The Dragon King and His Fallen Star novel Chapter 113

Chapter 113: Never the Same

EIRLYS’ POV

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I stirred awake, eyelids heavy, as the soft morning light brushed my face. Every muscle ached pleasantly, a dull reminder of last night.

My mind drifted between memory and sensation-pain melting into pleasure, the exquisite intensity of our mating, and the even deeper, almost sacred ecstasy when he had marked me. And then my glow… my brightest yet… radiating through me in dizzying warmth, blinding and beautiful.

All those sensations collided at once, leaving me trembling, overwhelmed, utterly spent. I hadn’t even realized I had fallen asleep.

And yet, even in the lingering haze, one thought flared, unwavering: when I wake, I will never be the

same.

I am no longer just Eirlys, the girl rescued from a tower. I am Eirlys, Kierygan’s mate.

But I hadn’t expected that I would literally change.

Something was… off with me.

The room was alive with sound. Every tiny creak of the door and furniture, the whisper of wind through the curtains, even the distant flutter of a bird’s wings outside-I could hear it all. The world was deafening, every noise amplified, each one piercing and sharp against my eardrums.

Panic fluttered in my chest for a heartbeat. Then another realization struck, twisting my stomach with an unfamiliar sweetness: I wasn’t just hearing better-I could sense him.

Even inches away, a pull tugged at me from deep within my chest, drawing me toward him. His scent swirled around me-strong, rich, intoxicating. And the presence of him-the desire, the possessiveness, the undeniable bond-shivered through every nerve in my body, leaving me

trembling and achingly alive.

Before I knew it, my hand moved without thought, without hesitation. Fingers brushed against the

side of his face, tracing the line of his jaw. The contact was like a spark leaping between us. His breathing shifted; a low groan slipped past his lips.

“Eir…” he murmured, still half-blanketed by sleep, his eyes fluttering open.

Our gazes met, and the pull between us coiled tighter-slow, smoldering, impossible to resist. It

was as if something ancient had taken hold of me, left me trembling on the edge of reason. The

word slipped from my lips, soft and aching.

“Mate.”

Kierygan’s eyes widened, all traces of sleep gone. His palm cradled my cheek, and at once that jolt

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Chapter 113: Never the Same

rippled through me again, sharp and undeniable.

“Can you feel it? The bond?” he asked, his voice low but certain.

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I caught his hand, pressing it tighter against my skin. “Yes,” I whispered. “I don’t know how, but I do

feel it now.”

I narrowed my eyes. “And not only that… I can hear everything,” I whispered, the words slipping out

like a confession. “It’s as if the world suddenly grew louder.”

His soft chuckle caught me off guard, and I blinked heat blooming across my cheeks. Was he

laughing at me? Did he think I was being foolish?

Before I could protest, his hand slid higher, fingers grazing the curve of my ear. I flinched as a

sharp, tingling sensation shot through me-unexpected and far too intense. My ears had never

been that sensitive.

“Maybe,” he murmured, amusement tugging at his lips, “because your ears got just a bit longer.”

“What?” I blurted.

My fingers flew up, tracing the curve of my ear. My breath caught. The shell ended in a delicate

point where before it had been round.

“My ears,” I gasped. “How?”

Kierygan didn’t answer right away. Instead, he caught my other hand and lifted it between us. I

frowned, puzzled-until he turned my wrist, exposing my palm.

My breath caught.

The skin was bare. Smooth. But a pale band marked where the metal had always been.

The shackle was gone.

For a long, fragile moment, I couldn’t move. Couldn’t breathe. I was terrified that if I blinked-if I so

much as whispered-it would all vanish, and I’d wake to find it still there.

But then Kierygan lifted my wrist to his lips. He pressed a kiss to the pale skin, reverent and slow.

The bond sparked through me again. And I knew it wasn’t a dream.

My voice cracked as I whispered, “How did you break it?”

He shook his head slowly, eyes never leaving mine. ‘Not me. You.”

Confusion tangled with disbelief. “What?”

“It was your light,” he said, low and steady. “The intensity of it last night… it overwhelmed the metal. Shattered it. You freed yourself, Eirlys. It was all you”

Tears burned at the corners of my eyes, but I blinked them away and shook my head hard. “No.

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< Chapter 113: Never the Same Not just me.”

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My hand found his chest, resting above the quiet strength of his heartbeat. “It happened because of you too. When you marked me… my glow flared.”

Kierygan chuckled softly. “Well, had I known it would take this to set you free,” he said, brushing his thumb across my knuckles. “I would have marked you a long time ago.”

He stretched lazily, predator-like, before rising from the bed. “We need to get down for breakfast,” he murmured, tugging me up with him. “Who knew completing the mating bond could be so…

consuming.”

He gathered me into his arms and carried me to the bathing chamber. We bathed together, unhurried, wrapped in quiet touches and shared warmth.

Later, dressed once more, I stood before the mirror comb in hand, hesitating.

At last, I let my hair fall forward, the strands cascading down to veil the tender mark at my throat-

along with the pointed curve of my ears.

Kierygan came to stand behind me, eyes meeting mine in the reflection. Without a word, he swept my hair back over my shoulder, gathering the top half in one strong hand. He plucked a pin from the table and fastened it deftly, the style almost identical to the way he often wore his own.

“You’re not hiding yourself, Eirlys,” he murmured, voice firm but steady. “I want everyone to see

what you are… and that you are mine.”

My throat tightened. “But what if they don’t agree?” I whispered. “What if they can’t accept me?”

He turned me to face him, his gaze unwavering. “Half the council already knows. And they couldn’t be more glad.” His hand lifted, warm against my cheek. “As for the rest-if anyone dares to question us, they’ll answer to me.”

His certainty steadied me more than my own courage could.

Then his fingers slid down my arms, tugging at my sleeves until they fell back. His eyes flicked to my wrist. “This is the only secret you’re keeping,” he said, voice low. “For now.”

I blinked up at him, the words catching in my throat. I didn’t question.

“Come,” he said at last, his mouth curving faintly. “Let’s go.”

As we approached the dining hall, conversation stilled.

Callum was the first to notice us. His gaze dropped to my neck, lingering on the fresh mark there, then flicked to the tips of my ears, just visible through my hair. His expression faltered-stunned

for a heartbeat-before he rose to his feet.

Orryx caught on next. His sharp eyes narrowed with understanding, and he, too, stood. Evander

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Chapter 113: Never the Same

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followed. Then Ulyanna. One by one, every member of the council rose in silent acknowledgment.

The last to stand was Mirael-though I suspected it was only because she had no choice. Her posture was rigid, her eyes like ice. Her lips twitched as if to force a smile, but it never reached her

face.

My hand tightened around Kierygan’s, my pulse quickening beneath the weight of their stares. He gave my fingers a reassuring squeeze. Then, with a single, subtle gesture, he signaled for them to

sit.

Chairs scraped against stone as the council resumed their seats.

Orryx was the first to speak. “About damned time,” he drawled, leaning forward, elbows braced on

the table.

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