Nine Hot Therians and Their Only One Queen novel Chapter 278

**When She Opened the Door to the Life She Was Afraid to Live by Nora Vale Kingsley**

**Chapter 278: Dragon Trouble**

“Ms. Tibarn.”

The moment Kieran caught sight of Emma emerging from the grand Thalassian Palace, a wave of relief washed over him, dispelling the anxiety that had clung to him like a shadow.

“Kieran, you’re here!” Emma’s face lit up with a warm smile as their eyes met, a beacon of reassurance in the midst of chaos.

“Drake and Remy want to head to Coral Bay. You should come with us!” she exclaimed, her excitement palpable.

“Okay,” Kieran replied without hesitation, his heart racing with both eagerness and concern.

“Ms. Tibarn, I’m truly sorry. I didn’t protect you when you went missing,” he confessed, the weight of his guilt evident in his tone.

Initially, Kieran had been oblivious to Emma’s disappearance. Silas, bound by the restrictions that kept Kieran from Frostveil, had withheld the news until he could confirm Emma’s safety at the palace.

As soon as the truth reached him, he had rushed over, propelled by a mixture of fear and determination.

“This isn’t your fault,” Emma reassured him, her voice steady. She understood that it had been an unfortunate accident—one neither of them had anticipated.

“Emma, let’s go!” Drake’s voice cut through their moment, as he seized Emma’s hand with an urgency that made Kieran’s heart skip a beat. He shot Kieran a glare that could have melted steel.

“Emma… Emma?” Kieran’s mind raced as he stared at Drake, shock coursing through him.

Is he out of his mind?

Drake was well over thirty, yet here he was, casually addressing a woman in her twenties by her first name as if they were equals.

Before Emma could even interject, Drake transformed before their eyes, morphing into a colossal black dragon. With a swift flick of his tail, he encircled her and gently placed her atop his head, a surreal spectacle that left Kieran momentarily speechless.

In an instant, Drake launched from the palace, the world around them blurring as he soared through the water, a creature of majesty and power.

Kieran followed closely behind, his heart pounding with adrenaline.

Emma perched on Drake’s head, feeling the rush of the wind against her face, while Remy clung to one of Drake’s impressive horns. They were encased in a crystal-clear bubble that insulated them from the water, allowing them to breathe freely despite the dragon’s incredible speed.

No matter how swiftly Drake swam, the bubble held firm, a protective cocoon that sparkled in the sunlight filtering through the waves.

Before long, an exquisite coral reef emerged before them, a vibrant underwater kingdom that took Emma’s breath away. Some of the corals towered majestically, rivaling the height of ten-story buildings, while others glimmered in shades of blood-red, reminiscent of sparkling crimson jade.

“Daddy, Daddy! Look at that coral! It’s so beautiful! Pick it and give it to Mom!” Remy’s voice rang out, filled with childlike wonder as he pointed excitedly.

With a swift motion, Drake extended his massive claw, plucking the coral that had captivated Remy’s attention. He tossed it effortlessly toward Kieran, who was flying just behind them.

“This is for Emma. Clean it up and make it look nice,” Drake commanded, his tone as authoritative as it was playful.

Kieran, upon hearing that it was meant for Emma, felt a surge of determination. He took the coral and began to meticulously trim it, his focus sharpening as he worked to ensure it would be perfect for her.

Silas shot them a pointed look, rubbing his temples in exasperation.

He certainly wanted to offload the little troublemaker onto someone else, but seeing Drake in this light made him hesitant to trust him with Remy.

That evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, Drake returned from Coral Bay, Emma and Remy in tow. They were laden with a bounty of coral and sea creatures, a testament to their adventure.

“Ms. Tibarn, I’ll go cook dinner for you,” Kieran announced, a hint of pride in his voice. He had honed his cooking skills with Edric’s guidance, and he was eager to impress.

As Kieran departed, Drake approached Emma from behind, wrapping his strong arms around her waist. He rested his chin on her shoulder, his breath warm against her ear, “Emma, my head hurts.”

Remy had already drifted off to sleep atop Drake’s head, blissfully unaware of the chaos surrounding him.

Emma’s heart sank at his words; she recognized the signs of his mental power spiraling out of control once again.

“Is your mental power acting up again?” she asked, concern lacing her tone.

She attempted to pry his hands away, to turn and assess his condition, but his grip felt like iron, unyielding and firm.

Instead of loosening his hold, Drake tightened his embrace, pulling her closer until she was nearly trapped against him. He buried his face into the crook of her neck, inhaling deeply, his warm breath sending shivers down her spine.

“Drake, stop messing around. Let me go,” she protested, attempting to wiggle free, but his strength was insurmountable. His mental power was unstable, and he was behaving like a stubborn child, refusing to let go.

“No,” he replied, his voice transformed from a plea to a deep, husky murmur, laced with an intoxicating blend of need and temptation.