Chapter 14
The sky above the hidden city erupted into chaos as three massive dragons tore through the storm clouds. Their wings beat with such force that the wind slammed violently against the palace towers, shaking stone terraces and ancient spires. Their roars split the sky, deep and furious, carrying something that felt alive and ancient. Ariana's chest tightened as she watched them descend, her heartbeat rising so fast it hurt.
The first dragon remained hovering in front of the palace. Its molten gold eyes stayed fixed on her, its wings spread wide enough to darken half the sky. It did not attack. It only watched, as if waiting for something she had not yet understood. The others were different. Their eyes burned red as they dove toward the city, their movements sharp and violent, tearing into the defenses below without hesitation.
The terraces fell into chaos almost instantly. Guards ran across the bridges, shouting orders as alarm horns echoed through the city. Fire exploded against the outer towers, and stone shattered under the force of each strike. The man in black and gold swore under his breath. "The hunters." Kael stepped forward without hesitation, placing himself between Ariana and the broken opening of the chamber. His entire presence shifted, turning cold and dangerous. "Then they picked the wrong day," he said.
Ariana grabbed his arm before he could move. "You can't fight dragons." Kael did not take his eyes off the sky. "I don't plan to." Another roar shook the palace as one of the red-eyed dragons slammed into a distant tower, tearing through stone like it was nothing. The impact sent debris raining across the lower terraces, and screams rose from the city below. The place that had felt untouchable only minutes ago was collapsing into war.
Outside the shattered chamber, the golden dragon shifted in the air, still watching her, still waiting. A strange pull stirred inside Ariana's chest, deeper than anything she had felt before. It was not like the bond she shared with Kael. This felt older, something buried in her blood that was waking along with her power. "You said dragons hunt Sovereigns," she said, her voice quieter now. "Yes," the man answered. "But that one bowed." He nodded once. "Because not all dragons became hunters."
Kael glanced back, his patience thinning. "Explain faster." Another explosion shook the walls, and the man spoke quickly. "Long ago, Sovereigns commanded the dragon race. They were guardians of the throne. When the last Sovereign fell, the dragons divided. Some remained loyal. Others turned against the bloodline." Ariana looked toward the golden dragon. "Which one is that?" The answer came quietly. "The last royal dragon." Kael's voice followed, low and certain. "Your dragon."
Ariana let out a breath that almost sounded like a laugh, but it didn't reach her eyes. "I can barely control myself. How am I supposed to control that?" As if it heard her, the dragon released a deep rumble that vibrated through the palace walls. The pull inside her chest tightened, stronger now, almost impossible to ignore. Outside, another hunter dragon dove toward the palace, fire building in its throat. Kael cursed. "Get down!" The blast hit the balcony in a violent wave of heat, flames rushing into the chamber as he pulled her back.
Before they could move again, the doors exploded inward. Fire tore through the barrier, and smoke poured into the chamber. A massive shadow followed, and the hunter dragon forced its way inside, its enormous head pushing through the broken entrance. Its red eyes locked onto Ariana instantly. Kael stepped forward. "You want her?" His wolf surged. "Come get her." Ariana grabbed him. "Kael, stop," but he was already shifting. Bones cracked, muscles expanded, and in seconds the massive black wolf stood in his place, launching himself at the dragon.
The impact shook the chamber, but the difference in size was immediate. The dragon barely moved. Ariana's breath caught as Kael was thrown across the room, his body crashing into the stone with a force that made her flinch. "He can't fight that alone," she whispered. "No," the man said grimly. Another roar echoed outside, louder now, and Ariana turned toward the golden dragon still hovering beyond the broken wall. It had not moved. It was still watching her.
Then she heard it.
A voice, deep and ancient, brushed against her mind.
"Call me."
Ariana froze. "What did you say?" she asked, but the man beside her shook his head. The voice came again, stronger this time, echoing through her thoughts instead of her ears. "Call me, Sovereign." Her heart pounded as understanding settled in. The dragon was not waiting. It was listening.
Across the chamber, Kael tried to rise again, but the hunter dragon struck him down, claws closing around him before throwing him aside like he weighed nothing. Ariana's chest tightened painfully. The dragon turned back toward her, fire building in its throat. The man beside her cursed. "Move." But she didn't. She stepped forward instead, the golden light inside her surging as her eyes burned brighter.
"Call me."
The voice echoed again. Ariana inhaled sharply, her hands shaking as she lifted one toward the sky.
"COME TO ME!"
For a heartbeat, nothing happened.
Then the sky shattered. The golden dragon roared and dove toward the palace like a falling star, crashing through stone and fire as it landed between Ariana and the hunter. Its wings spread wide, shielding her completely. The hunter dragon hesitated for the first time.
The golden dragon lowered its head and bowed again. The man beside her whispered, stunned, "It chose you."
Ariana shook her head faintly. "I didn't choose it." The dragon lifted its head, its glowing eyes locking onto hers.
"My Queen."
The words filled her mind, heavy and real.Then another roar tore through the sky, louder than all the others combined.The clouds split apart.Something enormous descended through them. Even the golden dragon froze. The man's face drained of color. "No…"
Ariana's voice trembled. "What is it?"
He answered in a whisper.
"The Dragon King."
And it was coming straight for her.