The Dragon's Forbidden Daughters

Years ago, King Aldric learned an ancient prophecy predicting that two girls carrying the blood of the Dragon Queen and the First Werewolf King would be born into the same generation. The prophecy also says that when their powers awaken, they could overthrow the human kingdom and unite dragons and werewolves against the crown. Lord Valerian was secretly entrusted with protecting the girls when they were babies. He raised them as his own daughters and hid their true identities from the King. For years, the King believed the prophecy was only a legend. Until a dragon is spotted near Elarion for the first time in centuries. At the same time, Rosalind's magic begins awakening. The King realizes the prophecy may be coming true. He sends his soldiers to Valerian's castle—not simply to arrest him, but to capture the sisters before their powers fully awaken. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ The first scream came from the courtyard. Arabella froze beside the tall window, her fingers tightening around the curtain. Another scream followed. Then the sound of metal clashing against metal. Her heart began to pound. Something was wrong. She turned away from the window and looked across the room at her younger sister. Rosalind was standing near the fireplace, staring at the door. "What was that?" Rosalind whispered. Arabella didn't answer. She had heard the same sounds. Boots. Dozens of them.They were running through the castle. Then came another sound. A man's voice shouted from the corridor. "Search every room!" Arabella's blood ran cold. Those weren't their father's guards. She rushed toward the door, but before she could reach it, the door swung open. Their father stood there. Lord Valerian looked nothing like the powerful nobleman they had known that morning. His dark clothes were covered in blood. His breathing was heavy and there was fear in his eyes. "Father?" Rosalind rushed toward him. He grabbed her wrist. "You have to leave." Arabella stared at him. "What's happening?" "The King has sent his soldiers." Her stomach dropped. "Why?" Their father looked toward the corridor. "They know." A loud crash came from downstairs. Rosalind flinched. "Know what?" Their father looked at both daughters. For a moment, he said nothing.Then his expression changed. It was the look of a man who had spent years protecting a secret and had finally realized he could no longer keep it hidden. "Listen to me carefully," he said. "You must leave this castle tonight." Arabella shook her head. "I'm not leaving without you." "You don't understand." "I understand that soldiers are attacking our home." Her father stepped closer. "Arabella, if they capture you, they will kill you." She stared at him. "Why would the King want to kill me?" He didn't answer. Rosalind stepped forward. "What about me?" Their father closed his eyes briefly. "They will kill you too." A strange silence filled the room. Then something exploded downstairs. The entire castle shook. Rosalind grabbed Arabella's arm. "Father..." Their father moved to an old wooden cabinet and pulled out a small leather bag. He handed it to Arabella. "Keep this with you." She opened it. Inside was a strange silver pendant. It had a dragon carved into its center. Arabella looked up. "What is this?" "Something that belongs to you." "Why?" Because one day, you'll understand." Before Arabella could ask another question, footsteps thundered toward them. Their father immediately pushed the sisters toward a hidden passage behind the fireplace. "Go." "No." Arabella grabbed his hand. "I'm not leaving you." "You have no choice." He pulled her close and kissed her forehead. Then he turned to Rosalind. His eyes softened. "Protect your sister." Rosalind's eyes filled with tears. "Come with us." "I can't." "Why?" "Because they are here for me." The door behind them shook violently. Someone was trying to break it down. Their father pushed the hidden door open. "Go!" Arabella pulled Rosalind into the passage. The door began closing behind them. "Father!" Their father stood alone in the room. For the first time in her life, Arabella saw tears in his eyes. Then the hidden door closed. A moment later, they heard the castle doors burst open. "Lord Valerian!" A soldier shouted. Their father's voice followed. "You have no right to enter my home." "We have the King's orders." "And what does the King want with my daughters?" Arabella stopped walking. Her breath caught. Rosalind grabbed her hand. " Keep moving" " But father....." " He told us to go." They ran through the narrow passage. Behind them came the sound of shouting. Then steel. Then silence. Arabella stopped. "No." Rosalind turned. "What?" "I heard something." She wanted to turn back. But Rosalind held her tightly. "You can't." Their father's final warning echoed inside Arabella's mind. "Protect your sister." A tear rolled down her cheek. Then they heard horses outside the castle. The soldiers were searching the grounds. They had to move. The sisters finally emerged from the passage into the forest behind the castle. The night air hit their faces. For a moment, neither spoke. Their home stood in the distance, glowing beneath the moonlight. Then flames began rising from the windows. Rosalind covered her mouth. "They're burning it." Arabella stared at the castle. Her father was still inside and something inside her broke. She turned away. "Run." They disappeared into the forest. Neither sister noticed the pair of golden eyes watching them from between the trees. The creature remained perfectly still. Waiting and Watching. Then it lifted its head and released a low growl. Far away, somewhere beyond the mountains, something answered. A roar. Deep enough to shake the night. Rosalind stopped running. "What was that?" Arabella looked toward the mountains. She didn't know. But for one terrifying moment, she thought she saw a massive shadow moving across the moon. Then it vanished.