Chapter 2

 ~RAMON~

 The ramblings of the people beneath my throne did nothing to satiate the growing concern on my mind. Somehow, I almost regretted calling the meeting, but it had to be done. When a king had growing concerns, the council must be called upon. 

My eyes drifted to the empty throne beside mine. An empty throne that never skipped a day of polishing. Five thousand years had gone by, and that throne still remained an important symbol to me. Not because Mother had sat there before she ascended to the plains with Father, but because of who it was meant for.

My eyes slowly shut, and my chest thundered with pain. The emptiness of that throne reminded me of the one my heart felt. The one she was supposed to fill. 

"Your Majesty."

My eyes opened, and I was brought back to the world of reality. The council members all had their eyes on me.

"Yes?" I said.

"Are you certain?" One of them spoke.

The question asked was the reason I summoned them. The dream I had. The woman whom I had seen. There was no mistake.

"Yes," I answered. "I am certain. She has returned".

"Your majesty," another member of the council spoke. "While this would be a good reason to be joyous, I suggest we all entertain a twinge of caution. There have been situations like this before. Your brother being the perfect example, before he was bonded to his mate."

To my far right, I glanced. My younger brother, Rothra, sat beside Sylvira, his mate. His gaze lingered on me as his hands clutched hers. Although I was happy for him, their bond reminded me of what I did not have.

"This is true." My attention returned once more to the council. "However, this situation is different. As you all know, she promised it to me before that fateful incident. I did not wait in vain. And more reason I can confirm that she is the one is because she summoned me."

All members of the council shared gazes among each other. Rothra and Sylvira did likewise.

"But...how?" Another of the councilmen spoke.

"That is unknown to me, I must admit," I said. "And I have my doubts that she knew how to do it. But she did."

I placed my hand to my heart. "But I felt her this time. She is in another world as we speak, and somehow I think she has made it possible to return. The stars of destiny never lie."

With the ounce of will coursing through my veins, my eyes hardened. "Irun has returned."

The mumblings from the council were ignored.

"And I want there to be a lookout," I said. "Every night, there should be a lookout for a sign. It can come from the sky above or from the ground within. I hope that is clear."

"Yes, Your Majesty," they spoke in unison.

"Good. The meeting is over".

Slowly, they stood and bowed. Then they dispersed.

Walking onto the balcony, I glanced at the skies. An array of stars formed a straight line, and my hope rose. My astrologist would be asleep at the moment; otherwise, he would come and confirm my claims.

 My mind drifted to the beauty that graced my dreams last night. It was her. I could no doubt forget it. She was still as beautiful as ever, and her skin was devoid of blemishes. Her naked body had been a source of delight. Beautiful big breasts and wide childbearing hips. A smile graced my lips, remembering how submissive she stood as I worshipped her soft lips. Her moans of pleasure as I worshipped and suckled on those beautiful breasts tempted me to claim her there and then. But I had summoned every ounce of self-control not to do so. I wouldn't claim her in a dream.

"Brother."

I turned around as Rothrar made his way onto the balcony. He stood beside me, and we both stared at the sky.

"Do you think it appropriate to starve your mate of company now?" I broke the silence. 

"Sylvira knows I have nowhere else to go and will always be hers for the night and beyond." Rothrar took his gaze away from the sky, a smile on his face.

"But your declaration has me concerned." The smile was gone. "Are you certain of what you saw?"

"You sound like the councilmen. Aren't you pushing beyond your years? Considering I was present when you were a hatchling."

"I see you still have the penchant for amusement. He slowly shook his head. "But I do mean it. Has Irun returned to us?"

I gazed at the sky again, my eyes steeling with resolve. "Yes. If the council doubts me, little brother, you should not. I have never made wrong claims since you have known me all your life."

A long sigh was heard beside me.

"If you say so." He placed a hand on my shoulder and squeezed. "Have a good night."

He walked away, leaving me to my thoughts.

"I hope I do." I glanced at the sky one more time before I made my exit.

I entered my bedroom, and the three women immediately approached me. These were my concubines. It was a tradition that the draconian king without a mate could keep concubines to serve as a means of pleasure. None of them were ever meant for marriage. And if the king ever found his queen, the concubines were to be given to able-bodied men.

The three women bowed before me.

"Rise," I spoke, and they all looked up. Desena, the most beautiful of them, had that same look of mischief beneath her blue eyes. That look was a look of hope that she would claim something. Something she was not meant for. I was no fool.

I approached the seat beside my bed, stripping out of my garment along the way. Naked as the day I was born, I sat. The women needed no instructions. They all stripped until they were as bare as I was and approached me with Desena at the fore.

The two of them crouched at my feet. One of them took my instrument of pleasure in her hands, bathing it with gentle kisses. The other cupped my testicle, rolling it in her hands before taking it into her mouth. Shutting my eyes, I gave in to the throes of pleasure that would suffice for now.

Kisses along my neck made me open my eyes. I was thankful to the stars that I did that in time, for I saw Desena's lips come towards mine. I turned my face to the side, and her lips touched my cheek. Dragon Kings do not kiss their concubines.

"Desena." The words left my lips with a trace of warning.

"Apologies, my king." The false smile did little to convey the sincerity of her words. She raised herself so her breasts were in my face.

My lips claimed one of them sucking it with much force as a means of punishment. Her moans weren't as tantalizing as the ones from my queen in my dream. But it would have to suffice.

Before long I could feel the pleasure build in the midst of my legs. I gave in to the throes of pleasure, sending the end result of my climax unto the faces of the two women below. They raised themselves from my legs and wiped at the white essence on their faces.

"Goodnight, your majesty." Smiling, they bowed together and walked away.

My eyes admired the view of their bountiful derriere, and I smiled in happiness. These two women would make good wives for the men they would be given to.

Desena, however, was another issue. She was still in my lap.

"You seemed a bit tired," she spoke.

"Desena, thank you for your concern," I replied, my gaze expectant.

She remained in my lap.

"Desena."

"I know." She hopped off and walked away, making sure to add sway to her hips. She would be a delight to look at if she were not so clingy.

"Goodnight, Your Majesty." Her voice was like the purr of a wildcat. She picked up her garment and walked out.

Spent and tired, I glanced at the ceiling, hope once again reflecting in my eyes.

"Irun, this time I will not let you go."