The Dragon King and His Fallen Star novel Chapter 36

Chapter 36: Empty Seat, Heavy Heart

KIERYGAN’S POV

I said nothing as I carried Mirael through the corridor, my jaw clenched so tightly it ached.

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Her arm hung loosely around my neck, but I felt the deliberate way her fingers curled-intentional,

possessive. She leaned in just a little too close.

Once, I wouldn’t have minded. We’d been closer than this before. But now, the touch turned my

stomach.

And her perfume… it clung to her like smoke-sharp, cloying, suffocating. Overpowering. Too

much.

Not like Eirlys.

Even without perfume or the scent of soap, she smelled of spring-of blossoms and light. Of

something pure. Untainted. Alive.

I shifted Mirael higher in my arms, biting back a growl when she sighed and let her head fall against my chest, as if this were some gods-damned fantasy she’d finally stepped into.

Ever since the mate bond snapped into place, I’d kept my distance from her chambers-despite her constant nagging and relentless persistence. Since the moment I knew, without question, who

Eirlys was to me.

And now, I was beginning to regret not handing Mirael off to the infirmary the moment I found her. I

should’ve been firmer. Clearer.

But my thoughts kept drifting back to Eirlys.

She was furious-of that, I had no doubt. But beneath the anger, I saw something else. A flash of

pain in her eyes. Hurt.

I didn’t want to believe she’d lash out without reason. That she could want to hurt someone. And yet… each day, she was changing. Not in ways I could name, not exactly. But the fire in her was growing-stronger, sharper. More stubborness. More will.

And today… today wasn’t the first time she lost control.

My mind flashed back to the training field. Mirael had prodded her then too. I saw the way her light snapped through the air-wild, untamed-as she stepped forward to her. She would’ve burned her. She wanted to. I saw it in her eyes.

If I hadn’t intervened, Mirael would’ve been scorched.

Provoked or not, that light could be deadly. I’d already seen what a single touch from Eirlys could

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Chapter 36 Empty Seal, Heavy Heart

do-how it knocked Mirael unconscious in an instant.

Clears

Mirael’s chamber was already dim when I pushed the door open with my foot. The scent hit me

first-musk and something floral, heavy in a way that clung to the throat. Candles flickered low on

every surface, their light licking shadows onto the silk-draped walls.

“Just set me down on the bed,” she murmured, breathy and sweet.

I said nothing, striding past the chaise and lowering her onto the center of her absurd velvet

mattress. The sheets were already turned down.

As I turned to leave, her fingers curled around the front of my tunic and yanked hard.

Caught off guard, I stumbled-knees striking the edge of the bed-and she pulled again until I was

braced over her, arms locked to keep my weight from falling.

“What are you doing?” I gritted out.

But her hands were already in my hair, dragging me down, and then her lips crashed into mine.

Hot. Demanding.

Her fingers roamed-gripping my shoulders, slipping beneath my collar, fumbling at the buttons of

my shirt. Her mouth tasted of wine and desperation.

And I-gods help me-I responded.

Just for a breath.

Weeks of buried longing-not for Mirael, but for the one who stirs something deeper in me- suddenly ignited. And for a fleeting moment, I let the fire consume me.

And she seized it.

With one swift tug, the top of her gown fell away. Huge breasts bounced into view the moment they were freed from their tight constraints. She gasped when my hand grabbed one of them.

“Oh, Kier,” she breathed. “I knew it. I knew you wanted this too.”

She grabbed a fistful of my hair, trying to pull my head down to her other breast. I took it into my mouth and she cried out. She squirmed before her legs locked tightly around my waist.

That snapped me out of it. Like cold water sluicing through fire, shocking me back to myself.

I pulled back sharply.

“What’s wrong, Kier?” she whispered, reaching for me again. “Don’t stop now.”

I held her wrists firmly. “Moments ago, you said you couldn’t feel your legs,” I said, my voice low,

dark. “Now you’re wrapping them around me?”

Cheer 35 year, the Heart

Her expression flickered-just for a heartbeat-but saw it. Calculation.

Something in me twisted-cold, bitter. “You lied to me,” I growled.

Mirael flinched. “No, I didn’t. I just-I need you,” she stammered. “And maybe… maybe you needed

to be reminded that you need this too.”

I grabbed her arm and gave it a slight twist. The burn marks she’d shown me earlier-gone. Not

even a trace.

A low growl built in my chest. “You dare deceive me with illusions?” I snarled.

Her breath hitched, and for a fleeting moment, pure fear flickered in her eyes. Then, almost too quickly to trust, she said, “It wasn’t like that. I just wanted you to see how dangerous she could be.”

But I wasn’t hearing her anymore. It wasn’t her voice that echoed in my mind.

It was Eirlys’s.

“I didn’t touch her. She lied.”

And now… I wasn’t sure who I was more furious with-Mirael, or myself.

Behind me, Mirael scrambled off the bed, calling my name as I turned to leave. I heard the rustle of silk, the urgency in her voice.

But I didn’t look back. Not once.

As soon as I stepped out of her chambers, I called out to the nearest guard. “Make sure Mirael

doesn’t leave this wing,” I ordered.

She caught up quickly, knotting a robe around herself, hair tousled, eyes blazing. “You’re detaining me in my own home?” she demanded, incredulous. After everything we’ve been through?”

I turned to face her. “I haven’t forgotten,” I said coldly. “And that’s the only reason you’re confined to

this wing-and not a prison cell.”

I walked away without sparing her another glance, deaf to Mirael’s shrieking and pleading as one

guard held her and the other fastened a collar around her neck-a precaution against any illusion

she might use to escape.

I didn’t know where I was going. I only knew one thing: I had to find Eirlys. To apologize. To talk to

her.

The burn of my anger didn’t cool as I descended the stairs two at a time.

What the hell have I done?

I snapped at her. Gave her a look she didn’t deserve!

I checked the places she frequented: the library, the training yard, even the garden where I’d left her

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< Chapter 36 Empty Seat, Heavy Heart

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earlier. Nothing. Her room was empty too-neatly made, undisturbed. Not a single trace of her. Or

Solara.

Evander was the first I asked.

He gave me a look far too knowing for his own good. “Haven’t seen her since breakfast,” he said,

tilting his head. “Why? Missing your snowdrop already?”

I didn’t answer.

Next were Grace and Emma. Both shook their heads, eyes wide with nerves. “We thought she was

with Solara,” Grace offered. “They’re usually together by now.”

Then I found Callum near the stables, arms crossed, as he leaned against a column. “Relax,” he

said. “Solara probably dragged her into one of her little quests. That one doesn’t know how to half-do anything.”

“I need to know where she is,” I snapped.

He didn’t flinch. “And she’s probably fine. Wait for her to come back from her lessons. She always

returns before dinner.”

But she didn’t.

Dinner came. The hall filled. Every seat was taken.

Except hers.

“What’s the matter?” Orryx asked, his gaze flicking from my face to the untouched plate before me.

“Not to your taste tonight?”

Callum tore a piece of bread, smirking. “He can’t eat. Too busy brooding.”

Laughter rippled around the table-contained, but pointed. I ignored it.

“If it eases your mind,” Callum offered, his voice more serious now, “I’ll head to Solara’s cottage.

Check if she’s there.”

I didn’t answer. Didn’t even look at them.

Instead, I stood abruptly-my chair scraping back with a harsh screech, fists clenched at my sides.

What is taking her so long?

Did something happen? Did she wander into the wilderness again?

Or worse-is she doing this on purpose? Punishing me for earlier?

I climbed the stairs, my footsteps slower now. Heavier.

At the top, I turned toward my chamber without thinking. The guards stationed at the archway to

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my wing bowed as 1 passed. I barely noticed them.

Inside, I sat at the edge of my bed, elbows resting on my knees. Waiting.

I hear her when she comes.

I always do.

I can always tell when she’s near-her quiet steps across the hall, the soft hum under her breath, even the rhythm of her breathing. Even her silences are distinct. The air shifts around her, like the

room knows she’s there before I do.

But as the minutes bled into hours and the sky outside sank into night.

As much as I worry about her, anger coils just as tightly in my chest-indistinguishable now, each feeding the other. One breath, I’m afraid. The next, I’m furious.

“Where the f*ck are you?*

And still… only the wind answered back.

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