Chapter 3

Elenna's POV

Solan pulled me behind him. "Yes, I love Elenna. And I know what I'm doing."

"You'll be hunted forever! The Dragon King's flame lions will pursue you to your grave!" Kyra got more furious.

Ignoring Kyra, he turned to me. "I'd rather become a fugitive, I don't care. I'm tired of pretending. I'll save you from this fate, Elenna. I'll handle everything. I just need you to come with me."

My heart raced. For years, I'd dreamed of this conversation—Solan loving me enough to sacrifice everything. But now that it was happening, it felt too heavy, too dangerous. The Dragon King's wrath wasn't something anyone could withstand.

"You'd lose everything," I said.

"Everything except you," he replied, his blue eyes gleaming with determination in the dim light.

"You'd give up your position as Bear Tribe leader. That's your birthright."

Solan's voice hardened. "Better than watching you become that heartless Dragon King's sex slave. They say he's cruel to his women."

"You're insane," Kyra spat.

She lunged toward us, trying to push Solan away, but her petite frame was no match for his bear-tribe bulk. Solan merely gave her a cold stare.

"Solan, get away from her," Kyra said quickly. "She's put some kind of spell on you... We'll find a cure, I swear. There must be a mage who can help. We were going to be married..."

Her eyes focused on me, filled with venomous hatred. "And for her. She's not even pure!"

My heart broke. Solan was willing to give up everything for me, but I loved him too much to let him do it. I had to refuse, for his sake.

If that fateful night two years ago had never happened, we could have been together. We could have loved each other, been happy, and raised a family.

That night changed everything. Now I was tainted, a stain that would mark anyone close to me. And defying the Dragon King's orders was a death sentence.

I couldn't let Solan sacrifice his future and his life for me, especially when I was as I was now, and he had so many other options.

He needed to lead the Bear Tribe. He would make a good leader, perhaps better than his father.

I wouldn't continue to ruin his life selfishly.

Yet as he looked at me with such obvious desperation, I knew he wouldn't accept my decision to protect him.

I couldn't give him false hope. If he suspected I still cared, he would defy the Dragon King and doom himself to failure or death.

To give him the best chance at the brightest future, I had to deceive him. It would be my final act of love for him.

"I don't want to live as a fugitive," I said, pulling my hand from his, letting it drop.

Solan stared at me as if I'd grown a second head. "What?" His voice was thick with disbelief.

"Being the Dragon King's woman is an honor. If he's looking for traits only I have... maybe I could be someone special. Someone great." I felt a part of me die inside with each lie I told.

"You don't know what you're saying. Dragon King Aurelian is known for his volatile temper," Solan argued.

"Or he might give me everything I've ever wanted. Power, status, wealth." I buried my self-loathing at lying to myself. The pain in his eyes tore at my heart.

I promised myself I'd face these feelings later, if there was a later.

For now, I still needed to play the woman I despised.

"The King has more money and power than anyone could dream of. You're nothing compared to him, Solan."

Distrust on Solan's face gave way to anger. His brows dropped, his voice hardened. "You're not this vain. You love me, Elenna. I know you love me."

I loved him, which is why I would never let him throw away everything he'd worked for—not for me.

I would protect Solan. To do that, I had to answer the Dragon King's summons, go to him, face whatever fate awaited me.

I turned away from him, walked around Kyra, and headed for the ladder. Behind me, I left my bag and my possessions. Where I was going, I needed nothing from here.

Solan started to follow me, but Kyra blocked his path, her eyes glittering with triumph.

"Listen to her, damn it. You're not thinking clearly. She's just an ambitious woman who wants power and status."

I descended the ladder, feeling every hope in my life drain away with each step.

The Dragon King's emissary was already outside, standing beside a massive black bird. The imposing creature had broad, powerful wings and a sleek, muscular body covered in thick, glossy feathers.

As I approached, he stepped forward and climbed onto the bird first, showing me how it was done.

Then he looked back at me and said, "Get on."

For a moment, I froze, unsure if I should even get closer. Its eyes, a deep gold, watched me steadily. I reached out a trembling hand to touch the bird's side. To my surprise, the feathers were softer than they looked.

The bird let out a low, rumbling call, but didn't move away. Taking that as permission, I climbed onto its back and settled into the saddle nestled between its wings.

As the great bird took off, I held on tightly, not daring to look down. Only when the flight became smooth did I finally see the world far beneath us. The emissary sat silently before me. After a while, I couldn't bear the silence any longer.

"You said the Dragon King is looking for girls like me," I said.

The emissary turned his head slightly. I could feel him listening.

Encouraged, I continued, "Who exactly is Dragon King Aurelian looking for?"

"The Dragon King seeks a woman he encountered two years ago," he answered.

My heart raced. Two years ago, I'd spent a night with a stranger who was gone before sunrise.

This had to be coincidence. Didn't it?

After two hours of flying, we reached a towering castle. I'd never seen it with my own eyes, but the intricate stonework and dragon statues could only be Draconia's signature.

There were several great birds in the air, all heading toward one of the entrances, but our guide bypassed the others and led us toward a large gate guarded by armed men.

The bird could go no further, so we dismounted. The guards allowed us to pass after seeing the emissary's badge.

Soon, the tunnel opened into a vast underground chamber filled with buildings and roads. Rock formations hung from the ceiling, and lava flowed slowly from cracks in the walls, providing warmth and red light throughout the space. Colored lamps and magical lanterns supplemented the illumination. Was this the legendary underground cavern system of Draconia?

We stopped outside a stone-faced, multi-story building. A line of girls stretched from the front door to inside, each wearing an expression of both fear and anticipation.

I tried to move forward, but immediately, a guard grabbed my arm, pulling me to the end of the line.