The Dragon King and His Fallen Star novel Chapter 37

Chapter 37: Flicker of Control

EIRLYS’ POV

The mind training had been grueling. Exhausting, even. But I’d refused to stop.

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I couldn’t go back empty-handed-not after everything that happened today. I needed something- anything-to prove I wasn’t helpless. That I wasn’t a ticking blaze beneath my own skin.

So I kept going. Pushing. I wouldn’t stop until I had even a shred of control.

Solara had reminded me more than once that it was getting late-her voice gentle, but firm. I

brushed her off every time.

“Just one more try, I told her.

And when I failed, I said it again. And again.

She didn’t argue. Just stayed close, sitting with that quiet, steady patience of hers.

And then, after what felt like hours… it happened.

A spark. Small, delicate-like a firefly flickering to life in the dark.

The spark vanished into my bracelet the moment it formed-swallowed whole, like always-but I

saw it. Solara did too.

Progress. At last.

Breathless and shaking from the effort, I beamed at her.

She smiled, warm and proud. “You did well,” she said. “We’ll continue this tomorrow. For now, let’s

eat.”

I nodded, still dazed with a kind of quiet triumph. I must’ve missed dinner at the palace by now anyway. So I followed her down the moonlit path, the stars overhead glimmering like they were pleased with me.

Solara set out the warm food she’d saved, and we sat at her small wooden table while the scent of

chamomile drifted in through the windows.

I was in the middle of telling her how excited I was to practice again tomorrow when a knock

sounded at the door.

Solara rose to open it.

Callum stood at the threshold, his broad frame blocking the moonlight behind him. Nerissa hovered just behind, arms crossed and brows furrowed.

“There you are,” he said, exhaling like he’d been holding his breath for miles. His gaze landed on

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Chapter 37 Flicker of Control

me, sharp. “You need to come back. Now.”

My stomach dropped.

“A very worried-and very pissed-dragon is waiting for you,” he added.

Worried? I doubted that. Pissed, definitely. For ‘attacking’ Mirael. For losing control.

If he was mad, then so was I.

Nerissa stepped inside and took the chair beside me, her eyes narrowing at her sister. “You shouldn’t have kept her here, Sol.”

I straightened. “It wasn’t her fault,” I said quickly. “I was the one who insisted on staying.”

Solara met my eyes and gave a small, reassuring nod.

“One more bite,” she murmured, brushing a hand lightly across my shoulder. “Then you can go.”

I swallowed the last of the stew, then rose, brushing crumbs from my lap. Callum and Nerissa exchanged a glance and motioned for me to follow them back to the palace.

Before stepping away, I turned to Solara. “I’ll see you tomorrow,” I said softly.

She smiled, and I trailed after the two of them, the night swallowing my footsteps.

When we reached the palace, I separated from Callum and Nerissa as they went to their wing. I turned toward my own, stepping cautiously, every movement measured. I couldn’t risk alerting anyone-especially Kierygan.

Clair

In the silent corridors, I slipped off my boots to keep my steps quiet. The cold floor bit into my bare feet as I moved on tiptoes, heart pounding with every step.

Relief washed over me when I reached Kierygan’s door-dark, no light leaking from beneath, no fire flickering. Not that he needed one; he was a dragon, always warm.

I reached for the handle of my door, fingers trembling, when suddenly a heavy door slammed behind me with a harsh bang.

My breath hitched. “Flying fiddlesticks,” I hissed under my breath as my boots slipped from my

hands in surprise.

Kierygan’s voice sliced through the silence, low and sharp like a predator’s growl. “You missed

dinner.”

I swallowed, caught between a flicker of fear and something deeper, more tangled. Slowly, I turned to face him, my heart hammering louder with every breath.

My knees threatened to give way, but then I remembered what Solara had taught me. I straightened, lifting my chin to meet his eyes.

III

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Chapter 37 Flower of Control

“I ate at Solara’s,” I said, surprised at how steady my voice sounded.

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Kierygan stood in the doorway like a shadow-barefoot, shirt hanging open, eyes faintly aglow in the dark. His hair was damp, as if he’d just come from a bath, and the cords of muscle along his arms flexed as he braced one hand against the doorframe.

He looked furious.

“So you think you can just come and go as you please?” he said, voice low and tight. “Is that it,

Eirlys?”

I blinked at him. “I was with Solara,” I said evenly. “Having my lessons. The ones you told me to

take.”

For a moment, I swore the fire in his eyes flared. “You should have been back before dark,” he said, voice rough. “You have no idea how dangerous it is out there.”

I frowned. “I’m dangerous too,” I said before I could stop myself. “You said so yourself.”

His jaw flexed, teeth grinding. Then he stepped closer, his presence swallowing the space between us. “Don’t test my patience, Eirlys,” he said, his voice husky and sharp. “You wouldn’t like

what happens if I lose it.”

I held his gaze. Part of me wanted to push him further. To see just how terrifying he could really be. But another part, quieter and smarter, whispered that I might not be ready for the answer.

I listened to that part.

“I’m sorry,” I said-though it felt more like a dismissal than an apology. “It won’t happen again.”

I turned to my door, but his hand closed around mine before I could reach the handle.

“Did I say you could go?” His voice was low now-dangerous. “I wasn’t done talking to you.”

I nearly yelped when he spun me around with effortless strength. My heart slammed against my ribs as I lifted my head-only to find him crouched in front of me, his face just inches from mine.

I swallowed hard, forcing myself to meet his gaze. If you’re here to lecture me about me losing control, don’t bother,” I said, sharper than I meant to. “I was training. That’s why I’m late-I’m

already working on it.”

For a heartbeat, something in his eyes softened. Or maybe I imagined it-because when I blinked, it was gone. “That’s not what I want to say to you.”

I yanked my arm free of his grip. “Then what?” I snapped. “Is this about Mirael? Because she said I

hurt her?”

A bitter smile pulled at my lips. “I’m sure she has already told you everything. So what’s the point?”

The memory still cut deep-his eyes filled with disappointment, the way he’d believed her lies, the

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Chapter 37 Flicker of Control

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