The Dragon King and His Fallen Star novel Chapter 127

Chapter 127: The Vault and the Void

EIRLYS’ POV

The days before our departure for Morvanya blurred into a steady rhythm of wards and

weavings.

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Ulyanna, Scylla, and the apprentices worked tirelessly, sealing every crack in the palace’s magical shields. I stood just behind Ulyanna, mirroring her movements-my threads of light clumsy, but persistent. After so many failed attempts, I was finally learning to place them with intention.

By the time we cast the final ward, my arms tingled and my fingertips glowed faintly with residual light. I was still catching my breath when tall figures emerged ahead.

Kierygan stepped out first, Evander at his side. His expression was tight, but it softened the moment his eyes met mine.

“Every ward has been reinforced. It should hold,” Ulyanna reported. “I also added enchantments to alert everyone if anyone tries to breach them.”

Kierygan gave a nod of approval, his gaze sweeping over the group before settling on me. “You’ve done well,” he said. “With that settled, we leave for Morvanya at first light.”

His words sent a thrill of excitement through me, but also stirred a knot of nerves, remembering what happened the last time we visited Morvanya. Still, I smiled at Kierygan.

“Our party will be small,” Kierygan continued. “Ulyanna, Evander, myself… and Eirlys.”

His gaze lingered on me again, softer this time. “And bring Nibbles. We could use the extra protection.”

I nodded, already mentally listing what food to pack for him.

Scylla wove through the apprentices and stepped closer. “I wanted to come too,” she said. I’d love to have a word with the prince.”

Evander froze mid-breath. “Of course you do,” he muttered, his jaw tightening, though his smile stayed fixed in place.

”

Kierygan didn’t object. He gave Scylla a long, considering look, then nodded once. “Very well. Make the necessary preparations,” he said, taking my hand and gently guiding me away.

Then, over his shoulder: “Get some rest.”

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The next morning, I dressed in the leathers just as Kierygan had instructed, fumbling slightly as I fastened the buckles. I was smoothing the sleeves when he stepped closer. Without a word, he draped a heavy coat over my shoulders, pulling it snug before I could protest.

“It’s going to be cold up in the air,” he said, his voice low and matter-of-fact.

I bent to scoop Nibbles from his basket. He blinked sleepily, ears twitching as I nestled him against my chest. “It’s time to go, little guardian,” I whispered. His nose twitched, as if he’d been waiting for this moment all along.

Together, Kierygan and I stepped out of the chamber and into the courtyard.

Ulyanna, Evander, and Scylla were already waiting-but so were Orryx, Callum, Solara, and Thorin, standing in a loose circle, their gazes fixed on us.

Kierygan gave them their final instructions. Orryx was to oversee the kingdom’s operations in his absence, with Solara assisting him. Callum and Thorin would work together to maintain security.

“As you command,” Callum rumbled, adding a wink for good measure.

Then Kierygan turned to me. He lifted a leather satchel and slung it across my chest. I felt the weight of the grimoire inside-solid, unfamiliar, and strangely heavy.

Nibbles wriggled in my arms, then hopped down and burrowed headfirst into the satchel, his ears sticking out at odd angles. I laughed, the sound escaping before I could stop it.

“Are you ready to fly, Nibbles?”

The rabbit twitched his nose, utterly serious, as if answering yes.

Kierygan gave me a small tap-a silent signal that it was time. I nodded, and without another word, he strode to the center of the courtyard and shifted into his mighty dragon form.

I rushed forward and climbed onto his back, settling just behind the line of his horns. My fingers curled instinctively around the ridges of his scales, grounding me.

The moment I was secure, his wings unfurled with a thunderous crack. The others raised their arms against the sudden gust. And then we launched skyward.

OBSIDIA

The descent was smooth. Kierygan’s wings folded as he landed in Obsidia’s courtyard with a thunderclap of displaced air. Vampire warriors lined the stone perimeter, rigid and armed,

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their crimson eyes tracking our every movement. They stepped aside at command-but the tight set of their jaws didn’t go unnoticed.

Beside me, Kierygan shifted, his towering form melting back into that of a man. He reached for the satchel and slung it across his chest. I brushed my hand over the leather, feeling Nibbles stir-a faint twitch of whiskers in response-before falling into step beside him.

Ahead, Ulyanna and Scylla waited with Evander. Together, we walked toward the grand doors.

They parted just as we neared-and there, standing with regal poise, were King Lucius and

Prince Draven.

Kierygan and I exchanged brief pleasantries with the king and prince. Then King Lucius turned to Evander. “Glad to see you again, son.”

Evander inclined his head. “Father.” His voice was polite, but devoid of its usual warmth.

Before the silence could stretch too long, Prince Draven stepped forward, a smile curving his lips-too smooth to be entirely sincere.

“Scylla,” he drawled, his tone a velvet purr that carried easily through the courtyard. “My favorite witch. I’m glad you decided to join us.”

His gaze swept over her, slow and deliberate. Then his smile sharpened. “We have a lot to catch up on… things left unfinished from your last visit.”

Scylla responded with a light, almost careless laugh-and instinctively, my gaze flicked to Evander. His expression remained perfectly neutral, but I caught the slightest tick of his jaw.

Fortunately, King Lucius cut the tension before it could take root. With a graceful wave of his hand, he said, “Come, let us speak inside.”

We were ushered through corridors I half-remembered from our last visit. The air carried the faint scent of aged wine as we reached the grand dining hall. Our seats had been arranged- Kierygan beside me, Ulyanna across, with Scylla and Evander flanking either side. King Lucius and Prince Draven took their places as well.

Lucius wasted no time. His golden gaze swept the table once before settling on the satchel Kierygan had placed beside him. “I never thought I’d see the day the Arcana Omnia would be

drawn from its vault.”

I wondered if, like Ulyanna, he needed to perform a ritual to access his half of the grimoire- or if it was something else entirely. I leaned forward slightly, the question leaving my lips before I could catch it. “Your… vampire ancestors must guard your half of the grimoire too,

then?”

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For a moment, silence. Then Lucius laughed-rich, deep, and genuinely amused.

“Oh, my lady. I have no ancestors. My family is the beginning. The first vampires.”

My breath caught. “The first?”

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I stared at him, blinking once. Then again. “I knew you were, um… old,” I blurted. “But I didn’t know you were really, really old.”

The words tumbled out before I could reel them back. Heat surged up my neck, mortification blooming fast and fierce.

Laughter rippled down the table. Even Evander, usually stone-silent in the presence of his father and brother, let out a soft chuckle. I tried to sink into my chair. Or phase through the

floor. Either would do.

Kierygan’s hand found mine beneath the table, giving it a reassuring squeeze. However, his expression held a faint, teasing smirk.

Before I could recover, Draven leaned forward, one elbow on the table, his fangs catching the light as he smiled.

“Speaking of beginnings,” he drawled, “when are we to hear news of the Dragon King’s

wedding? Or are we not invited to the festivities?” His gaze tipped toward me, lingering on the ring on my finger.

If I’d flushed before, now I burned. My hand curled instinctively, as if hiding the ring might somehow make Draven’s words disappear. We hadn’t spoken of it-not really.

Kierygan had given it to me the day after we completed the mating bond. It was meant to be a promise, not a proclamation. Or at least, that’s what I’d thought.

“Soon,” Kierygan said, his voice steady and unflinching. “And you will be invited.”

My head snapped toward Kierygan, but he only gave me a calm, knowing smile. I opened my mouth to ask him what he meant-but Evander spoke first.

“How soon can you retrieve the book, Father?”

King Lucius set his goblet down with a quiet clink. “In a hurry to leave, son?” he asked, leaning back slightly.

“I’ll retrieve it tomorrow,” he continued. “But you and your brother should come with me-in case something goes wrong.”

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MORWENNA

The dark mist of the Void-Morwenna and Mirael’s new lair-recoiled at their presence, parting as if it recognized whom they served.

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Morwenna sat cross-legged on the ashen ground, a tight ring of candles flickering around her. Her eyes were closed, lips moving in silent incantation, each breath measured with precise control.

Mirael stood a short distance away, arms folded, her expression taut with impatience. “It feels like exile all over again,” she muttered, her voice slicing through the heavy silence.

Morwenna’s eyes snapped open, faintly aglow with power as she turned just enough to cast a sharp glare. “Sacrifices are the price of glory. Mind your tongue, Mirael. Our lord has ears everywhere.”

As if summoned by the warning, the ground shuddered. A low groan rolled through the desolate air, and from the cracks in the stone, wisps seeped upward-dark, hungry lights, gathering in a swarm. They coalesced before the two witches, weaving together until a hooded figure towered above them.

Mirael’s boldness withered in an instant. She dropped to her knees beside Morwenna, bowing low as the weight of the presence pressed against her chest.

The figure’s voice broke the silence. “How long until you bring me the book?”

Morwenna bowed low, her forehead nearly touching the ground. “Not much longer, my lord. I have already coaxed the High Witch into drawing their half from the palace. The other will follow soon.”

The hood tilted slightly, a ripple of shadow cascading from its edge. “And the fae girl?”

Though her head remained bowed, Morwenna’s lips curved into a shadowed smile. “She will be delivered with the book. Soon, all will be ready.”

The Light Reaper’s form pulsed-whether in approval or hunger, it was impossible to tell- then dissolved into a flurry of black wisps, leaving behind the scorched scent of burning air.

Mirael was the last to lift her head. Her heart pounded, her lips trembling. But Morwenna only smirked, the candlelight flickering across her face.

“Patience, Mirael,” she said. “We’ll have everything soon.”

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