A dragon shifter novel Chapter 99

12:55 pm Pppp.

Thomhill Academy

When Hummingbirds Cry

Rhaziel

0440

The mortal realm moves slowly. Time crawls there, thick and heavy, while here in the Shadow Realm, it bends and stretches to my will. What has been three full cycles for me–days spent listening to bickering nobles, resolving border disputes, and stamping my seal on a mountain of decrees–has been only a few short hours for my mate. Long enough, I calculate, that her chooling should be finished, I meant to finish one last diplomatic meeting before returning, but when I glance down at the delicate silver bracelet circling my wrist, the one she crafted for me, I stop breathing. The tiny crystal set in the band has turned a soft, mournful blue. Blue means sad. I made certain to memorise the meanings, to study them like scripture, because understanding her emotions through this mortal trinket felt like the closest thing to magic that wasn’t already mine. But seeing it change, watching the light dim in its heart, sends a chill through me I cannot name. My mate is sad. And that will not do. I stand, shadows stirring like smoke around my throne. My advisors stop mid–sentence as the air drops to freezing.

“Continue without me.” I say, my voice a low rumble that makes the room tremble. “There is something that requires my attention.” Then I step into the darkness

The world folds inward, colours bleeding away until I’m walking out of shadow into the warmth of her realm, her small, cluttered room that smells faintly of tea and starlight. And there she is. She’s just stepping through the door with her other two mates crowding protectively behind her. Her face is blotched with tears, eyes red and shining, and for a moment, the sight knocks the breath out of me. Sadness. Real, tangible pain. My claws flex at my sides, the darker part of me stirring to life. Whoever made her cry–whoever dared to bring tears to my queen’s eyes–will learn what it means to suffer a thousand endless nightmares…But that is not what she needs from me now. Before I can even think of what to say, she sees me, and the tears fall harder. She doesn’t hesitate. She runs straight at me, slamming into my chest with enough force that I have to take a step back to keep my balance. A broken sound escapes her, halfway between a sob and a gasp. My arms wrap around her automatically, pulling her close, holding her as if the entire realm might try to take her from me. A deep, instinctive purr rolls through my chest. She likes that sound; it soothes her. Her small hands clutch at my chest as her body shakes. My tail

winds around her legs, anchoring her to me, keeping her safe.

“Shh,” I murmur against her hair, pressing my chin to the top of her head. “It’s all right, little hummingbird. You are safe now.”

The shadows around us sway gently, a lullaby only my realm knows how to sing. Whatever wounded her can wait. Whatever hurt her will be dealt with. But

for now, all that matters is this right here, my mate in my arms, her heartbeat against mine, and the promise that she will never have to cry alone again.

She trembles in my arms. Her scent is salt and sorrow, her heart hammering too fast beneath her ribs. My hands–hands that have seen too much blood-

find themselves smoothing over her back instead, slow, unsure strokes. I have conquered empires, broken armies in half, but I have no idea what to do with

tears.

“He said…” Her voice breaks, the words catching in the space between us. “He said they wouldn’t let him. They’d kill him if he—*

“Is this the fourth mate,” I murmur, my chest rumbling beneath her cheek, “or the one we’re pretending doesn’t exist?”

She hulls something that is half sob, half laugh, and it hurts my heart in a way nothing mortal ever has. “The fourth one,” she whispers

The professor, then. The one who smells of parchment and regret. The one I will one day have a word with. Her tears dampen my chest as my tail- traitorous thing–winds tighter around her legs until she can’t move away. My instincts want her anchored. Claimed Safe. But I still feel the eyes on me.

When I glance up, Karl and Evander are standing just inside the threshold. Kael’s fists are tight at his sides, jaw set like stone, but when our eyes mont

exhales and nods. Evander follows, a softer expression crossing his face. There’s no tension, no competition, just three beings who knew the am

nough to share the weight of her sadness

Ter my bad slightly, speaking quietly to them, my voice tough. “What does one need when they ate sal

Kasi gires w small, liveathy laugh, inbbong the back of his neck “fist hold her. That’s all the really likes. That, olid that amernogg inng you pla~

Thatent laut glere from me, in sander chuckles I in donal stepping cher, The’s right, ale i think we all like that

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When Hummingbirds Cry

040

That makes my chest hum with amusement and, apparently, another purr. It vibrates against my hummingbird’s skin, and she lets out a soft, sleepy stund, her body melting fully against me. world narrows down to that heartbeat against my chest. Slowly, carefully, I lower us both onto the couch, letting her weight settle in my lap. My fingers comb through her hair as the shadows stretch lazily across the room, curling protectively around us all. Kael takes one side of her, Evander the other, each careful not to disturb her as she drifts into silence. The blue light on my bracelet begins to fade, turning soft and silver. Calm.

“Good,” I whisper, brushing my lips against the crown of her headThat’s better.”

Evander glances at the bracelet, curious. “That thing works then?”

I nod once. “Yes, I knew the moment she was distressed.”

Kael leans back with a low whistle. “That’s… actually kind of sweet.”

“I find it invaluable, I admit quietly. “It tells me when to return home.” And she is home, isn’t she? This small mortal girl, who somehow managed to tether a demon king to her light. Her breathing evens out, the shadows softening with it. Kael drapes a blanket over her legs while Evander adjusts the pillow beneath my arm where her head rests. I remain still, my arms a fortress around her, unwilling to let go.

She stirs once, her fingers curling around the edge of my arm. “Stay,” she murmurs without opening her eyes.

“As you wish,” I whisper back.

The room falls into silence, just her soft breaths and the rhythmic thrum of four heartbeats syncing in quiet harmony. And as the last of her tears dries

against my chest, I lift my gaze to the faint shimmer of shadowlight above us and make a silent promise to whatever gods might be listening: Whoever

makes my hummingbird cry again will pray for death long before I grant it.

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12.55 pm Pppp.

Thornhill Academy

Whispers To the Council

6440

Cage

My dorm is dark except for the dull glow of the nine lamp on my desk. I’ve been staring at the same blank message on my phone for fifteen minutes, debating whether to call. My father doesn’t like being kept waiting, but he likes excuses even less. I sigh and swipe across the screen. His image flickers into focus after only the second ring.

“Report,” he says.

1 lean back in my chair, trying to look relaxed. “You wanted updates on the stray.”

“On Allison Rivers,” he corrects, voice clipped. “Names matter when you’re building a dossier.”

“Right. I drum my fingers against the desk. “Today was defence training and she paired with me.

“Voluntarily?”

“More or less,” I smirk. “Her guard dogs didn’t like it.”

Father doesn’t react. He never does. “Observations.”

“She’s stronger than she looks. Way stronger. When we sparred and I caught something, some kind of… growl. It wasn’t…normal… Felt like it came from inside her, but it wasn’t her voice.” I hesitate, then add, “And her reflexes were off–the–charts. She shouldn’t have been able to counter half the things I threw at her.”

His eyes narrow slightly, interest sharpening. “Describe the growl.”

“Low. Animalistic. Like something under her skin wanted out.” I force a laugh. “Maybe she’s got a pet monster in there.”

Father doesn’t laugh. “Continue observing. Record every anomaly.”

“Sure. But if she’s a stray, she’s one hell of a polished one. No wild kid learns to fight like that living in the woods.”

“Exactly why the Council is interested. Keep her close, Cage. Find out what she is.”

I nod, pretending I’m not already in over my head. “Understood.”

He’s about to end the call, but I add quietly, “And if she’s dangerous?”

His smule doesn’t reach his eyes. “Then you’ll do what we trained you for ”

The screen goes lack. No space or care for goodbyes or pleasentaries. For a long moment, I sit there, staring at my reflection in the dark screen. The big

huma Caintly under my skin, disapproving, almost… aching, but I shove the feeling down and crawl into bed.

“Just a bob” 1 matter “Nothing else. But even as t’duse my eyes, I can still hear that growl echoing in any head

The qui uirming the Academy Homs with its sal nove of students shouting across the quid and the faint leg of training week Ibsen the most links, 1 vell merself I’m rakin, Timed, and profession. Then Allison walk with class, sunlight catch the dick standby is her hair, and very la Umożl

rumbtes. She does’ten look at me at fine. She’s laughing at something at a boosting her loss though her hair like she donna’s

the way

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12:55 pm Pppp.

Whispers To the Council

the entire room tilts toward het, or maybe that’s just my world. Shit. I need to get a grip. When she finally slides into the seat beside me, the bond thrums

hard my palms itch.

“Morning, sunshine,” I say, because can’t help myself.

She sighs. “You’re still calling me that?”

“Until you tell me not to.”

She doesn’t answer, which I take as permission. Professor Hill walks in a few moments later, perfect timing to make everything worse. He’s precise as always, sleeves rolled, expression unreadable, and I can feel the tension coil in the air the moment his gaze skims over her. He looks away fast. Too fast… Interesting. I wonder what happened there. Maybe I’ll ask her about it. Maybe she will tell me. He starts the lecture on elemental tethering, voice steady. 1 pretend to take notes, but mostly I’m watching her. The way she tilts her head when she’s listening. The way her fingers twitch when the professor uses magic to demonstrate a ward. She’s watching the demonstration like she’s inside it. She’s completely focused and quiet… It bothers me more than it should.

I lean closer, lowering my voice. “You’ve seen this spell before, haven’t you?”

Her eyes flick to mine, sharply. “What makes you think that?”

“Just a hunch,” I say, smiling. “You look bored.”

Her mouth curves, but not in amusement. “Or maybe I just pay attention.”

Touché. I sit back, grin still in place even though it’s more forced now. Something about her throws me off. Every time I think I’ve got her figured out, she shifts like light through smoke.

Halfway through class, the professor asks for volunteers to test a containment rune. Before she can raise her hand, I do, and he gives me a look that could burn through steel, but he nods anyway. I step into the circle and let the magic hum around me. It’s simple work–contain, release, repeat–but I can feel her attention fixed on me. When I finish, I bow slightly in her direction and her lips twitch, just barely, like she’s fighting not to smile. After class, I fall into step beside her as the others file out.

“Walk with me,” I say..

She glances toward the exit where Kael and Evander wait. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Come on, sunshine. I’m trying to be civil.”

She studies me for a moment, clearly weighing whether I’m worth the trouble, Finally, she sighs. “Fine. Two minutes.”

We walk down the corridor, the afternoon light spilling through the glass ceiling above us, 1 keep my tone light and casual. “You handled yourself well

yesterday. You fight like someone who’s trained for years.”

Her brow lift. “Is that supposed to be a complissent?”

“It’s an observation. I’m starting to think there’s more to you than the stories say

Her smile doesn’t read her eyes. “Careful, Cage Curiosity kills sata.”

“Good thing I’m not

“Could’ve fald me,” potters, but there’s the fainte dirker of mementowth 10

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For moment we walk in silence. The bond hums steady, pulling, wanting, but I shove it back again. When we reach the stairwell, she stops. “That’s your

two minutes.

I open my mouth to ague, but she ready heading down the stairs, her hair a swirl of dark in the light. I watch her go with my jaw set tight. She’s hiding something. And I’m going to find out what.