Chapter Five
1970 Words
“Kaizeren!”
Elena's scream disappeared into the wind.
She clung to the black scales beneath her with both arms, terrified that one wrong movement would send her plunging into the darkness below.
“Slow down!”
The dragon didn't.
“Kaizeren, I mean it! I'm going to fall!”
A deep rumble vibrated beneath her.
Elena narrowed her eyes.
“Are you laughing?”
The dragon tilted his head just enough for one golden eye to glance back at her.
“You are!”
Another rumble came from his chest.
Elena tightened her grip.
“You're enjoying this.”
The dragon turned his attention forward again.
“I hate you.”
He gave another low, amused growl.
“You really are impossible.”
She closed her eyes and buried her face against the back of his neck.
For several minutes, she said nothing.
Then curiosity slowly overcame fear.
Elena opened her eyes.
The sight beneath her stole her breath.
The mountains stretched endlessly below them, their peaks silver beneath the moonlight. Rivers wound between them like ribbons, and forests covered the valleys in dark green waves.
She had never seen anything like it.
“It's beautiful.”
The dragon's wings slowed slightly.
Elena smiled despite herself.
“I've never been this high before.”
The dragon turned his head again.
She immediately frowned.
“Don't look at me. You'll make me fall.”
His golden eye lingered on her.
“I'm serious.”
He finally faced forward.
Elena sighed.
Then she looked up at the stars.
For a few moments, she forgot that she had been thrown into an abyss.
She forgot the village.
She forgot the accusation.
She even forgot that the creature carrying her was the legendary Dragon King.
She simply watched the world from above.
Until a massive structure appeared beyond the mountains.
Elena straightened.
“What is that?”
The dragon began descending.
“Wait…”
The closer they came, the more enormous the structure became.
A palace.
Black stone towers rose toward the sky, surrounded by vast walls and ancient gardens swallowed by weeds. Silver moonlight fell across the empty courtyards.
Elena stared.
“That's your palace?”
The dragon landed in the courtyard.
The moment his feet touched the ground, Elena carefully climbed down.
She looked around.
“It feels abandoned.”
“It is.”
Kaizeren transformed.
Elena immediately turned her head.
“Again?”
“What?”
“You could at least warn me before doing that.”
A quiet laugh came from behind her.
“You're still embarrassed?”
“Yes.”
“Interesting.”
“Don't sound so pleased.”
“I am.”
Elena finally turned around.
Kaizeren was dressed in a simple black shirt that had somehow appeared with his transformation.
She narrowed her eyes.
“Better.”
He raised an eyebrow.
“You approve?”
“I approve of not being forced to stare at a naked man.”
His lips curved.
“You've seen enough to know I have nothing to be ashamed of.”
Elena's face turned bright red.
“I wasn't talking about that!”
“I know.”
“You're teasing me.”
“Yes.”
She stared at him.
“You've changed.”
“I've been trapped for centuries.”
“And now you're annoying.”
“I consider that an improvement.”
Despite herself, Elena laughed.
It was the first genuine laugh that had escaped her since the villagers had condemned her.
Kaizeren went quiet.
His eyes remained on her.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“You're staring again.”
“I know.”
She looked away.
“Let's go inside.”
Kaizeren walked beside her.
The palace was even more impressive from within.
Tall windows lined the corridors. Ancient paintings covered the walls, although many were faded with time. Dust covered the furniture, and the enormous halls were silent.
Elena looked around.
“Where is everyone?”
“There is no one here.”
“You lived here alone?”
“Not always.”
“What happened to the others?”
“They believed I was dead.”
“Your people?”
“Yes.”
“Then what will happen when they find out you're alive?”
Kaizeren's expression became unreadable.
“They will know soon enough.”
Elena stopped.
“Does that mean they'll come here?”
“No.”
“Then what?”
“I will go to them.”
She looked at him.
“Are you going to fight them?”
“No.”
Elena relaxed.
Then he added,
“Not yet.”
She stared.
“You really are frightening.”
“You're only realizing that now?”
“Yes.”
A faint smile touched his lips.
They continued walking until Kaizeren opened a large door.
Elena stepped inside.
Her eyes widened.
A spacious bedroom awaited her, complete with a large bed, a fireplace, soft curtains, and a balcony overlooking the mountains.
“This is…”
“Your room.”
“My room?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because you're staying here.”
Elena turned toward him.
“I never agreed to that.”
“You have nowhere else to go.”
“I can find somewhere.”
“Where?”
She opened her mouth.
Nothing came out.
Kaizeren crossed his arms.
“You were accused of witchcraft, nearly killed, and thrown into an abyss. If you return, the villagers will either imprison you or try to kill you again.”
“I know.”
“Then stay here.”
“For how long?”
He was silent.
“Kaizeren?”
“Until your situation is settled.”
“That doesn't sound like a real answer.”
“It isn't.”
She frowned.
“You're hiding something.”
“Yes.”
“What?”
“You're not leaving.”
Elena stared at him.
“What?”
His expression remained calm.
“You heard me.”
“You can't decide that for me.”
“I can protect you here.”
“I didn't ask you to protect me.”
“No.”
He stepped closer.
“But you need someone who will.”
Elena took a step back.
“You can't keep me here against my will.”
His eyes narrowed slightly.
“You're right.”
That answer surprised her.
“You're not going to force me?”
“No.”
“Then I'll leave.”
She turned toward the door.
Kaizeren didn't stop her.
Elena walked through the corridor.
One step.
Two.
Three.
She reached the main entrance.
The massive doors opened.
Cold wind touched her face.
Freedom.
She took a step outside.
Then another.
I can do this.
She had survived the abyss.
She could survive without him.
She ran.
She didn't know where she was going.
She only knew that she had to put distance between herself and the Dragon King before he changed his mind.
She crossed the courtyard.
Then she heard it.
“Elena.”
She stopped.
She slowly turned.
Kaizeren stood at the palace entrance.
He hadn't chased her.
He simply watched.
“How did you know?”
“I know how you think.”
“You've known me for one day.”
“One day was enough.”
Elena frowned.
“I'm leaving.”
“No.”
“You said you wouldn't force me.”
“I won't.”
“Then move.”
He smiled faintly.
“You're going to walk into the mountains with an injured leg, no food, no shelter, and no idea where you are.”
Elena's confidence weakened.
“I'll manage.”
“No, you won't.”
“You don't know that.”
“I do.”
He walked toward her.
“You're afraid of me, but you are even more afraid of being helpless.”
Elena froze.
His voice softened.
“You don't want to depend on anyone.”
She looked away.
“Because everyone who was supposed to protect you abandoned you.”
Her eyes burned.
“Stop.”
“You don't trust kindness.”
“Stop.”
“You expect every favor to have a price.”
She looked at him angrily.
“Because it usually does.”
Kaizeren stopped in front of her.
“Then I'll tell you my price.”
Elena stared at him.
“What?”
“You help me break the curse completely.”
Her expression changed.
“And in return?”
“I protect you.”
“That's all?”
“No.”
His golden eyes held hers.
“I give you enough gold to live comfortably for the rest of your life.”
Elena's lips parted.
“And?”
“I will make sure no one from your village ever troubles you again.”
She swallowed.
“And when the curse is gone?”
“I let you go.”
She searched his face.
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“How long?”
“Two years.”
“Two years?”
“That is enough time for me to regain everything I lost, return to my kingdom, and deal with those responsible for my imprisonment.”
Elena hesitated.
“And after that?”
“You will be free.”
She studied him.
“What do you need from me?”
His gaze dropped briefly to her hand.
“Your touch.”
Elena's cheeks warmed.
“My touch?”
“The seal responds to you. Your power weakens it.”
“And that's all?”
“For now.”
“For now?”
A faint smile appeared.
“You ask too many questions.”
“I don't want surprises.”
“You'll have some.”
She sighed.
“Of course I will.”
Kaizeren extended his hand.
“Do we have an agreement?”
Elena looked at it.
Then at him.
“Two years.”
“Two years.”
“You protect me.”
“I will.”
“You give me enough gold to live without ever worrying about money again.”
“Yes.”
“And when your curse is gone, you let me leave.”
His gaze remained fixed on hers.
“Yes.”
Elena slowly placed her hand in his.
“Then we have a deal.”
The instant their hands touched, warmth spread through her palm.
Kaizeren's eyes darkened.
He didn't release her.
Neither did she.
For a strange moment, the agreement seemed less like a bargain and more like the beginning of something neither of them understood.
Then Kaizeren pulled her gently toward him.
Elena looked up.
“What?”
“You're freezing.”
Before she could protest, he removed his cloak and wrapped it around her shoulders.
She blinked.
“You don't have to do that.”
“I know.”
“Then why?”
His gaze lingered on her face.
“Because I want to.”
Her heart skipped.
She quickly looked away.
“Let's go inside.”
Kaizeren's lips curved.
“As you wish.”
Later that night, Elena stood alone in her new room.
She looked at the enormous bed.
Then at the window.
An idea entered her mind.
She walked toward it.
Opened it.
The balcony was high.
Very high.
But perhaps there was a way down.
She looked around.
Sheets.
Curtains.
She smiled faintly.
“Two years.”
She whispered.
“Two years is a very long time.”
She tied the sheets together.
One end around the bedpost.
The other over the balcony.
Then she lowered herself carefully.
Her feet searched for the next knot.
“I can do this.”
She descended farther.
The palace wall stretched beneath her.
Her hands trembled.
“Just a little more.”
Then the knot slipped.
Elena screamed.
She fell.
The sheets whipped away from her hands.
The ground rushed toward her..
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