Chapter 1

Elenna's POV

My hands shook a little as I carried the tea tray. The half-healed marks on my knuckles hurt every time I moved, a reminder of yesterday's beating for a bit of dust left on the windowsill. I slowly stepped into the great hall, already knowing who waited inside.

There he sat—Solan, my former betrothed, the future leader of the Bear Tribe. His blue eyes, once so warm with affection, barely glanced in my direction now. Beside him sat my sister, Kyra, radiant in a silk gown. She had taken everything from me.

Most of this land was ruled by the powerful and mysterious Dragon King. The Bear Tribe, the Horse Tribe, elves, dwarves, witches, mages, the weaker human tribes and so on, all lived together under his rule, bound by a fragile peace. Some races, however, refused to submit. They lingered at the borders, raiding the weaker tribes whenever they could. To defend themselves, those weaker tribes often forged alliances through marriage with stronger clans. The WindBreath Tribe was one of them.

Two years ago, I had been the cherished daughter of WindBreath Tribe's chief, Gorand Valencia. For the safety and survival of our people, my father betrothed me to Solan—a union I welcomed, for I had known him since childhood.

But now I was nothing but a servant in my own home, stripped of dignity and title.

My mind drifted to that cursed night that had destroyed everything...

I pushed through the tavern door, anxious to find Kyra before our parents discovered she'd run off again. The place smelled of old ale and sweat, sitting just outside tribal lands where rules meant little.

"Have you seen a young woman?" I asked the barkeep. "Golden hair, blue dress, about this tall?"

He gestured toward the back. "Left her drink, though. Waste of good coin."

Relief washed over me at finding her abandoned cup. At least she couldn't be far. I downed the drink, parched from my search, not knowing that single act would shatter my life.

The room spun. Heat rushed through me, a strange hunger growing inside. Then he appeared—tall, dark-haired, with eyes that flashed gold in the dim light. I remember little else but his hands on my skin and the burning need that consumed me.

I woke naked, clothing torn and scattered across the floor. Some golden coins were thrown on the floor. Worse yet, my family stood at the bedside, their faces masks of disgust and fury.

"Elenna, you whore!" Mother's voice cut like a blade. "How dare you sell your purity for gold? You've brought shame to your family, your tribe!"

Kyra's lips curled into a smirk. "Did you forget about Solan? So greedy, you sold yourself to some stranger."

Confusion and despair threatened to drown me. "Please, listen... I would never betray Solan for gold!"

"Wouldn't you?" Kyra's voice turned ice-cold. "Mother and I found these in your room when we were looking for you." She produced a crystal orb—a magic device from a traveling witch. Inside the orb's vision: my bedroom, scattered with Kyra's fine things—silk dresses, jeweled bracelets, her blue crystal necklace.

I met Kyra's bitter, mocking look, and the truth dawned upon me. I fought back. "You know I only came looking for you! This place isn't under any tribe's jurisdiction. I drank from your cup—gods know what potion was in it..."

Kyra's face crumpled into false tears. "Are you suggesting I drugged you? I just needed time with friends. I didn't know you'd come here to do... this disgusting thing."

I turned desperately to Father. "Father, you'll believe me..."

The slap came hard, snapping my head sideways. "Nobody needed to drug you," he spat. "You traded your honor for gold. You envied your sister and stole from her, then tried to blame her. You are no longer my daughter, and certainly not worthy to be Solan's wife."

Mother's gaze held nothing but revulsion.

Through Kyra's fingers, I caught her watching me—no trace of tears, only triumph glinting in her eyes.

The memory faded as I entered the great hall, aware that today was significant. Dragon King rarely had dealings with WindBreath Tribe, yet here was his emissary, seated at our table.

Solan had returned from the northern borders where he'd been fighting the Eagle Clan invaders—the reason his wedding to Kyra had been delayed.

Now Solan was also here to receive the king's emissary.

I carefully set down the tea service, keeping my eyes lowered. No one in this room would ever believe I'd been drugged and enchanted that night. No one cared about my truth.

Kyra lounged in her chair like a queen, her lips curled in disdain. She lifted her cup, sniffed, and let out a theatrical sigh.

"This tea is revolting," Kyra sneered, deliberately spilling it onto the floor. "Are you trying to poison our honored guest?"

"No, I—" I began.

"Silence, Elenna. Kneel." She pointed to the cold stone floor beside her, the section not covered by rugs.

I obeyed reluctantly, fearing the isolation cell if I refused. Kyra produced the riding crop she now carried everywhere, preparing to strike my back. Solan's lips twitched as if he might object, his eyes flickering between Kyra, the whip, and my frail form. But whatever courage he once possessed had abandoned him—he remained silent, unwilling to challenge his future bride.

As Kyra raised her arm to swing, the Dragon King's emissary spoke.

"Stop." His command cut through the room, his eyes flashing golden for an instant.

Kyra froze, barely containing her rage. "She's just a lowly servant in our household. I have every right to put her in her place."

The emissary replied coolly, "No, you don't. This woman is now the property of His Majesty Dragon King Aurelian. Only he may determine her punishment."

The teacup slipped from my fingers, shattering against the stone floor.