The Dragon King and His Fallen Star novel Chapter 23

Chapter 23: The Den of Monsters

KIERYGAN’S POV

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I watched her flee from the training ground, her small form disappearing into the stone halls, silver hair streaming behind her like a comet’s tail.

Only moments earlier, she had frozen when introduced to everyone–like she wanted nothing more

than to vanish, to be swallowed by the earth itself. But something had shifted when Mirael hurled another of her veiled barbs. It was as if a switch had been flipped, unleashing a fury even more

intense than the last time.

I couldn’t deny that I was impressed. In such a short time, she had learned to stand up for herself. Until the light had flared in her skin–raw, crackling energy that was as beautiful as it was

dangerous.

I had wanted to chase after her, to tell her she had nothing to fear, nothing to be ashamed of–that she was safe. But Mirael was already striding toward me, her face pale with shock and her lips

twisted into a wounded sneer.

“Did you see what just happened?” Mirael’s voice trembled just enough to sound fragile, a masterful performance of innocence. “I told you that girl is dangerous.”

I held her gaze steadily, feeling a flicker of cold amusement at the theatrics in her tone. Before I could respond, Ulyanna’s voice cut in, calm and implacable.

“We saw everything,” she said. “And we heard everything.”

Mirael’s expression shifted, turning defensive. “She hearly burned me alive,” she snapped, then looked back at me, her eyes bright with accusation “You cannot keep letting her wander around

without a leash.”

“Or maybe, stop provoking her,” I said evenly, letting the words hang in the air.

Mirael’s eyes flashed with defiance. “I was merely making a suggestion. She overreacted.”

My gaze hardened. “Don’t take me for a fool, Mirael I spat. “You’ve been out for her since the moment she arrived. I haven’t yet looked into the matter of that butterfly she chased. But if I find out you had anything to do with it, I’ll strip you of your rank and send you to the mines.”

Mirael’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Wow,” she said, her voice dripping with mockery. “All this for that girl? The one who helped annihilate our kind?”

“My kind, Mirael,” I corrected, my voice low and cold. “You’re barely a dragon at all.”

Mirael’s face contorted with anger for a breath, her nostrils flaring. But she quickly smoothed it away, her lips twisting into something more like a smirk.

Chapter 23 The Den of

| Monsters

“You’re getting too attached, Kierygan,” she said coldly, her voice a blade against the air. “Like she’s some pet you think you can tame. But don’t forget, she has the power to destroy you. If I were you, I’d keep her as far away as possible.”

Then she turned on her heel and walked away, her silence heavy with warning.

“You have to do something about her,” Ulyanna said as soon as Mirael’s footsteps faded. Her voice was low, edged with a knowing calm. “I’ve seen what jealousy can make people do.”

I kept my face carefully neutral. “Jealous? Of what?” I asked.

Ulyanna only smiled, her expression sly and knowing. “I think you already know,” she said, then

turned and walked toward Thorin, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

My head turned sharply as I caught the low murmur of Orryx and Callum’s voices. They spoke in quick, hushed tones–no doubt discussing the clash between Mirael and Eirlys.

I strode over to them, my steps heavy and purposeful. “Whose brilliant idea was it to bring her here today?” I demanded.

Callum lifted his chin, unflinching. “It was mine,” he said.

I glared at him, my voice low and tight. “You think dragging her into a crowd of werewolves,

vampires, and all manner of creatures that could unnerve her is a smart idea?” I said. “She doesn’t

need to be thrown into this chaos.”

Callum met my gaze squarely, that familiar spark of defiance flickering in his eyes. “I beg to differ, Kier. She is at the center of this chaos,” he said evenly. “She needs to understand that, and she needs to be ready for what’s coming.”

My jaw tightened. “And you think parading her around to be gawked at by half the kingdom is the way to do it?”

Callum didn’t flinch. “First of all, what is it about people gawking at her that rattles you so much?” he countered. “Second, Malric and Morwenna are coming for her. She needs to learn not to flinch when she sees them again. She can’t keep crumbling in fear.”

Orryx, who had been silent until then, gave a small, calm nod. “Callum’s right,” he said. “You can’t keep shielding her like she’s some delicate thing–because she’s not. You’ve seen what she can do when she’s pushed.”

My fingers curled into a fist as I listened to them, the fire in my chest simmering low.

Callum folded his arms across his broad chest. “Look, I think she needed to start training. Same as the rest of us,” he said. “Maybe having a stronger body is the first step to controlling whatever else she’s got in her.”

Orryx’s measured expression shifted slightly, a flicker of agreement in his pale eyes. “If she’s to

Chapter 23 The Den of Monsters

master it, she’ll need the discipline and focus that comes from the body as much as the mind.”

I exhaled, slow and controlled. They weren’t entirely wrong. She needed to learn control. But that

didn’t excuse what they’d done. I could tell Eirlys hadn’t wanted to be here, or at least hadn’t known

she would be brought here.

I was silent for a while before letting out a heavy sigh. “If she’s to train, it will be her choice,” I said

quietly. “Don’t ever parade her before strangers she doesn’t know how to face.”

I caught Callum and Orryx exchanging glances and faint grins before Callum finally responded.”

Fair enough,” he said, his tone almost teasing. “Next time, I’ll ask her permission first.”

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