The Dragon King and His Fallen Star novel Chapter 44

Chapter 44: Ashteryn’s Back

KIERYGAN’S POV

Ashteryn was back.

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The moment the news reached me, I didn’t hesitate. I moved through corridors, down winding stone steps, past the clang of weapons and the shouts of warriors training in the clearing. Until I

stood before the heavy door of his workshop.

The scent hit first: scorched metal, burnt oil, and something faintly sulfuric curling beneath it all.

He was already working.

Typical Ashteryn.

I pushed the door open.

“Finally,” I said, stepping into the haze of smoke and metal. “I was beginning to think you plans of returning.”

had no

Ashteryn looked up from his cluttered bench, thick fingers stained with soot, a shard of crystal turning slowly between them. His tusks twitched-something between a smirk and a scowl. With him, it was always hard to tell.

“What the hell took you so long?” I asked, crossing the room.

He shrugged, wiping his hands on a rag so filthy it was more soot than cloth. “Wasn’t exactly a leisure stroll, Your Highness,” he said, voice dry as steel dust. “I went from kingdom to kingdom chasing rumors, talking to smiths. Most of them just flapped their mouths about things they didn’t

understand.”

I folded my arms, leaning slightly against the nearest worktable. “And?”

Ashteryn met my gaze. “And then I reached Lireia.”

I frowned. That caught my attention. Lireia-the kingdom of silk, alchemists, and forbidden relics.

“Lireia?” I echoed. “That’s across the ocean.”

Ashteryn didn’t miss a beat. “Like I told you-it wasn’t a pleasant stroll. Lireians don’t exactly hand out secrets, but I saved one of their alchemists from a rogue attack. She repaid me.”

He limped slightly as he walked past me toward the far wall-a lingering injury, no doubt, from the rogue attack he’d mentioned earlier. I said nothing, but I noticed.

Ashteryn rummaged through a crooked shelf, his broad back blocking the light, and finally pulled out a worn, leather-bound book. The edges of the cover were scorched, as if it had survived fire.

He returned and handed it to me without a word.

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“Go on,” he said, gesturing. “Long story short-I found a schematic. Partially ruined, but enough to piece something together.”

I opened the book. My eyes flicked over faded pages-inked diagrams, weapon cross-sections, scrawled instructions in a dialect I only half-recognized. Ashteryn leaned over and flipped to a

page near the middle.

I froze.

I pulled out a stool, sat, and set the book on the worktable. “Is this how they were weaponized?” I

asked. “You think you can do it?”

“I think I can try,” Ashteryn said. His voice was lower now. “Especially with the gems she gave us.”

He began clearing his workstation. “I’ve already gathered what we need for a catalyst. Enough to

make the harvested light ignite.”

I studied him for a long moment. “This stays between us. For now.”

He grunted. “Exactly what I was thinking. Last thing we need is the wrong people knowing we’ve got something like this.”

I nodded. “If you succeed, store them safely,” I ordered. “Out of reach. Locked so tightly not even

the council could sniff them out.”

Ashteryn gave a short nod. “Then I’d better get to work.”

I was already halfway to the door when a soft knock sounded-barely a whisper against the wood. I recognized it instantly. She didn’t need to knock, really. I always knew when she was near.

Ashteryn, who had just begun arranging tools, froze. Then, without a word, he let out a rough, unexpected laugh. He shoved past me-almost knocking me aside-and strode to the door with sudden purpose.

“Eirlys,” Ashteryn blurted, grinning. “I was wondering when you’d come visit.”

She stepped just inside the doorway, cradling that ridiculous rabbit like it was a crown jewel. She hadn’t seen me yet. Her smile was as radiant as ever at the sight of her friend.

“I came as soon as I heard,” she said, hugging the creature closer.

I crossed my arms, watching the exchange in silence. I was half-expecting Ashteryn to launch into one of his signature rants. If I disliked animals roaming the halls, Ashteryn detested them with an almost spiritual fervor-especially near his forge.

But then something impossible happened.

Ashteryn bent down, squinting slightly to meet the rabbit eye-to-eye.

“And who is this little guy?” he asked, voice soft-fond, even. A tone I didn’t know he possessed.

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Chapter 63 Atistryn’s Back

All I could do was stare and wonder.

Who was this girl?

And what, in the gods’ name, had she done to Ashteryn?

Eirlys beamed. “This is Nibbles,” she said brightly. Because he loves to eat.”

Ashteryn finally shot me a glance over his shoulder Weren’t you on your way out?” he asked, one

brow arched.

Before I could answer, Eirlys stepped farther into the room and noticed me. “Oh-I didn’t see you

there.”

I gave a casual shrug and walked back to the stool I’d been sitting on earlier. “Changed my mind,” I said, settling in. “Thought I’d stick around. Got any tea?”

Ashteryn exhaled as if I were some great burden to his existence. “Fine,” he muttered. “I was going to make some for Eirlys anyway.”

He grumbled under his breath as he moved toward the hearth, filled a dented kettle, and set it over the flames. The scent of iron and oil was slowly being replaced by something gentler-steam and something faintly floral from the tin of herbs he kept somewhere, probably buried under screws

and dust.

While the water began to heat, he turned and reached for a worn satchel hanging from a hook on the wall. He dug through it for a moment, then glanced at Eirlys.

“I got you something,” he said.

Eirlys blinked, surprised. “Really?”

He pulled out a small box-wooden, with the corners dulled by time-and handed it to her. She accepted it with both hands, almost reverently, and opened the lid.

Inside lay a pendant: a delicate snowdrop flower, carved from amethyst. Deep violet and pale lilac crystals formed the petals, catching the forge’s dim light and scattering it across her fingers. The

same color as her eyes.

“Oh…” she breathed. “It’s beautiful.”

Ashteryn scratched the back of his neck and shifted awkwardly on his feet. “Saw it in Lireia.”

I stared at him, stunned. I’d known Ashteryn for years. I’d seen him crack skulls open and melt metal with his bare hands, but affection? Sentiment? Never.

Who was this towering brute, carefully choosing gemstones for a pendant? For her?

Had I ever-?

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Chapter 44 Ashteryn’s Back

No. I pushed the thought away before it could settle.

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Ashteryn reached for the chain. “Here, let me-” But his thick fingers fumbled with the fine clasp. He grunted in frustration, squinting down at the tiny latch. “Bloody thing’s too small.”

Eirlys giggled softly, brushing her hair aside to help

Ashteryn shot me a sharp look. “You… baby hands. Make yourself useful and put this on her.”

I hesitated-only for a second-before rising from the stool. I took the chain from him, stepping behind Eirlys, my fingers brushing lightly against her skin.

Her scent hit me-soft, warm, and something I couldn’t name. I inhaled, just once, before I could

stop myself.

Ashteryn noticed.

His tusks twitched, and I was almost certain I heard a stifled scoff.

I schooled my expression and fastened the clasp. The pendant settled just below her collarbone, catching light like a star trapped in silver.

“There,” I murmured.

She looked up at me, smile soft. “Thank you.”

I gave a curt nod and stepped back-but something about the moment clung to me.

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Ashteryn’s expression. Amused. His eyes glinted, lips curved

in the faintest grin.

Thankfully, the kettle whistled just then, and he rose to pour the tea-mercifully saying nothing.

Ashteryn returned with a tray balanced effortlessly in one hand, steam curling from two mismatched cups. He set it down between before pouring slowly

Eirlys reached for hers with both hands, cupping it delicately. “It smells lovely.”

Ashteryn grunted, clearly pleased-but then paused mid-motion, his brow furrowing. With a snap of his fingers, he straightened. “Ah. Almost forgot, I got you something else.”

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