Chapter 9
The frozen halls of Queen Virellia’s palace had begun to thaw. Snow dripped from the icicle-laced windows. The scent of passion, sweat, and fading frost hung thick in the air.
Zephyr stood tall and bare, the Frostfire Sigil still glowing faintly along his chest.
Virellia lay curled in silk furs beneath him, pale skin flushed, sapphire eyes wide with something foreign — desire.
But something had changed...
Her breath had grown shallow. Her fingers trembled over her own belly.
Zephyr leaned down. "Are you cold?"
Virellia shook her head slowly.
"No. I feel... burning."
A strange light pulsed under her navel — a dragon-shaped rune began glowing beneath her skin.
She gasped and clutched her stomach.
> "It can’t be. That blood... it was sealed for centuries."
Zephyr blinked. "What blood?"