The Dragon King and His Fallen Star novel Chapter 146

Chapter 146: A Friend in Chains

KIERYGAN’S POV

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Callum was the first to step forward. He pulled out the chair across from me and sat down, his posture weighted, stripped of his usual swagger and jest. Behind him, King Lucius and Ulyanna remained standing, their presence looming like shadows at his back.

“We wouldn’t disturb your… retreat, if it weren’t urgent,” Callum said.

I set my knife down calmly. “What is it?”

He hesitated, his gaze drifting briefly to Eirlys before meeting mine. When he spoke again, his voice was lower. “Evander hasn’t returned. He’s been missing since he went after the three witches.”

At my side, Eirlys drew a quiet gasp, her hand freezing on the table. Worry widened her eyes, but I kept my jaw set. My pulse thundered, but my voice stayed even.

“Tracking three witches could take days, maybe a week,” I said. “Evander’s an exceptional hunter. Resourceful. He’ll return.”

King Lucius cleared his throat, his golden eyes dimming. His expression stayed composed, but there was a sharpness in his voice. “That’s what we believed at first. I know what my son is capable of,” he said. “But the seer had a vision.”

A heavy silence settled, thick and suffocating. Then Eirlys spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. “What… what kind of vision?”

Ulyanna’s head snapped toward Eirlys, then her gaze shifted to me-hardening like steel. Scylla saw Evander in a dark cell. Shackled. He’s alive. For now.”

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The words landed like a blade in my chest. Beside me, Eirlys’ hand slipped over mine, her fingers trembling, but her touch steadying me all the same.

“Kierygan,” she whispered, her voice tight with urgency. “We have to go back. We have to find him.”

My thumb brushed over her knuckles as I drew a slow breath. I didn’t want to end this-our brief, beautiful time together. But Evander was one of ours. One of mine. And neither of us could rest knowing he was in chains.

I tightened my grip around Eirlys’ hand as we stood together. She bent gracefully to scoop Nibbles into her arms-the little creature still munching on a stalk, blissfully unaware that the world was beginning to unravel.

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I turned to the others. “Let’s go.”

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Without another word, we filed out of the manor, the cold winter breeze rushing to meet us.

“Callum,” I said, not breaking stride as we crossed the courtyard. “Assemble the council.”

He gave a single nod. “At once.”

Ulyanna cast me one final glance before she and Callum disapparated, their forms folding into light and white smoke-then nothing. King Lucius lingered a moment longer, then phased silently from view.

I strode forward, boots crunching over the snow-dusted stones. At the courtyard’s edge, I

shifted into my dragon form.

Eirlys didn’t hesitate. With Nibbles tucked securely in her arms, she stepped forward and, with effortless grace, climbed onto my back.

The beat of my wings tore through the air, snow spiraling below as we climbed higher. Mountains, valleys, the endless sweep of white forest-all shrank beneath us. And yet I felt her fear thrumming against my scales. Not fear of the height, but fear for Evander.

Her worry bled into me, stoking the fire already simmering in my chest.

Evander was no fool. Wise as he was vicious, he would not fall so easily. His capture could only mean the snare had been laid with care, a trap woven with precision.

Rage surged, too sharp to contain. I parted my jaws and loosed it skyward. Flame erupted, a torrent meant to scorch the heavens themselves.

And then-1 froze.

The fire was not scarlet, not the familiar blaze of my kind. No. It burned white-gold, bright as the sun, shimmering like the light that poured from Eirlys’ skin.

My wings faltered for a beat, nearly breaking rhythm.

I knew without doubt, this was because of her. Her mark, burned into my soul, had changed me. Strengthened me. The bond between us had bled into my very fire, transforming me. And my dragon had never been more alive.

Are you seeing this? I wanted to ask, but all that escaped was a deafening screech.

Then her laugh drifted into the wind, soft and luminous. “Yes,” she breathed, wonder lacing every syllable. “I can see it. It’s… beautiful.”

I stumbled mid-beat, startled. Wait… you can hear me?

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She sounded just as stunned. “Oh Gods, yes,” she blurted. “I can hear you.”

I groaned again, softer this time. Hang on, little star. We’re saving our friend.

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Eirlys didn’t respond. But I felt her, her arms winding around my back, pressing close-as I angled my wings and tilted toward Solmere.

The chamber felt heavy, the air thick with dread. I sat beside Eirlys, her hand brushing mine on the armrest, while Nibbles perched on the table as if he too waited in anticipation.

I swept my gaze around the table. Every face was grim. King Lucius’ eyes were sharp, Draven’s clenched jaw spoke of restrained fury. But it was Scylla who held my focus-she looked hollowed, her eyes rimmed red as though she had been weeping for some time.

I didn’t waste words. “Tell me, Scylla,” I said evenly. “Did your vision reveal anything? Anything at all, that might tell us where they’re keeping him?”

Her shoulders slumped, as if my question had pressed another burden upon her. “Just him… bound in chains, weak,” she whispered. “But everything around him was dark. Too dark.”

Eirlys straightened, her voice trembling yet certain. “Then they must have taken him to The Void. In Val’Thirael.”

A ripple of unease passed through the chamber. Even Lucius’ jaw tightened at the name. Scylla lifted her head, desperation cracking through her tone. “We should go. At once. Before it’s too late.”

“We can’t just march there.” Orryx’s voice cut through hers, hard and immovable. “Charging into The Void without a path is suicide. No one has ever set foot there. Not even faes.”

Callum leaned forward, his expression grim. “And worse, it reeks of bait. They know how close Evander is to Eirlys. If Mirael and Morwenna hold him, they’ll use him to draw her in.”

I felt Eirlys tense beside me, her breath hitching before she spoke. “We’ve got to try,” she said, her voice cracking under the weight of helplessness. “We can’t just sit here while he suffers.”

I dragged a hand down my face, the weight of every eye in the chamber pressing in. Silence stretched, taut and waiting, until I exhaled hard. “Alright. We assemble a team.”

King Lucius was first, his hand lifting, steel in his gaze. “You’ll have me.”

“And me,” Prince Draven said, his voice edged with resolve.

I gave a sharp nod, then fixed my eyes on Ulyanna and Scylla. “You two as well. We’ll need

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< Chapter 146: A Friend in Chains

every ward and counterspell you can muster.”

Finally, I turned to Orryx and Callum, my tone cutting off argument before it could form.” You’ll remain in Solmere. Guard your queen.”

Eirlys’ head snapped toward me, violet eyes blazing. “No.” Her voice rang through the chamber, clear and unyielding. “I’m coming. You’re not leaving me behind.”

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I pinched the bridge of my nose, forcing back the growl in my throat. “Listen, Eirlys,” I said, measured but hard. “This could be a trap. You walking in with us would be handing them exactly what they want.”

Her chin lifted, defiance burning brighter than her glow. “Evander helped rescue me when I was taken.” Her voice faltered for a breath, then steadied into steel. “And you know as well as I do, there’s nothing-and no one-who can keep me here.”

My jaw locked. The truth of it only made me hate it more. “Eirlys, this isn’t the time to be stubborn.”

Her eyes flashed violet fire. “Then take me,” she cut across me, her voice unshaking, “or I’ll follow. And you won’t even see me coming.”

I clenched my jaw, glaring at her-wishing, if only for a heartbeat, that the timid girl I could cow with a single look still remained. But she was gone. In her place stood a woman, fierce and unyielding, one I knew would damn well follow through on her threat.

“Damn it, Eirlys.” The curse slipped out, rough and helpless.

I caught her chin in my hand, forcing her gaze to stay on mine. “You stay close. Every step. Do you hear me?”

She nodded, lips curving in the barest trace of a victorious smile.

“And,” I added, cutting my eyes to the rabbit perched like some smug councilor, “bring Nibbles.”

The creature twitched his nose and rose onto his hind legs, as though he’d been waiting for the order.

We pored over plans, though there was little to work with. I spread the map of Val’Thirael across the table, but it told us nothing-the Void was nothing more than a charcoal smear. No leyline markers. No anchor points. Only blank space, daring us to step in blind.

At last, I folded the parchment carefully and slipped it into my pocket. It felt heavier than paper had any right to be.

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When I rose, the others followed. Steel hissed as blades found their sheaths. Charms chimed faintly as Ulyanna gathered her satchel. The chamber no longer felt like a council hall. It had

become a war room.

Eirlys scooped Nibbles off the table, hugging the creature close. She pressed her cheek to his fur, whispering softly, “Let’s find our friend, Evander.”

Before I could reach her, the rabbit’s eyes caught the light-or perhaps, they made the light. They shimmered with a brilliance I had never seen before.

Nibbles wriggled free and leapt to the floor-then began to grow.

His tiny frame expanded, fur rippling like smoke. Bones stretched, paws pounding the stone, until he towered as large as a bear. His ears twitched once, twice, then he fixed his gleaming gaze on Eirlys.

A huff rumbled from him, deep enough to make the floor beneath our boots shiver. Then he bounded toward the door, pausing just long enough to glance back at her.

Scylla gasped, clutching her chest. Then the words came, as if finally understood. “Of course, “she whispered, voice steadier now, eyes wide with wonder. “Follow the rabbit.”

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