Romance With My Dragon Prince

Alone In The Dark

KIERAN

I rose early, the first light of dawn casting long shadows across the mouth of the cave. The air was cool, and the rustling leaves carried the faint sounds of distant creatures. I stood for a moment, taking it all in. I had expected to return to this world one day, but not like this—not suddenly, and certainly not with Stella by my side. I had imagined coming back on my own terms, with someone I truly loved, forging my own destiny. But love wasn’t what I felt for Stella. I admired her kindness, her strength, but love? That was something else entirely.

Still, she was here because of me, and that meant she was my responsibility. In this world, she had no one else.

I exhaled deeply, then spread a faint trace of my dragon scent around the cave, ensuring that no dangerous creatures would come too close. It wouldn’t deter humans, but beasts would sense the warning. That done, I headed to the river to wash up. The water was refreshingly cold, and as I submerged myself, I allowed my mind to clear. Today was going to be difficult. I needed to learn as much as possible about the current state of this world and find a way for us to reach the Dragon Kingdom safely.

By the time I returned, Stella was already awake. She had been waiting for me, her arms wrapped around herself as she stood near the cave’s entrance. She must have been uneasy waking up alone in a strange world. When she saw me, she approached hesitantly, as if still adjusting to the reality of our situation.

Without a word, I gestured for her to follow me to the river. She needed to clean up too. Once we arrived, I turned my back to give her some privacy while standing guard. I listened intently, making sure nothing approached. When she finished, she stepped back onto the bank, wearing the same dress as yesterday, now damp from the river’s water.

On the way back, we gathered some fruit from nearby trees. It wasn’t much, but it would keep her fed while I was gone. When we reached the cave, I rolled a large stone in front of the entrance, sealing her inside. “This is for your safety,” I told her. “It’s heavy enough that most creatures won’t be able to move it easily.”

She nodded, her eyes betraying a mix of trust and uncertainty.

Then, without wasting any more time, I turned and left, heading toward the nearest settlement. I had to find answers, and I had to do it fast. Stella was waiting, and in this world, waiting too long could mean disaster.

STELLA

I hesitated as I stepped toward the river, glancing at Kieran, who stood with his back turned to me. He had said nothing, simply positioning himself a few steps away to give me privacy. Yet, knowing he was there, standing guard, made my heart beat a little faster. It wasn’t fear—more like an unfamiliar nervousness.

The water was cold against my skin, and I hurried, washing away the remnants of sleep. I was hyper-aware of every movement, knowing that just a few feet away, Kieran stood like a silent protector. His broad shoulders were tense, as if ready to strike at the first sign of danger. I found myself stealing quick glances at his unmoving figure, and that only made my face feel hotter. Why was I feeling like this? It wasn’t like we were in a normal situation. There was no time for silly emotions.

I finished as quickly as possible and slipped back into my dress. My hands felt clumsy as I tied my damp hair back. Even then, I could still feel the heat lingering on my cheeks. Taking a deep breath, I forced myself to calm down.

When we returned to the cave, Kieran moved the heavy stone over the entrance. The moment it sealed the opening, darkness settled around me. The absence of light, the weight of the silence—it made my chest feel tight. I had never been afraid of the dark before, but this was different. This wasn’t my world. I wasn’t in my room, where I could turn on a lamp or step out into the hallway. I was in a place where I didn’t belong, completely cut off from everything familiar.

I sat down, wrapping my arms around my legs. The fire inside the cave flickered weakly, casting long, shifting shadows on the stone walls. Kieran had assured me I’d be safe, but that didn’t stop the uneasiness creeping into my mind. I could still hear the faint sounds of the forest beyond the cave, muffled yet ever-present. Every rustle of leaves, every distant howl, sent a shiver down my spine.

I told myself it would be fine. Kieran would return. But for now, I was alone in the dark.

Suddenly, a dull thud echoed from outside. My heart jumped. I froze, straining my ears. Another thud. Then the distinct scrape of stone against stone. Someone—or something—was outside.

I scrambled to my feet, backing up until my spine pressed against the rough cave wall. My breath quickened. Was it Kieran? No… he wouldn’t have struggled to move the stone. My fingers curled into fists as I willed myself to stay calm.

A muffled voice spoke beyond the barrier, though I couldn’t make out the words. Then, the unmistakable sound of grating metal—a weapon being drawn.

They’re trying to get in.

Fear crawled up my spine. I wanted to run, but there was nowhere to go. The only exit was sealed, and my only defense was… nothing.

Another loud shove against the stone sent vibrations through the ground. My knees weakened. Whoever they were, they were strong. More voices joined the first, their tones urgent. They weren’t giving up.

CRACK. A small sliver of light appeared at the edge of the boulder as it shifted ever so slightly. I swallowed hard, stepping back.

More force. More scraping. The boulder wobbled.

With a final heave, the massive stone lurched forward, rolling just enough to leave a gap. The dim morning light filtered in, revealing the silhouettes of several figures standing outside.

And then I saw them.