The Omega Dragon

Chapter 4

Wide-eyed, I processed his words. Dragon. Me? The notion seemed preposterous, my mind grappling with the sudden revelation. I scrutinized my reflection in the water pitcher nearby, half-expecting to find scales and slitted eyes. However, the image staring back at me appeared no different than before. Yet, there was an undeniable truth lingering in his gaze.

“You’re joking, right? I can’t be a dragon,” I uttered, a mixture of disbelief and anxiety punctuating my words.

“No joke, Desina. You have the blood of dragons running through you,” he asserted, his tone unwavering. “Your scales remain dormant, hidden from the world. As you embrace your true nature, they will emerge.”

Apprehension settled in, entwined with a burgeoning curiosity about this mysterious dragon heritage. I had never fathomed the existence of such creatures, let alone envisioned myself as one.

Before I could delve deeper into my newfound reality, the door swung open, revealing the presence of an elderly woman. She bore an air of wisdom, her eyes carrying the weight of countless experiences.

“Lord, the emissaries have arrived. They are eager to meet Desina,” she informed him with a respectful bow.

“Perfect timing,” he acknowledged, glancing at me. “Emissaries from other dragon realms have sensed your awakening. They will provide guidance on embracing your heritage.”

Uncertainty flickered in my eyes, but an innate curiosity tugged at my spirit. As we left the room, traversing through hallways adorned with symbols of dragons, I grappled with a burgeoning sense of destiny.

I was taking a leisurely stroll through the halls of the Dragon Palace, adorned in a beautiful gown gifted by Kealan. The intricate design seemed to contrast the brewing tension beneath the surface. As I walked, the serenity of the palace surroundings was shattered when someone spilled a drink on my dress.

I gasped, the cold liquid seeping through the fabric, staining the gown. Shocked, I turned to face the person responsible, only to find Valia, the Dragon Lord, glaring at me with a hate-filled gaze. Confusion enveloped my mind—why would Valia, who had once rescued me, now harbor such animosity?

"Why would you do this?" I questioned, still processing the unexpected hostility. Valia, my supposed best friend, had walked into my room with a pair of scissors, tearing my gown to pieces as I was emerging from the bathroom.

She sneered, malice evident in her expression. "You want to go on a stroll with my man?"

Confusion furrowed my brow. "Your man? But you both are just friends."

Valia's response was a sharp sting as her hand connected with my cheek—a resounding slap. "Why would you hit me?"

"You think you can come in here and disrupt my plans? How dare you?" she spat, her anger palpable. I was left bewildered by the sudden change in our dynamic, the room now thick with tension.

I blinked back tears, gazing at Valia, trying to comprehend the motives behind her actions. This unexpected hostility added another layer to the mistreatment I had endured since arriving at the Dragon Palace. Valia and Kealan's longstanding connection, coupled with the disdain from her father, Kealan’s right-hand man, painted a grim picture. If I dared to oppose them, I knew I wouldn't stand a chance.

The mistreatment persisted, and my unease deepened, knowing that Kealan might never believe an outsider's account over the loyalty of his own people. The air in the room remained heavy with unspoken resentment, and I began to question the true nature of the relationships that surrounded me in this unfamiliar place.

"Don’t hit me again, Valia. I haven't wronged you," I calmly pleaded.

She advanced, her yellow eyes darkening, black slits thinning. Wary, I stepped back until I met my room's wall.

“Remember your place, Desina. A word from me or my father, and you’ll be homeless,” she threatened.

Swallowing hard, I acknowledged the truth. I couldn't risk the outside, with rogues lurking. Homelessness loomed, a harsh reality I couldn't ignore. Kealan, a breath of fresh air, was my solace, feelings kept shut.

“Or maybe I should,” Valia mused, raising an eyebrow, a sinister smile spreading.

My stomach clenched. “No, don’t do that, Valia.” I couldn't afford anything to ruin my life. Aside from Valia and her father, Hugan, I'd found solace here.

“Stay away from him. He’s mine,” she asserted, eyes flashing. Hot air on my face, was she about to unleash her fire? Fear gripped me.

"Hey, are you not..." Kealan's voice interrupted, brows furrowed as he appeared. "What’s going on here?”

Valia quickly hid scissors behind her, smiling. “What are you doing here, Kealan?” Walking toward him, she pressed the scissors into my hand without him noticing.

“I have a date with Desina,” he said, smiling.

“Why don’t we have our own date? You never have time for me anymore,” she whined, toying with his shirt's button.

“Maybe next time, Valia,” Kealan said, raising his head to meet my gaze. “Are you okay?”

“Yes,” I replied, hiding the scissors, hoping he hadn't seen the shredded dress. I composed myself so he wouldn't notice.

“I’ll be waiting for you downstairs, Desina. Dress up and come meet me,” he said, pulling Valia with him as they left the room.

I sighed in relief. “Okay, I’ll be there.”

Discarding the ruined dress quickly, I selected another one and wore it. In no time, I went downstairs and found both of them laughing. As Kealan saw me, his face lit up, and I smiled, unable to deny the fact that I was developing strong feelings for him.

“Let’s go,” he said, offering his arm. Avoiding Valia’s expression, I accepted it. “See you later, Valia.”

“But we’re not done, Kealan,” I heard the frustration and angry whine in her voice.

“I’ll see you later, I promise,” he threw her a smile and walked away with me. We left the castle and began to walk the grounds. It was a good day for a stroll.

“Thank you,” I told him.

He paused and drew me closer to him. “I have feelings for you, Desina.”

My heart pumped in elation as I took in his very attractive features. “It’s a mutual thing, Kealan.” The two of us walked on, savoring the moment, unaware of the twists fate had in store for us.

He grinned wide, tracing my lips. Our eyes met, and we understood. Giving in to our feelings, he dipped his head, and I met him halfway. Our lips collided, and emotions exploded within me. I didn’t know how long we stood there, exploring passion with our mouths, but I enjoyed it, and I didn’t care.

Someone cleared their throat. “Lord Kealan?”

He reluctantly pulled away from the kiss and glared at the person. “What?” He snapped.

“There’s an attack.”

“An attack?” His hold on me tightened, more possessive. As though he was scared this new development might harm me.

“Yes, Lord,” the guy confirmed, slight worry on his face.

“Okay, round up the men, and we’ll go face them.” His expression changed from soft and affectionate to a hard, chilling one.

His powerful aura was overwhelming. He refused to let go of my hand. “We need to find you a safe place to stay.”

We had barely entered the castle when I heard a cry in the distance, and then some commotion. Kealan ran out to find out what had happened, and I followed him. When my gaze settled on the group of people intruding the castle, my jaw dropped.

What were Alpha Colyn and Beta Raudan doing here?