REBORN: CHOSEN BY THE DRAGON KING

CHAPTER 5

LYRA

Kael is dragged by the guards like a wounded animal.

I see the dried blood on his face, his eyes full of fury and hatred.

Still, he tries to fight. He always tries to fight.

The king steps in front of him.

His royal garments are stained with ash, his chest rising and falling with heavy breaths.

His claws have withdrawn, but his eyes still burn gold.

“He tried to kill me,” his voice is low, but full of power. “And he nearly succeeded.”

“Kill him,” I hear one of the generals say behind me. “We can't risk another attack.”

Kael lifts his face, spits blood on the stone floor, and when he sees me, he smirks with contempt.

“Look who came to give the goodbye kiss... The b***h who turned into a snake.”

The king steps forward, but I raise my hand, stopping him.

I feel his gaze on me, but I don't back down. My eyes are calm. But inside, something burns.

“Not yet,” I say.

“He tried to kill me,” the king repeats, voice more tense now. “He tried to kill you. I can’t allow—”

“I said no,” I repeat firmly.

I take a deep breath and walk toward Kael.

The crown rests heavy on my head.

My red dress is still stained with the blood I shed today. But I keep walking.

The dragons step aside as I pass. Everyone knows.

I am the queen now.

Kael laughs. Even wounded. Even defeated.

“And what will you do, my queen? Lock me up like a trophy? Show your children the man you left behind?”

I kneel. I face him. Very close.

“No,” I reply. “I’m going to let you live. You’ll wake up every day in this filthy hole and remember what you did to me. You’ll watch from afar as I become everything you said I’d never be.”

I lean in, eyes locked on his.

“Now I’m the queen of dragons. And you live… if I allow it.”

I rise slowly and look at the guards.

“Take him to the dungeons. No food. No water. Until I command it.”

They drag him away.

Moments later, our wedding is sealed before the fire and all.

The king cuts his wrist. I do the same.

Our blood joins before the altar, and when he kisses me, I feel the bond seal within.

Like a hot chain coiling around my soul.

The king pushes me against the door once we’re in his chamber.

His mouth is on mine, and I let out a moan when I feel his hands pressing me against his body.

He turns me around, still kissing my neck before he starts unbuttoning my dress.

He does it quickly, then spins me and pushes me onto the bed.

The king hovers over me, and I close my eyes as his mouth moves down my belly.

“My king…” I moan, biting my lips hard.

He smiles at me, and I do the same when his mouth meets mine.

I moan louder as his tongue keeps teasing me with growing pleasure.

I roll my eyes back, gripping the bedsheets tightly.

“Oh my god…” I cry out, feeling the orgasm take over me.

He licks his lips before kissing me again, making me taste myself on his tongue.

The king removes his tunic in one motion before spreading my legs.

My heart races, and I hold back as much as I can, feeling my sharp fangs pressing against my lips.

“Beg for it, my queen…” he whispers in my ear, and I do just that.

“Make me yours, please…”

A small scream escapes my lips as he enters me in a single thrust. Deep and hard.

He kisses me, whispering words I can’t understand.

He’s speaking the ancient language of dragons.

Hours later, I’m lying in bed, but I can’t sleep after everything that happened.

I turn my head and see the king sleeping beside me.

I sigh, quickly getting dressed before rising and leaving the room quietly.

The dungeons are damp and cold.

The smell of old blood and rusty iron overwhelms me.

I descend the steps slowly, until I reach the deepest cell.

Kael is there.

Wounded, filthy, sitting on the ground like a beaten animal.

When he sees me, he lifts his head with a crooked smile.

“Well, well. I thought you’d be too busy being used by that freak,” he says. “Did you sleep with him the same way you did with my brother?”

I kneel before the bars, eyes fixed on his.

“I loved you,” I whisper. “Loved you more than anything in this world. And you broke me.”

“You were weak. Sentimental. Useless,” he spits.

But I don’t look away.

“And I swore that would never happen again.”

He chuckles darkly.

“You’re wrong. Still are.”

“I never betrayed you, but you didn’t believe me. You chose to believe the lie instead of the female who loved you the most…” I whisper.

Kael rolls his eyes and I fight not to cry in front of him.

“Go back to your dragon, Lyra. You’ve made it clear you’ll let me die here, but my pack won’t let that happen.”

I turn to leave, but his voice holds me in place.

“You know why the king married you?”

I stop walking and take a deep breath.

“Because I’m different. I’m powerful. He chose me.”

“Yes, you are,” he replies, stepping closer to the bars. “But that’s not the only reason.”

I frown.

“What are you saying, Kael?”

“You know what happens to all the offerings, don’t you?” he continues. “They all die. All of them. Except you.”

My stomach twists.

“He didn’t spare you out of kindness. It wasn’t because he saw something in you. It’s because he needs you.”

“Lies,” I whisper. But the doubt is already growing inside me.

“The king needs your blood, Lyra,” he says.

“He wants to absorb your power. The dragon king needs the blood of a pure, unique girl. You’re the key. And once he gets what he wants… he’ll kill you.”

My heart pounds. It hurts.

“No…”

“Set me free. Release me from this place,” he pleads.

“Let’s run away. I can protect you. Let’s kill that beast. You and me. Like it was supposed to be. Or else… kill him before he kills you.”

I close my eyes and he keeps talking.

“For centuries the dragon king has searched for someone like you. With your blood, he’ll be freed from the curse that binds him to the temple. With your blood, he’ll be free. He’s just using you.”

I stare at him. The cell between us. His words echoing in my mind.

“You’re lying,” I say.

But he only smiles.

“Are you sure?”