Chapter 5.

Serana POV.

Well, my plan to stay in the library so I didn’t need to warm his bed failed spectacularly. Can’t blame a girl for trying. It took him three days to figure it out and now he makes sure he gets his fill of me before I run to my sanctuary.

It has been a month since he gave me this assignment, and I have found nothing of use. The humans that work here were in fact in the camps and Vilkas set them free. 

Most Guards keep their distance from us, well me at least. They still think I’m a Lycan. Like can’t they tell I’m not by my scent?

The only exception being the werewolf guard who said he knew who I was and had also been getting closer to me. I found out his name is Wesley and he was an Alpha once before the Lycans took over. 

Wesley hasn’t told me anymore about who I am and that sucks. Either way, I can say I have made a few friends in the palace, which is helpful. 

The other day I had a nasty encounter with one of the dark fae guards after Vilkas left the library.

The scumbag came in, caught me unawares, and pinned me to the desk. Yes, he tried to have his way with me when Wesley came in and broke his neck. We didn’t speak about it. His body was removed and Vilkas was none the wiser. I can’t be responsible for the death of every fae just because of some sick dickhead. 

Since then, he stands guard at the door to protect me. He is kind and I appreciate it. Then again according to Vilkas I’m not human. I’m starting to get pissed off with him.

I also carry a blade with me at all times in my apron. The blade is obsidian with gilded silver, and it’s sharp and will do the job if need be.

Sitting in the reading nook at the top of the spiral staircase, I pull out the next scroll, gently opening the red leather ties and carefully roll it apart. I begin to read it and stop when Pascha comes into the room.

“Rana, come on, girl. You need to eat.” She places a tray of food on the reading desk.

I place the scroll down and stand up, crunching my back as I do. Moving down the stairs, I kiss her on the cheek. “Thank you, sweetie.”

Lara is an amazing chef. Looking at the food on my plate, I know it will be delicious. She has prepared steak, mashed potatoes, carrots, and green beans. With a thick creamy mustard coloured sauce. Well, to be honest, it took us all a while to be able to eat more than a few spoonfuls. Now there is no stopping us. 

“So, how is the translation going?” She pulls an apple out of her pocket and sits opposite me and bites into it. 

“Not bad, just the usual history and folklore.” I shrug my shoulders. I haven’t told Pascha what it is I am really up to. I don’t want her being caught in the crossfire. So the less they all know, the better.

“Do you need any help?” She asks, and I shake my head. My vocabulary has improved as well. I am still keeping up the act of being a submissive weakling when Vilkas is around, but those close to me know I’m not.

“No, it’s ok, I’ve got it covered but thank you for offering.” I squeeze her hand and smile warmly at her.

“Ok, well, the offer is there if you change your mind. Anyway, I better get back before Lara has my guts for garters.” I chuckle at her as she kisses my cheek before leaving me to eat. 

Once finished, I take the tray and place it to the side. I will take it to the kitchen later on. But first I need to finish that scroll. Something is telling me I will find something soon. 

Heading back up the stairs, I get comfy again and reach for the scroll I was reading and unroll it again, leaning back, bringing my legs up as I read it. I get halfway through when my eyes widen. I drop the scroll as my chest heaves, blinking at what I have just red. My hands shake as I gingerly reach for it again and continue reading it. I can’t believe what I am reading.

This is what I have been looking for, not for him, but for me.

“It’s said that the last dragon was in love with a Lycan, but she used him to get his heart scale to save her fated mate. It broke his heart as she so cruelly ripped the scale from him and ran, leaving him to die alone.”

I re-read it again and again to make sense of what it is saying. 

So the dragon … is Vilkas? He is the one who the Lycan betrayed. That’s why he hates them so much.

“However, a phoenix intercepted it before the Lycan female could finish the ritual. Many years later, the Lycans found the phoenix in a kingdom and killed her mate because she wouldn’t hand over the scale. Before her death at the hands of the Lycans, she cursed them all so that they couldn’t find their mates and reproduce.” 

Ok that is sad. Fucking hell. 

I flip the scroll over to see if there is any more information but nothing. I stand up and move quickly towards the roaring fireplace. As I go to throw it into the fire, the paper glows and I notice a hidden message in the top right of the scroll.

“It is believed the scale is hidden in plain sight, but with no means to locate it. It has been lost for over 100 years.

I gasp, staring at it before blinking.

“The one who can withstand dragon fire is fated to the one who was betrayed by his love. She carries the heart scale deep within. Giving birth to the one who will rise to take back what is rightfully theirs, breaking the curse on the shifters after cleansing the earth with fire to rid it of evil.”

No, it can’t be. I’m the only one who can withstand the dragon fire. That means I have the heart scale inside me, and my mother was the phoenix. I stagger backwards as I clutch my chest as I watch the flames. 

I move closer to the hearth and place my hand into the flames and watch as my skin glows red and gold. My heartbeat hums like a song. As I watch the flames in a trance as I step closer to climb in. 

“You need to burn to be reborn.” The voice inside speaks as I lift my leg as I’m ripped backwards. Falling into a warm chest. 

“You now know the truth.” Wesley appears out of nowhere. I nod as tears leave my eyes. 

“You’re not alone, princess. Remember that. I won’t tell him either.” He hugs me, and I break down as I hug him back.