an excellent flight mother one day,” Abraxis observes, standing close to our little family group with obvious pride in his voice.
“She’s good to all the children regardless of species or parentage,” Leander points out with warm admiration, gesturing toward where Raven has picked up little Salem and settled him on her hip, enfolding him protectively within her wings like a living shelter.
“Can we give Raven a raise?” Vaughn asks with obvious relief as he approaches our group, his face creased with grateful amazement.
“My son was having the mother of all meltdowns, and I don’t know what Raven did.
” He motions back toward where she’s holding Salem with obvious expertise.
“He calmed down immediately and wanted her to hold him.”
Mina and I exchange a knowing glance that speaks volumes about our understanding of dragon nature.
Raven possesses the combined presence of both her remarkable parents—an aura of power and protection that makes the little ones feel inherently safe with her.
It’s the bigger predator phenomenon at work, even at this young age.
It’s an instinctive recognition of strength that offers security rather than threat.
Our nest is finally complete with ten precious little ones spread across three distinct age groups. Thankfully, because of how dragon family structures naturally function, the older children instinctively help care for their younger siblings with minimal direction required.
“Don’t forget we need to separate the older boys out soon,” I remind the others, my voice carrying the practical concern that comes with years of managing our complex household.
With the accelerated growth they experience after shifting into their beast forms, they appear much older than their actual chronological ages—a development that requires careful consideration for everyone’s comfort and safety.
“The second room was finished yesterday,” Callan reports, his golden gaze tracking toward where Orpheus plays with his characteristic intensity.
“Maybe, to be fair, we should put all the males together? There are only four of them.” His eyes dart meaningfully in the direction Klauth disappeared with the troublesome Allister.
“Sounds like a plan,” Mina agrees with obvious relief, her attention shifting to where Evan plays contentedly with little Thorne, their interaction speaking to bonds that run deeper than simple friendship.
I haven’t shared this observation with the rest of the nest yet, but I’m increasingly certain that Thorne will be Evan’s mate, just as Corvis will eventually claim Raven.
Speaking of Corvis, I watch with warm amusement as he carefully carries a plate of food over to Raven, his youthful face serious with the importance of his self-appointed task.
We observe their interaction with the fond attention that parents reserve for their children’s most precious moments.
Raven insists on carrying her baby brother Salem with her as she goes to eat with Corvis, creating an adorable picture of familial devotion that makes my heart practically overflow with love.
I lean down to whisper in Mina’s ear, my breath stirring the silken strands of her hair. “Do you think she feels the pull of the mate bond already?”
Mina sighs softly, the sound carrying both resignation and acceptance as she purrs in a way that always makes my pulse quicken.
“I was feeling the tether to Abraxis with how often I found myself near him,” she admits quietly, pressing her forehead against my neck in a gesture of trust that never fails to move me.
“I felt the pull to Callan after I received my dragon. With Balor, I didn’t understand why I needed to be close to him—he wasn’t acting like the other two. ”
She shrugs with a graceful acceptance that marks her as truly wise beyond her years. “In short, yes, I think she feels it. He probably represents safety to her on a level she doesn’t consciously understand yet.”
“With as much time as he spends here, their bond will be incredibly strong by the time she fully understands what he means to her,” I whisper back, pressing a tender kiss to the crown of her head and breathing in the intoxicating scent that is uniquely hers.
Mina pulls away as our other mates join our little group, her face glowing with the profound contentment that comes from being surrounded by those she loves most. “Thank you, every one of you, for showing me what true love and support look like,” she says with emotion that makes her voice tremble slightly.
She gestures toward the flight and all the children playing together in perfect harmony. “This is what we all fought so hard to achieve. Here’s to many more years of love and growth.” A single tear rolls down her cheek as she speaks, but it’s clearly a tear of pure happiness rather than sorrow.
More tears of joy fill her golden eyes, and I have to admit that witnessing her profound contentment fills me with a satisfaction deeper than anything I’ve ever experienced.
For the first time in the continent’s entire recorded history, there is genuine peace between species—a harmony that seemed impossible just a few short years ago.
And it’s all because of one extraordinary dragoness who was forged into a weapon of war but fought for peace instead. My beloved Mina, who refused to let the darkness of her past define her future, has created something beautiful and lasting that will endure for generations to come.
As I stand here surrounded by my family—my mate, my bond brothers, our children, and the extended flight that has embraced us all—I’m overwhelmed by gratitude for the twisting path that brought me to this perfect moment.
Every challenge we’ve faced, every sacrifice we’ve made, every moment of doubt and fear, has led us to this place of profound peace and joy.
My green eyes sweep across the scene, capturing every detail to treasure in my memory forever.
The sight of Raven caring for the younger children with natural grace, the way Corvus hovers near her with devoted attention.
The easy camaraderie between my bond brothers as they watch their own children play.
All of it speaks to the incredible family we’ve built together through love, determination, and unwavering commitment to each other.
This is what happiness looks like in its purest, most undiluted form—not just romantic love, though that certainly flows between us in abundance, but the deep, abiding joy that comes from being part of something greater than yourself.
We’ve created a legacy of peace and love that will ripple outward through generations, touching lives we may never even know about.
And at the center of it all stands my beloved Mina, the dragoness who chose love over war, hope over despair, and family over everything else.
She is the gravitational force that keeps us all in perfect orbit, the beating heart of our extraordinary family, and the living proof that sometimes the most beautiful things can grow from the darkest night.
I wouldn’t trade this chaotic, wonderful, impossible life for anything in any realm.
This is where I belong—beside the woman I love beyond reason, surrounded by the bond brothers I would die to protect, watching over the children who represent our hopes and dreams made flesh. This is home, and it’s perfect.
To be continued in Dragonis Academy Year One – The second generation.