The Dragon King and His Fallen Star novel Chapter 42

Chapter 42: The Taming and the Unraveling

EIRLYS’ POV

Something pulled me from sleep.

Not a sound-something else. A sensation. That eerie, weightless feeling of being watched, of warmth gathering on my skin before my eyes even opened.

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For a moment, I forgot where I was-until the soft rise and fall of Nibbles’ fuzzy back beneath my hand grounded me. The rabbit was still curled in my lap like a warm little loaf of bread.

Then I noticed the worn black boots. I looked up. Kierygan stood there, arms folded, jaw tight,

staring straight at me.

He didn’t speak.

I shifted slightly, suddenly aware of the hay tangled in my hair and the faint chill brushing against my bare arms. Still, I didn’t rise.

His gaze dropped to the rabbit nestled in my arms. His jaw ticked. I tightened my hold on Nibbles instinctively, half-expecting him to snatch the creature away.

His lips twitched, and I braced myself. He was going to tell me to get inside. To leave Nibbles

behind.

He opened his mouth, but he paused. Then he sighed.

“Get up,” he said, softer this time. “Take that thing with you.”

I stared at him. Suspicious. “What?”

“Get up,” he said again, extending a hand. “Before I change my mind.”

Still cradling Nibbles in one arm, I reached for him with the other. I stood too quickly. My knees wobbled, the ground tilting beneath me for a breath

But his hand was already at my waist, steadying me before I could fall.

And for one breathless second, we just… stood there. Close.

Too close.

Close enough to hear the steady beat of his heart, to feel the heat radiating from his body-rich

and strange and unmistakably dragon.

My fingers moved without permission, brushing lightly against the fabric stretched over his chest.

“Warm,” I murmured, the word slipping out before could stop it.

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Chapter 4 The Taming and the Unraveling

Kierygan caught my hand in his, his grip firm but careful.

“So are you,” he said, his voice low and hoarse. “When you glow like that.”

I blinked, startled, and looked down at my arms. I was glowing-soft, golden, alive. And I hadn’t

even noticed.

Why does it feel so natural when he’s near? Like light just answers to him. Like I do.

Before I could say anything more, a sudden thump broke the moment.

Nibbles had leapt from the crook of my arm to the hay-strewn floor-landing solidly, cleanly. No

stumbles. No limp.

The rabbit sniffed once, twitched its nose, then began hopping around like it had never been

injured.

My mouth parted in disbelief. “But… he was limping”

Kierygan arched a brow. “Apparently not anymore.

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Without thinking, I bent and scooped Nibbles into my arms again. He squirmed briefly, then settled with a soft sigh, curling into my hold like a smug little prince.

I looked up at Kierygan, clutching Nibbles a little tighter. “You’re still letting me keep him… right?”

His mouth twitched-something between a frown and the ghost of a sigh. He didn’t look furious anymore, just vaguely exasperated. But not the kind that would end in fire.

He didn’t answer.

Instead, he turned and strode toward the stable doors. “Get inside,” he said over his shoulder. ”

Before I start questioning my decision.”

MIRAEL’S POV

Each hour crawled by in agonizing stillness. Mirael sat where she had so often found herself these past few days-perched at the wide, arched window of her chamber.

Her view was limited-a narrow slice of the palace grounds-but it was enough. Enough to catch glimpses. Enough to overhear the occasional echo of life beyond her confinement. Just enough to remind her, like a slow, deliberate needle to the ribs of everything she was missing.

She sat with a cup of lukewarm tea, long forgotten in her hands, when movement near the stables

caught her eye.

Two figures emerged.

Mirael straightened, her heart quickening with quiet instinct. She leaned closer to the window,

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Chapter 42 The Taming and the Unraveling

brushing a strand of dark hair behind her shoulder.

Kierygan.

Even from a distance, there was no mistaking him-tall, broad-shouldered, every step full of purpose. She could recognize that stride in any crowd. She had watched him. Memorized him. Touched him. F*cked him.

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But it was the smaller figure just behind him that made Mirael’s lips press into a hard line and her spine go rigid.

Eirlys.

And in the girl’s arms, nestled like it belonged there, was a fat, cinnamon-colored rabbit.

Mirael blinked, certain she was imagining it.

But no-there it was, cradled gently against Eirlys’s chest. She held the creature like it was something precious, fragile. Her arms curled protectively around it, her expression soft. She looked tired… no, not tired. Content.

They weren’t heading toward the outer pens. Not toward the gardens. They were walking toward the palace doors.

Inside.

Mirael’s brows drew together. This can’t be right. He would never allow a wild animal beyond the threshold, much less into his own wing. But there they were, mere steps from the entrance, and

Kierygan made no move to stop her. No flicker of irritation. No command to toss it away.

Not even a glance of disapproval.

Just… silence.

Mirael’s jaw clenched so tightly it ached. Her fingers-delicate, pale from too many days with little

to no sunlight-curled into fists against the windowsill. Her vision tunneled. The anger came swift

and sharp.

Kierygan wasn’t just bending his own rules. He was breaking them.

He never allowed strays. Yet he brought her.

He never liked pets-especially the kind he used to hunt for supper. Yet now, he was letting Eirlys

keep one.

Mirael stepped back from the window and hurled her teacup onto the nightstand. Porcelain

cracked, tea sloshing over the edge.

Jealousy licked up her spine like fire through dry forest brush-fast, consuming, merciless.

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<Chapter 42 The Taming and the Unraveling

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“That pesky girl is changing him,” she hissed through clenched teeth. “And he’s letting her.”

She couldn’t stand by and watch it happen. Wouldn’t.

She began to pace, silk whispering around her ankles, the fire in her chest flaring brighter with every step. Stronger. Hotter. Twisting into something desperate.

She needed to get out of this room. Out of this wing. Out of this prison. Before it was too late.

Mirael stalked to the door and flung it open with a sharp flick of her wrist.

The lone guard posted outside jerked upright, his hand flying to the hilt of his sword. “You’re not permitted to leave your quarters, Lady Mirael,” he said, voice firm but nervous. “Please return

inside.”

She paused in the doorway, narrowing her eyes. She didn’t recognize him. Young, rigid in posture,

and clearly new.

She tilted her head, her voice turning syrup-sweet. haven’t seen you before. Are you new?”

The guard hesitated. “Ansel, my lady,” he said. “I was recently reassigned from border patrol to guarding this corridor.”

Mirael’s eyes lit up-not with warmth, but calculation. Perfect.

“How noble,” she purred, stepping closer, her tone dripping false admiration. “From chasing shadows in the wild to watching a locked door. I imagine this post feels… suffocating.”

The guard didn’t respond. His jaw clenched just slightly-exactly the reaction she wanted.

She let the silence stretch before lowering her voice to a coaxing whisper. “I suppose I could use a bit of help,” she murmured, eyes locking onto his. “Why don’t you step inside for a moment?”

Ansel hesitated for a moment, then followed Mirael into the room.

“I was trying to change earlier, but I can’t reach the clasp of my dress.” She turned slightly, revealing a bare shoulder through the slit of her silk gown. “It’s quite stuck. Would you mind terribly?”

The guard blinked, visibly flustered, unsure how to respond. “My lady, I-”

She stepped back, motioning him inside with a graceful flick of her hand. “Just a moment. I

promise I won’t bite.”

When he still didn’t move, she added with a soft laugh, “You have a weapon. And I’m wearing this

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