Bound by the Dragon kings Curse

The bells of the Imperial Palace rang thirteen times that evening. No one knew why. For centuries, the bells had always rung twelve times at sunset. Twelve bells for the twelve provinces of the empire. But that evening, as darkness settled over the kingdom of Aveloria, a thirteenth bell echoed across the mountains. And everyone who heard it knew something had changed. Princess Elara stood alone on the highest balcony of the palace, staring into the mist-covered forest beyond the capital. She had been warned not to go outside. She had been warned not to ask questions. Most importantly, she had been warned to stay away from the northern border. But Elara had never been good at following warnings. A cold wind swept across the balcony, lifting the silver strands of her hair. Behind her, the palace doors opened. “You shouldn't be here.” Elara turned. A man stood in the doorway. He was tall, dressed entirely in black and gold, with the crest of the Imperial Family embroidered across his chest. His expression was calm, almost emotionless, but his eyes carried a warning. Prince Adrian. The emperor's son. The most powerful nobleman in the empire. And the one person Elara had spent years trying to avoid. “What are you doing here?” she asked. Adrian stepped closer. “I came to find you.” “Why?” His gaze moved toward the dark forest. “Because someone is coming for you.” Elara's heart skipped. “Who?” Adrian didn't answer immediately. Instead, he reached into his coat and pulled out a small silver pendant. The moment Elara saw it, the color drained from her face. She knew that pendant. It belonged to her mother. Her mother had supposedly died fifteen years ago. “That is impossible,” Elara whispered. Adrian's expression hardened. “Your mother isn't dead.” Thunder exploded across the sky. Before Elara could respond, the palace bells began ringing again. One. Two. Three. Then the thirteenth bell sounded. Adrian grabbed Elara's hand. “We have to leave. Now.” “Why?” He looked directly into her eyes. “Because the people who took your mother have finally found you.” And somewhere beyond the palace walls, a horn sounded from the forbidden forest.