The Dragon King and His Fallen Star novel Chapter 101

Chapter 101: The Betrayal Begins

her hands felt inexplicably heavy, though its true weight was almost nothing.

Its metal shimmered with an otherworldly radiance shifting subtly between silver and a pale,

ethereal gold. At its peak, amethysts the exact hue of Eirlys’ eyes burned with a strange inner light,

each encircled by a delicate halo of tiny diamonds. Like clusters of stars scattered across a

moonless sky.

Mirael frowned. “What is this supposed to be?”

Morwenna studied her, savoring the question. “Proof that you had asked me,” she said, taking the

bejeweled coronet from Mirael’s hands. “It belonged to the girl. She wore it the night the Light Reaper placed her in mine and Malric’s care.”

Mirael’s gaze snapped upward, but Morwenna didn’t pause.

“That was the same night,” she went on, her voice low, “he extinguished the last of the Stellar Fae-

including the girl’s mother, Queen Astraea. Right in front of us.”

The words struck like a blade between Mirael’s ribs. Her fingers curled into a fist, knuckles

whitening. It was too much. Learning Eirlys was Fae-a Stellar, no less-had been shocking

enough. But now Morwenna was saying she was something more. Something greater.

Morwenna’s smile deepened, catching the flicker of torchlight. “She’s not just heir to the Stellar

Court,” she said softly. “She’s heir to all of Val’Thirael.”

Mirael’s heart pounded loudly and painfully. Awe, disbelief, and something darker twisted inside her. A queen.

Did Kierygan know? Is that why he cast Mirael aside for Eirlys? Because that timid little girl turned out to beChapter 101: The Betrayal Begins

MIRAEL

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The coronet in something near to a goddess?

I could never compete with that. The thought was bitter enough to taste.

Unless… Eirlys was gone.

The realization slithered through her like smoke through cracks. Eirlys had to go. The sooner, the better. And if it meant aiding the enemy to see it done, so be it.

Slowly, Mirael turned, meeting Morwenna’s watchful gaze. “And how,” she asked softly, “would handing Eirlys to you make Kierygan mine?”

Morwenna’s smile bloomed like a poisonous flower She could feel Mirael’s resolve hardening in all the ways she’d hoped. “The Light Reaper rewards those who are loyal,” she said, her voice smooth as silk. “And useful.”

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She stepped closer. “His plan was simple, yet vast. He will devour the girl’s light, reignite himself, and rise-reborn as a new Fae. When he does, he will reshape the world in his image.”

Her voice dipped, coaxing, dangerous. “Only those faithful to him will remain in it.”

Mirael’s lips parted, her breath catching.

Morwenna leaned in, her tone silken and deadly. “He can grant you a wish, as he once did for us. He can give you a Kierygan who sees only you, Mirael. Perhaps even bonded to you… if that’s what

you want.”

Bonded. The word echoed through Mirael like a spell. That was all she had ever wanted. The thought pulsed through her, each word anchoring itself deeper than the last.

Mirael leaned back, lips curling in thought. “Fine,” she said at last, her voice slow and deliberate. “I’ll think of something. But it won’t be easy-Kierygan guards her like she’s his hoard of treasure.”

Morwenna’s smile thinned, her eyes glinting. “I have men lurking near Solmere. If you need a distraction, all you have to do is ask.”

A calculating light passed over Mirael’s face. “That she said, “would be a very good idea.”

Before Morwenna could press further, heavy footsteps echoed across the chamber. A burly man appeared in the doorway, his shoulders broad enough to block the light.

Morwenna’s expression darkened at the interruption. “What is it?” she asked, irritation sharpening

her tone.

The man bowed his head slightly, though his grin betrayed his pride. “We captured someone, a witch,” he said. “We’ve been watching her for days. She’s been seen with the Dragon King and his

minions, and most recently, entering Val’Thirael with him.”

Mirael’s brows rose in surprise, but the man pressed on. “She was a difficult catch, slippery as

smoke, but we managed to trap her. She’s in a cell now.”

Morwenna straightened, interest sparking in her gaze. “Good. I’ll see her myself, find out what she

knows.”

Mirael stood, smoothing her skirts, her mind already shifting back to the game at hand. “Then I’ll return to Solmere. Time to begin the plan.”

With that, they parted: Morwenna sweeping away toward the cells, and Mirael slipping into the shadows, each woman moving toward her own brand of treachery.

KIERYGAN’S POV

The prophecy Scylla spoke lingered long after she was gone, haunting me for days.

O

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Her words lodged in my mind like barbed hooks, pulling tighter every time Eirlys so much as stepped out of sight. The thought of the Light Reaper touching her-of her surrendering herself to

him-makes something in me go feral.

I didn’t give her a choice. She was not to set foot outside without telling me first. Her lessons were

moved indoors, every single one. When they ended, she stayed in her chambers, in the library, or in

my study, helping with whatever busywork I could invent. Anything to keep her close.

Training was the only time she left the safety of stone walls. Even then, I was there. Always

watching. Always guarding.

I wasn’t willing to take chances. Not with the Light Reaper lurking beyond the veil. Not with fate whispering about her “final feast.”

I would never let that creature take her. And I would never let her offer herself to him. Because I

knew she would.

If it came to it, Eirlys would give herself to save everyone. She already had for people she barely knew. For the ones she loved, there would be no hesitation.

Because she’s good. Every part of her is good.

I can tell she hasn’t been happy with my rules. It’s in her eyes, in the quiet sighs when I tell her no, in

the way her smile falters when she thinks I’m not looking.

But I am doing it for her.

And maybe… for me too.

Because it’s not just about keeping her safe. It’s not just about stopping her from sacrificing

herself for the world.

It’s that she’s mine.

This morning, just after breakfast, as I made my way toward the meeting chamber, a flicker of silver caught my eye. Her hair-silver as moonlight slipped around the corner ahead. Her steps were light. Too light. Too careful.

She was trying to sneak out.

“Stop,” I barked, my voice cracking through the corridor, echoing off the stone walls. “Where do you think you’re going?”

Eirlys froze. One hand hovered over the door, fingers inches from pushing it open. Slowly, she turned to face me-shock and guilt etched into the right curve of her lips.

“I just want to get some air, really quick,” she said. “It’s literally a few steps from the door. Where people can see me.”

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101: The Betrayal Begins

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I closed my eyes for a moment, forcing down the growl rising in my chest. Then I strode toward

her.

“I thought I had made myself clear, Eirlys,” I said, my voice low now, and dangerously calm.

I caught her gently but firmly by the arm, pulling her away from the threshold and turning her toward the corridor. “Get back inside.”

Eirlys’ brows drew together, her hands curling into small, tight fists-but she stayed silent. Still, the defiance in her eyes burned hotter than any retort she might’ve hurled.

She turned on her heel and marched toward her chambers, each step heavy, deliberate-her only protest left to give.

I exhaled through my nose, ready to turn back toward the meeting chamber, when I caught a whisper. A murmur-so faint I might have imagined it-slipping from her lips.

“Starting to act like him.”

The words hit harder than I cared to admit. My jaw lightened. I strode after her, catching her wrist before she could take another step.

“Acting like who?” My voice was quiet, but it carried the weight of a command.

She startled, clearly not expecting I’d heard her, but her gaze didn’t flinch away.

“I’m starting to act like who?” I pressed.

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