Chapter TwelveA Shocking Encounter (Two Dragons) (Drake's POV)The cave was too empty.I paced up and down, my claws clicking against the stone floor. The silence was more than I could stand. The entire lair was a reminder of Fred—his scent remained in the air, but it was weak. The heap of furs he slept on was undisturbed. His body warmth had been absent for so long, but I caught myself looking at it again, expecting him to just return at any moment."He said he would come back."I clenched my fists."What if they fooled him?"The thought made my chest tighten. I didn't trust them. They already tricked him once when it came to his father being sick. What if they had something worse planned?I growled low in my throat and raked my hand through my hair, trying to push the thoughts aside. I needed to focus.To distract myself, I started tidying up my lair.I rearranged the wooden shelves, moved the rocks in front of the fire pit, and even went so far as to neaten up the furs and blanke
Chapter Thirteen : Trapped in the Palace (Fred's POV)I should have known.I should have anticipated this.As soon as I turned away to go, the guards blocked my way, their hands resting on their swords. They weren't standing there—they were blocking me.My heart beat faster. "Move."They didn't.I glared, trying to keep my voice even. "I said, move."Nothing still.Something was off.I tried to step around them, but one of the guards stepped out, grabbing my arm. The grip was firm, not rough, but it helped to make the point that they weren't letting me go.A lump in my throat. "What do you think you're doing?" I asked softly.The guard did not answer. Another moved forward, his eyes hard."You're not leaving, Your Highness."The words hit me in the face.Not leaving?I jerked my arm back. "Let me go."They didn't.I glared around, my heart constricting. The other guards were moving closer. I was surrounded.Fear exploded into my chest.This wasn't right. So wrong.I came here because
Chapter FourteenDrake’s POV – The Stone of PowerThe cave was too quiet.Drake sat in the dim light, his eyes locked on the entrance, waiting. His chest felt heavy. It had been too long. Fred should have been back by now.His hands curled into fists. Something was wrong.He had never been the kind to worry about others, never cared if someone left and never returned. But with Fred, it was different. Fred had promised to come back.The silence was unbearable. The longer he sat, the more restless he became. His mind kept playing different scenarios—what if Fred had been caught? What if they were hurting him?Drake shook his head, pushing away the thoughts.“No,” he muttered. “Fred will come back. He has to.”But deep down, doubt clawed at him.The wind outside howled, bringing a chill into the cave. The torches flickered, casting long shadows across the stone walls.Then—a shift in the air.Drake stiffened. His sharp senses picked up something. A presence.He turned his head sharply.B
Chapter Fifteen : Escape From My Kingdom Fred’s POVMy heart pounded as I stared at my reflection in the mirror.The royal robes felt heavy on my shoulders, like chains trapping me. The silver crown on my head wasn’t a symbol of honor—it was a cage. Today was my wedding day, but I felt nothing but fear.I swallowed hard, my throat dry.I have to get out of here.I had promised Drake I would return to him. I had told him nothing would keep us apart. But now, I was about to be married to someone I didn’t love. My father had planned everything. He wanted to send me far away, somewhere Drake would never find me.No.I couldn’t let this happen.I clenched my fists and turned away from the mirror. The palace was filled with guests, music, and laughter, but I felt completely alone. My chest ached, my mind racing with one thought.Escape.I pushed open my window and looked outside. The sky was cloudy, the air thick with tension. The palace walls were high, but I could make it. If I reached t
Chapter SixyeenWords Fred’s POVThe hall was grand, decorated with golden chandeliers and flowers from the best gardens in the kingdom. Music played, people laughed, and nobles in rich clothing clinked their glasses together in celebration. The smell of roasted meat and sweet wine filled the air, making everything feel like a perfect royal wedding.I stood beside the princess, my hand in hers, feeling nothing but emptiness. She smiled at me, but I could barely return it. My heart was elsewhere. With Drake.The priest stood before us, reading the sacred vows. The crowd watched with excitement, waiting for me to speak. But inside, I felt trapped, suffocated.“This is wrong.”I was about to bind myself to someone I didn’t love. I clenched my jaw, forcing myself to stay still. There was nothing I could do. I was stuck.Then—BOOMThe hall was in chaos. People were screaming, running in different directions. The princess beside me held my hand tightly, shaking in fear. My heart pounded a
Chapter Seventeen- The LeafFred’s POVI ran through the palace garden, my heart pounding so hard I could barely hear anything else. The screams from inside the palace echoed in my ears, but I had no time to stop. I knew what I was looking for. I just needed to find it before it was too late.The rare leaf.Drake had told me about it once—how it was one of the only things that could weaken a dragon. At the time, I never thought I would have to use it. But now? Now, it was my only hope.My breath was heavy as I pushed past thick bushes and trees, the moonlight barely lighting my way. The sacred garden was forbidden to anyone except the royal priests. No one was allowed to pluck anything from it. But I didn’t care. If I could stop the dragon from taking the stone, then I had to try.Just as I reached for the leaf, a strong hand grabbed my wrist.“Stop right there,” a deep voice commanded.My blood turned cold.I turned slowly and met the piercing gaze of a palace guard. He was one of th
Chapter Eighteen — Dissapointment And HeartbreakDrake’s POVI was still waiting.Waiting for him.Waiting for Fred.He said he would come back.He said he would return to me.I believed him.But it’s been too long. The sun has set. The moon has come and gone. Still… he’s not here.I sat at the edge of the cave, looking out. The wind touched my face gently, but my heart felt heavy, like a stone.I missed him.More than I ever thought I could miss someone.I could still hear his laugh, soft and real. I could still remember the way he touched my scales without fear. The way he looked at me like I wasn’t a monster.He was the only human who made me feel like I mattered.And now, he’s gone.Suddenly, I heard wings flapping. A dragon. I turned my head fast. It was Blaze—the other dragon I had trusted to help me. He was flying toward me, but… something was wrong.He landed roughly and almost tripped as he walked in. His wings looked torn. His eyes were pale. His breathing was slow.“Blaze?”
Chapter NineteenChapter Title: I Don’t Know If I Can Ever Forgive YouFred’s POVI stood by the window, watching the clouds move slowly across the sky. My heart was heavy. The world outside looked calm, but inside me, everything was falling apart. I didn’t feel like a prince. I didn’t feel like anything. I just felt… broken.My father was still lying in bed. He hadn’t opened his eyes. The royal healer said his spirit was weak. That he was holding on, but barely. I wanted to believe he would wake up, but a part of me was scared. What if he didn’t?I had no one to talk to. No one who truly understood. The guards kept checking on me. The servants whispered when I passed by. The princess smiled at me with care, but I couldn’t even look her in the eyes.Because all I could think about… was Drake.He betrayed me.He told another dragon about the sacred stone. He gave away the one thing that kept our kingdom safe. And now—because of him—my father was sick. Our people were scared. Our kingdo
Chapter NineteenChapter Title: I Don’t Know If I Can Ever Forgive YouFred’s POVI stood by the window, watching the clouds move slowly across the sky. My heart was heavy. The world outside looked calm, but inside me, everything was falling apart. I didn’t feel like a prince. I didn’t feel like anything. I just felt… broken.My father was still lying in bed. He hadn’t opened his eyes. The royal healer said his spirit was weak. That he was holding on, but barely. I wanted to believe he would wake up, but a part of me was scared. What if he didn’t?I had no one to talk to. No one who truly understood. The guards kept checking on me. The servants whispered when I passed by. The princess smiled at me with care, but I couldn’t even look her in the eyes.Because all I could think about… was Drake.He betrayed me.He told another dragon about the sacred stone. He gave away the one thing that kept our kingdom safe. And now—because of him—my father was sick. Our people were scared. Our kingdo
Chapter Eighteen — Dissapointment And HeartbreakDrake’s POVI was still waiting.Waiting for him.Waiting for Fred.He said he would come back.He said he would return to me.I believed him.But it’s been too long. The sun has set. The moon has come and gone. Still… he’s not here.I sat at the edge of the cave, looking out. The wind touched my face gently, but my heart felt heavy, like a stone.I missed him.More than I ever thought I could miss someone.I could still hear his laugh, soft and real. I could still remember the way he touched my scales without fear. The way he looked at me like I wasn’t a monster.He was the only human who made me feel like I mattered.And now, he’s gone.Suddenly, I heard wings flapping. A dragon. I turned my head fast. It was Blaze—the other dragon I had trusted to help me. He was flying toward me, but… something was wrong.He landed roughly and almost tripped as he walked in. His wings looked torn. His eyes were pale. His breathing was slow.“Blaze?”
Chapter Seventeen- The LeafFred’s POVI ran through the palace garden, my heart pounding so hard I could barely hear anything else. The screams from inside the palace echoed in my ears, but I had no time to stop. I knew what I was looking for. I just needed to find it before it was too late.The rare leaf.Drake had told me about it once—how it was one of the only things that could weaken a dragon. At the time, I never thought I would have to use it. But now? Now, it was my only hope.My breath was heavy as I pushed past thick bushes and trees, the moonlight barely lighting my way. The sacred garden was forbidden to anyone except the royal priests. No one was allowed to pluck anything from it. But I didn’t care. If I could stop the dragon from taking the stone, then I had to try.Just as I reached for the leaf, a strong hand grabbed my wrist.“Stop right there,” a deep voice commanded.My blood turned cold.I turned slowly and met the piercing gaze of a palace guard. He was one of th
Chapter SixyeenWords Fred’s POVThe hall was grand, decorated with golden chandeliers and flowers from the best gardens in the kingdom. Music played, people laughed, and nobles in rich clothing clinked their glasses together in celebration. The smell of roasted meat and sweet wine filled the air, making everything feel like a perfect royal wedding.I stood beside the princess, my hand in hers, feeling nothing but emptiness. She smiled at me, but I could barely return it. My heart was elsewhere. With Drake.The priest stood before us, reading the sacred vows. The crowd watched with excitement, waiting for me to speak. But inside, I felt trapped, suffocated.“This is wrong.”I was about to bind myself to someone I didn’t love. I clenched my jaw, forcing myself to stay still. There was nothing I could do. I was stuck.Then—BOOMThe hall was in chaos. People were screaming, running in different directions. The princess beside me held my hand tightly, shaking in fear. My heart pounded a
Chapter Fifteen : Escape From My Kingdom Fred’s POVMy heart pounded as I stared at my reflection in the mirror.The royal robes felt heavy on my shoulders, like chains trapping me. The silver crown on my head wasn’t a symbol of honor—it was a cage. Today was my wedding day, but I felt nothing but fear.I swallowed hard, my throat dry.I have to get out of here.I had promised Drake I would return to him. I had told him nothing would keep us apart. But now, I was about to be married to someone I didn’t love. My father had planned everything. He wanted to send me far away, somewhere Drake would never find me.No.I couldn’t let this happen.I clenched my fists and turned away from the mirror. The palace was filled with guests, music, and laughter, but I felt completely alone. My chest ached, my mind racing with one thought.Escape.I pushed open my window and looked outside. The sky was cloudy, the air thick with tension. The palace walls were high, but I could make it. If I reached t
Chapter FourteenDrake’s POV – The Stone of PowerThe cave was too quiet.Drake sat in the dim light, his eyes locked on the entrance, waiting. His chest felt heavy. It had been too long. Fred should have been back by now.His hands curled into fists. Something was wrong.He had never been the kind to worry about others, never cared if someone left and never returned. But with Fred, it was different. Fred had promised to come back.The silence was unbearable. The longer he sat, the more restless he became. His mind kept playing different scenarios—what if Fred had been caught? What if they were hurting him?Drake shook his head, pushing away the thoughts.“No,” he muttered. “Fred will come back. He has to.”But deep down, doubt clawed at him.The wind outside howled, bringing a chill into the cave. The torches flickered, casting long shadows across the stone walls.Then—a shift in the air.Drake stiffened. His sharp senses picked up something. A presence.He turned his head sharply.B
Chapter Thirteen : Trapped in the Palace (Fred's POV)I should have known.I should have anticipated this.As soon as I turned away to go, the guards blocked my way, their hands resting on their swords. They weren't standing there—they were blocking me.My heart beat faster. "Move."They didn't.I glared, trying to keep my voice even. "I said, move."Nothing still.Something was off.I tried to step around them, but one of the guards stepped out, grabbing my arm. The grip was firm, not rough, but it helped to make the point that they weren't letting me go.A lump in my throat. "What do you think you're doing?" I asked softly.The guard did not answer. Another moved forward, his eyes hard."You're not leaving, Your Highness."The words hit me in the face.Not leaving?I jerked my arm back. "Let me go."They didn't.I glared around, my heart constricting. The other guards were moving closer. I was surrounded.Fear exploded into my chest.This wasn't right. So wrong.I came here because
Chapter TwelveA Shocking Encounter (Two Dragons) (Drake's POV)The cave was too empty.I paced up and down, my claws clicking against the stone floor. The silence was more than I could stand. The entire lair was a reminder of Fred—his scent remained in the air, but it was weak. The heap of furs he slept on was undisturbed. His body warmth had been absent for so long, but I caught myself looking at it again, expecting him to just return at any moment."He said he would come back."I clenched my fists."What if they fooled him?"The thought made my chest tighten. I didn't trust them. They already tricked him once when it came to his father being sick. What if they had something worse planned?I growled low in my throat and raked my hand through my hair, trying to push the thoughts aside. I needed to focus.To distract myself, I started tidying up my lair.I rearranged the wooden shelves, moved the rocks in front of the fire pit, and even went so far as to neaten up the furs and blanke
Chapter Twelve – A Trick (Fred’s POV)I stood near the entrance of the cave, my hands clenched into fists. The time had come. I was really leaving.Drake leaned against the rock wall, his golden eyes watching me closely. He hadn’t said anything for a while, but I could feel the storm brewing inside him. He didn’t want me to go.“I’ll come back,” I said softly, trying to reassure him.Drake let out a slow breath and walked toward me. He stopped right in front of me, close enough that I could feel his warmth. “I want to believe that,” he said. “But what if you don’t?”“I will.” I reached up, touching his face. His skin was warm beneath my fingertips.Drake closed his eyes for a second, leaning into my touch. Then he grabbed my wrist and pulled me closer. His arms wrapped around my waist, holding me tight. “I don’t trust them,” he whispered. “They lied to you once. What if this is a trap?”I sighed, pressing my forehead against his chest. “Then I’ll find a way out. I always do.”Drake di