All Chapters of Born to Rule: The Dragon Queen: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Mira's POVWhile riding in our carriage, I couldn’t help noticing Liora’s shameless flirting with Dorrin.She leaned in far too close when she spoke, her arm brushing his as if it were some happy accident. When she laughed, her hand lingered on his forearm, and her eyes sparkled like she knew exactly how to reel him in.“So serious,” she purred, giving him that sly look from under her lashes. “I bet you’re all hard edges and no fun. But I think I could change your mind about that.”Dorrin’s lips curved into the faintest of smiles—tight, restrained. “I doubt that, Lady Liora.”“Oh, don’t be so sure,” she replied, her fingers trailing over the back of his hand just briefly before she turned to glance out the window again.I watched all of it. And, for some absurd reason, it bothered me. Annoyed me, even. A flicker of jealousy curled in my chest&m

Mira's POVThe ride was quiet. We were all full from the rich, dreamlike lunch, and the long day of shopping had worn everyone out. Most had drifted into their own thoughts. Some were dreaming, some planning. A few probably were plotting.When the carriages finally rolled to a stop, I looked up and felt my breath catch. We had reached a clearing high in the mountains, the kind of place that looked as if it had stepped out of an old fairy tale. The forest around us was wild and vivid, the trees a patchwork of colors—soft greens mingling with fiery orange, faded red, and deep purple. Yet green still dominated the canopy, glowing like life itself.The clearing opened to a view so stunning I forgot to breathe for a moment. Far below, the sea stretched out like liquid sapphire, and even from here I could spot tiny fishing boats and grand ships gliding over the waves. For a long heartbeat, no one said a word. We all just stood there, caught in the silence a

Mira’s POVDorrin and I shifted back and made our way inside the palace. Since our chambers were in the same wing, we walked together, falling into easy conversation about our childhood adventures and long-forgotten mischief.But then, a flash of movement caught my eye—a figure in a dark cloak hurrying through the corridor. I slowed down. The same person I had seen before. The gait, the posture—it reminded me of Marina.“Is that Marina?” I asked, narrowing my eyes.“Could be,” Dorrin replied casually.I frowned, curiosity stirring. “Where is she going? That’s the second time I’ve seen her sneaking out of the palace.”“Why don’t you just ask her?” he said with a shrug.“You know we’re not exactly close,” I murmured. “We barely speak.”Dorrin shot me a sideways glance. “I remember a time when all of us were inse

Liora’s POVThe way Alexander drank from that fragile little maid sent shivers of delight through me. Finally he was letting go of that tedious restraint, and I loved every second of it.I watched him drink, the sight almost as arousing as the blood itself. His fangs glistened in the candlelight, his jaw taut, eyes glowing crimson. Gods, he was devastatingly handsome when he surrendered to the darkness.This was exactly what I wanted. To remind him of what he truly was. To remind him that Mira wasn’t the only one who could ignite his hunger.Mira. The perfect, precious princess. Always so sure of his devotion, so certain that she was untouchable. I almost laughed. Did she truly think a mate bond could keep a man like Alexander from hungering for someone else? For me?Sweet Mira, so naive. She had no idea how easy it would be to shatter her perfect little heart.And the little maid? She was delicious, innocent, trembling, a

Caspian’s POVI knew Mira was confused, struggling to understand the powers rising within her. And the guilt, it clawed at me. Because I had the answers she needed. I could’ve eased her fear, offered clarity. But I didn’t. I stayed quiet. I watched her search for comfort, for a lifeline, something I should’ve been. Her best friend. But instead, I let her drown in her own mind, left her alone to wrestle with shadows.I noticed the bruises on her shoulders, the kind that come from betrayal, not battle. And I hated him for it. That bastard Alexander. He didn’t deserve her. He never had. But still, I kept silent.Because in truth… I was no better than him. Or sly Liora. I was using Mira too, in my own way—twisting fate to serve a selfish purpose.But gods, I wasn’t made of stone. I felt every inch of the shame. The guilt sat heavy in my chest, poisoning every breath.I’d changed. I moved like a gho