Bound to the Naga: A Monster Mates Romance by Ivy Sparks

Author:Ivy Sparks [Sparks, Ivy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: anonymous
Published: 2025-01-23T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

What Magic Knows

Sundar

Gloria Blackhorn ushers us into her study, grief over the loss of her brother still evident in the stoop of her massive shoulders. But before I can step in, Aubrey takes charge with surprising grace.

Within minutes of our arrival, she’s transformed from nervous energy to warm professionalism, asking thoughtful questions about Marcus’s collection while helping the elderly woman sort through her grief. Even Gloria’s impressive horns and imposing minotaur stature doesn’t faze her.

It fills me with pride.

“Marcus always said the best artifacts tell love stories,” Gloria explains, leading us through corridors lined with display cases. Her hooves click against ancient hardwood floors as she moves with the careful grace of someone carrying both physical and emotional weight. “He spent decades tracking down proof that monsters and humans work best together, even when the world told them it was impossible.”

Aubrey shoots me a quick glance, and this morning’s conversation briefly flashes through my mind.

“Here,” Gloria says, stopping before a locked door. “This was his private study. Everything significant is cataloged in the journals on his desk, but…” She hesitates, grief flickering across her features. “Well, Marcus had his own system. Sometimes love defies organization.”

The door swings open to reveal organized chaos. Floor-to-ceiling shelves overflow with artifacts, each seemingly placed with careful intent despite the apparent disorder. Display cases line the walls, their contents ranging from ancient scrolls to delicate jewelry. The air thrums with old magic—the kind that builds up naturally around objects filled with powerful emotions.

“I’ll leave you to it,” Gloria says. “The room is yours for as long as you need. Just handle everything with care. These pieces meant the world to him.”

As her hoofsteps fade down the hallway, Aubrey moves to examine the nearest shelf. “Wow,” she breathes, studying a collection of love letters written in an ancient script I haven’t seen in centuries. “Look at how the ink still shimmers. Is that magic?”

“Dragon’s tears,” I explain, moving closer. “The magic helped preserve the writing.”

She turns, and suddenly we’re standing very close. Close enough that I can see the flecks of green in her blue eyes, count each freckle scattered across her nose. My tail wants to wrap around her waist, to pull her even closer. Instead, I force myself to move back and clear my throat.

“We should start with the journals,” I say, moving toward the massive oak desk. “Get an overview of what we’re dealing with.”

“Right. Yes.” She tucks a strand of hair behind her ear as a hint of a blush grows on her cheeks.

The leather journals prove both helpful and fascinating. Marcus had meticulously documented each piece in his collection, including its providence and significance to monster-human relations.

But it’s the personal notes in the margins that catch my attention—little observations about his own marriage, about how discovering each artifact helped him understand his love for his human wife.

“Listen to this,” Aubrey says, reading one of the many journals. “‘The jade pendant represents more than just a dragon’s gift to his human mate.

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