The Dragon King and His Fallen Star novel Chapter 13

Chapter 13: Even the Moth Learns

GIRL’S POV

Clam

I woke earlier than usual. Long before Emma or Grace arrived with breakfast or their usual offers

to help me bathe. Today, I wanted to be ready before they came. To show them I could manage on

my own. Maybe then they’d stop including bathing me in their daily routine.

Ever since that dinner when Mirael touched my bracelet, I haven’t gone back down to join the

others at the table. Partly out of fear. But mostly out of embarrassment. I don’t belong there. I look

completely out of place.

Thankfully, no one has forced me to return.

Just as I finished getting dressed, a knock sounded at the door. I sprang to my feet, eager to see their reactions. Emma and Grace would be proud to find me ready on my own for once. I hurried to

open it, my smile wide.

But when the door swung open, it wasn’t Emma. It wasn’t Grace either.

It was Kierygan.

I fought to keep my knees steady, to keep from stumbling back, I didn’t understand why he made

me feel so… strange. Maybe it was his expression. Always unreadable, always intense. Or maybe it

was the heat that seemed to radiate off his skin. Or maybe it was the simple, terrifying fact that he

could become a massive, fire–breathing beast with wings.

I’d never seen his dragon fully–just claws and talons, each easily two or three sizes bigger than.

1. me. And from the way Grace described the rest of him, I could only imagine a creature pulled from my darkest nightmares.

I wiped the smile from my face and lowered my head. “I’m sorry. I thought it was Emma or Grace,” I

said, though I wasn’t sure why I felt the need to apologize. Maybe it was because the last time he

saw me smile, he’d looked like he hated it.

I heard him sigh before he spoke, his voice low and firm, so much so it almost made me jump.

“Good, you’re ready,” he said. “Come with me. You’re coming down for breakfast.”

I wanted to protest, to tell him I wasn’t ready for that. But the way he said it wasn’t a suggestion. It

was a command. So I only nodded and followed him as he strode down the hallway, his

as always.

pace brisk

It was hard to keep up, especially once we reached the stairs. One wrong step, and I could tumble down. So I took it slow, one step at a time.

He must have noticed how far behind I was, because halfway down, he stopped and turned

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Chapter 13. Even the Math Learns

slightly, waiting. Again, I couldn’t tell if he was annoyed or just… bored.

When we finally reached the dining hall, the noise hit me first–loud voices, laughter, the clinking of goblets. The long table was already full, mostly with men. There was only one woman I didn’t recognize. Mirael wasn’t there. I wasn’t sure whether to be relieved or disappointed.

Their voices were loud, their banter sharp. If I hadn’t been watching them, I might’ve thought they were arguing.

I froze.

My feet wouldn’t move, and before I could stop myself, I reached out and gripped Kierygan’s sleeve.

He stiffened for a breath. And I braced myself, expecting him to shake me off or snap something sharp. But instead, his eyes met mine and softened Just for a moment.

Then his hand moved to the small of my back, gently nudging me forward.

We hadn’t taken more than three steps into the room before one of the men noticed us. I

recognized him. Callum, I think his name was. He glanced between me and Kierygan, his smirk

deepening when he saw my hand still clutching his sleeve.

“Don’t be scared, girl,” he said, his voice rough with amusement. “We don’t bite.”

He paused, his grin turning wicked. “Unless you want us to.”

The table erupted in laughter. Loud. Rowdy.

I wasn’t sure if it was meant to be a joke. Maybe it was. But why would I ever want to be bitten? Especially by someone who could turn into a wolf.

The thought of sharp teeth sinking into my skin made me shiver.

I shrank back, my fingers curling tighter around Kierygan’s sleeve.

Then his voice thundered. “All of you, shut up.” The words cracked through the air like lightning.

And just like that, the laughter faded into stifled chuckles. One by one, everyone turned their

attention back to their food.

Kierygan’s hand stayed firm at the small of my back steady and grounding as he guided me toward the table. He took his seat at the head, then gestured for me to sit in the same place I had

before.

I picked up the fork and knife, a little more confident now after days of quiet practice in my room. The polished silver still felt strange in my hands, but I knew how to hold them properly. How not to embarrass myself, at least. I reached for the nearest dish: thinly sliced meat and a small cube of

cheese.

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Chapter 17 Even the ath Lean

Claim

Just as I was about to place it on my plate, a sudden whoosh of air brushed past me, whipping my hair into my face. I shrieked, the fork clattering from my hand.

Evander had appeared out of thin air.

“Heavens, I’m sorry,” he said quickly, hands raised in surrender. He looked almost sheepish as he took the seat beside me. “Didn’t see you there. I thought I was late.”

My heart was still thudding in my chest, but the moment he settled beside me, I felt myself begin to relax. At last, a friendly face.

As I picked up my utensils again, Evander glanced down and gently adjusted the angle of my knife. “The other way, sweetheart,” he murmured.

I nodded and smiled. Every now and then, he’d nudge my hand or adjust my grip, guiding me through the motions with quiet patience. I could feel their eyes on me, but I didn’t care.

Evander was so focused on watching and teaching me, he forgot to eat. Only taking the occasional sip from his copper goblet. I didn’t want him to skip breakfast because of me, so I smiled at him softly and said, “I think I’ve got it. Thanks.”

As soon as I emptied my plate, Kierygan stood and fixed his gaze on me, eyes narrowing. “I’m taking you to Ashteryn now,” he said, his voice flat and final.

I stood, smoothing my skirts, my heart already racing. Just as I turned to follow him, Evander’s soft voice stopped me. “Wait, sweetheart.”

I turned back to see him reaching out. His fingers, cold against my skin, brushed the corner of my mouth. With a small, gentle smile, he murmured, “You have something. Then, lightly, he wiped the edge of my lower lip with his thumb. “There.”

My breath caught. Not because of what he did, but because of the silence that followed.

When I glanced up at Kierygan, that look was back. His jaw was tight, and his sky–colored eyes held no calm. Only a storm brewing beneath the surface

I lowered my head and hurried after him, saying nothing, my steps quick to match his.

The entire walk passed in silence. He didn’t slow, not even when warriors in the clearing paused

their training to greet him.

Sometimes, I wish he were more like Evander, Warm. Welcoming. Like he was actually glad I was here… and not just something he was stuck with.

By the time we reached Ashteryn’s cottage, I was breathless. Panting so hard, I had to grip the edge of a table just to stay upright.

Ashteryn squinted at me, unimpressed. “What in the hell happened to you?”

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Chapter 13 Even the Moth Learns

Claim

I opened my mouth, but all that came out was a wheeze. I waved a hand vaguely, hoping it

conveyed something.

He frowned but moved without comment, filling a glass with water and handing it over. “Here.”

I drained it in one go.

Ashteryn waited, arms crossed. “Catch your breath Then we’ll get started.”

I took a few more deep breaths before stepping over to Ashteryn’s worktable. He pulled out a stool, and I sank onto it gratefully.

“I’ll be back later,” Kierygan said from behind me.

I turned, meeting his eyes just as he added, “And when I do, I expect you to still be here.”

I blinked. He must still think I’ll run off somewhere dangerous again. “Okay,” I said softly.

Without another word, he turned on his heel and shut the door behind him harder than necessary.

Ashteryn rolled his eyes and scoffed. “And they say I’m the grumpy one.”

Before I could stop it, a small snort escaped me.

He looked genuinely surprised, like he hadn’t expected a sound like that to come from me. For a heartbeat, I thought I might be in trouble.

But then… he smiled.

And just like that, the air in the room shifted. Warmer. Lighter.

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