We were leaving Earth and traveling to an entirely new realm… well, new for me. The Dreki realm. Before escaping Louisiana with my mother and meeting my mates, I’d lived trapped like a bird inside of a cage of Pastor Malcolm’s creation. I was free now. I was also starting to realize what that meant for myself, my mates, and my identity as a shifter. I may have had my wings cut, savagely severed by the hand fate dealt me, but I was becoming stronger and braver each day. There was an instinctual feeling inside of me, growing to the point that it wouldn’t be ignored, telling me that this trip to the Dreki realm had the possibility to change everything.
But what happens when secrets are revealed, showing how little I actually know about my own history? When I have to come to terms with some of the darker corners of my mates’ past? When I realize that Pastor Malcolm’s crimes may have been far larger than just myself?
How do I protect my mates? How do I keep Bella safe? How do I ensure that I don’t lose this small, perfect slice of reality that I’ve managed to find?
I was standing on the edge of a massive drop into a cruel pit of reality… luckily, this time, I knew I could fly.
This is a slow/medium burn fantasy RH that features a naive but strong MFC with a troubled past and a secret about what she really is. Come meet Maya and her protective and possessive dragon shifters! Warnings: Please be advised that the book contains darker themes such as child abuse, PTSD, swearing, and violence. Additionally, sexual themes are suitable for mature audiences +18. Cliff hanger warning - Dying in Flames, book 4 in the Reborn series, available for pre-order!
Prologue
Marco
There was almost zero chance of me being able to sleep tonight. I knew that. I’d come to terms with it, and considering the situation at hand, more importantly what tomorrow would bring, it was essentially unavoidable. The stress caused by that reality had me feeling wired as I tried to not tap my foot on the expensive carpeting that covered the floor of our hotel suite. Even the scent of fresh flowers and a faint breeze coming in from the balcony from the California coast did little to calm me.
There were just too many details and too many unknowns. Something that I was extremely uncomfortable with when it came to Maya. Letting out a measured exhale, I looked down at the woman in question, who was currently curled up against my side, her stunning eyes closed and her breathing deep and relaxed. The television lit up her peaceful expression and showcased her delicate, feminine features, her spattering of freckles, and the way her dark brown and gold hair seemed to surround her frame like a veil of silk. It was a gorgeous sight, and one that left me with a bit of awe as I considered taking a picture of her just so I could see her like this whenever we weren’t together.
I needed a new phone background as it was.
I shook my head, wondering where this side of me had come from. Never in my life had I viewed a woman like this, but with Maya it was unavoidable, and I found myself wanting to tell her just how beautiful I found her. Not just physically, either. Everything about her was appealing to the fullest extent. It was something I would have normally chalked up to being mates, but honestly? I think that even if we had both been human, there would have been a natural connection between us that was completely unavoidable.
On the television, the news flashed through different segments on mute, distracting me momentarily from my obsessive staring as I considered turning it off. I had yet to do so, though, because not only would it be darker in here, which meant seeing far less of my mate’s stunning features, but there was the possibility that I would wake her up while shifting forward to grab the remote. After everything she had been through and what I knew the next few days would bring? I was taking the opportunity to enjoy this moment of normality as she finally got some well-deserved rest.
Whatever ‘normal’ meant to us anymore.
Guilt infiltrated my chest, knowing that Maya’s experience in the world outside of her imprisonment had been anything but ‘normal’ so far, and I was in part to blame. My flight had