Charlie walked outside the Amethyst Palace quarters, silently laughing at his brother’s romantic troubles.When Azura was with Aysling, he looked more “human,” more flesh and blood, rather than the cold, indifferent Emperor—almost like an emotionless robot.Finally, he had convinced her to accept the Dragon’s blood when it was sent, and she reluctantly agreed.He had so many questions about her origins but didn’t dare ask for fear of scaring her. He had watched her closely, and she didn’t seem to harbor ill will toward his brother—only hearts and sparks flew whenever those two were together."Too strange," Charlie muttered, reflecting on how odd it was that Azura had never shown even half as much interest in Lea, who was supposedly his destined mate.Something about it still smelled fishy, and it seemed his brother was also investigating the matter.If Lea had played Azura, the least he would do was tear her apart alive."Your Highness," the voice of his mother’s housekeeper interrupt
She couldn’t reveal any more details—damn it!“What’s happening? Should I call your maid?” Charlie suddenly panicked.“No, don’t call her! Listen to me, please! Charlie, I’m sorry, son, I…” Serene’s eyes welled with tears, but she quickly tried to pull herself together. She was already acting far too strange in front of Charlie.“Believe me this time. I’m doing this for both your sakes. Go in your brother’s place, please, I beg you…”“Son.” She had never called him that before, and Charlie could only stare into her eyes.This seemed like his mother, but it was obvious something had happened to her. Could she be like Aysling?“Tell me, Mother, do you remember the tea I was served at your last birthday celebration?” Serene trembled under his cold gaze.Charlie was testing her.Of course, she remembered it well. Even though she hadn’t changed at that time, it was something her former self had done.It was the poisoned tea she had ordered to be served to her own son.“Yes, I remember, Cha
Could her magic have begun to awaken because of this little cub?A child of a Dragon and Nahara would be a being of immense innate power.Aysling felt her heart racing wildly.Sitting on the bed, she placed a trembling hand on her flat abdomen, caressing it with a mix of surprise and maternal love.A little dragonling… she would have an egg inside her! Ahh, she was so happy, and the smile on her lips was unmistakable!At that moment, she sensed Azura’s presence. He was close.Aysling suddenly felt afraid he might discover her secret.She wanted so badly to tell him, but not yet—not when he didn’t deserve it.She didn’t want him to choose her just because she was carrying the next heir.Quickly, she used what little magic she had managed to gather and cloaked the tiny cells. She hoped that, since it was so recent, Azura wouldn’t be able to smell the cub yet.“Royal Concubine, His Majesty requests to see you. What should I tell him?” the maid asked respectfully from outside the door.“T
Charlie sat inside the carriage where his brother was supposed to travel, cloaked in a heavy cape.No one was supposed to know that Azura was supervising this convoy—or at least that was how it should have been.But with a spy on the loose, it was obvious this journey wouldn’t go smoothly.The long supply caravan was making its way through a narrow path deep within a canyon.The towering cliffs flanked the closed carriages and the guards riding horseback to protect the cargo.The leader of the warriors was of the dragon race, but most of the others were feline shapeshifters, werewolves, and a few skilled human combatants.Charlie tensed as he sat in the carriage, sensing the exact moment the attack began."Everyone, to arms! Defend the supplies—!" BOOM! A powerful explosion drowned out the dragon general’s roar.Magical mines had been buried deep in the ground, and it was clear this ambush had been meticulously planned to catch them off guard.Dozens of warriors appeared at both ends
"Prince, you cannot enter the concubine’s chamber! This is punishable by death—Your Highness, please, reconsider!" The housekeeper shouted, and the maids blocked his way.They were only doing their job; no one suspected that Aysling might be in danger."Aysling, are you okay?! Aysling, if you’re alright, speak now, or I’ll break the door down!" BAM, BAM! Charlie pounded on the wooden door, ignoring the maids' warnings.Inside, collapsed on the floor, Aysling was fighting for her life, her clouded eyes staring at the closed door.She wanted to answer Charlie, to ask for help, but when she opened her mouth, only a mouthful of blood rose from her throat, spilling over her lips.The pain was excruciating, and all the magic she had managed to gather was focused on protecting her cub from the poison. Her body was at its limit and couldn’t hold out much longer.BOOM!Suddenly, the door burst open, splinters flying through the air, and Charlie stormed in, horrified by the sight of Aysling, ne
When Serene’s hand touched Aysling’s abdomen and the latter lowered the protective barrier slightly, she felt it—and her eyes widened in shock.It was incredibly difficult for their race to conceive. The more powerful the Dragon, the harder it was to have offspring, and this small woman carried her grandchild in her womb.“She’s pregnant!” she exclaimed to Charlie, her voice filled with a mix of joy and surprise, which quickly turned to panic.“No, no, no! Our power won’t be enough!” she said to Charlie with a trembling voice. She knew it all too well because, in her past life, she had seen this aggressive poison in Lea’s hands. At the time, she hadn’t known where Lea had gotten it.This was the same poison that had killed Charlie back then—a Royal Dragon, immensely strong.What could it do to a small human?Even if they bled themselves dry, the two of them couldn’t save both the mother and the child.They had a lot of power, but the cub was the child of a powerful Dragon and demanded
Aysling felt as if the pain would consume her, followed by desperation and helplessness.Her body was being tossed around, and all she wanted was to rest, to end so much pain, but a persistent voice begged her, refusing to let her give up."Don't leave, I love you, you're everything to me, I'll give you the blood of my soul, my entire life if necessary, my heart, in exchange for you to live."Liquid like burning lava poured down her throat again and again, and then she felt as if her body were floating, surrounded by a massive furnace.After an unknown amount of time, she opened her trembling eyelids.She felt confused and dizzy, lying on something strange.The bitter taste in her mouth had been replaced by a thick, iron-like flavor.Was it nighttime? Why was everything so dark?Suddenly, Aysling remembered the most important thing and sat up in a panic, abruptly lowering her head and placing her hands on her belly."Please let the pup be safe, let my pup be okay!"She felt a much str
She caressed the soft, translucent skin beneath the impenetrable shield, her eyes able to see the massive heart beating before her, its veins coursing through his strong chest, pure vitality that he offered her, and she would take it."I, Aysling Allen, Nahara of the Shadow Claw pack, accept you as my Dragon mate. I will protect your heart and give you mine, for you to guard, for all eternity."She spoke the ritual words she had learned from Azura and made a small cut just above the heart, which contracted from the attack and began to release a stream of dark, powerful blood trickling down his chest.Aysling brought her mouth close and began to drink, her tears mingling with her mate's blood. How could such bitter joy exist in life?Aaron closed his eyes with pleasure and happiness.At last, after what felt like centuries upon centuries of waiting, he was bonding with his true mate.Outside the palace and throughout the capital, a stunning illusion appeared as if thousands of shooting