Chapter 1

The moment I saw Lucian Vale at the feast, painful memories dragged me back.

That night, people screamed and fled through the streets. Drakefire Keep had fallen into fire, chaos, and despair.

To save himself, Lucian rescued Liora first. Then he ordered the heavy iron gates shut.

Before the gates closed, I saw him holding Liora in his arms, comforting her gently.

He never even looked at me.

I was six months pregnant, dragged away by enemy soldiers outside the gate.

After the gates shut, an enemy blade pierced my stomach.

Blood spread beneath me. They laughed and kicked me from the cliff road.

I thought I would die.

Then Kael Drakon appeared.

He descended through smoke and ash on his frost dragon. That was his bonded dragon.

Later, the fire-dragon egg I brought with me hatched on the day we married.

From then on, frost answered to Kael, and fire answered to me.

He drove back the enemy with ease, saved my life, and became my husband.

“Elara, did you hear me?”

Lucian’s voice pulled me back to the feast.

He frowned, clearly displeased by my silence.

Seven years ago, I had been his most loyal listener. Whatever he said, whatever he wanted, I answered at once and obeyed without question.

I had been more obedient than a servant.

“Forgive her, Lord Lucian,” one of his men mocked. “She must still be overwhelmed. She has just crawled out of death and returned to Drakefire to find you.”

“Look at her. She can hardly speak. Seeing you again and becoming your betrothed must feel like a dream.”

Lucian seemed pleased by their words.

“Elara, I understand your joy,” he said. “But in front of Kael Drakon and his wife, I need you to keep our relationship quiet for now.”

He looked over my simple riding clothes, his eyes showing clear distaste.

“You have changed too much. Your clothes reflect on me. This is hardly how the future Lady of Drakefire should dress.”

I almost laughed.

This was Lucian’s first true dragon court feast. He did not know my clothes were made for riding dragons.

On this continent, only House Drakon could command dragons, and only a chosen few could ride them.

Seeing my silence, Lucian thought I was hurt by his words.

“Do not be so sensitive, Elara. Everyone is careful tonight. Kael Drakon is known to be almost mad in his devotion to his wife. No one has ever seen her face, and tonight is her first formal appearance. No one wants to offend the Dragonlord. Not even me.”

He stepped closer and lifted a strand of my hair.

“Of course, if you hatch the fire dragon for me soon, I will no longer need to fear his power.”

“Then I can give you what you want and hold our wedding sooner.”

“You think too much of yourself.”

I slapped his hand away and looked at him coldly.

“I had my wedding seven years ago. I married someone else.