Chapter Six
1765 Words
“KAIZEREN!”
A massive shadow suddenly swept over her.
Something enormous caught her before she struck the ground.
Elena gasped.
She opened her eyes.
A gigantic black claw held her safely in its palm.
Her blood ran cold.
She slowly looked upward.
Golden eyes stared down at her.
The Dragon King.
In his true form.
Elena's lips trembled.
“You…”
The dragon lowered his head.
A deep growl echoed through the courtyard.
And Elena realized, with horror, that her attempt to escape had failed.
Kaizeren had caught her in midair.
“Elena."
The deep voice of the dragon rumbled through the courtyard.
Elena froze inside the enormous claw holding her
.
She stared at the golden eyes above her.
“Kaizeren…”
The dragon lowered his head until his breath swept across her face.
“You caught me.”
His golden eyes narrowed.
“You noticed.”
“You were supposed to let me fall!”
A low growl vibrated through his chest.
Elena immediately regretted her words.
“I mean… thank you for catching me.”
The dragon carefully placed her on the ground.
The moment her feet touched the stone, Elena stepped backward.
Kaizeren watched her.
Then his enormous body began to change.
Black scales disappeared beneath pale skin, and within moments, the dragon was gone.
Kaizeren stood before her, dressed in black, his golden eyes considerably more intimidating than they had been before.
He crossed his arms.
“Would you like to explain?”
Elena looked toward the palace.
Then toward the sheets hanging from the balcony.
Then back at him.
“I can explain.”
“I am listening.”
“I wasn't trying to escape.”
His eyebrow lifted.
“You tied your bedsheets together and climbed out of a third-floor window.”
“I was trying to get some fresh air.”
“You fell from the balcony.”
“That was an accident.”
“You screamed my name while falling.”
“I was surprised!”
Kaizeren stared at her.
Elena sighed.
“You're a terrible liar.”
“And you're terrible at understanding privacy.”
“You were going to leave.”
“I was.”
“Why?”
“Because you told me I was free to leave.”
“I told you I wouldn't force you to stay.”
“You caught me.”
“I caught you because you were about to break your neck.”
“I could have survived.”
“You could barely walk yesterday.”
Elena opened her mouth, then closed it.
Kaizeren stepped closer.
“You could have asked me.”
“For permission?”
“No. For help.”
She looked away.
“I don't know how to ask for help.”
“I noticed.”
He reached for her.
Elena immediately stepped backward.
His hand stopped in midair.
For a moment, something unreadable crossed his face.
Then he lowered his hand.
“I won't touch you without your permission.”
Elena looked at him in surprise.
“You're not angry?”
“I am.”
“Then…”
“I am angry that you nearly died. Not because you tried to leave.”
She didn't know what to say.
Kaizeren turned toward the palace.
“Come.”
“I can walk.”
“I know.”
He glanced at her injured leg.
“But I'm still carrying you.”
Before she could protest, he bent down and lifted her into his arms.
“Kaizeren!”
“You said you could walk. You didn't say you wanted to.”
“I didn't say I wanted to be carried either!”
“I know.”
He began walking.
Elena stared at his face.
“You're really enjoying ordering me around.”
“No.”
“Then why do you look amused?”
“Because you're predictable.”
“I'm not.”
“You tied bedsheets to a bedpost.”
“That doesn't make me predictable.”
“It does.”
She sighed.
“You're impossible.”
“So you've said.”
When they reached her room, Kaizeren placed her gently on the bed.
Elena immediately moved toward the edge.
He noticed.
“You're still thinking about running.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
She frowned.
“How do you know?”
“I can see it in your eyes.”
She looked away.
“I just want to know what happens next.”
“Then ask.”
“What happens now?”
“I need to regain the rest of my strength.”
“And how do I help?”
“Your touch weakens the seal.”
“Only my touch?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“I don't know.”
He sat in the chair opposite her.
“The woman who sealed me created a curse that prevents me from breaking the seal through strength alone.”
Elena listened carefully.
“Who was she?”
“One of the dragons who betrayed me.”
“A witch?”
“No. A dragoness who possessed powerful magic.”
Elena frowned.
“But the villagers called me a witch.”
“Humans call anything they don't understand witchcraft.”
“You sound offended.”
“I am a dragon. I have standards.”
Despite herself, Elena smiled.
Kaizeren's eyes lingered on her smile.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“You're staring again.”
“I like your smile.”
Elena froze.
“You shouldn't say things like that.”
“Why?”
“Because they make me nervous.”
“I know.”
She pulled the blanket closer around herself.
“So that's why you wanted me to touch you.”
“Initially.”
“Initially?”
“Yes.”
“What changed?”
Kaizeren was silent.
“What?”
He looked at her.
“I don't know yet.”
That answer made her more nervous than anything else.
She looked down at her hands.
“If I help you break the seal completely, you'll let me go?”
“Yes.”
“And you'll give me the gold you promised?”
“Yes.”
“How much?”
“More than you could spend in your lifetime.”
Elena stared at him.
“You're serious.”
“I am.”
For the first time, she imagined having a home where no one could accuse her of anything, a place where she would never have to worry about food or shelter.
“Two years,” she whispered.
Kaizeren nodded.
“Two years.”
“And then I'm free.”
“Yes.”
She held out her hand.
“Then let's do this properly.”
He looked at her hand.
“What?”
“Our agreement.”
He took her hand.
The instant their palms touched, warmth spread through her fingers.
Elena shivered.
Kaizeren's eyes darkened.
“You see?”
“I can feel it.”
“What?”
“Your power.”
The golden light beneath his skin returned.
“It feels warm.”
“Anything else?”
“Strong.”
She looked at him.
“And lonely.”
Kaizeren went completely still.
Elena immediately regretted the word.
“I'm sorry.”
“Don't be.”
His voice was quieter than before.
“No one has ever described it that way.”
She studied his face.
“You've been alone for a long time.”
“Yes.”
“Do you hate everyone who betrayed you?”
“I don't hate them.”
“You don't?”
“No.”
He looked toward the window.
“I simply intend to make them regret what they did.”
Elena shivered.
“That sounds like revenge.”
“It is.”
“Will you kill them?”
His eyes returned to hers.
“If they stand in my way.”
Elena looked down.
“I don't want to become part of a war.”
“You won't.”
“You promise?”
“I have no interest in dragging you into my affairs.”
“Then why keep me beside you?”
Kaizeren's fingers tightened around hers.
“Because you're the only person who can restore my strength.”
She nodded slowly.
“That makes sense.”
His gaze remained on her.
“But that's not the only reason.”
Elena's heart skipped.
“What other reason?”
He didn't answer.
Instead, he lifted her hand and pressed it against his chest.
His heartbeat was steady beneath her palm.
“You should sleep.”
“That wasn't an answer.”
“I know.”
“You're avoiding it.”
“Yes.”
She frowned.
“You're very frustrating.”
“And you're very curious.”
He released her hand.
“Good night, Elena.”
“Good night.”
He walked toward the door.
Before leaving, he stopped.
“And don't try to climb out the window again.”
“I won't.”
“You're lying.”
“I am not!”
The door closed.
Elena stared at it.
Then she whispered,
“I was going to try the stairs.”
A voice came from the other side.
“I heard that.”
Her eyes widened.
“You were listening?”
“Yes.”
She grabbed a pillow and threw it at the door.
“Go away!”
His quiet laughter echoed down the corridor.
For the first time in a very long time, the abandoned palace wasn't completely silent.
Elena eventually fell asleep.
But sometime after midnight, she woke to a strange sensation.
Warmth.
Someone was standing beside her bed.
Her eyes opened slowly.
She froze.
Kaizeren was there.
His golden eyes were fixed on her.
“What are you doing here?”
“I couldn't sleep.”
“Why?”
His gaze fell to her hand.
Elena understood.
“The seal?”
He nodded.
“It hurts.”
She hesitated.
“Do you need me to touch you?”
His eyes met hers.
“Yes.”
Elena slowly extended her hand.
Kaizeren took it.
The moment their palms touched, the pain in his expression eased.
He closed his eyes.
Elena watched him silently.
Then she whispered,
“You really are helpless without me.”
His eyes opened.
A faint smile appeared.
“Perhaps.”
She smiled too.
Neither of them noticed how naturally their hands remained joined.
Neither noticed how long they stayed that way.
But by morning, Kaizeren would understand one dangerous truth.
The seal was no longer the only thing binding him to Elena.
He was beginning to want her for himself..
- Writer
- chap_listContents
- likeADD