"―a few here actually. They're staying in the tent-hut things just outside the main clearing."

I frown. "Syrra did you say you brought someone here?" I ask, looking up from my book.

"Yes I apologize Queen Zari, I meant to inform you but it slipped my mind. A few of the vampires living on my territory wanted to see the Circle and meet some dragons," she explains.

"This place is turning into a tourist attraction," I mutter. "If they cause any problems they will have to leave."

"They're very docile creatures, all the ferocity and aggression has left them after centuries of being endangered. They wouldn't dare cause any problems, they're too afraid of extinction," she tells me.

I nod and she turns away. A smile crawls onto my lips as I watch her begin to speak again. She sits on Kaine's lap and they face Jaxon and Ash. The boys are all intensely focused, listening to Syrra's stories with animated faces.

I notice Jax is braiding Ash's hair and shake my head a little. He used to help me with Maia's hair when they both were younger. Some things never change, I chuckle.

"You boys should bring some pillows and blankets in here, I'm sure it'd be much more comfortable than just sitting on the floor," I suggest.

"That's not a bad idea," Jax mutters. He stands, dragging Ash up with him.

"You can take some from my closet if you'd like," I say.

"Thanks mom!" he calls as he pulls Ash down the hall.

I turn back to the book in my lap, shifting in my throne. It is mostly black marble but the seat is a plush pillow. I lounge sideways, a blanket shoved behind my back and my legs dangling over the arm rest.

Jaxon comes jogging back a few minutes later right as I finish the book. He drops the pillows and blankets before walking up to me. "Hey mom one of the guards said a hawk brought this for you," he says, holding out a rolled up parchment.

"Thanks," I sigh as I take it from him. I break the seal and unroll it. I instantly recognize my daughter's messy scrawl. As I read through the letter a small sigh escapes my lips.

"Who's that from?" Kaine asks.

"Maia, she's worried your father is going to start getting sick again and wants me to come back for a day or two," I tell them with a smile.

"Are you going?"

"Yeah I miss him, and I'd like to see how Maia's doing with her new responsibilities. Will you guys be okay for a couple of days without me?" I ask.

They scoff, waving me away. "Yeah mom, we'll be fine. I think Kaine and I can handle things around here for a few days," Jaxon chuckles.

I smile, shaking my head in amusement. I step down from my throne with a groan, my body cramped from the awkward position I had been curled up in. I toss the book to Kaine and he catches it, raising his eyebrow at me. "How did you finish it already? You started it like two hours ago."

"It was really good and I'm a fast reader," I say with a shrug. I look over at Jaxon and Ash setting up the pillows and blankets and I have to bite my lip to hide my stupid grin. "Jax? Ash? Can you two come with me really quick? I want to show you something before I leave."

They nod and start to follow me when I pause. "You know what? Kaine, Syrra, you guys can help too, come on," I say.

I lead them out of the palace, nodding at the guards at the entrance. I see Jax and Ash start walking about a foot apart from each other when we step outside and feel a pang in my chest.

It's not fair,  I sigh.

I do not understand why they disapprove of two males as mates, it was normal when you were young, Mitalonys growls.

I don't get it either. I just hate that my son has to grow up in a time where he feels like he has to hide his relationship, I murmur.

"Hey mom what are we doing?" Jax asks.

"Oh uh I need you and Ash to start getting things ready for winter. When the snow comes we are going to have to do training a little differently so we need to get the equipment moved around and set up the training center so we can train indoors," I explain as we come into the main clearing.

"Why do we have to move it? Can't they just train in the snow?" Kaine asks.

I snort. "You would think," I growl under my breath. "No they're too good to train in the snow, half of them think they don't need training at all."

"Yeah and then there are the jerks that think they deserve special treatment just because they're Fury dragons," Ash growls.

Jax puts his arm around him and rubs his shoulder. "Don't worry, we'll make sure they learn otherwise," he says.

"So you're really going to train them with me?" Ash asks, his eyes full of hope.

"Of course," Jax smiles and I can't help my grin when he kisses him softly.

I head over to edge of the clearing where the weapons are stored. Syrra appears beside me, rifling through the various knives and swords with curiosity.

"Couples that train together are the best," I hear Kaine chuckle and I glance at him with a questioning gaze. "You know like Angel and Zella, they fight well together and they have such an amazing relationship because of it," he explains.

"Yeah putting your lives in each other's hands tends to strengthen the bond. I think Jax and Ash will work really well together, I'm just a little worried about what the juveniles might do," I mutter with a heavy sigh.

"What do you mean?" Syrra asks.

I turn around and see the two standing in the clearing, smiling at each other. Then my gaze moves to the three young men walking towards them. "I'm worried they're going to do shit like this," I growl.

Mitalonys snarls in my mind. I stalk over but Kaine beats me there. He steps between his brother and the juveniles. "Hey guys back off, leave my brother alone," he growls.

"Dude your brother's a fucking pussy, no wonder he's always hanging out with the wolves instead of dragons," one laughs.

Jaxon shoves past Kaine and gets in the boy's face, his eyes flaring red. "Say that again, I dare you," he snarls and I realize it's Azazel's voice not his.

The boy falters for just a moment but then he smirks. "Your dragon's more of a man than you are."

I let Jaxon throw his punch before motioning to Kaine to hold him back. "That's enough," I snarl in my dragon's voice. "Nathan get your ass out of the dirt," I spit at the boy.

He scrambles to his feet, staring at me with wide eyes and holding his bloody and broken nose. "I didn't mean to―"

"You didn't mean to what? To insult my son? Or make a complete ass of yourself by trying to start a fist fight like a pathetic little child?" I growl. "I thought I made it clear that you―"

"Look I'm sorry―"

"Shut your mouth and let me finish speaking," I snap, stepping closer.

He swallows and steps back, nodding quickly.

"When I brought you three idiots back here I thought I made it clear what would happen if you disobeyed or disrespected me again? Insulting my son fits into one of those categories don't you think?"

"I promise it won't happen again. Please accept my sincerest apologies Queen Zari," he whimpers.

"Jaxon and Ash will be your trainers for the winter, they have my permission to lock you in the cages if this happens again. Do you understand?" I growl.

"Absolutely and Jaxon I am so sorry, please forgive me," Nathan pleads, his gaze shifting nervously between me and my sons.

Jaxon begrudgingly nods. "Just get the fuck out of here," he growls as Kaine releases him.

Nathan glances at me. "You heard him," I growl and he takes off running with his friends.

"Gods they're awful, I fear for the future of the dragon race," Syrra mumbles.

"Yeah I'm not looking forward to training them," Jaxon sighs.

"I am, just think of what we can make them do. I mean they have to listen to us, right?" Ash says, looking at me.

I nod, my lips curling into a smile. "Ash I would approve one hundred percent if you decided to make them train until they were bruised and battered and fully exhausted, gods know they deserve it."

He grins at me and Jaxon pulls him in for a hug. "Training can start first thing in the morning then," he decides.

"Okay so you four are going to be alright then?" I ask.

They nod. "We will be fine, now go see your mate. You deserve a break," Syrra says sweetly.

"Thank you. Now if they get out of line again just let them sit in the cages for a day or two, that should make them behave better," I shrug.

I suddenly hear shouting behind me and whip around. A silver wolf is barreling straight towards us being chased by nearly a dozen guards. My eyes widen in recognition. "Logan? What the fuck are you doing here?" I growl, holding up my hand to slow the guards.

The wolf stumbles, his tongue lolling out the side of his mouth. He lifts his paw a little and I see the paper tied to his leg. I quickly untie it just before he flops onto his side, panting loudly. "Take him to the healer," I order the guards. They do as I say, Logan too exhausted to struggle when they lift him up by his scruff.

I smooth out the letter and read it. After the first few words though it all starts to blur. My eyes water and only a few phrases actually make sense.

Maia confronted a young man . . . there was an altercation . . . her wounds . . . had a knife . . . silver in her blood. . . couldn't heal . . . I am so sorry.

A sob escapes my lips and I fall onto my knees in the dirt. My hands shake so badly that I drop the letter, my mouth wide open in horror.

"My baby girl not my baby girl!" I scream. It feels like someone just reached inside my chest and ripped my heart out.

"Mom," a hoarse voice whispers. I look up to see Kaine holding the letter, his eyes glassy and full of pain. "This can't be real, right? There's no way it's real," he stammers, his fist closing around the paper.

Another sob escapes my lips as he collapses beside me. I wrap my arms around his neck, squeezing him tight and trying to stop the tears but they keep coming. He hugs me tighter, burying his face in my shoulder.

"It's going to be okay baby, it's going to be fine," I croak, stroking his hair. He is suddenly six years old again, crying on my shoulder after getting stung by a scorpion. His entire body shakes and he begs me to tell him it's all just a horrible nightmare. That his sister is okay and someone was just playing a sick joke.

"I need to find out what happened. I need to talk to Daerius," I mutter aloud, pulling myself up onto shaky legs.

Tears still blur my vision but I can see my boys on the ground. Jaxon is clinging to Ash while Kaine is hunched over, his head buried in his hands. I suck in a shaky breath. "Keep them in the palace until I get back. I need to know if my baby girl really is―" my voice cracks. Syrra just nods and I wipe the tears from my eyes only to have them quickly replaced by more.

I swallow hard and let Mitalonys take over.

********

I step into my house and I'm immediately met with a deafening silence. I shiver as a chill creeps down my spine. All I'm wearing is a shirt one of the guards gave me but it still shouldn't be this cold.

I spot Mykael on the couch. His eyes are foggy as he stares off at nothing. "Mykael what's going on? What happened to my daughter?" I demand, my voice unsteady.

He blinks and slowly turns toward me. "Lyza? When did you get back?" he asks.

Dread sinks deep in my chest. "Mykael please tell me it's not true. Tell me Logan was just playing a sick joke of some kind," I plead.

His face goes pale and I slap my hands over my mouth to stifle a sob. "I am so sorry Lyza," he whispers.

I swallow hard. "Where's Daerius?"

He squeezes his eyes shut and roughly runs his hand over his face. "In the office Lyza I am so sorry please just don't go in there," he begs and I feel my heart drop.

"Gods no, please no no no no no," I stutter, sprinting down the hall and throwing the door open.

My jaw drops in horror at the blood splattered across one of the walls. My gaze moves to the figure slumped over in the desk chair and I scream. His golden eyes are dull and stare blankly at the ceiling.

"No! How could he do this to me?" I scream, my legs giving out underneath me. I feel arms catch me and Mykael holds me up.

"Lyza he's been struggling for days, and then Maia―and he just couldn't take it anymore," he says.

"Maybe he's―" I start to say but I know it's impossible. I know that gun. It was filled with silver bullets.

"This is all my fault, if I had just stayed here or come back sooner then they'd both—" My chest tightens and everything starts to go fuzzy. "I can't breathe."

*******

Okay I honestly feel so bad. I've had this entire story fully planned out for months and I still cried while writing this chapter. Please don't hate me too much :(