The Dragon King's Breeder

The Throne Room

My mother enters next, her steps light and familiar. She looks so much like Ravessa that people often mistake them for twins. Same shade of red hair, same bright blue eyes. I’m the odd one out with my father’s emerald green stare. My brother trails behind her, his black hair falling into his eyes, the same green as Father’s. We look like two halves of two different families stitched together.

My mother’s face softens when she sees me. She pulls me into a hug that’s warm and tight, the kind that used to make me feel safe when I was little. Now it only makes my throat ache. She doesn’t say anything. She doesn’t have to. Her silence is full of hope and fear and expectation.

We leave our home and step into the carriage waiting outside. It’s polished and sturdy, built for travel across the rocky coastline. The ride is short, but every bump makes my stomach twist tighter.

The lord’s castle rises from the cliffside like it was carved straight from the stone. It isn’t enormous, not like the king’s fortress in the capital, but it’s larger than any home in our clan. Three tall towers reach toward the sky, their tops shaped like dragon claws clutching at the clouds. The walls are dark gray, smoothed by centuries of wind and salt. Wide windows overlook the sea, and the main entrance is framed by two carved dragons whose wings stretch across the archway. It’s imposing without being grand, a reminder that power doesn’t need to be beautiful to be respected.

Inside, the throne room is already packed. Families stand shoulder to shoulder, whispering and craning their necks for a better view. My father guides us to the front, making sure we’re centered, visible, impossible to overlook. My mother stands tall beside him. Ravessa practically vibrates with excitement. I try to keep my breathing steady.

A guard steps forward and announces the lord and his son. The room falls silent as they enter. The lord walks with the confidence of someone who’s never been questioned. His son follows a step behind, broad‑shouldered, dark‑haired, and clearly uncomfortable with all the attention.

When they reach the front, the lord lifts his hands for quiet.

“Welcome, honored families. Today we gather for a tradition that has kept our clans strong and united. Each generation, we choose a mate for the heir of this territory. A woman who will bring honor, stability, and future strength to our bloodline. Your daughters stand here as representatives of your devotion to our laws and our king. We thank you for your loyalty and your sacrifices.”

He pauses, scanning the room. His gaze lands on me for a moment, then moves on.

“This morning, my son came to me with a preference. A rare thing, but not unheard of. Now that I see her, I understand why. I agree with his choice.”

The room shifts, a ripple of surprise moving through the crowd.

“For my son, I choose… Ravessa.” He looks directly at my sister.

Ravessa squeals, her hands flying to her mouth. She runs forward without hesitation, throwing herself toward the lord’s son, who looks stunned but pleased.

My vision blurs for a moment. The floor feels like it’s dropped out from under me. My entire world, everything I was raised for, everything I was told I’d become, is gone in a single breath.

Stolen by my sister.