The Dragon King and His Fallen Star novel Chapter 43

Chapter 43: The Girl in Gold, The Witch in Green

EIRLYS’ POV

Claim

I scooped Nibbles gently into my arms, holding him close to my chest. He gave a soft, sleepy grunt and burrowed in without protest, utterly unbothered by the disruption.

“Time to leave your cozy little nest,” I whispered, as if he could understand. “You’ve been lounging

for days. A bit of exercise won’t kill you.”

He blinked once, his nose and ears twitching slowly as if he was trying to protest.

I stepped out the door and began walking the long corridor of the wing. Just as I was about to turn

toward the staircase, Kierygan appeared at the end of the hall, striding toward me with his usual commanding presence. Likely on his way to his chambers.

He gave me and Nibbles one of his usual unreadable glances-cool, fleeting, impossible to

interpret.

“Bringing that furball with you again?” he asked dryly.

“Of course,” I said, stroking Nibbles’ ears. “He needs fresh air.”

Kierygan’s jaw tightened slightly, but he said nothing as he continued past us. He still didn’t like the rabbit-but at least he no longer objected. That alone felt like a small victory.

Still, I remembered the night he found me in the stables-his exact words echoing in my mind: “If it’s staying, it stays out of the dining hall. And if it makes a mess, you clean it. If it gets sick, you take

care of it.”

The very next day, he had a cage set up in my room-polished wood, with a nest of soft blankets. Far too ornate for a rabbit, if I were being honest.

Not that there was much need to keep Nibbles contained. He wasn’t exactly adventurous. He was

too lazy to wander around.

The only time he ever moved was when he smelled food-or sensed I was about to leave. Honestly, he was one fat, lazy, clingy little thing.

Emma waited at the bottom of the staircase, her satchel already slung over one shoulder. Solara stood beside her, arms crossed, a faint smile tugging at her lips when she saw me-and my fluffy

companion.

“Excited to see your dress?” she asked.

I returned a soft smile. “Yes.”

Although, I was more nervous than excited. Not about the dress-but about what I’d be wearing it

ITI

1/5

Chapter 43. The Galin Gold. The Witch im Green

Claim

for. I couldn’t even begin to imagine how many people would be there… let alone how many would

be looking at me.

The carriage came to a gentle stop in front of the shop. As we stepped inside, the scent of pressed petals and starch greeted me-like lavender and fresh linen woven into the air.

Vittoria, the seamstress, immediately ushered me onto a raised platform in front of a tall mirror. I passed Nibbles to Emma, who looked far more concerned about fur getting on the fabrics than

about holding him.

I slipped into the voluminous gold dress. Vittoria stepped back, a small smile playing on her lips, a gleam of satisfaction in her eyes.

“I wasn’t sure at first,” she said, tilting her head. “But the King was right to insist on gold.”

I blinked at her. “He chose this color?”

“Oh, yes,” she said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. “Insisted on it. I suggested

silver or deep purple to match your eyes, but he wouldn’t hear of it.”

I turned to the mirror.

The fabric shimmered like starlight. The bodice hugged gently, not tightly, and tiny crystals lined

the neckline like droplets of morning dew. The skirt flowed in soft, weightless layers that caught

the light with every step. I barely recognized myself

Carefully, I stepped down from the platform as Vittoria clapped her hands, clearly delighted.” Perfect,” she chirped. “You’re ready for the ball.”

She bundled the gown into a protective bag and handed it to Solara, who accepted it with care.

On the ride back to the castle, Nibbles curled into the crook of my arm, fast asleep-as usual-

while Emma and Solara chatted quietly up front.

We alighted once the carriage passed through the gates. As we made our way toward the palace’s main entrance, I spotted Orryx and Kierygan standing ahead, deep in conversation.

Orryx noticed us first. His arms were crossed, but a slow, knowing smirk tugged at his lips when his gaze landed on the lump of fur nestled in my arms.

“Well, well,” he said. “Looks like the rabbit’s the one who got the most out of the trip.”

I giggled. “He’s exhausted from doing absolutely nothing.”

Then I looked at Kierygan.

He didn’t say a word, but his eyes flicked to Nibbles and his mouth twisted into that familiar

expression-somewhere between disdain and… resignation.

At last, his gaze lifted to mine. “How did you find the dress?” he asked, his voice cool and

111

<

WY51

< Chapter 43. The Gul in Gold. The Witch in Green

measured.

“It’s, um… very pretty,” I said. “And very heavy.”

Claim

A corner of his mouth twitched-almost a smile. “You’ll survive,” he said, the words gentler than his

tone. “Just try not to trip in it.”

Before I could respond, Orryx cleared his throat and stepped forward, shifting the mood.

“The vampire delegation will be arriving earlier than expected,” he said, his gaze flicking between

me and Kierygan. “They’ve requested to meet you.””

I blinked. “Me? Why?”

Orryx gave a lopsided shrug, clearly fishing for an excuse. “They’re curious, I suppose,” he said. ” You’re the talk of the court-the girl rescued from the tower, and all that.”

I frowned, unconvinced. He said it too casually-like someone trying not to say too much. There

was more to it. I could feel it.

I glanced at Kierygan, but-unsurprisingly-his expression gave nothing away. I didn’t press further. I gave Orryx a single nod. “Alright.”

Not that it felt like I had much of a choice. I offered a polite excuse, saying I needed to settle

Nibbles down.

“Go ahead,” Kierygan said.

I turned on my heel without another word.

MIRAEL

The room was thick with candlelight and heat-the kind that clung to skin and whispered against breath, and the kind Mirael knew how to conjure with nothing but a glance and the brush of her

fingertips.

She lay beneath Ansel, flushed and breathless. His eyes were glazed now-no longer uncertain, unlike the first night she had lured him into her bed

In fact, he hadn’t stopped since. Just like now-he wasn’t stopping. As if she were a thirst he couldn’t quench. One hand braced against the headboard, still ramming in and out of her, still lost

in the haze.

Why would he want to stop? Only a fool would pass up a chance like this.

A fool like Kierygan.

He had cast her aside-for a trembling girl with crackling skin and eyes far too wide for this world.

3/5

4 Chapter 43 The Girl in Gold The Witch in Greent

Claim

Mirael didn’t care how rare or radiant Eirlys might be. One thing she knew for certain: the girl could

never give him what she could. Not even close.

Mirael dug her nails into Ansel’s shoulders as the tension coiled tighter within her. Judging by his

breathless groans and quickening pace, he was nearing the edge too.

Moments later, they unraveled together, breathless and spent.

Ansel rolled off her, catching his breath before rising to pull on his uniform. He was still panting as

he fumbled with the last button.

“I have to get back to my post,” he said, half-apologetic.

Mirael offered a sweet, lingering smile. “Tomorrow again?”

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify