5

5

The city of Drahoone celebrated the hatching of the new prince with a two-day festival. There were fireworks, music, and endless crowds filling the streets. Two more celebrations were already planned, one on Osca to honor the heir prince, and another in the Draynor capital of Malta in the southern region.

Queen Brieanika had a more hands-on relationship with baby Connor than she had been able to have with Rodic. She hadn’t needed to hide Connor’s birth the way she had his brother’s. Jillian, who had served as Rodic’s governess, now cared for both boys, though Connor was rarely far from his mother’s side.

In just fourteen days, the royal family would travel to Malta for the grand ceremonies, the formal council presentations, the Draynor welcoming of the new prince, and the thousand-year celebration of the Queen’s reign.

That night, after putting Connor to bed, Brie decided to rest early. Rodic was still awake, playing a board game with Mikan, each trying to outthink the other in strategy. Trace and Straider were in the study reviewing a document from the Oscan council that required Trace’s approval.

About an hour later, Brie stirred as someone slid into bed beside her, wrapping an arm around her waist. She smiled sleepily. “I’m sorry to wake you,” Trace whispered, pressing a kiss into her hair.

“No worries, my love. I was only resting while I waited for you,” she murmured, nuzzling closer.

“We’ve got a busy month ahead,” he said softly. “Are you ready for it?”

Brie laughed lightly. “Hmm, let’s see crowds, speeches, socializing with strangers, putting the children on display, and endless council meetings. My favorite things.” Her tone dripped with sarcasm.

Trace chuckled. “Sometimes I think you’ve mastered sarcasm to an art form.” He nipped gently at her neck. “I was thinking more along the lines of taking Rodic flying over the southern mountains, showing off Connor to the regional queens, maybe a quiet retreat at the Oscan villa after the festivities. Mita trimmed your appearances for the trip, knowing how much you love public events.”

Brie giggled. “Remind me to thank her for that.”

Before Trace could reply, a piercing scream shattered the calm of the night.

Brie bolted upright. “That was Jillian!”

They leapt from bed, shifting their skin to mimic clothing before they reached the door. In the front chamber, Kyle stood rigid, blocking the hall entrance. Straider was nowhere in sight.

“Straider says to come to the nursery,” Brie said quickly, receiving his message through the mind link.

The three of them sprinted down the corridor. Straider was standing just outside the open nursery door, looking in. Brie could feel Connor’s fear pulsing through their bond.

Trace caught her arm before she rushed forward. Inside, Max stood near the crib, eyes glowing like embers, his voice a low, guttural growl that rumbled from deep within his chest. Across the room, Jillian stood frozen in terror.

“Be careful,” Trace warned quietly. “He’s deep in the sentinel effect.” He scanned the room. “I don’t know what set him off.” He turned to Kyle. “Go wake Mikan now. We need him to get control of Max.”

“Trace,” Brie whispered, her voice tight. “I think I found the problem.” She pointed toward the crib.

Trace followed her gaze and froze. A tiny blue-and-red dragon sat where Connor’s infant body should have been.

“What the…” Trace blinked. “He shifted?”

Mikan arrived moments later, eyes widening as he took in the scene. “Oh, this isn’t good. Jillian don’t move.”

“Not a problem, sir,” Jillian managed, barely breathing.

Max’s attention remained locked on her, his body tense and trembling with restrained aggression.

Mikan glanced at the crib and exhaled slowly when he saw the miniature dragon. “Well, that’s… interesting.” He steadied himself, then began issuing orders.

“Max is reacting to the baby’s fear. We need to calm Connor. If we can do that, he’ll shift back on his own. Everyone listen carefully. Trace, use your dragon voice, the calming one. Connor will recognize it and begin to settle. Brie, once he relaxes, I need you to pick him up.”

Brie frowned. “And how exactly am I supposed to get past Max?”

“Not with telepathy use your voice,” Mikan said firmly. “Speak to him. Tell him the baby’s crying and you’re going to comfort him. Move slowly. Keep your tone steady. I’ll work through the mind link to bring Max down from the effect.”

Straider raised his hand. “What about us?”

Mikan gestured to him and Kyle. “Straider be ready to restrain Kyle. If Max even twitches toward Brie, Kyle will attack him.”

Straider glanced at Kyle and saw fire already burning in the sentinel’s eyes. He grabbed Kyle’s arm, ready to tighten his grip if needed.

When everyone was in position, Mikan nodded to Trace.

Trace took a breath and released a deep, resonant tone a low, soothing vibration that filled the room. It was the same sound he had once used to calm Brie when he’d been her sentinel long ago. Both of their sons responded instinctively to it.

Connor’s cries quieted almost immediately. His small dragon eyes blinked toward the door, searching for his father. When he saw Brie, he squeaked softly, reaching out.

Mikan gestured for her to move.

Brie stepped forward cautiously. Max growled a deep, warning rumble. Kyle lunged, but Straider slammed him against the wall, straining to hold him. Cain, Mikan’s sentinel, stepped in to help restrain Kyle before he could break free.

“Max,” Brie said softly, “Connor is awake. He needs me. Let me hold my baby.”

Max turned his head slightly toward her voice, still trembling. Mikan’s telepathic command pressed against his mind: Stand down. Let the Queen pass.

Max’s fury flickered, his posture loosening just enough. Brie moved closer, her voice calm, reassuring both her son and his sentinel.

When she reached the crib, she lifted the small dragon gently into her arms. The moment he touched her, Connor shifted his scales melting away, his tiny body softening back into that of an infant. She held him close, rocking him quietly.

“Shh, my love. It’s all right,” she whispered, backing slowly toward the door.

But now, with the baby gone from the crib, Jillian was fully exposed to Max. “Um… sir?” Jillian’s voice shook.

Mikan stepped inside. “Stand down, Max. Jillian is not a threat. She’s safe, she's part of Connor’s circle.”

Max didn’t move. His chest rose and fell in rapid bursts, his mind fighting the order. Mikan’s voice deepened. Stand. Down. Max’s eyes twitched, but he resisted. Mikan dropped his control deeper, his telepathic tone snapping through every barrier. “Now!”

The command hit like a shockwave. Max stumbled forward, his knees buckling. Mikan caught him before he hit the ground.

The room fell silent except for Connor’s soft coos and Brie’s steady breathing.