The Dragon King and His Fallen Star novel Chapter 144

Chapter 144: Heat in the Cold

KIERYGAN’S POV

I stayed still beneath the water, watching her tilt and shift, searching for me.

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Then, with a swift stroke, I propelled myself toward her-and before she could react, I pulled her under for just a heartbeat. Her eyes went wide, bubbles escaping her lips, the world muffled and strange. Moments later, I broke the surface, lifting her into my arms.

Water cascaded down both of us, dripping from her hair and along my shoulders. I laughed, deep and rich, the sound echoing off the falls.

“Kierygan!” she gasped, sputtering as water splashed her face and she waved her arms. That’s not funny!”

But I only answered with a louder laugh.

Eirlys huffed, cheeks flushed with annoyance, and turned toward the shore. I caught her wrist, tugging her back, and pressed her face against my chest.

“I’m sorry,” I murmured, lowering my head so my breath stirred the crown of her hair. “I was only teasing. Don’t be mad.”

For a heartbeat, she softened-long enough for me to smirk-before I dove again, dragging her under with me.

When we resurfaced, she wasn’t laughing. We were in the deeper stretch now, the bottom far out of her reach. She let out a startled cry and clung to me, arms wound tight around my shoulders, legs locking around my waist in desperation.

“Kierygan!” Her voice cracked, sharp with terror. “You did it again!”

My chuckle died in my throat. She was trembling, every muscle taut, eyes wide and glistening

with fear.

Still, I pressed forward through the water, aiming for the great boulder that rose from the

pool’s center. But her small fists struck against me, her panic rising until it broke into a sob.

“Stop! Please, stop!” she pleaded.

The sound hollowed me out. The memory slammed into me-the last time she had been in open water, Mirael had driven her into a frozen lake. She had nearly drowned.

I cursed under my breath.

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< Chapter 144: Heat in the Cold

“Gods,” I breathed, guilt burning through my chest. “I’m sorry, Eirlys. I… I went too far.”

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She didn’t answer. She only trembled against me, tears mingling with the pool’s water. Her palms came up to cover her face as the sobs continued.

Gently, I peeled her hands away. My lips traced from her forehead, down her nose, and finally to her lips. She stiffened at first, then stilled, her sob caught in her throat. I pulled back just enough to press my lips to her ear, my voice low and raw.

“I wanted to show you the best view,” I murmured. “But if you’d rather not… we can go back.”

Her breath hitched, fingers curling into me instead of pushing away. Still, she said nothing.

“I won’t let you drown,” I whispered. “Do you trust me?”

Her head fell against my neck, and finally, a quiet reply came. “Please… no more fooling around.”

EIRLYS’ POV

I tightened my hold around Kierygan as he waded through the water, my arms and legs clinging to him in case he tried something mischievous again. The pool gradually shallowed as we neared the massive boulder rising from its center, like a small hill crowned in stone.

When we reached it, the water barely came to his knees. I held on even tighter, savoring the heat radiating from him. Without a word, he climbed the boulder, my weight seeming almost nothing against his strength.

Then I felt him lower himself, and it hit me: we were already on top of the boulder. He was seated, and I was straddling him, legs wrapped around his waist. My breath caught-not from fear this time, but from the sheer, breathtaking beauty of the moment.

I blinked, letting my gaze wander. The pool below shimmered like glass, catching the late afternoon sun in a thousand fractured reflections. Beyond it, the forest stretched endlessly, each snow-dusted branch sparkling like a constellation scattered across the trees.

The manor lay behind us, its roof just peeking above the white expanse, serene and almost unreal from this height. Far in the distance, the mountains rose jagged and commanding, their snow-capped peaks framed by a sky painted in amber and soft lilac, as if the world itself had been suspended in quiet wonder.

I turned my gaze to Kierygan, who watched me in quiet stillness. My chest tightened-not just from the view or the thrill of being up here, but from the steady, unyielding presence of him beneath me. In that moment, the anger I had harbored earlier melted away.

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< Chapter 144: Heat in the Cold

“Kierygan,” I whispered, almost to myself, “you were right… the view-it’s incredible.”

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A faint smile tugged at his lips as he reached up, brushing a stray strand of wet hair from my face. “So… you forgive me?” he murmured, his voice low, almost teasing.

I returned his smile and nodded, feeling a chill that had nothing to do with the winter air.

I pressed myself closer to him, craving the heat of his body against mine. His arms shifted around me, one hand gliding gently along my back. I rested my head on his shoulder, inhaling his scent-the rich, musky warmth that always made my heart thrum.

Impulsively, I pressed soft kisses along his jawline, trailing down his neck. Kierygan’s breath hitched, and I felt his pulse quicken beneath my lips. I began to nip at his skin, focusing at a particular spot between his shoulder and neck.

A sudden itch flared at my canines, accompanied by a surge of desire I hadn’t anticipated- an almost primal urge to bite deeper. Without thinking, I grazed my teeth along his neck.

Kierygan groaned, low and approving, and I felt him harden beneath me. My heart fluttered, and a thrill sparked somewhere lower, at the way he seemed to welcome it.

Then he pulled back just enough to look at me, his gaze intense, eyes shimmering blue and silver in the waning light.

“Eirlys,” he rasped, voice low and rough, “are you… trying to mark me?”

I froze, cheeks flaming at the realization. My lips parted, caught between uncertainty and desire. “I… I don’t know. I just feel like…” I stammered, searching for words. “…Can I?”

A deep laugh rumbled from his chest. “Oh, little star,” he murmured, voice warm and teasing. “You can summon your fangs at will. Of course you can. I’d be over the moon to be marked by you.”

I leaned in toward his neck, a shiver coursing through me as my canines lengthened. My fangs hovered just above his skin, ready to graze, when his hands suddenly framed my cheeks. His gaze locked onto mine-intense, unwavering-his lips curving in a knowing smile.

“Uh-uh. Not so fast, little star,” he murmured.

His thumb traced my upper lip, pausing at the tip of my fang. His voice dropped to a rasp, threaded with heat. “You know what comes first. You have to make love to me.”

My heart stuttered violently, breath catching in my throat. “Right… here?” I whispered.

He hummed, deep and low, almost like a growl.

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Part of me faltered. I’d never dared something so bold outside the privacy of closed doors. And here we were-perched on a boulder, exposed to the open air. If anyone happened to wander past, we would be the first sight to meet their eyes.

But the greater part of me felt a dangerous, exhilarating thrill.

Still, I voiced my hesitation. “Someone might see us,” I whispered.

He pressed his forehead against mine, his heat surrounding me. “No one will,” he said with quiet certainty. “Only the sky, the trees… all of nature to witness.” His thumb brushed tenderly across my cheek. “And I’ve already instructed the staff to keep their distance, especially when they glimpse a bright glow.”

I parted my lips, one last attempt at protest. “But-”

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