But her attacks were becoming less precise. More wild. Emotion overriding technique.
Because no one had touched her in centuries. No one had complimented her. No one had looked at her with anything except fear.
And this infuriating dragon-blooded human was doing all three while casually dodging death.
They crashed through another wall, and suddenly—
Sunlight.
They'd fought all the way through the cave system, emerging on the mountain's far side, a small clearing with a stream and open sky.
Dawn was breaking, painting everything in shades of gold and pink.
And in that light—
Cang saw her fully for the first time.
The Serpent Matriarch stood in the clearing, chest heaving, her single remaining hand clenched, her tail coiled beneath her for support.
And she was magnificent.
Her purple hair caught the dawn light, seeming to shimmer. Her white skin glowed. Her amethyst eyes blazed with fury and something else—something vulnerable beneath the rage.
And that missing arm—
