Chapter 132 part 2
**Avery**
We retreat to a nearby manor that we were remodeling to house anyone who comes to join Talos, the tension between us thick enough to cut with a knife. The fire crackles in the hearth, casting flickering shadows on the walls, but none of us feels its warmth. “This is insane,” Clint says, pacing the room. “We can’t just hand ourselves over to him like—”
“Like what?” I interrupt, my voice sharper than I intended. “Like whores? Is that what you’re going to say?”
Clint stops, his eyes meeting mine. “Avery, you know that’s not what I meant—”
“Then what did you mean?” I snap, my frustration boiling over. “Because it feels like that’s exactly what he’s asking for.”
James steps between us, his presence calming. “Enough,” he says, his voice firm. “We’re not going to solve this by degrading one another or by tearing each other apart.”
I take a deep breath, trying to regain control. James is right. We need to think this through, to weigh the cost against the reward. But the thought of submitting to the Ancient One—of giving him what he wants—makes my skin crawl. I would rather just give him a small portion of my life force than feel my mates’ judging eyes because of how my body reacts to his presence. “What do you think?” I ask, turning to Conner.
Conner leans against the wall, his arms crossed. “It’s a trap,” he says flatly. “He wants something beyond just a carnal pleasure. However, he is also our only lead. If we want Cora, we might not have a choice.”
Cassius nods, his expression grim. “He’s right. As much as it pains me to say it, we can’t afford to let this opportunity slip away. Cora has already done so much, and if she gains more power, not just our kingdoms will fall.”
Draven, who’s been silent until now, speaks up. “There’s always a price for dealing with creatures like him. However, sometimes, the price is worth it. We did it before to save us all. Getting Cora might be worth the price.”
I glance at Rory, who’s been quiet, her eyes downcast. “What about you?” I ask. “What do you think?”
She lifts her gaze, her expression conflicted. “I… I don’t know. It’s scary, but… if it means finding Cora, maybe it’s worth it.” Her words hit me hard. Rory’s submissive nature makes her vulnerable, and the thought of her being in the Ancient One’s hands—it’s almost too much to bear. I see her as my little sister, and I wish that there was another choice.
James places a hand on my shoulder, his touch grounding me. “We’ll protect her,” he says, his voice low. “All of us. No matter what happens.”
I nod, but my mind is racing. Protecting Rory—protecting all of us—is one thing. But what about the cost to our souls? To our pride? “What if we negotiate?” I suggest, my voice barely above a whisper. “Maybe we can find a middle ground.”
Cassius shakes his head. “He’s not the type to bargain. He wants what he wants, and he’ll take it one way or another.”
Clint’s jaw tightens. “Then we’ll have to be ready for whatever he throws at us. We’re not going into this blind.”
James pulls me aside while the others are lost in their thoughts. “This isn’t about you returning to Naga. We need to talk about us.”
I nod. “Yeah, we do.”
“Do you regret coming here and accepting our bond?” James asks.
“No, oddly that decision didn’t require much thought beyond how my other mates would take it. I feared Ty, but he was protecting me. You watched over me,” I replied.
“I should have taken you when I adopted Tim, but Ty didn’t tell me he had found our mate until I was already back in Talos. I relied on the temporary mark to keep you safe until I could hold you. I wanted you to have a childhood before I asked you to bear the weight of the crown. I could have lost you.” He sighs before he continues, “Luckily, I didn’t, but I worry about your return to Naga.” He looks at the Trio. “I trust them with you, but they are young and inexperienced, and I worry that something could happen and I won’t be there to help.”
I cup his face in my hand. “I worry too, but it isn’t about being protected. I no longer fear dragons, and Regina, along with all of you, has helped that. I just feel that I am not enough, and part of what I am could cause a rift between us.”
He strokes my cheek, “What do you mean by you causing a rift?”
I sigh, “I feel strange pulls to others.”
He gazes into my eyes, “What others?”
I nervously bite my lip. He takes a deep breath before he gives me a soft kiss, encouraging me to continue. “Donn and…I don’t understand this at all…but the Ancient One. I don’t know if it is real or not, but it feels similar to what I share with you, Cassius, Clint, and Conner.”
He kisses me again, but with more passion and devotion this time. “I know dragons don’t share. I also know that dragons don’t possess the magic that you do. I can’t rule anything out when it comes to you. Does it irritate and frustrate me? Yes, but not because of you. It is because I hate not having the answers. I hate feeling useless.”
I pull him down to look into his eyes. “You will never be useless because I love you.”
He holds me close and kisses me. “We will tackle whatever comes together. You are family, Avery, and those you love are now my family too.”
After my talk with James, I look at each of them and I know that whatever we choose, we’ll face it together. However, as I meet James’s gaze, I see the same question in his eyes that’s burning in mine: Are we willing to pay the price?
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