The Dragon King and His Fallen Star novel Chapter 41

Chapter 41: The Guy She Met

KIERYGAN’S POV

I’d managed to simmer down after the visit to Mirael-barely. And especially after seeing Eirlys glow… for Evander.

I shouldn’t hold it against her. Just days ago, I nearly gave in to Mirael. Her glowing for someone else is nothing compared to my own betrayal of the mating bond.

Even if she didn’t yet know it existed.

I made my way to the dining hall, the low murmur of voices and the soft clink of silverware already reaching my ears. I quickened my pace. But when reached the table, she wasn’t there.

No sign of Eirlys.

I took my seat and lifted my goblet, drinking just enough to swallow down whatever had lodged in my throat.

I told myself not to glance at the doorway or the staircase-aware of the eyes watching me. But my gaze betrayed me anyway.

Had she not returned yet?

She should have. The village wasn’t far-no more than an hour, even with fittings. I knew exactly how long it should’ve taken.

I glanced around the table and caught the expression on their faces-thinly veiled amusement, as if they were all sitting on the edge of some juicy gossip, still deciding who’d get the honor of delivering the blow.

Callum leaned back in his chair, taking a long, leisurely sip from his goblet. “The girl made it back,

he said, far too casual.

My head snapped toward him. “What?”

“Eirlys got back not too long ago,” he said with a shrug.

Relief washed over me at the knowledge that she’d made it home safely-only to be quickly replaced by impatience. “Then why isn’t she down here yet?”

Callum grinned. “She met someone interesting, I think. Some nice-looking guy.” A snort escaped him. “She’s probably still in her room with him.”

Something hot and primal twisted in my gut. My jaw locked. My fist slammed down on the table.” What guy?”

Callum took another bite of food, utterly unfazed. “Didn’t catch his name. But they looked cozy.

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That’s all I’ll say.”

A low, dangerous heat coiled in my chest.

Cozy? In her room?

Evander coughed into his goblet-choked on blood he’d been feasting on, maybe, or laughter. I couldn’t tell. Orryx just sighed and shook his head.

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I forced my voice to stay even, though the edge in it was unmistakable. “You let her take a stranger into her room?” I asked. “In my wing, where no one is allowed?”

Callum shrugged again, completely unbothered. “She seemed so beguiled. I didn’t have the heart to stop her.”

Useless fools. I nearly flipped the entire table.

“This better not be one of your sick jokes,” I growled. “I swear…”

I didn’t get to finish. Orryx glanced toward the staircase and said, calmly but pointedly, “They’re

here.”

I turned my head slowly, forcing myself to stay composed-no matter what I was about to see. But when my eyes landed on her… I wasn’t sure if I should be relieved. Or more furious.

Descending the steps, beaming like the sun itself, was Eirlys. And in her arms was not a man. It

was a rabbit.

A fat, smug-looking, fur-shedding ball of fluff nestled in her arms like royalty. Its ears flopped lazily as if it, too, was mocking me.

Silence stretched across the table, brittle as ice. That’s why they were so damn amused.

Evander took a long sip on his blood-laced wine, his eyes dancing with amusement. Callum coughed, clearly trying to stifle a laugh. Orryx’s mouth twitched, his effort not to smile making it look like he was biting the inside of his cheek.

I exhaled slowly through my nose.

They all knew the rules. I didn’t allow animals inside the palace. Ever. If they wanted a pet, they could bloody well keep it somewhere else-far from my halls.

I turned my attention forward, fingers drumming impatiently against the table.

When Eirlys finally reached her seat, the entire table erupted into exaggerated greetings. She gave them a confused smile, then turned to me with a small, uncertain nod.

My eyes narrowed the moment she sat. “What is that?” I asked, tone bone-dry.

Her brows knit together, as if the question itself were absurd. “It’s a rabbit,” she said.

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Someone at the table snorted, but I didn’t look away from her. “I’m aware,” I said through clenched

teeth. “What I’d like to know is why it’s sitting at my table.”

She blinked, then shrugged. “He’s hurt,” she said simply. “I’m keeping him so I can take care of him.”

My jaw tightened. “No. You’re. Not.” I gestured toward the animal. “I don’t allow wild beasts in the

castle.”

“He’s not wild,” she snapped back. “And he’s not a beast.”

Then, more quietly, but with a bite. “Besides, most of you are half-beasts-and yet you’re allowed to stay inside.”

The table fell silent. Not the amused, expectant hush from before-this was different. The kind of silence that settled just before a storm split the sky

Everyone had gone still, watching me. Because they knew-she’d pushed it too far. But I wasn’t going to lose it.

Not with her.

I inhaled slowly through my nose, forcing the fury back down where it belonged. “Take it outside. Now,” I ordered, my voice quiet but edged like a drawn blade.

Eirlys didn’t flinch. Didn’t look away. She met my glare head-on. “Fine. I will,” she said, chin tilting up.

“After he’s eaten. He’s hurt.”

The heat behind my eyes flared. I opened my mouth to demand it be done now-but Orryx raised a hand beside me. A silent gesture. Let it go. Just this once.

I clenched my jaw so tightly I felt it in my temples.

Fine.

Let her win this round. I gave her one last hard look a warning, not a surrender.

“Feed it,” I muttered. “Then it goes.”

I could’ve sworn she rolled her eyes before turning back to her plate, casually slipping bites to the ridiculous thing nestled in her lap.

I focused on my food, but my gaze kept drifting back to her. She couldn’t even eat properly-lifting that fat rabbit to her shoulder between bites. It sniffed at her neck, nibbled at her ear.

And she giggled.

I wanted to rip the creature from her arms and toss it out myself-for doing the things I’ve always

wanted to, but never could.

Thankfully, she set it down on the floor-though she kept sneaking bits of food beneath the table.

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Chapter 41 The Guy She Met

And sure enough, the rabbit had a limp.

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When her plate was empty and the lazy creature looked just as full, Eirlys scooped it into her arms. “Time to go,” she whispered to it gently.

She stood and walked away without so much as a glance in my direction.

Just before she slipped from view, I caught her soft murmur: “Sorry, Nibbles. You heard the crabby dragon-you’re not allowed to stay.”

The table stayed quiet, until Callum slapped his palm against the wood. “Damn,” he exclaimed. “I

was so sure Kier was going to fold.”

Evander shook his head, swirling his goblet. “You know full well-pets are non-negotiable.”

Orryx leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, a knowing glint in his eye. “Too early to tell,” he said

casually.

My glare swept over them. “You find this amusing?”

No one answered.

I pushed back from the table, the legs of my chair scraping against the floor as I stood. Without another word, I turned and headed up the stairs toward my chambers-each step heavier than the

last.

Inside my chambers, I stripped off my tunic and stepped into the cold bath. I needed it-to drown the heat rising under my skin. Though I wasn’t sure if it was the burn of anger… or that other feeling that had been coiling deeper with each passing day

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