Crimson Dragon Prince

Who am I

She was moved again.

This time, not to chains or a cell, but a suite in the western wing. Her own bed. A fireplace, lit and crackling. Windows that opened to the mountains. A table of food laid out—fruit, meats, soft bread, and warm tea.

She didn’t touch any of it.

Lilly stood near the balcony, staring out over the sprawling valley below. It was beautiful in a way that hurt. She’d only just started piecing together who she was—and now everything felt further away.

The orb hadn’t given her answers.

Only more questions.

Why did she have that kind of power?

What was she really?

And why had Rowen looked at her like he knew?

She closed her eyes against the sun.

Somewhere deep inside, something ancient stirred.

She had a feeling this was only the beginning. The next day they went where no eyes could follow.

Rowen led her deep into the forested edge of the mountains, to a clearing shielded by ancient runes and illusions only dragonkind could conjure. The training grounds were a secret—used for magic too volatile or forbidden to show within castle walls. Here, surrounded by stone and sky, the air pulsed with quiet power.

“I thought you said I wasn’t a prisoner anymore,” Lilly said, glancing warily around.

“You’re not,” Rowen replied. “But if anyone saw what you can do... they might not agree with me.”

She looked at him. “So I’m a secret now?”

“You’re protected,” he corrected. “And you need training before that magic inside you tears you apart.”

Lilly swallowed hard. She didn’t want to admit he was right.

Rowen stood a few paces away, arms folded. “Let’s start with what you felt when you touched the orb.”

“I don’t know. Everything. Nothing. It was like… like I became a storm.”

“That’s a start.” He stepped forward and extended his hand. Try to summon that feeling again. Don’t force it. Just remember it.”

Lilly closed her eyes and took a breath. She remembered the light, the wind, the way her bones had felt like lightning. For a moment, her fingers tingled. The air shimmered.

Then something cracked.

A wave of magic burst from her chest, knocking Rowen back into a tree. Birds scattered. The earth trembled. Lilly gasped, her hands trembling.

“I didn’t mean to—”

Rowen stood, brushing off soot from his tunic. “Good. That’s progress.”

“Progress? I almost turned you into charcoal.”

He grinned. “You think that’s the worst that’s hit me? Come on. Again.”

They tried again. And again.

Lilly’s focus wavered, and so did the magic. Fire flickered from her fingers when she tried to summon wind. Ice bloomed from the grass when she wanted light. At one point, she channeled a gust of air so strong it sent both of them tumbling.

But with every try, the power felt a little more familiar. Like she was learning the shape of a muscle long forgotten.

Between attempts, they talked.

“You said the orb hasn’t reacted like that in centuries,” she said, wiping sweat from her brow.

Rowen nodded. “Not since the time of the elemental bloodlines. Your aura—it matched the descriptions of a lost lineage.”

“Lost?”

“Vanished. Hunted. Some say they turned to dragons. Some say dragons turned on them.”

Lilly sat cross-legged in the grass. “Why would they be hunted?”

“Because they were powerful,” Rowen said, sitting beside her. Too powerful. And scared people like that always want to control what they fear. Or destroy it.”

Lilly stared at her hands. “So I’m one of them?”

He didn’t answer right away.

“I don’t know what you are,” he said finally. “But I don’t think it’s a coincidence you ended up here.”

Before she could respond, a sharp voice pierced the clearing.

“There you are.”

Lilly looked up to see a tall woman standing in the tree line. Regal, striking, with raven-dark hair and a dress of blood-red silk. Her eyes were sharp as daggers, and they locked on Lilly with instant disdain.

“Rowen,” she said coolly. “Care to explain why there’s a strange girl hiding in the woods with you?”

Rowen stood. “Selene, this isn’t what it looks like.”

“Oh?” She crossed her arms. “Because it looks like you're sneaking around with a girl who just happened to fall out of a portal and conveniently forget her past. And now you’re teaching her magic?”

Lilly stood too, suddenly aware of the tension between them.

Selene’s gaze narrowed. “Is this your idea of loyalty, Rowen? Or are you just that easily enchanted?”

Rowen’s jaw tightened. “Enough. She’s not what you think.”

“No?” Selene stepped closer to Lilly. “Then what is she?”

Lilly stared back, refusing to look away.

Selene turned and stalked off without another word, the scent of roses and fire trailing behind her.

Rowen exhaled and rubbed a hand over his face.

“Was that yours…?” Lilly started.

“Fiancée,” he finished bitterly. “Yes.”

Lilly looked from Rowen to the path Selene had vanished down. The tension lingered in the air, thick and heavy.

Then she turned back to Rowen, brow furrowed. “Who am I?”