ItsQuarters

  I?a POV

  My stomach shifts, perhaps for the third time this hour. I can feel the eggs settling against one another, preparing themselves. I'm getting close, I know it. I'm not sure as to the gestational period of Elder Dragon eggs, not sure if anyone is, so the other researchers have been up my metaphorical ass.

  The relentless inquiries about the eggs and the connection between Imperialis and me have been a constant presence. While I understand their curiosity, there are moments when I crave solitude and privacy. The growing life within me, these eggs that are part of both Imperialis and me, are our family. My darling children. From what I can tell, there are about seven or so eggs within me, maybe more. Each one is as precious as the st.

  But now, the distant roars of battle have overwhelmed the relentless questions, my motherly instincts screaming at me, telling me that if Imperialis were to be sin by the hunters, the fate of my children would be uncertain. Would they destroy the eggs? Take them, never to be seen again? What of myself, would I be cssified as an elder dragon thanks to my bearing them? Already, I can see my former colleagues, writing IT down when referring to me.

  I can't wait any longer.

  My form, heavy and pregnant, moves with such speed I have never had even before my pregnancy. I'm gone from Astera even before someone can say something.

  Oku POV

  The shouting voices pierce through the tumultuous sounds of the ongoing battle, pulling my attention away from the chaos before me. I turn to see a group of individuals who had been present in the same vicinity as I?a, the mate of the dangerous Elder Dragon known as Imperialis.

  My heart seizes as the realization sinks in. I?a, heavy with her Elder Dragon offspring, has ventured into the forest, leaving behind the safety of Astera. The gravity of the situation dawns on me, and my mind races with the implications of her actions.

  The images of the New World afme, a result of the justified anger over the loss of Imperialis's loved ones and children, flood my thoughts. If the devastation of the past days was merely a result of the creature's maddening hunger, the idea of the destruction it could unleash when driven by anger chills me to the core.

  I turn to the nearest hunters, a sense of urgency in my voice. "You two! Follow her and ensure her safety! The Sapphire Star protect us all, for if any harm comes to her, the consequences could be catastrophic."

  The hunters nod in understanding and rush to carry out my orders. The weight of the situation rests heavily on my shoulders as I watch them disappear into the depths of the forest.

  A breath of exasperation escapes my lips as I grumble out, "I'm getting too old for this."

  Juno POV

  I can't believe my luck! Wandering randomly around the Commander has caused me to be part of the team tasked with following and protecting I?a, Imperialis's mate. My real mission, though, is clear – capture I?a and procure one of the Elder Dragon's eggs. The stakes are high, and success could earn me considerable prestige in the old world.

  My partner, a capable hunter, accompanies me, and our quarry moves swiftly ahead. I keep a close eye on her, waiting for the right moment to strike. The forest is shrouded in an eerie silence, a stark contrast to the distant sounds of battle. It's as if nature itself holds its breath.

  As we shadow I?a, my thoughts race. This mission is risky, and I know that the consequences of failure could be dire. My duty to the old world compels me to succeed, but a nagging doubt lingers in the back of my mind. Is this the path I want to follow? Kidnapping an innocent woman, one who is heavy with the offspring of an Elder Dragon seems like a grave transgression.

  But for now, I must proceed as ordered. The Commander's words weigh heavily on me. If I am to capture I?a, I must incapacitate my partner, a task that will require careful timing and a delicate touch. I grip my weapon tightly, ready to carry out the orders I've been given. A quick sleeping dark shot from my slinger into my partner has him unconscious, and I'm running the pregnant woman down to pick her up.

  She struggles when I turn her away from the battle, but it's only when she realizes that I'm not heading back to Astera that she starts to legitimately scream. Which puts me on edge, naturally.

  I start running at a full sprint.

  Hanna POV

  I'm having the time of my life right now. The battle is in full swing, and the hunters are put off by having to fight a humanoid opponent, their weapons, huge and heavy, are more suited for fighting sturdy animals than what amounts to a winged human with armor. My fighting style, too, is unorthodox for them.

  Cw attacks, thare used too, but my attacks have no windup like the wyverns and dragons hunters are used to dealing with. Not to mention I'm using all four, no, eight of my appendages to fight them. My wings, tail, and head give them more to worry about and prevents them from coordinating well.

  But Markos? God, this guy is good.

  Wielding only a sword and shield, Markos is the only one doing any sort of damage to me, my cws, kicks, and tail strikes sliding off his shield as he cuts into my scales. It hurts, but I can't even be mad.

  He's magnificent.

  Not that the others aren't great, this hammer-wielding girl has caused my arms to ache, and this one guy with the absurdly long katana has cut into my wings more than once, but they're not doing this for the challenge.

  But he is.

  I want him all to myself.

  I need to fight him.

  Only him.

  I roar out, my instincts as an elder dragon prickling at the man leading these hunters. I jump and start to breathe poison onto the ground below, sending the hunters scattering before I switch to fire, knocking the hunters out as they try to drink their antidotes. I see small little feline creatures hurriedly pull the hunters into carts and wheel them off before I nd, and fp my wings to disperse the fire and Poison.

  And he's still there.

  Of course, he is.

  The savage grin that spreads across my face is highlighted as I take a stance, my wings folded up.

  He takes a stance too, showing me that he was more than just a hunter. The look in his eyes shows that he's killed before.

  He's fought against other humans and tore them to pieces. A monster in human form; Be still my beating heart. We lunge, but before our csh, I hear a scream pierce the jungle, one that I know so well, albeit under different circumstances.

  "I?a..."

  I can see the blood drain from Markos' face and he swipes his shield at me to keep my attention, but I'm gone. Taking to the skies and breathing in deep to find her scent.

  There's gonna be hell to pay.