Kane was lying on the ground, panting, while blood dripped from his many wounds. His wings were tattered, his scales were ripped off in a few places, and his leg was severely burnt. The dragon's healing ability was not fast enough to help him regain strength. General's beast growled weakly, glaring at Cassiu's dragon hovering over him like a walking death. The black beast was watching him calmly, with smoke coming out of his nostrils. Kane understood he had lost this battle before it even began. In his ridiculous pride, he had forgotten who his opponent was. Cassius was the Dragon Prince, and royal blood ran in his veins. Even the years he spent in the dungeon did not break his spirit. They fought for an hour, and none of the general's attempts to harm the Prince were successful. Cassius was in total control during the battle, playing with Kane like a toy. What was worse was that the general knew that the Prince had at least a few chances to end his life, but for some unknown
Cynthia chuckled while Kylan watched her dumbfounded. Why was she after him? What was her problem? They barely knew each other, and she already seemed to despise him. - You are holding a grudge against me, and I cannot see a reason.- The young man spoke with confusion. - Is there anything that could make me dislike you?- The witch replied with her question, tilting her head. - I have no idea. Is there? Since we have met, you have treated me like your enemy, not openly, but your intentions are clear.- Kylan retorted in an offended tone. Of course, he knew people who were not his biggest fans, and recently, this list extended by a few more names, but they usually had a reason for that. But this girl just hated him for nothing. He indeed had a bit of bad luck with witches. Cynthia giggled to some joke only she knew, and Kylan shot her another puzzled look. There was something seriously wrong with her. - Don't get me wrong. It is not like I do not like you personally; I don't like yo
Callista entered Amanda's coven and rushed through the corridors, expecting to find its leader in her office. The witch was filled with a newfound energy. Her dream was about to come true. Lucius forgave her her past mistakes and was willing to make her his Queen. In fact, there was more than her dream. They shared a bed, but until now, she was nothing more than his mistress. But that was about to change, as Lucius promised to reject Kaitlyn once and for all. For many years, Callista wondered why he had not taken this step, but she did not dare question his actions. She tried to convince herself that he kept their bond to torment his mate through this. Kaitlyn had to be fully aware when they were intimate, which made Callista enjoy those moments even more. Since they were children, Callista envied Kaitlyn mainly because she could not be like her. There was always a gap between them, and no matter how much Callista tried, she could never be like her old friend. Finding that Kaitlyn w
A few hours earlier.Clara stood in front of Cassius, Kaitlyn, and Nickolas, looking at them in confusion. - Do not be scared, child. - The witch gave her a reassuring smile. - We would like to know how you got to the mountains unnoticed. This information may be essential and crucial for all of us. - We came through a tunnel, my lady. - The girl replied, shrugging her arms. - Your daughter told us what to do and where to go. I followed her directions. - Tunnel? What tunnel?- Nickolas gave Cassius a puzzled look, but the Dragon Prince only shook his head. He had no idea what this girl was talking about. If there was some sort of secret passage to the mountains, he was not aware of that. - Can you show us where exactly you came in here?- Kaitlyn glanced at Clara again, and the girl nodded. - It was in the cave where the warriors found us. I did not dare to move any further. The witch looked at her companions. They had only one choice. They needed to go back to this cave and invest
Lucius stood in the middle of a coronation room. For ages, kings and queens were officially presented to their people here at the beginning of their reign. He closed his eyes, remembering his celebration. People were cheering while his parents were beaming with pride. He was supposed to be a great king—the greatest of them all. And he fulfilled that. There was no one above him. His people loved him. The one who did not- learned to fear him instead. - What are you doing here?- Lucius asked, not taking his eyes off the massive throne under the wall. As children, he and Cassius loved to watch their father sitting there during his meetings. - I was worried about you.- Demetria said, coming closer. She was here, before him, but Lucius decided to ignore her presence. - Were you? Is there a reason to be worried about me?- The Dragon King finally looked at his daughter. She looked exactly like her mother. Kaitlyn was the only woman who managed to warm up his cold heart—a woman who betra
Demetria's body was shaking as her magic was flowing through her veins. Her wings were flapping gently behind her back. She checked on her shield, and the barrier was stable. That was a good thing, as she doubted she could defeat her father and Callista at the same time. ~Believe in yourself. We are strong, and we can finish it all.~ Elena spoke calmly in her mind. - There is no coming back anyway.- The girl replied, not taking her eyes off her father. Callista was shouting behind the barrier, but the sound was muffled. ~ No, there is no coming back. The rebels are here. They followed you, even without knowing you. We cannot disappoint them.~ Her dragon said with confidence. - They followed freedom. And I want to offer it to them. I want to give freedom to the whole land.- Demetria replied, balling her fists. The flames on them shone with a new power. - It looks like you fooled all of us.- The girl shivered when she heard Luciu's voice. - I did not listen to what Callista was sa
Kaitlyn and Cassius watched Demetria with concern. It had been hours since the fight was over, and the girl was still shaken. The Dragon Prince joined both women as soon as the battle was over, and Luciu's warriors were defeated. Some of them sadly died, but those who surrounded themselves were spared. Rebels tried to avoid killing, but it was not always possible. The royals who lived in the castle were captured and locked. Their future depended on their decisions. Kaitlyn wished for them to make a Blood Promise to the new ruler. Prisoners from dungeons who disobeyed Luciu's will were now released and could reunite with their families. Messengers were sent to spread the information about the Dragon King's death. The days of his tyranny were over. - Demetria, child, say something.- Cassius came closer and put his hand on the girl's arm, but she only shook her head. Kaitlyn pulled herself a chair and sat in front of her daughter. - Tell us what is going on, and we will try to help
Eighteen birthday. Kaitlyn stood in the middle of the street. The pouring rain was washing off the tears from her face. Her hair stuck to the neck, water dripping from the strands. ~ I look like a scarecrow. ~ She thought to herself, squeezing her necklace in her hand. ~ There must be some shelter nearby. I can not stay here all night. She pulled her bag close to her chest and started walking. Inside, she had some dry clothes. That was all Kaitlyn had grabbed before she left the place that had been her home for the last eighteen years. No matter how painful it was, she could not stay here anymore, not after today. Kaitlyn turned North. Next to the pack borders should be the old barn, forgotten by everyone. It would be an excellent place to stay, at least until it's raining. The girl reached her destination an hour later. The door was slightly open, wide enough so the petit girl like her could squeeze herself in. Inside was dry; that was the success itself. Kaitlyn took off her
Kaitlyn and Cassius watched Demetria with concern. It had been hours since the fight was over, and the girl was still shaken. The Dragon Prince joined both women as soon as the battle was over, and Luciu's warriors were defeated. Some of them sadly died, but those who surrounded themselves were spared. Rebels tried to avoid killing, but it was not always possible. The royals who lived in the castle were captured and locked. Their future depended on their decisions. Kaitlyn wished for them to make a Blood Promise to the new ruler. Prisoners from dungeons who disobeyed Luciu's will were now released and could reunite with their families. Messengers were sent to spread the information about the Dragon King's death. The days of his tyranny were over. - Demetria, child, say something.- Cassius came closer and put his hand on the girl's arm, but she only shook her head. Kaitlyn pulled herself a chair and sat in front of her daughter. - Tell us what is going on, and we will try to help
Demetria's body was shaking as her magic was flowing through her veins. Her wings were flapping gently behind her back. She checked on her shield, and the barrier was stable. That was a good thing, as she doubted she could defeat her father and Callista at the same time. ~Believe in yourself. We are strong, and we can finish it all.~ Elena spoke calmly in her mind. - There is no coming back anyway.- The girl replied, not taking her eyes off her father. Callista was shouting behind the barrier, but the sound was muffled. ~ No, there is no coming back. The rebels are here. They followed you, even without knowing you. We cannot disappoint them.~ Her dragon said with confidence. - They followed freedom. And I want to offer it to them. I want to give freedom to the whole land.- Demetria replied, balling her fists. The flames on them shone with a new power. - It looks like you fooled all of us.- The girl shivered when she heard Luciu's voice. - I did not listen to what Callista was sa
Lucius stood in the middle of a coronation room. For ages, kings and queens were officially presented to their people here at the beginning of their reign. He closed his eyes, remembering his celebration. People were cheering while his parents were beaming with pride. He was supposed to be a great king—the greatest of them all. And he fulfilled that. There was no one above him. His people loved him. The one who did not- learned to fear him instead. - What are you doing here?- Lucius asked, not taking his eyes off the massive throne under the wall. As children, he and Cassius loved to watch their father sitting there during his meetings. - I was worried about you.- Demetria said, coming closer. She was here, before him, but Lucius decided to ignore her presence. - Were you? Is there a reason to be worried about me?- The Dragon King finally looked at his daughter. She looked exactly like her mother. Kaitlyn was the only woman who managed to warm up his cold heart—a woman who betra
A few hours earlier.Clara stood in front of Cassius, Kaitlyn, and Nickolas, looking at them in confusion. - Do not be scared, child. - The witch gave her a reassuring smile. - We would like to know how you got to the mountains unnoticed. This information may be essential and crucial for all of us. - We came through a tunnel, my lady. - The girl replied, shrugging her arms. - Your daughter told us what to do and where to go. I followed her directions. - Tunnel? What tunnel?- Nickolas gave Cassius a puzzled look, but the Dragon Prince only shook his head. He had no idea what this girl was talking about. If there was some sort of secret passage to the mountains, he was not aware of that. - Can you show us where exactly you came in here?- Kaitlyn glanced at Clara again, and the girl nodded. - It was in the cave where the warriors found us. I did not dare to move any further. The witch looked at her companions. They had only one choice. They needed to go back to this cave and invest
Callista entered Amanda's coven and rushed through the corridors, expecting to find its leader in her office. The witch was filled with a newfound energy. Her dream was about to come true. Lucius forgave her her past mistakes and was willing to make her his Queen. In fact, there was more than her dream. They shared a bed, but until now, she was nothing more than his mistress. But that was about to change, as Lucius promised to reject Kaitlyn once and for all. For many years, Callista wondered why he had not taken this step, but she did not dare question his actions. She tried to convince herself that he kept their bond to torment his mate through this. Kaitlyn had to be fully aware when they were intimate, which made Callista enjoy those moments even more. Since they were children, Callista envied Kaitlyn mainly because she could not be like her. There was always a gap between them, and no matter how much Callista tried, she could never be like her old friend. Finding that Kaitlyn w
Cynthia chuckled while Kylan watched her dumbfounded. Why was she after him? What was her problem? They barely knew each other, and she already seemed to despise him. - You are holding a grudge against me, and I cannot see a reason.- The young man spoke with confusion. - Is there anything that could make me dislike you?- The witch replied with her question, tilting her head. - I have no idea. Is there? Since we have met, you have treated me like your enemy, not openly, but your intentions are clear.- Kylan retorted in an offended tone. Of course, he knew people who were not his biggest fans, and recently, this list extended by a few more names, but they usually had a reason for that. But this girl just hated him for nothing. He indeed had a bit of bad luck with witches. Cynthia giggled to some joke only she knew, and Kylan shot her another puzzled look. There was something seriously wrong with her. - Don't get me wrong. It is not like I do not like you personally; I don't like yo
Kane was lying on the ground, panting, while blood dripped from his many wounds. His wings were tattered, his scales were ripped off in a few places, and his leg was severely burnt. The dragon's healing ability was not fast enough to help him regain strength. General's beast growled weakly, glaring at Cassiu's dragon hovering over him like a walking death. The black beast was watching him calmly, with smoke coming out of his nostrils. Kane understood he had lost this battle before it even began. In his ridiculous pride, he had forgotten who his opponent was. Cassius was the Dragon Prince, and royal blood ran in his veins. Even the years he spent in the dungeon did not break his spirit. They fought for an hour, and none of the general's attempts to harm the Prince were successful. Cassius was in total control during the battle, playing with Kane like a toy. What was worse was that the general knew that the Prince had at least a few chances to end his life, but for some unknown
Lucius was fuming. His generals were gone for a while, and there was no sign of them coming back from their successful mission. Dragon King ordered his warriors to keep an eye on the sky and inform him as soon as they would see anything. Their prolonged absence was unsettling, and Lucius could not shake the feeling that things had gone differently from what he had planned. The Dragon King summoned his daughter and Callista as if their presence could help him ease his stress.Not long later, both women entered his office, shooting him concerned looks. - Is everything okay, Father?- Demetria was the first to speak. She could already suspect what was the reason for Luciu's request. It was hard to miss all those warriors glancing at the sky with hope. Generals left the castle a few hours ago, and none of them returned by now. Demetria suspected they had met a strong resistance from rebels. She silently hoped they were all captured. - My King, how can I assist you? Is there anything I
Kylan reached the rogue's camp together with his captors. They did not tie him, which was odd. After all, he could try to attack the leader. He would probably be dead shortly after, but still, leaving him free was a bit risky. The young man turned around at the sound of the chuckle. It was the woman whom he had met not long before. She was a witch. Kylan wondered if the gods cursed him. Why did he always have to encounter women who possessed magical powers? First Callista, now this young woman. He glanced again at the girl who was walking nearby. She looked serious, but then another smirk escaped her lips. It was frustrating, and Kylan thought maybe she was mentally unstable since she was acting so weird. Luckily, he had no more time to think about that as they reached the camp. There was no better term to describe this place, as wherever he looked were tents. There was no single building here, and it was as if those people lived without staying anywhere longer. - How do you find