Chapter 1

Decades later...

In the middle of the vast ocean stands a tall Draconian lady. Her wavy, red, turtleneck dress covers the mark on her upper spine and reveals a few scales of red and blue on her uncovered skin. The ocean waves around her dance while she composes herself, her face exhibiting calmness and serenity.

This has been her escape home whenever she faces conflicts with her siblings, whenever they unify to put her down. This place has witnessed the incredible aura she possesses yet others have been blinded to.

From a very far distance, along the shore, she hears her grandsire's calling. The footsteps of her lover have not escaped her sharp hearing too.

"Amira," shouts a handsome brown-colored draconian who has just appeared from the grassy ground.

The ghost of embarrassment she receives from her siblings fades as she hears the familiar voice of the man she loves. Her moment of composure is already enough to redeem her stained dignity in the face of her beloveds.

She dives under the sea and in just a minute she reveals herself to her lookers.

"I knew I'll find you here," says the old man with a long, white beard and a sturdy body. He wears a royalty suit and his head is wrapped with purple fabric, signifying his position as a well-respected elder in the kingdom where he lives. He is Amira's grandsire, one of the few who believes and loves her.

"You should have come to me instead of carrying the loads all by yourself," her lover, a draconian who is naturally muscular and of symmetrical build chides. His marble-colored eyes speak care and affection.

"I-I just don't like to cause any more trouble to the both of you," she confesses, hiding her lonesome face over her shoulder. "It's about time that I deal with my dilemma on my own."

Her lover steps forward and cups her face. "If you want to solve your problem, I understand. But you don't have to do it alone, let me do what I can for you."

"Hasham," she mumbles.

"And I'll do what I can do protect you, my precious Amira," her grandsire says.

"Thank you," she mumbles and embraces them in a hug. Her worries fade, knowing that she's safe and loved by them.

Aba Mandel pulls himself out of the tight embrace and invites them to go. "Let's go now. They're waiting for us."

Curiosity draws on Amira and Hasham's faces.

"Waiting? Why?"

"The alphas call all draconian for an important announcement. We should not miss it."

"Could it be about mine and Amira's betrothal?" Hasham inquires, trying to get a hint of what's going to happen.

"It can be," aba Mandel answers.

"Did you hear that, Mir?" Both lovers' eyes light up in sheer joy. "After the long wait of seeking approval, they are giving it to us!"

"I can't wait to marry you, Hasham," she says and give him a smack on the lips. She just can't hide the happiness in her face.

"Amira," Hasham utters while pulling something from his pocket.

"Hmm?"

He pulls out a small, red box. He opens it and reveals a hair clasp made of musgravite stones.

"This, my precious, is made up of rare gemstones." He goes behind Amira and clasps her silky straight hair with it. "I found it myself and craft it especially for you," he says and turns Amira to him. A smile crosses his lips and says, "Beautiful. Will this forever remind you of my love for you?"

Amira's eyes glitter. She's truly lucky to have someone like Hasham.

"Of course, my love. I'll keep and protect it the way I treasure you in my heart."

He cups her face and says, "I love you, Amira."

The two take a minute of their time to cherish this wonderful news, wrapping each other's hand in between their beating hearts and engulping serenity under the warmth of their love.

"That's enough, we need to arrive on time."

They shift their eyes to aba Mandel who is staring at a high-piercing mountain where their kingdom is. The two express their approval through a nod.

Within seconds, Hasham and Mandel have shifted to their dragon form, causing an uproar in the shore. The waters pull back and the trees sway their mighty objection as the strong howls left the two dragons' mouths.

Mandel successfully transforms into the huge gold dragon he is. He flaps his long wings as he shines under the rays of the sun, rare and mighty. Hasham on the other hand is a magnificent, red dragon. His spikes are sharp and firm, and his four legs are strong and muscular. He is indeed the pride of his kind. Even from that form, his masculinity and virility dominate.

Hasham lowers his head, giving way for Amira to ride on his back. As she does so, worry of the unknown suddenly disturbs her and it doesn't escape her beau's strong gut feel.

"What's wrong, my precious?" he asks through mind link.

"N-nothing, my love. Let's go," she says and holds tightly on his spikes.

He is aware that she's not in her right state, something is disturbing his lover's mind but no matter how much he wants to insist, he chooses not to.

Hasham spreads his long, sturdy wings and flaps them up. As the two male dragons wheel their wings and wag their tail in the air, all the other creatures down low gawk at their size.

They traverse the mountains, high and low, and glides through the mountain with walls of snow crashing down.

Dragons are on top of the hierarchy. They are dominant, assertive, and known to be ruthless and aggressive at times. But with the rise of gold dragons' power and sovereignty comes peace and order. The highly respected class of dragons, known to have rescued the whole species from extinction creates rules that govern their realm.

When the three arrive close to Hauraya—home of gold dragons and the riches class that holds the power and control over all species—the two decide to transform back to their draconian form. Bare, aba Mandel and Hasham seep through the bushes and collect the extra garb they hide and swoops it to their well-built body.

Amira stands and watches the marvelous kingdom from where they dock. It's the only home she knows but to her, it doesn't feel like one.

Hasham taps Amira's shoulder and shows his smile—the smile that becomes Amira's comfort pill. They watch their surrounding as they move ahead, careful not to let anyone spot them. They don't want others to question why princess Amira can't transform yet, nor make Amira feel inferior for not being able to.

"All hail Majesta Regie!" Announces the white, tall, concentrated Draconian of class A, named Voltaire upon their arrival.

Class A draconian are the aces in war. They train princes and princesses alike.

The three of them take the center space and pay respect to the row of sovereigns sitting on their respective thrones. King Douman, the ruler of the most powerful species of dragons sits in the middle portion of the other five classes.

The three of them occupy their seats, just below the rulers', and enjoy the sight of aerial exhibition of dragons. After a little while, they are entertained by two of the strongest draconian in the empire, wrestling, kicking, and fighting over to steal the opponent's flag. As the pale-skinned draconian with the twelve-pack abs sweats out his victory, everyone cheers for him.

Douman— father of Amira and the sovereign among the gold dragons—stands, getting everyone's attention. He is aging already, yet his figure screams power and dominion. His golden eyes are but a scarecrow when triggered.

"Today is such a blissful day. Rowal, the sovereign amongst the red dragons, has given his full support to our aims!" He points to the good-looking draconian beside him, who is also almost his age and resembles Hasham's face.

"This is the right time for us to reconsider reclaiming the long, stolen glory that is meant solely for us dragons. As you all know, many years ago, our clans are almost eradicated by our enemy— the mortals. They stole the Heart of Magic that once belong to us and use it to eliminate many of our kinds. But our long years of silence are now coming to an end. Today is the day that we'll start strengthening our forces and this time...we are going to reclaim what they have stolen from us."

The draconian altogether says, "Ah hu, Ah hu!" in agreement with their well-respected alpha' decision.

Amira on the other hand is confused about the sudden change in her father's thinking. She thought peace and order are what he wants this realm to have, but what triggers him to change his mind is something she has no clue about.

Rowal stands and says, "We heard the declaration of your very own alpha. I, the sovereign among the red dragons do give my support to his decision, besides the betrothal of my son to one of his princesses has already been set."

The crowd reacts to Rowal's announcement. Most of them agree while others hide the feeling of discontent.

Amira grips her lover's hand in excitement. Not only does she see happiness with Hasham, but also freedom from the impudent eyes of her envious siblings. Hasham on the other hand, cups Amira's hand. He can't hide the gladness he is feeling inside knowing that he's going to be one with the most beautiful and extraordinary female draconian he has met in their realm. Amira is definitely the only maiden he wants to live with for the rest of his life.

"With that being said," he continues with so much authority, he is able to silence the voice of the curious draconian. "I and Douman have already agreed to arrange the marriage of his strongest daughter to the extraordinary dragon in my clan, my very own son, Prince Hasham. And together, they will lead the fulfillment of our goal."

Amira stands to argue but her knees quickly weaken at the thought of losing her lover. No doubt, she isn't the strongest among the royalties. In fact, she can't shift yet even after turning 18.

"Aba," she mumbles. Protesting her worries to her grandsire. "They can't do this!"