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Chapter 4
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2024-10-29 19:42:56I feared for my kingdom and my people. As their king, it was my responsibility to maintain peace and harmony among the elementals, a legacy my forefathers had worked so hard to build. There was a time when I thought Cassandra, a witch from the Witches' Kingdom of Calenthe, had cursed me. Years ago, I had refused her marriage proposal, and she hadn't taken it well. But now, I doubted that was the reason. It didn't explain why, at nearly a hundred years old, I still looked thirty. No one could explain the reason why I couldn’t age like the rest of the elementals.
The stories my grandfather told me as a child were filled with warnings about dragon-shifters. According to him, if a dragon-shifter did not unite with their true mate, they would become a dragon permanently, losing their humanity and moral compass. This transformation was irreversible, and they would no longer distinguish between right from wrong.
None of my grandfather’s tales mirrored my current situation exactly. I wasn’t a dragon-shifter, but I was desperate to avoid succumbing to the darkness within me. I was willing to do anything to prevent the fate—even if it meant seeking out a mate.
The true cause of my inner corruption was a mystery.
In order to understand my plight, I ordered my men to scour every book in the castle’s royal library for any mention of elementals consumed by darkness. Despite their effort, they found no answers.
Among the ancient tomes were books about dragons. However, these texts were written in a language so old that only the previous dragon-shifters could decipher them. Dragons had been extinct for decades, hunted to extinction by a cruel king in a distant, abandoned kingdom called Dravonia. The king, legend had it, was cursed by a witch after he killed her mate—a dragon.
The witch ensured that the cruel king would never escape his kingdom by casting a dark, smoky barrier around it. This impenetrable cloud prevented anyone from entering or leaving, except for dragons. Tragically, this curse also trapped countless innocent lives within Dravonia, leaving them to suffer the consequences of the king’s actions.
When she cursed the king and his men, she marked their faces with a distinctive feature. This was to ensure that if they ever managed to break through the barrier, they would be easily recognized. Unfortunately, the specifics of this features were lost to us because the ancient books detailing these events were written in the long-forgotten Dragonian language. Moreover, this all occurred so many years ago that it was unclear whether the king and his wicked followers were even still alive beyond the barrier. Without any dragon-shifter left to read these books, the secrets remained hidden.
I never attempted to read those ancient books myself; not being a dragon shifter and all, I assumed they held no information to my situation.
" Kaden, we are ready for your departure," Deon, my loyal adviser and closest friend, called out. He was more like a brother to me than anything else.
" Thank you, Deon. I will be with you shortly," I replied sternly, reaching down to stroke the head of my magnificent spirit animal, Luka. The bond between us was strong, and his presence gave me a sense of peace amidst the turmoil.
Luka, a veracious black lion, looked up at me with understanding and loyalty. He had been by my side since I was a child, a constant companion and protector. I often wondered if he felt the darkness within me too, but he never showed any signs of fear or hesitation.
I took a deep breath and straightened my shoulders, preparing myself for the day ahead. The journey I was about to embark on was necessary, but it filled me with unease. The elemental realms were growing restless, and it was my duty to address their concerns and maintain the fragile peace.
As I made my way down the grand staircase, I couldn't shake the feeling of impending doom. The weight of the crown felt heavier than ever, and the darkness within me seemed to stir, sensing my anxiety. I clenched my fists, determined to keep it at bay.
Deon was waiting for me at the entrance, his expression calm and reassuring. He had always been my rock, the steady presence that kept me grounded. " Are you ready, Kaden? " he asked, his voice steady.
I nodded. " Let's go."
Our journey took us through the heart of Valtor, where the four elemental realms converged. As we traveled, I couldn't help but marvel at the beauty and diversity of my kingdom. Each realm had its own unique charm, and the people who lived there were as varied as the elements they represented.
In the Earth Kingdom, we passed through dense forests and fertile fields, where farmers tended to their crops and children played in the open meadows. The Fire Kingdom was a stark contrast, with its rugged landscapes and fiery hues. The people there were fierce and passionate, their spirits burning as brightly as the flames that surrounded them.
The Water Kingdom was a place of serenity and tranquility. The rivers and lakes sparkled in the sunlight, and the people moved with a grace and fluidity that mirrored the element they embodied. Finally, the Air Kingdom's towering peaks and endless skies took my breath away. The people there were free-spirited and adventurous, always reaching for new heights.
Despite the beauty of my kingdom, the darkness within me loomed like a storm cloud. I feared that if I couldn't control it, all of this would be lost. As we approached the outskirts of the Fire Kingdom, I felt an unease awakening within me. I didn’t want the darkness to consume me while attending a meeting with my people.
" Kaden, are you alright?" Deon asked, noticing my tension.
I nodded, forcing a smile. " Just thinking."
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Deon gave me a sympathetic look. " We'll find a way to lift this curse, Kaden. I promise." They all think that I was cursed, and there was a time when I had thought the same. But who would have done such a thing? His words gave me a somewhat of comfort, but the fear remained. As we continued our journey, I couldn't help but think about my grandfather's stories. He had always believed in the power of true mates, and I wondered if there was any truth to the old tales. If I had a mate out there, would she be able to save me from the darkness? Lost in thought, I barely noticed when we reached our destination. The Fire Kingdom's capital was a bustling city, its streets filled with activity. People went about their daily lives, unaware of the turmoil within their king. I felt a pang of guilt, knowing that I was supposed to protect them, yet I was struggling to protect myself. As we made our way to the palace, I couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. The streets were crowded
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I thanked the guards and quickly urged Luka back toward the castle. The pull I’d felt earlier hadn’t gone away; it had only grown stronger, like something was drawing me closer with every step. When we reached the castle, I dismounted and felt that same strange pull, now directing me toward the garden. It was stronger than before, almost like a compulsion. Without thinking, I followed it. The garden was peaceful, bathed in the soft light of the early morning. The flowers were in full bloom, and the air was filled with their sweet fragrance. As I walked deeper into the garden, the pull became irresistible, guiding me to a secluded corner near a small fountain. And there she was. She was lying on a bench, fast asleep. Her snow-white hair cascaded over her shoulders, glowing softly in the morning light, and her skin was flawless, like the finest porcelain. She was beautiful, more beautiful than anyone I had ever seen. I felt my breath catch in my throat as I stared at her, una
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" I... am not... a thief," I stuttered, trying to explain to the guard, but he wasn’t listening. His grip on my arm was like iron, and he started dragging me out of the castle without a second thought. " Merilla!" I called out, hoping my spirit animal would come to my rescue. But there was no sign of her. The guard kept dragging me away from the palace, towards an old stone building with small metal rod windows that looked anything but inviting. " You will be staying in the dungeon until the king decides what to do with you," he said, his voice cold and unyielding. He shoved me into a tiny, dark cell so hard that I fell to the ground, scraping my knees through my jeans. I winced in pain as I sat up, looking around the dark, cramped space. The walls were damp, the air was thick, and the only light came from a small, barred window high above. My heart pounded in my chest as the reality of my situation sank in. I was locked in a dungeon, accused of being a thief, and I had no
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“ I’m not letting you go so soon, little one,” he whispered, his hot breath making me gasp for air and sending shivers across my body. No man had ever been this close to me. Suddenly, his hands grabbed my waist, and he picked me up, throwing me over his shoulder as if I weighed nothing. “ Put me down! You… you barbarian!” I shouted, hitting his back with all my strength. SMACK! The sound reverberated through the dungeon as he slapped me on the rear. “ How dare you touch me, you Barbarian!” I exclaimed, anger coursing through me. “ Behave yourself, little one, or I might have to do it again,” he warned, giving me a smirk that hinted at the possibility of another smack. “ You wouldn’t dare,” I warned, glaring at him over his shoulder. His smirk made it clear that he just might. The barbarian swaggered out of the dungeon with me still on his shoulder. I kicked and screamed. I kicked and screamed, desperately trying to break free from his grasp, but my efforts
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“ Just relax,” he said, his tone softening again, though it did nothing to ease my panic. “ You’re only making this harder on yourself.” I glared at him, refusing to give in, even as my body betrayed me. “ I’ll never relax around you.” He chuckled softly, a sound that sent another wave of fear through me. “ We’ll see about that,” he replied, reaching for the rope he had just pulled down. The tension between us was thick, neither of us willing to back down. After what felt like an eternity of staring each other down, a knock came from the door, breaking the standoff. The Barbarian’s gaze flicked to the door as he reached into his trousers, retrieving the key. He unlocked the door, and a young girl with fiery red hair entered, carrying a tray of food. “ Thank you, just place the food on the table,” he ordered, his voice curt. The girl obeyed, setting the tray down without a word. She gave a small bow before quickly exiting the room. The Barbarian locked the door again, th
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I sighed in relief when I saw the couch on the other side of the room was empty. No Barbarian in sight. I took a moment to really look around the room. The gold trimmings on the curtains, the bedding, everywhere—it was all so luxurious. “ Knock! Knock! “Merilla's voice suddenly echoed in my head. " Meara, open the door, please," she called out through the mind link. I hurried out of bed and rushed to the door. I hesitated for a second before pulling on the handle. What if it was still locked? Slowly, I pulled, and relief washed over me when the door opened easily.Merilla dashed into the room and headed straight for the bed. " Why on earth are you sleeping in the King's chambers?" Her words made my blood run cold. " K-king?" I stammered. " Yes, King Kaden. Tall, dark hair, built like a god. Looks like he could kill you with his death stare, but is actually the kindest person you'll ever meet," she said with a huff. I glared at her. " Your so-called King kissed me
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As we continued through the castle, I couldn't help but ask, " Merilla, what exactly is a spirit animal for?" Merilla stopped walking and turned to me, her expression softening. " A spirit animal is a gift from the Moon Goddess," she explained. " When a person is born with elemental powers, the Goddess gives them a lifelong partner—a spirit animal—to guide them on the right path." I listened carefully, intrigued by what she was saying." Your spirit animal grows with you," Merilla continued. " As your elemental powers evolve, so does your spirit animal. It will change into a new form, one that reflects who you are at that point in your life. It’s not just a companion; it’s a part of you, an extension of your soul.” " So... does that mean you’ll change too?" I asked, trying to wrap my head around the idea. " Yes," Merilla said with a nod. " As you grow stronger, I’ll change as well. My form will evolve to match your power and personality." We continued the tour,
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" Careful there now, little one. I wouldn't want you to get hurt now," he said casually, his hands behind his back like nothing had happened. " Mate," Merilla called out in my mind, startling me further. My gaze darted to her, but before I could react, something even more terrifying appeared from behind the same corner. It was huge, far bigger than a bear, and looked almost like a black lion, but more... menacing. " W—what is that thing?" I stuttered, my voice barely coming out as I slowly backed away from Kaden, my heart racing. " Oh, this?" Kaden’s voice held a note of pride as he reached out to stroke the creature’s head. " This is my spirit animal, Luka." My breath caught in my throat. If that thing was an extension of him, then I definitely didn’t want to mess with either of them. The sheer size of it made my fear spike, and I couldn’t shake the feeling of being completely out of my depth. " So, it’s true, you are the king's mate," Merilla’s voice rang in my mi
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Merilla wagged her tail, happy to hear I still wanted to explore with her. “ Very well, but remember, you’re staying at your own risk,” he said harshly. “ From now on, I won’t bother you. Deon and the others are at your disposal if you need help with your search.” “ Thank you, Kaden.” “ Just promise me you’ll take them with you if you decide to explore the kingdom.” I nodded, giving him a friendly smile. He stared at me blankly for a moment, lips parted as if to say something, but then he left, leaving me somewhat disappointed. What had he wanted to say? The next morning, I was disappointed to see the chair next to the bed was empty. He hadn’t returned. I must be insane; I wanted him to leave me alone, but now that he was gone, I missed him. His dark, mesmerizing eyes with splashes of red haunted my thoughts. Pushing the feeling aside, I turned my attention to Merilla, who was still on the bed. She stretched comfortably when one of the healers entered. “ Oh, you’re up! That
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After the world went dark around me, it felt like I was encased in a massive block of ice. It consumed me with each passing moment I remained there. Strangely, it brought me a sense of peace. Should I surrender to it, close my eyes, and give in to the comforting numbness? I was so tired; I doubted I could stay conscious much longer. But then, out of nowhere, something warm reached me. It began in the hand Kaden had held in his death grip, spreading to my heart, and from there, it gradually permeated my entire body. It melted the frozen ice that trapped me in the depths of my mind. I could breathe again. The warmth called to me, drawing me in like a moth to a distant light. The light grew brighter the closer I got to it. I opened my eyes to the familiar ceiling of Kaden’s sleeping chambers. Memories of Kaden rushed back, igniting my anger anew. As I tried to sit up, I felt something heavy on my feet. I lifted my head to find Merilla curled up at the end of the bed. Turning slig
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What are you still doing here?” she said gruffly.“If I am not mistaken, this is my sleeping chamber, and she is my mate, so I have every right to be in here.”“You are going to kill her.” She looked at me with hatred in her eyes.“I know you care for her, but you have to let her go before it is too late, and you will regret it for the rest of your life. She is weak and not from this world. She doesn’t know our customs, and you don’t know the cause of your darkness. Just let her go until you have figured out what it is that is consuming your soul.”“On the contrary,” I said coldly. “Meara is the strongest person I have ever met! She is a fighter.” I said proudly to the head healer, but I didn’t admit to her that she was right, even when deep down I knew that the healer was telling the truth, which is why I must let Meara go. Even if it breaks my heart and makes me surrender to the dark side.Merilla lay on Meara’s feet, looking at me sympathetically. She understands that a mating bond
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I followed the healer as she explained Meara’s situation to me. The healers were all stunned by Meara’s unique powers, how Fire and Ice managed to combine as one and work together as equals, creating Frost-Fire. With weak legs, I approached Meara as she lay lifeless in my bed, looking like a true Sleeping Beauty, my sleeping beauty! I sat in the chair next to her, touching her hand with my fingers. Electric sparks erupted inside me. My power was mad and ready to destroy both of us at any moment. But this soothing coolness reached me. She is the only person in the world who can do that to me. My powers calmed down and went away quickly. I took away my hand. If she still has magic left in her, I don’t want to drain it out of her. An older healer returned with a few bottles of different potions, giving instructions to a younger nurse healer in training. “This one is for the mornings after breakfast, and this one is for the evenings, this one for after every meal, for at least three t
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The guys built fire and earth barriers to protect themselves, but they weren’t strong enough. My ice pierced through the barriers, one going through Kaden’s shirt, pinning him to the ground. I fell to my knees, panting. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Kaden rising, but I had no strength left. Completely drained and exhausted, I couldn’t fight back. The last thing I heard was Kaden shouting my name, his voice back to normal, not like he was possessed, and then everything went dark around me.( Kaden ) " What the fuck happened?" I was sitting at the table eating breakfast with my men and Meara, and the next moment, I was on the ground. I looked around and saw sharp shards of ice scattered across the lawn, one pinning me through my shirt. I reached to remove it, and a sharp pain shot through my shoulder. " Fuck!" I grunted, frustrated. My arm was dislocated. With a swift movement, I pressed hard into the ground, and it slipped back in with ease, though the pain was st
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" I am not royalty," I corrected with a smile. " But you will be soon, my Little One," Kaden added. " Best you try and get used to the idea," Kaden said casually, placing a napkin on his lap as everyone stared at me. To divert their attention, I told them to dig in. Without hesitation, they all filled their plates, even Kaden. " Deon, I want you to go to the Archives with her, Majesty," he said, his tone cold. "And pull the records of all the elementals who had a baby just over twenty years ago." I wanted to correct him, saying that I am only twenty years old now, but I stayed silent, swallowing hard on my piece of bread, remembering what he said last night about my age showing. Merilla also mentioned something about him being older than he looked, so I didn’t want to appear young and naive in his eyes. In my head, there was a constant tug-of-war between wanting to leave and returning home, and this small part of me wanted to stay and find out about my real parents, who they w
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Out of frustration, I threw the blanket off me, ready to go to the bathroom. Halfway there, I noticed a clean pile of clothes on the couch again. I must have really slept like a log because I didn’t even hear someone enter the room. I grabbed the pile of clothes and could feel the burning sensation of Kaden’s stare from behind me, watching me close the bathroom door. Once inside, I gave a sigh of relief. “ Stupid, stupid! Why did you have to go and touch his face?” I screamed at myself, my reflection glaring back at me with accusing eyes. “ What was that?” I heard him shout from the bed. “ Nothing!” I called out through gritted teeth. I could hear him chuckle, and God, did it sound good. “ Snap out of it, Meara!” I barely grazed his skin, and I am already going crazy. Mental note to self: don’t touch Kaden unless it is necessary. Other than that, he is a no-touch zone. Completely off-limits. Opening the cold water from the golden tap, I quickly splashed some wa
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Last night, I didn’t have much strength for arguing anymore. Kaden told me to get ready for bed, and for once I listened and did as I was told. The large bathroom was larger than my own bathroom back home. I think it is even bigger then the kitchen and living room combined. The bath was big and had many different oils and soaps to choose from. Sitting there all night looked like a good idea, but the emotional rollercoaster I was on just made me to get into bed. I was way too tired to start an argument. I put on a white silky gown my two servants left for me, and when I got the bed, Kaden was already in bed with no shirt on, reading some paper in his hand with one hand behind his neck, which showed the stretching of his muscles. He was definitely not build like the other men I have seen so far. His skin was tanned with scars all over his body. I gulped and kept my eyes to the ground as I hopped into the bed. There was a massive stack of pillows on the floor next to me. I pulled the
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“ Listen, little one, from now on you will be sleeping in my chambers. You won’t be sleeping anywhere else. It is for your own safety. You are my mate, and you must be by my side at all times. End of discussion.” His eyes darkened, and he caught me completely of guard with his announcement. I was so shocked that I have to take a minute to get my breath back. He lurked closer. “ I am trying to be patient, but this attitude of yours is quiet irritating. You are my mate, and you should except it for what it is.” I was utterly stunned. From where this side of him suddenly appeared, I did not know. One minute it sounded like he actually cared about me and my feelings, and now he was acting like a complete barbarian again. “ Why? You don’t own me. I don’t care if we are mates, as everyone here would say. You are a stranger to me. I barely know you more than a day,” I snipped back at him. He gave me an evil smirk and took a step closer, so I took a step back. His amber eyes tur
