a Robbi

in the crook of my neck, while Eben carried Leo with th

ntle dragonfire radiating through the fabric of my sleeve, numb

rrow, filthy servi

, where a massive crystal platform hovered

disc fueled by high-grade dragon cores,

ir faces pale as sheets, their eyes wide with utter shock as they watched a ragged, bl

on levels, shooting up through the sunlit central atrium, un

a warm summer breeze, sweet and thick with the fragr

as vast enough to hou

rawling city of Dawncrest below, while woven gold tapestries

iers carved from pure amber dragon crystals, casting a

the doorway, clutc

afterbirth, and dirty well water, looked like a sic

ng cribs," Eben

ne white uniforms of the royal household

ncy, pushing forward two gilded cribs lined with thick

ed toward me, her hands

spine hitting the doorframe, my ar

the raw, feral instinct of a co

wing her head and taking two ste

nd on my shoulder, his

ur house. The children need to be cleaned, warmed, and fed fresh goat's milk infused with vitality herbs. Look

d down

th a faint, bluish hue from the hou

in my throat, I slowly, re

voice trembling with fierce possessiven

taking Nora with infinite gentleness and layi

hand, dismissin

swung shut with a muted thud, sealin

r to a heavy mahogany desk

the blood-test parchment from his breast pock

not s

with both hands, his expression turning s

mbushed on the northern road. You were only three months old. A nursemaid fled into the bli

ard me, his voice

and scoured every corner of this kingdom, every hamlet, every orphanage, every border

highs pressed against th

Baron Robbins. I was an orphan taken in out of charity. They tested me when I was seven-the

Eben said, his voice dropping into

up the p

ll glowing with that unearthly, liquid pure gold light, unto

u were truly a Dragonless commoner, that needle would have drawn black bile and cold water. If

g finger at the bri

God. In the entire realm, from the southern seas to the northern glaciers, the

hitched in

ed to tilt be

ty years rushed through my mi

attic while parading Karissa a

sses, my sketches, taking credit fo

, Kraig

ars ago, the Robbins family didn't want to risk their

threw me

rvant who could wash his wounds and bear his r

, the Robbins family came fawning back. And Krai

ue. "Karissa Robbins was treated like a queen. And I... I was forc

to an expression of ra

ore me stood an ancient dragon

s amethyst eyes flashing with lethal intent. "Kraig Harris t

re back into his chest, and looked at me wit

rmaine, is crossing the clouds right now to tear this city apart if anyone dares stand

Eben briefly introd

of the velvet sofa, my k

my hands, my shoulde

f being told I

during Kraig's cold, mocking stares as he told me I was luc

s all

Grand Sun Suite began to rattle vio

loorboards, shaking the crystal chandeliers abov

ed the heavens-a sound so massive, so primal,

, a fierce, triumphant smile

are