Chapter 156 Part 2
**Vincent**
I could have used my magic and had Donn use his in this battle with Apate, but I knew that when we sealed our mate bond, she gained new powers. I wanted to see if they helped her control the ones she already had. Now I am anxious to know what she is truly capable of, because I am starting to question if she is merely a royal dragon shifter at all. Around her, the remnants of our battle with the forgotten gods are scattered—a stone totem stands at the edge of the clearing, its surface etched with ancient runes that pulse faintly with residual magic. The gods, once so powerful and vengeful, are now bound to it, their essences trapped within the stone. Our group is fatigued, but I want to watch how they interact with Avery after what just happened. I notice
James’s green eyes meet Avery’s, a silent exchange passing between them—pride, relief, and something deeper, something unspoken. His bond to her has grown, but will his pride keep him from accepting and admitting it?
“We should rest,” James says, his voice deep and commanding, yet softened by the weight of our shared ordeal. His clothes are torn in places, and the faint shimmer of dragon scales beneath his skin glimmers in the light. The scar on his right shoulder stands out, a stark reminder of the battles he fought to protect his kingdom and find his queen.
Avery nods, her lips curving into a small, tired smile. “The cabin,” she suggests, gesturing toward the old structure nestled deeper into the forest. Its wooden walls are weathered but sturdy, the roof covered in moss and ivy, as if the forest itself has claimed it. “We’ll be safe there for now.” We will, as I don’t sense any imminent danger.
Our group moves as one, our steps synchronized by the bond we share. Inside the cabin, the air is cool and musty, the scent of old wood and forgotten memories hanging heavy. A large fireplace dominates one wall, its hearth cold but promising warmth. Avery sheds some of her now tattered clothing, opens a bag, and begins to prepare a meal with the provisions we’ve brought. The simple act of chopping vegetables and lighting the fire grounds her, the rhythm of domesticity a stark contrast to the chaos of their lives. I sit amazed by this. She can so effortlessly shift from dominant queen to submissive housewife. It makes me want to think about the future, but I know that nothing is guaranteed in this world.
James watches her, his gaze intense. He moves to stand behind her, his large hands resting on her hips, his breath warm against her neck. “You did well today,” he murmurs, his voice a low rumble that sends shivers down her spine. “Your cunning saved us all.”
Avery leans back into him, her body fitting perfectly against his. “We all did,” she corrects, her voice soft but firm. “Without you, without all of you, we wouldn’t have stood a chance.” Yet again, this interaction amazed me. She is more powerful than all of us combined, yet she is so humble. I let power corrupt me, blacken my soul, but Avery saw through all of that. I pushed her so hard, but she never broke; she merely bent, and not always to my will either. Part of me had wanted to run off with her and keep her for myself, but now I know that it was just my curse, not my soul, driving my lust for power.
The meal is simple but nourishing—stew made from dried meats and root vegetables, spiced with herbs from their packs. We eat in silence, the warmth of the food reviving our spirits. But it’s the tension between them, the unspoken hunger, that truly heals. As the last of the stew is consumed, the air in the cabin grows thick with desire, the scent of sweat and need mingling with the smoke from the fire. Some of the dragons have already given Avery an egg, yet they are still driven to mate. This makes me wonder if she can carry more than what she has already conceived.
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