A draken with quick, lavender eyes appeared at the threshold, clutching a large stick in her hands. My eyes widened at her white, colorless scales, pure as the fresh fallen snow.

“You are her. The new draken queen.” Her eyes took in the blood all over me, and she sniffed. When the scent registered in her brain, she hissed and retreated back into the cave.

“Please, this isn’t how I wanted to meet you, but there is a witch. She is giving birth to a draken, and the wings are stuck. They could both die. If anyone knows anything that could help her and the child, I’m begging you! Please tell me!”

I could still see the white draken lingering by the entrance, half-covered in shadows and darkness. Her body shook with the memories of past traumas. Her head whipped back and forth frantically, then she disappeared into the darkness of the cave. I lunged forward but didn’t cross the threshold.

“Please!” I pleaded into the darkness. No one answered. “I know you’ve been hurt, so terribly over and over again. Where I grew up, women were breeders, objects to be used and their children property to be ripped from their arms and sold. I know what it is like.”

I paused, memories threatening to overwhelm me. “I can shift you directly there, and directly back. No one will see you or be able to follow you. I can have Benedict put up a ward so no one will know you’re there. Please help me save them. I’ll grant you whatever you want. Please.”

A white, scaled hand appeared from the depths, followed by an arm covered entirely in a rough, large cloak I’d seen some of the air witches wear during a cold fly. This was a different draken, but the unblemished white of her wings also marked her as unmated. Her white scales practically glowed in the moonlight. The large hood covered her face, but I caught a hint of black hair underneath.

“I will go.”

My face collapsed in relief. “Thank you.”

“In exchange for my own lodging amongst the other drakens. I want to live normally, not stuffed away like a prisoner. I’ve had enough of being a prisoner.”

I blanched. “Benedict set the wards to protect—”

“It is not on me to control the behavior of the male drakens! Why should I suffer when they are the ones that cannot control themselves? It isn’t fair!”

Well, she had a fair point. But wasn’t it too risky? “What if a male attacks you?”

The female crossed her arms in front of her, unmoved. “Execute them publicly. That should deter the others. You don’t need more male drakens.”

I felt a headache blossoming between my temples, and every minute wasted here was another that Cassie could be dying. “Done. I will speak with Benedict and ensure it will happen. You have my word.”

The female nodded and stepped out of the cave. I reached out a hand and she flinched. I took it back, embarrassed.