Chapter 5

Elenna's POV

I turned, following their gaze to a man who had just entered. He was tall and uncommonly handsome, with deep-set features and striking gold-red eyes. His deep black hair with reddish highlights curled slightly, framing his chiseled face. High cheekbones. Strong, steady chin. Full lips that looked capable of both gentle kisses and merciless commands.

Yet his gaze was sharp, intense enough to suffocate. He held his head high and proud, like a man who knew his absolute power. A man who knew he only needed to raise his voice and the entire kingdom would tremble.

"That's the Dragon King," whispered a girl behind them.

As she spoke, I could now see that his otherwise black and red royal attire was interwoven with distinct gold dragon patterns. A golden circlet crossed his forehead, glinting like flames in the light.

This was Dragon King Aurelian himself.

Laura gasped, instinctively shrinking back. I understood. He wasn't at all what she expected—not the centuries-old dragon she had imagined.

But... something else bothered me.

He looked somehow familiar. That burning presence, those gold-red eyes...

No, impossible. He was a figure even the tribute leaders rarely saw, much less someone like me—a rejected daughter.

Aurelian's gaze swept the room, suddenly locking onto me. His eyes widened slightly, a moment of shock quickly hidden behind a mask of calm.

My breath rushed out of my body. What was wrong? Why did just looking at him send my nerves into chaos?

Aurelian walked toward me, and I felt my body go numb, a strange sensation spreading from my lower abdomen.

His presence bore down on me, sparking a wild, instinctive need to hide.

I ducked behind Laura, trying to make myself invisible. My heart hammered against my ribs like a trapped bird, and sweat broke out across my skin despite the cool air of the chamber.

"Tell me when he's gone," I whispered urgently to Laura. "I can't let him see me."

Laura maintained her forward gaze, her voice barely audible. "He's not looking this way anymore. But why are you so afraid?"

I exhaled in relief. My hands trembled as I smoothed down my simple dress, trying to appear inconspicuous.

"You don't want to be chosen?" Laura whispered, stealing glances at the Dragon King. "Now that I've seen him, he's terrifying but impossibly handsome... dragon charm really is something else."

"I don't care how handsome he is," I replied firmly. "I'd rather go back to my tribe. Even being a servant is better than being a dragon's plaything."

I glanced at Laura beside me. Her curves were aligned with what the legends said dragon-men preferred. My own slender form seemed inadequate by comparison. Not that I wanted the Dragon King's attention—all I could think about was Solan, the man I loved but could never have, who was about to become my sister's husband.

Laura suddenly squeezed my arm, her nails digging into my flesh. "He's coming! The Dragon King is walking toward us!"

I felt her instinctively straighten, pushing out her chest to attract attention, even as her face reflected pure terror.

I kept my head down, stealing glimpses of the approaching King. Up close, he was even more breathtaking—his skin seemed to have a golden-red light flowing beneath its surface.

Aurelian examined Laura's figure, his gold-red eyes flashing. "This one is acceptable," he told Adrian beside him, his voice deep and magnetic.

As his gaze swept over me, his pupils dilated slightly before he looked away, which made me a bit confused. He didn't speak to me or about me.

Guards came to take Laura away. Her expression mixed fear with a strange excitement. Before leaving, she clutched my hand tightly. "I hope we meet again... if I survive this."

I watched helplessly as she was led away, another sacrifice to the dragon's appetites.

Aurelian continued selecting girls from the second tier, his expression cold and detached, like someone picking out furniture. Then he moved to the first tier, choosing several of the most beautiful females from various races, including an elven woman with long silver hair.

He completely ignored those of us in the third tier, as if defiled women weren't worth his glance.

On stage, Aurelian whispered something to his assistant Adrian, whose expression turned grave. Then the Dragon King left the room, and the scorching heat in the air dissipated, allowing everyone to breathe more easily.

"Come with me, human."

I spun around to face the guard who had harassed Laura earlier. His pupils had transformed into dangerous slits.

"The Dragon King didn't choose me," I protested, backing away. "I should be sent back to my tribe."

The guard bared his hyena-like, sharp teeth in a predatory smile. "Which makes you ripe for the picking, little hero. You interfered with my fun, now I'll have my fun with you instead."

I looked around desperately for help, but no one dared meet the guard's eyes.

He grabbed my wrist, his nails cutting into my skin as he dragged me into a side room—some kind of storage chamber filled with artifacts taken from the offerings.

The guard shoved me hard. "Take off your clothes, human filth."

I crossed my arms protectively over my chest. "I'd rather die than let you touch me."

"Who do you think you are?" he snarled, stepping closer. "Being bedded by one of us is a privilege for defiled human girls like you."

"Go to hell, you miserable hyena!" I spat back, fear transforming into anger.

Rage contorted his features as sparks flew from his nostrils. He lunged forward, tearing at my clothes, his sharp claws slicing my skin.

"Kneel!" he commanded. "Kneel before your master!"

"No!" I refused, defiant fire blazing in my eyes. "I will never kneel to someone like you!"

He seized my arms, claws digging deep into my flesh, preparing to force me down.

Suddenly, the guard froze. His eyes widened, and a strangled hiss escaped his throat. Something sharp punched through his chest from behind, and blood spattered across the room.